Sterilization processor and sterilization processing method

Abstract

To provide a sterilization processor that is easy to downsize and capable of reducing equipment costs, and a sterilization processing method.SOLUTION: This is a sterilization processor 1 that performs sterilization treatment using the vaporized substance of sterilizing water. The sterilization processor 1 is equipped with a vaporizer 10 that vaporizes the sterilizing water, the vaporizer 10 consists of a housing 11, a filter 12, sterilizing water supply means that supplies the sterilizing water to the filter 12, and a fan. The housing 11 includes a cylindrical body 15 and a pair of lid portions provided at both ends of the body 15. The upper lid portion is provided with an air outlet, and an air intake port 20 is provided on the body 15. The filter 12 is arranged in a cylindrical shape along the inner surface of the body 15 so as to surround the central axis k of the body 15. The fan is provided at the air outlet, where the sterilizing water supplied to the filter 12 is vaporized in contact with the air taken in through the air intake port 20, and the vaporized substance of the sterilizing water is discharged from the air outlet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sterilization treatment device and a sterilization method. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to the spread of COVID-19 and avian influenza, there is an increasing need for sterilization of human living spaces and livestock barns. Sodium hypochlorite is a well-known disinfectant, but it is not suitable for disinfecting spaces where people are present from a safety standpoint. On the other hand, hypochlorous acid water is highly safe and is therefore suitable for disinfecting spaces where people are present. However, HClO, the disinfectant component of hypochlorous acid water, is unstable, so it is necessary to use an appropriate concentration and method of diffusion into the space.

[0003] In the agricultural and livestock industries, attempts have begun to vaporize hypochlorous acid water by passing it through a filter soaked in hypochlorous acid water, and then use the vaporized material to sterilize air and kill disease-causing bacteria on flowers, leaves, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a cut flower sterilization system that has an air intake and an exhaust port on opposing wall surfaces of a housing, a flat water absorption filter disposed within the housing, and a vaporization section with a fan installed on the air intake side of the water absorption filter within the housing. In the cut flower sterilization system, hypochlorous acid water is supplied to the water absorption filter, air is taken in from the air intake by the rotation of the fan and brought into contact with the hypochlorous acid water, and the vaporized material of the hypochlorous acid water is discharged from the exhaust port, thereby sterilizing cut flowers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-52131 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the sterilization system as described in Patent Document 1, the equipment tends to be large in order to uniformly diffuse the vaporized substance of hypochlorous acid water in a space, and the equipment costs tend to increase. Therefore, there is a demand for a sterilization treatment device that can be easily miniaturized, reduces equipment costs, and can be easily attached to existing greenhouses, coolers, etc., as well as housings for temporarily storing and cooling crops at farmers, transport containers, etc.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization treatment device and a sterilization method that can be easily miniaturized and reduce equipment costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention includes the following configurations. [1] A sterilization treatment device for performing sterilization treatment using a vaporized substance of sterilizing water, Equipped with a vaporizer that vaporizes sterilizing water, The vaporizer includes a housing, a filter, a sterilizing water supply means for supplying sterilizing water to the filter, and a fan. The housing includes a cylindrical body portion and a pair of lid portions provided at both ends of the body portion, An air exhaust port is provided in one of the pair of lids, and an air intake port is provided in the body, the filter is arranged in a cylindrical shape along an inner surface of the body portion so as to surround a central axis of the body portion, The fan is provided at the air intake or the air exhaust, A sterilization treatment device, wherein the sterilizing water supplied to the filter is vaporized upon contact with air taken in through the air intake port, and the vaporized matter of the sterilizing water is discharged from the air exhaust port. [2] The sterilization treatment device according to [1], wherein the sterilizing water supply means is a means for dripping sterilizing water from above the filter. [3] The sterilizing water supply means comprises a sprinkler pipe and a reflector; The sprinkler pipe is disposed above the filter, and a hole is formed in an upper surface of the pipe; the reflector is disposed above the hole; The sterilizing water sprayed upward from the holes hits the reflector plate and drips onto the filter. [4] A hypochlorous acid water generator is further provided, and the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator is supplied to the filter as sterilizing water; The sterilization treatment device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the hypochlorous acid water generator is provided with a mechanism for generating hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water, and mixing the generated hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water to adjust the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water supplied to the filter. [5] The sterilization treatment device according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising a storage tank for storing sterilizing water, piping for sending the sterilizing water from the storage tank to the sterilizing water supply means, and piping for returning the sterilizing water that has passed through the filter without being vaporized to the storage tank. [6] The apparatus further includes a hypochlorous acid water generator, and the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator is stored in the storage tank as sterilizing water; The sterilization treatment device according to [5], wherein the hypochlorous acid water generator is provided with a mechanism for generating hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water, and adjusting the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank by mixing the generated hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water. [7] Further comprising a control unit, Hypochlorous acid water is stored in the storage tank as sterilizing water, The sterilization treatment device described in [5] or [6], wherein the control unit controls adjustment of the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank by extracting a fixed amount of hypochlorous acid water from the storage tank and supplying an amount of hypochlorous acid water equal to the amount extracted to the storage tank. [8] The sterilization treatment device according to any one of [5] to [7], further comprising at least one of a pH sensor that measures the pH of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank and a chlorine concentration sensor that measures the available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank. [9] A duct is connected to the air exhaust port; The duct is provided with a plurality of air outlets spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the duct, the air outlets being opened by internal pressure, The sterilization treatment device according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the multiple air outlets are air outlets consisting of cuts made in the soft duct, air outlets in which an opening made in the duct is closed by a cover member that opens due to internal pressure, or air outlets in which an opening made in the duct is closed by a soft cover member in which a cut is made.

[10] A sterilization method for performing sterilization using a vaporizer for vaporizing sterilizing water, comprising: The vaporizer includes a housing, a filter, a sterilizing water supply means for supplying sterilizing water to the filter, and a fan. The housing includes a cylindrical body portion and a pair of lid portions provided at both ends of the body portion, An air exhaust port is provided in one of the pair of lids, and an air intake port is provided in the body, the filter is arranged in a cylindrical shape along an inner surface of the body portion so as to surround a central axis of the body portion, The fan is provided at the air intake or the air exhaust, A sterilization method comprising the steps of: supplying sterilizing water to the filter; taking in air from the air intake port and bringing it into contact with the sterilizing water to vaporize it; and discharging the vaporized matter of the sterilizing water from the air exhaust port to perform sterilization.

[11] The sterilization treatment device further includes a storage tank for storing sterilizing water, a pipe for sending the sterilizing water from the storage tank to the sterilizing water supply means, and a pipe for returning the sterilizing water that has passed through the filter without being vaporized to the storage tank; Hypochlorous acid water is stored in the storage tank as sterilizing water, The sterilization method according to

[10] , further comprising: extracting a fixed amount of hypochlorous acid water from the storage tank; and supplying the same amount of hypochlorous acid water as that extracted to the storage tank, thereby adjusting the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank.

[12] The sterilization treatment device further includes a storage tank for storing sterilizing water, a hypochlorous acid water generating device, a pipe for sending sterilizing water from the storage tank to the sterilizing water supply means, and a pipe for returning the sterilizing water that has passed through the filter without vaporizing to the storage tank; The hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator is stored in the storage tank as sterilizing water, The sterilization method according to

[10] , wherein a portion of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank is returned to the hypochlorous acid water generator. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a sterilization treatment device and a sterilization method are provided that can be easily miniaturized and reduce equipment costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device according to an example of an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device according to one example of the embodiment when cut in the height direction. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of the vaporizer in the sterilization treatment apparatus of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing a third container section and an upper duct of a housing of the vaporizer of the sterilization treatment device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a perspective view showing a second container section of a housing in the vaporizer of the sterilization treatment device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the assembly structure of the sprinkler pipe housed in the second housing of the carburetor, where Figure 6(A) is a plan view seen from above and Figure 6(B) is a side view seen from the water inlet side. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view showing a first container portion of a housing in the vaporizer of the sterilization treatment device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the sterilizing water supply means of the vaporizer in the sterilization treatment apparatus of FIG. [Figure 9] 9(A) to 9(C) are perspective views that diagrammatically show other examples of the vaporizer. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device according to another example of the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device according to another example of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sterilization treatment apparatus of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device according to another example of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating steps for controlling the operation of the sterilization treatment device by the control unit. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating steps for controlling the operation of the sterilization treatment device by the control unit. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating steps for controlling the adjustment of the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank by the controller during operation of the sterilization treatment apparatus. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a chart illustrating the operation timing of each magnet pump, solenoid valve, and fan when the sterilization treatment apparatus is in operation. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device according to another example of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration in which a duct provided with a plurality of air outlets is connected to an air outlet of a carburetor. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 shows an example of an air outlet provided in a duct, where FIG. 21(A) to FIG. 21(C) are front views and FIG. 21(D) to FIG. 21(F) are perspective views. [Figure 22]FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of how the inside of a refrigerator is sterilized using a sterilization treatment device in which a duct with multiple air outlets is connected to an evaporator in Experimental Example 1, where FIG. 22(A) is a top view and FIG. 22(B) is a side view. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of how an office space is sterilized in Experimental Example 5 by connecting an air outlet of a vaporizer of a sterilization treatment device to an air conditioning pipe for supplying air through a duct. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] As used herein, the following definitions apply: A numerical range expressed by "to" means a numerical range including the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the lower and upper limits, unless otherwise specified. "Available chlorine concentration" refers to the value measured by the method described in "Quantitative Method, page 635, of the 9th Edition of the Food Additives Standards, published by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Consumer Affairs Agency, 2018." "Adjacent" means adjacent to, in contact with, or in close contact with the other. The term "adjacent" refers to a state in which one faces the other at a certain distance, with the distance between them being 0.3 mm or less, preferably 0.2 mm or less.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sterilization treatment device and a sterilization treatment method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions of the drawings shown in the following description are merely examples, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0012] <First embodiment> [Sterilization treatment equipment] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization processing device 1 according to an example of an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization processing device 1 cut in the height direction. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization processing device 1 of Fig. 2 taken along line II. The sterilization treatment device 1 is a device for performing sterilization treatment using a vaporizing substance of sterilizing water, and includes a vaporizer 10 for vaporizing the sterilizing water.

[0013] The vaporizer 10 includes a housing 11, a filter 12, a sterilized water supply means 13, a fan 14, and an upper duct 27.

[0014] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 11 is a cubic case including a body portion 15 and a pair of lid portions 16 and 17 provided on both ends of the body portion 15. Here, the "body" refers to a cylindrical portion consisting of side walls that completely surround the central axis, and in the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is a rectangular cylindrical portion consisting of four side walls 19 that rise in the vertical direction. The term "central axis" refers to an axis that is perpendicular to the opening plane of the air exhaust port formed in the housing and that is a straight line that passes through the center of the housing. The "lid portion" refers to a plate-like portion provided to close both open ends of the body in the central axial direction. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, it refers to two plate-like portions provided to close the upper and lower open ends of the body 15, respectively. However, the housing is not limited to a housing having lids at the upper and lower ends of a body that rises in the vertical direction. For example, the housing may have a body with a central axis that is horizontal, and lids that close the open ends on both sides of the body that are laid down on their side so as to rise up and down.

[0015] The dimensions of the housing 11 of the vaporizer 10 are not particularly limited and can be set appropriately depending on the application. The housing 11 is made up of a first storage section 11a that stores a filter 12 therein, a second storage section 11b that stores a sterilizing water supply means 13 therein, and a third storage section 11c that stores a fan 14 therein. The first storage section 11a is composed of a lower portion 15a of the body 15 and a lid portion 17 provided at the lower end of the lower portion 15a of the body 15. The third storage section 11c is composed of an upper portion 15c of the body 15 and a lid portion 16 provided at the upper end of the upper portion 15c of the body 15. The second storage section 11b is composed of an intermediate portion 15b between the lower portion 15a and the upper portion 15c of the body 15.

[0016] In the housing 11, the second housing portion 11b is provided on the first housing portion 11a, and the third housing portion 11c is provided on the second housing portion 11b. The first housing portion 11a and the second housing portion 11b are connected and fixed by a plurality of fasteners 28a provided on the outer surface of the boundary between the first housing portion 11a and the second housing portion 11b. Similarly, the second housing portion 11b and the third housing portion 11c are connected and fixed by a plurality of fasteners 28b provided on the outer surface of the boundary between the second housing portion 11b and the third housing portion 11c. The fasteners 28a, 28b are not particularly limited as long as they can firmly fasten the first accommodating portion 11a and the second accommodating portion 11b, and the second accommodating portion 11b and the third accommodating portion 11c, and for example, catch clips can be used.

[0017] The number of fasteners 28a that connect and fix the first storage section 11a and the second storage section 11b is not particularly limited, and for example, a total of four fasteners may be provided, two at each boundary between the first storage section 11a and the second storage section 11b on the opposing side walls 19 of the body 15. The same applies to the number of fasteners 28b that connect and fix the second storage section 11b and the third storage section 11c. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the fastener 28a that connects and fixes the first accommodating portion 11a and the second accommodating portion 11b, and the fastener 28b that connects and fixes the second accommodating portion 11b and the third accommodating portion 11c are provided on different side walls 19, but may be provided on the same side wall 19.

[0018] The material constituting the housing 11 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, polyvinyl chloride. The material constituting the housing 11 may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0019] 1 to 3 and 7, an air intake port 20 is provided in each of the lower portions 19a constituting the first housing portion 11a in the four side walls 19 of the body portion 15. In this example, the shape of the air intake port 20 when viewed from the front is rectangular, but is not limited thereto. 1 and 3, the portion of body 15 other than air intake 20 that connects the upper and lower parts of air intake 20 acts as support pillar 20a to increase the strength of body 15. Conversely, it can be said that it is preferable that air intake 20 is formed on the entire surface of body 15 other than support pillar 20a.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, within the first accommodating portion 11a of the housing 11, the filter 12 is arranged in a cylindrical shape along the inner surface of the lower portion 15a of the body portion 15 so as to surround the central axis k of the body portion 15. The filter 12 is a porous body having water absorption and air permeability, and is capable of absorbing the sterilizing water W supplied from the sterilizing water supply means 13 and allowing air A to pass through.

[0021] In this example, a rectangular tube portion 21 that is one size smaller than the body portion 15 is provided inside the body portion 15 of the first storage portion 11a of the housing 11 at a distance from the body portion 15. The filter 12 is fitted into the space between the body portion 15 and the tube portion 21, so that the filter 12 is disposed in a rectangular tube shape. On the surface of the rectangular tube portion 21 that faces each air intake port 20, an air vent 21a approximately equivalent to each air intake port 20 is formed. The manner in which the filter 12 is provided inside the housing 11 is not limited to the manner in which the filter 12 is fitted between the body portion 15 and the tubular portion 21 .

[0022] 1 to 3 and 7, the filter 12 disposed within the housing 11 covers all of the air intakes 20 formed in the lower portion 15a of the body 15, and contacts the entire inner surface of the portion of the lower portion 15a of the body 15 where the air intakes 20 are not formed. In this way, the filter 12 is disposed so that no gap is formed between the lower portion 15a of the body 15 and the filter 12, thereby preventing the air taken in from the air intakes 20 from flowing by taking a shortcut through the gap between the filter 12 and the body 15, and sufficient evaporation efficiency of the sterilizing water can be ensured.

[0023] In the example shown in Figures 3 and 7, four flat filters 12 are combined and arranged in a square tube. When combining and arranging a plurality of plate-like filters in a tube as in this example, it is preferable to form the tube by closely contacting the filters so that no gaps are formed between the filters. This makes it possible to prevent the air taken in from the air intake 20 from taking a shortcut through the gaps between the filters, and ensures sufficient evaporation efficiency of the sterilizing water. The arrangement of the filters 12 in a cylindrical shape is not limited to a combination of a plurality of flat filters 12 . For example, a rectangular cylindrical filter 12 may be prepared and arranged in the housing 11 .

[0024] The filter 12 is preferably one that can increase the contact area with the air A and efficiently vaporize the sterilizing water W, and may have a fine structure, for example a fine honeycomb structure. The material constituting the filter 12 is preferably a material that is less reactive with hypochlorous acid water, such as a polyolefin material such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or an inorganic material. The surface of the filter 12 may be coated with such a material.

[0025] 2, sterilizing water supplying means 13 for supplying sterilizing water W to the filter 12 is installed above the filter 12 in the housing 11. The sterilizing water supplying means 13 is accommodated inside the second accommodation portion 11b of the housing 11. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 8, the sterilizing water supply means 13 of this example includes a water sprinkler pipe 22 and a reflector plate 23.

[0026] In this example, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6(A), four straight sprinkler pipes 22 are assembled into a rectangular ring, and each sprinkler pipe 22 is arranged above the rectangular tubular filter 12 so as to follow the upper surface of the filter 12. At the four corners of the rectangle formed by the four sprinkler pipes 22, connection parts 22a to which two sprinkler pipes 22 are connected are provided. As shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 6(A) and Fig. 6(B), one of the four connection parts 22a is connected to a water inlet 22b through which sterilizing water W is introduced. Among the four connection parts 22a, three connection parts 22a except for the connection part 22a diagonally positioned to the water inlet 22b have flow paths formed therein that connect to the flow paths of the connected sprinkler pipes 22. A plurality of holes 24 are formed on the upper surface of each of the four sprinkler pipes 22 at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the sprinkler pipes 22. The sterilizing water W entering through the water inlet 22b spreads throughout the four sprinkler pipes 22 and is sprayed upward from each of the holes 24.

[0027] The dimensions of the water sprinkler pipe 22 may be designed to match the filter 12 so as to supply the sterilizing water W to the entire filter. The arrangement of the sprinkler pipes 22 is not limited to the arrangement in which four straight sprinkler pipes 22 are assembled into a rectangular ring and arranged above each side of the square tubular filter 12, but may be, for example, a square ring-shaped sprinkler pipe and arranged above the square tubular filter 12. In this example, the sprinkler pipes 22 are assembled into a single unit, but may be separate.

[0028] The shape of the hole 24 formed in the water sprinkler pipe 22 is typically circular, but is not limited thereto. Note that even a member such as a nozzle is included in the "hole" of the present invention as long as it has the function of spraying the sterilizing water W. The size of the holes 24 can be appropriately set in accordance with the size of the filter 12 .

[0029] The material constituting the sprinkler pipe 22 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, polyvinyl chloride. The material constituting the sprinkler pipe 22 may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0030] 2, 5, and 8, the reflector 23 is provided in a rectangular ring shape around the entire circumference of the middle part 15b of the body 15, protruding inward from the upper end of the middle part 15b of the body 15. The reflector 23 is provided above the sprinkler pipe 22 in parallel with the sprinkler pipe 22, so that the reflector 23 is present above all of the holes 24. A rectangular cylindrical section 29 that is one size smaller than the body section 15 is provided on the inside of the intermediate section 15b of the body section 15 and hangs down from the inner end of the reflector 23 over the entire circumference. The lower end surface of the cylindrical section 29 abuts against the upper end surface of the cylindrical section 21.

[0031] A groove 25 having a semicircular cross section is formed on the lower surface of each straight portion of the reflector 23, and all the holes 24 are disposed below the groove 25. The width of the groove 25 is equal to the width of the filter 12.

[0032] In the sterilizing water supply means 13, the sterilizing water W sprayed upward from each hole 24 of the sprinkler pipe 22 hits the grooves 25 of the reflector plate 23, and the rebounded sterilizing water W drips onto the filter 12. In this way, by having the sterilizing water W sprayed from each hole 24 of the sprinkler pipe 22 hit the reflector plate 23 and then dripping, it becomes easy to distribute the sterilizing water W evenly over the entire filter 12. The manner in which the sterilizing water W is sent to the sprinkler pipe 22 is not particularly limited, and examples include a manner in which the sterilizing water W is sent by connecting a storage tank for storing the sterilizing water W or a device for generating the sterilizing water W to the water inlet 22b of the sprinkler pipe 22 via piping.

[0033] The arrangement of the reflector 23 is not particularly limited as long as the sterilizing water W sprayed from the holes 24 of the sprinkler pipe 22 hits and drips onto the reflector 23. For example, a strip-shaped reflector 23 extending along the sprinkler pipe 22 may be arranged above the sprinkler pipe 22, or a plurality of reflectors 23 may be individually arranged above each of the plurality of holes 24 of the sprinkler pipe 22.

[0034] The cross-sectional shape of the groove 25 formed in the lower surface of the reflector 23 is typically semicircular, but is not limited thereto and may be, for example, rectangular or the like. The dimensions of the groove 25 can be appropriately set in accordance with the dimensions of the filter 12 . Instead of forming the grooves 25 on the lower surface of the reflector 23, recesses may be provided above the holes 24, respectively.

[0035] The material constituting the reflector 23 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, polyvinyl chloride. The material constituting the reflector 23 may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0036] The sterilizing water supplying means 13 is preferably a means for dripping sterilizing water W from above the filter 12, as in the example shown in Figures 2 and 8. Note that the sterilizing water supplying means 13 is not limited to the form shown in Figures 2 and 8, and may be, for example, a sprinkler pipe with multiple holes formed on the bottom surface, or multiple nozzles may be arranged in a row above the filter 12.

[0037] 2 and 4, an air exhaust port 18 is provided in the upper lid portion 16 of the housing 11, and a fan 14 is provided in the air exhaust port 18. In addition, an upper duct 27 communicating with the air exhaust port 18 is provided on the lid portion 16. The fan 14 accommodated in the third accommodation portion 11c of the housing 11 includes a cylindrical cover portion 14a connected to the air exhaust port 18, and blades 14b provided inside the cover portion 14a. A flange 14c is provided at the lower end of the cover portion 14a, and the flange 14c abuts against the upper surface of the reflector 23.

[0038] The fan 14 provided at the air exhaust port 18 is a fan that blows air inside the housing 11 to the outside by rotating the blades 14b, and a known fan can be used. Instead of providing fan 14 at air exhaust port 18, a fan may be provided at air intake port 20. The fan provided at air intake port 20 is a fan that draws air from outside housing 11 into the inside by rotating blades. A fan may be provided at each of air exhaust port 18 and air intake port 20.

[0039] In the vaporizer 10 described above, the air A comes into contact with the sterilizing water W by passing through the filter 12 from the air intake port 20 and flowing in the direction of the central axis k of the body portion 15. More specifically, the sterilizing water W is supplied to the filter 12 by the sterilizing water supply means 13, and the filter 12 is made to contain the sterilizing water W. By operating the fan 14 in this state, air A outside the housing 11 is taken in from the air intake 20 and passes through the filter 12, and the sterilizing water W is vaporized by contact with the air A. Then, air B containing the vaporized substance of the sterilizing water W enters the inside of the tube part 21 through the ventilation port 21a, flows inside the tube part 29 and inside the cover part 14a of the fan 14 in the direction of the central axis k of the body part 15, and is discharged from the upper duct 27 connected to the air discharge port 18. As a result, the air A in the external space is sterilized and discharged as air B.

[0040] 1 to 3, providing air intake ports 20 on all four side walls 19 of the body 15 is preferable in that air A can be taken in from all four sides and uniformly ventilated throughout the cylindrical filter 12 to efficiently vaporize the sterilizing water W. However, it is not necessary to provide air intake ports 20 on all four side walls 19 of the body 15 as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0041] The ratio Q of the total opening area of ​​the air intake port 20 to the total area of ​​the inner surface of the body 15 is preferably 20% or more, more preferably 30% or more, and even more preferably 40% or more. If the ratio Q is equal to or more than the lower limit, the sterilizing water can be efficiently vaporized, so that the size can be easily reduced, and the effect of reducing equipment costs can be greater. The ratio Q is preferably 99% or less, more preferably 80% or less, and even more preferably 70% or less. If the ratio Q is equal to or less than the upper limit, the sterilizing water can be efficiently vaporized, so that the size can be easily reduced, and the effect of reducing equipment costs can be greater. The preferable lower limit and upper limit of the ratio Q can be arbitrarily combined, and for example, 40 to 99% is preferable. In the above description, the air taken in through the air intake 20 passes through the filter 12 and is discharged from the air exhaust 18, but the air taken in through the air exhaust 18 may pass through the filter 12 and be discharged from the air intake 20. In this case, the air exhaust 18 functions as an air intake, and the air intake 20 functions as an air exhaust 20.

[0042] [Sterilization method] A sterilization method using the sterilization treatment device 1 will be described below. In the sterilization method using the sterilization treatment device 1, sterilizing water W is dripped from the sterilizing water supply means 13 onto the filter 12, so that the filter 12 is saturated with the sterilizing water W. In this state, the fan 14 is operated, and air A outside the housing 11 is taken in through the air intake 20 and passed through the filter 12, causing the air A to come into contact with the sterilizing water W and be vaporized. Then, air B containing the vaporized material of the sterilizing water W is discharged from the upper duct 27 through the air exhaust port 18, and the external space is sterilized.

[0043] The sterilizing water W used may be any water whose vaporized substance exhibits a sterilizing effect, such as hypochlorous acid water, water in which hypochlorite such as sodium hypochlorite is dissolved, etc. Among these, hypochlorous acid water is preferred because it has little adverse effect on the human body and the environment, is likely to exhibit a sufficient sterilizing effect even at a low concentration, and is unlikely to corrode surrounding equipment and building materials. As the hypochlorous acid water, electrolytic water generated using a diaphragm-type electrolytic cell is preferable because it causes less precipitation of salt crystals, but this is not limited thereto, and electrolytic water generated using a non-diaphragm-type electrolytic cell may also be used.

[0044] The pH of the hypochlorous acid water is preferably 3 or more, more preferably 4 or more, and even more preferably 5 or more. If the pH of the hypochlorous acid water is equal to or more than the lower limit, the hypochlorous acid water can be efficiently vaporized. The pH of the hypochlorous acid water is preferably 8.6 or less, more preferably 7 or less, and even more preferably 6.5 or less. If the pH of the hypochlorous acid water is equal to or less than the upper limit, the hypochlorous acid water can be efficiently vaporized. The preferred lower and upper limits of the pH of the hypochlorous acid water can be arbitrarily combined, and for example, 5 to 6.5 is preferred.

[0045] The effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water is preferably 5 mg / L or more, more preferably 10 mg / L or more, and even more preferably 20 mg / L or more. If the effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water is equal to or more than the lower limit, the hypochlorous acid water can be efficiently vaporized. The effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water is preferably 500 mg / L or less, more preferably 200 mg / L or less, and even more preferably 100 mg / L or less. If the effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water is equal to or less than the upper limit, the hypochlorous acid water can be efficiently vaporized. The preferable lower limit and upper limit of the effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water can be arbitrarily combined, and for example, 10 to 100 mg / L is preferable.

[0046] The amount of air B passing through the air exhaust port 18 is preferably 2 m 3 / min or more, preferably 6m 3 / min or more, more preferably 10m 3 If the ventilation rate of air B is equal to or higher than the lower limit, the sterilizing water can be vaporized more efficiently, and the vaporized substance of the sterilizing water can be easily diffused uniformly in the space to be sterilized. The ventilation rate of air B is preferably 300 m 3 / min or less, preferably 200m 3 / min or less, more preferably 100m 3If the ventilation rate of air B is equal to or less than the upper limit, it is easy to suppress the generation of chlorine gas and hydrogen chloride. The preferable lower and upper limits of the ventilation rate of air B can be arbitrarily combined, for example, 10 to 100 m 3 / min is preferred.

[0047] In the first embodiment described above, in the vaporizer 10, air A is taken in from the air inlet 20 provided in the trunk 15, and is passed through the cylindrical filter 12 in the housing 11 to vaporize the sterilizing water W contained in the filter 12, and is discharged from the air outlet 18 provided in the upper cover 16. In short, air A is taken in from the side of the vaporizer 10, and air containing the vaporized sterilizing water W is discharged upward, so that air can be taken in from all directions on the side of the vaporizer 10. As a result, compared to the conventional form in which an air inlet and an air outlet are provided on opposing wall surfaces of the housing and a flat filter is disposed between them, a large amount of sterilizing water W can be vaporized by disposing the filter 12 in a manner that makes more effective use of the space in the housing 11. Therefore, the device can be easily miniaturized, and the equipment cost can be reduced. If the sterilization treatment device can be miniaturized, it becomes easier to install, transport, and handle, and it becomes possible to apply it to spaces where it was previously difficult to apply it. In addition, the reduction in equipment costs will make it easier for the system to be adopted by individual farmers, individual stores, local factories, and ordinary households.

[0048] It is preferable that the air intake ports have at least three sides, and more preferably four sides as in the example shown in Figures 1 to 3. It is also preferable that the multiple air intake ports are all equal in size and can each take in a substantially equal amount of air. 1 to 3, the support pillars 20a are formed as part of the body 15, but the support pillars 20a may be formed separately from the body 15. The support pillars 20a may also be formed inside the filter 12. When the support pillars 20a are formed separately from the body 15, the filter 12 may be integrally formed around the entire circumference in a cylindrical shape, in which case the filter 12 can take in air from the entire circumference. In other words, it is preferable for the air intake to take in air from three or more directions, and it may take in air around the entire circumference.

[0049] 1 to 3, the shape of the housing 11 is a cube having a rectangular cylindrical body 15, but is not limited thereto. For example, the housing 11 may be a housing 11A having a triangular cylindrical body 15 as shown in Fig. 9(A), a housing 11B having a hexagonal cylindrical body 15 as shown in Fig. 9(B), or a housing 11C having a cylindrical body 15 as shown in Fig. 9(C). Even when the body of the housing is triangular, hexagonal, or cylindrical, it is preferable to provide an air intake port on each of the side walls, but this is not limited thereto. Also, even when the body of the housing is triangular, hexagonal, cylindrical, or other shape, it is preferable to provide air intake ports so that the ratio Q falls within the above range. The shape of the housing 11 may be a truncated triangular pyramid, a truncated square pyramid, a truncated hexagonal pyramid, a truncated cone, or the like.

[0050] <Second embodiment> [Sterilization treatment equipment] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device 2 according to another embodiment. The sterilization treatment device 2 includes a vaporizer 10 and a storage tank 30. For vaporizer 10 in sterilization processing device 2, a configuration similar to that of vaporizer 10 in sterilization processing device 1 can be adopted.

[0051] The storage tank 30 is a tank for storing sterilizing water W. The storage tank 30 and the sterilizing water supply means 13 of the vaporizer 10 are connected by a pipe 31, and the pipe 31 is provided with a magnetic pump 32. In addition, a drain outlet 26 is provided at the bottom of the housing 11 of the vaporizer 10, and the drain outlet 26 and the storage tank 30 are connected by a pipe 33. The storage tank 30 is provided with a pipe 34 for discharging a portion of the stored sterilizing water W, and the pipe 34 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 35.

[0052] In the sterilization treatment device 2, the magnet pump 32 is operated to send the sterilizing water W stored in the storage tank 30 to the sterilizing water supply means 13 through the piping 31. Of the sterilizing water W supplied from the sterilizing water supply means 13 to the filter 12, the sterilizing water W that has passed through the filter 12 without being vaporized is returned to the storage tank 30 through the piping 33 from the drain outlet 26 of the housing 11. In this way, by circulating the sterilizing water W between the storage tank 30 and the vaporizer 10, it becomes easy to supply the sterilizing water W uniformly to the entire filter 12, and the vaporization efficiency of the sterilizing water W can be further improved.

[0053] In the sterilization treatment device 2, when hypochlorous acid water is used as the sterilizing water W, at least one of a pH sensor 36 that measures the pH of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 and a chlorine concentration sensor 37 that measures the available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 may be provided. The sterilization effect can be further enhanced by adjusting the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 to an appropriate range based on the pH measured by the pH sensor 36 and the effective chlorine concentration measured by the chlorine concentration sensor 37. The pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 can be adjusted, for example, by discharging a portion of the sterilizing water W through piping 34 and supplying new hypochlorous acid water with adjusted pH and available chlorine concentration to the storage tank 30.

[0054] [Sterilization method] A sterilization method using the sterilization treatment device 2 will be described below. In the sterilization method using the sterilization treatment device 2, the sterilizing water W stored in the storage tank 30 is sent to the sterilizing water supply means 13, and is dripped from the sterilizing water supply means 13 onto the filter 12 to impregnate the filter 12 with the sterilizing water W. The sterilizing water W that passes through the filter 12 without being vaporized is returned to the storage tank 30 through the drain outlet 26 of the housing 11 and piping 33 for circulation. In this state, the fan 14 is operated to take in air A from outside the housing 11 through the air intake 20 and pass it through the filter 12, causing the air A to come into contact with the sterilizing water W and be vaporized. Then, air B containing the vaporized material of the sterilizing water W is discharged from the air exhaust 18, and the external space is sterilized.

[0055] In the second embodiment described above, the sterilizing water W can be vaporized by arranging the filter 12 in a manner that fully utilizes the space within the housing 11, which makes it easier to miniaturize the device and reduces equipment costs.

[0056] <Third embodiment> [Sterilization treatment equipment] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device 3 according to another embodiment. The sterilization treatment device 3 includes a hypochlorous acid water generator 40 and a vaporizer 70. The hypochlorous acid water generated in the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 is supplied to the vaporizer 70, and the vaporized substance of the vaporized hypochlorous acid water is released to sterilize the external space.

[0057] As the vaporizer 70, for example, a configuration similar to that of the vaporizer 10 in the sterilization treatment device 1 can be adopted. In addition, the vaporizer 70 need only be capable of passing air through a filter containing hypochlorous acid water supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 and releasing the vaporized substance of hypochlorous acid water, and is not limited to a configuration similar to that of the vaporizer 10.

[0058] (Hypochlorous acid water generator) The hypochlorous acid water generator 40 is a device that generates hypochlorous acid water and is equipped with a mechanism for adjusting the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the generated hypochlorous acid water. More specifically, the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 generates hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water, and mixes the generated hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water to adjust the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water.

[0059] In a vaporizer that evaporates hypochlorous acid water by passing it through a filter containing hypochlorous acid water, changes in the pH and effective chlorine concentration of hypochlorous acid water affect the sterilization effect. By using a hypochlorous acid water generator 40 equipped with a mechanism for adjusting the pH and effective chlorine concentration of hypochlorous acid water, even in a vaporization method using a filter, the changes in the pH and effective chlorine concentration of hypochlorous acid water can be minimized, making it easier to achieve a sufficient sterilization effect.

[0060] The example of a hypochlorous acid water generator 40 shown in FIG. The electrolytic cell 41 is a so-called three-chamber electrolytic cell. The inside of the electrolytic cell 41 is partitioned by a first diaphragm 43a which is an anode-side diaphragm and a second diaphragm 44a which is a cathode-side diaphragm into three chambers: an electrolyte chamber 45 between the diaphragms, and an anode chamber 43 and a cathode chamber 44 located on either side of the electrolyte chamber 45.

[0061] An anode 43b is provided inside the anode chamber 43 so as to face closely to the first diaphragm 43a, and a first cathode 44b is provided inside the cathode chamber 44 so as to face closely to the second diaphragm 44a. The anode 43b and the first cathode 44b are formed in a rectangular shape of approximately equal size, and face each other with the electrolyte chamber 45, the first diaphragm 43a, and the second diaphragm 44a interposed therebetween.

[0062] The electrolyte chamber 45 is divided by a third diaphragm 45a into a first electrolyte chamber 45c on the anode chamber 43 side and a second electrolyte chamber 45d on the cathode chamber 44 side. A second cathode 45b is provided in the second electrolyte chamber 45d so as to closely face the third diaphragm 45a. The second cathode 45b is formed in a rectangular shape and is substantially the same size as the anode 43b and the first cathode 44b.

[0063] A first electrolyte solution supply port 45f for supplying the electrolyte is provided at the bottom of the first electrolyte solution chamber 45c, and a first electrolyte solution discharge port 45h for discharging the electrolyte solution that has flowed through the first electrolyte solution chamber 45c is provided at the top. A second electrolyte solution supply port 45g for supplying the electrolyte solution is provided at the bottom of the second electrolyte solution chamber 45d, and a second electrolyte solution discharge port 45i for discharging the electrolyte solution that has flowed through the second electrolyte solution chamber 45d is provided at the top. The supply and discharge of the electrolyte to the first electrolyte chamber 45c and the second electrolyte chamber 45d can be performed independently, and the supply amounts of the electrolyte can be controlled separately.

[0064] A first water supply port 43f for supplying water is provided at the bottom of the anode chamber 43, and a first drain port 43h for draining the water that has flowed through the anode chamber 43 is provided at the top. A second water inlet 44f for supplying water is provided at the bottom of the cathode chamber 44, and a second drain outlet 44h for draining the water that has flowed through the cathode chamber 44 is provided at the top.

[0065] The first diaphragm 43a, which is the diaphragm on the anode side, is made of an anion exchange membrane. An example of an anion exchange membrane is a porous polymer made of a hydrocarbon polymer or the like to which cationic groups are fixed, making the polymer positively charged and allowing only anions to pass through.

[0066] The second diaphragm 44a on the cathode side is made of a cation exchange membrane. An example of a cation exchange membrane is a porous polymer made of, for example, a hydrocarbon polymer or a fluoropolymer, to which anionic groups are fixed, making the polymer negatively charged and allowing only cations to pass through.

[0067] The third diaphragm 45a is made of a neutral membrane having micropores that have no ion permeability and allow the passage of cations and anions. An example of the neutral membrane is a porous membrane having a coating layer containing aluminum oxide provided on a porous substrate such as a nonwoven fabric or glass fabric.

[0068] The anode 43b may be a known electrode used for generating hypochlorous acid water. For example, an insoluble electrode may be a titanium metal plate having a large number of through holes coated with a catalyst such as Ir or Pt. The first cathode 44b and the second cathode 45b may be a titanium metal plate having a large number of through holes, or may be an insoluble electrode having a catalyst such as Ir or Pt coated on the metal plate.

[0069] The hypochlorous acid water generator 40 further includes an electrolyte supply unit 48 that supplies an electrolyte containing chloride ions, such as salt water, as an electrolyte to the electrolyte chamber 45 of the electrolytic cell 41, a water supply unit 51 that supplies raw water for electrolysis, such as tap water or well water, to the anode chamber 43 and the cathode chamber 44, and a power supply unit 47 that applies a positive voltage to the anode 43b and a negative voltage to the first cathode 44b and / or the second cathode 45b.

[0070] The power supply unit 47 includes a power supply 47a that supplies a current required for electrolysis, a switch 47b for passing electricity from the power supply 47a to the first cathode 44b or the second cathode 45b, and a control unit 47c that controls the power supply 47a and the switch 47b. The power supply 47a is preferably a constant current power supply. The positive electrode of the power source 47a is connected to the anode 43b of the electrolytic cell 41 via a wire. The negative electrode of the power source 47a is connected to the first cathode 44b and the second cathode 45b via a switch 47b and two wires. By switching the switch 47b, a negative voltage can be applied to either the first cathode 44b or the second cathode 45b. Note that the first cathode 44b and the second cathode 45b may be connected to the negative electrode of the power source 47a via an ON / OFF switch, and the current supply to the first cathode 44b and the second cathode 45b may be controlled separately by each ON / OFF switch.

[0071] The electrolyte supply unit 48 includes a salt water tank (electrolyte tank) 55 that stores, for example, a 20% by mass sodium chloride aqueous solution (salt water) as electrolyte 55a, a supply pipe 48a that guides salt water from the salt water tank 55 to the lower part of the electrolyte chamber 45, a liquid delivery pump 59 provided on the supply pipe 48a, and a drain pipe 48f that discharges the salt water from the upper part of the electrolyte chamber 45.

[0072] Supply pipe 48a branches into supply pipe 48b, which is connected to first electrolyte supply port 45f and serves as a first electrolyte supply line for supplying electrolyte to first electrolyte chamber 45c, and supply pipe 48c, which is connected to second electrolyte supply port 45g and serves as a second electrolyte supply line for supplying electrolyte to second electrolyte chamber 45d. Thus, electrolyte is supplied separately to first electrolyte chamber 45c and second electrolyte chamber 45d.

[0073] A drain pipe 48d is connected to the first electrolyte outlet 45h of the first electrolyte chamber 45c as a first electrolyte outlet line for draining the electrolyte that has flowed through the first electrolyte chamber 45c. A drain pipe 48e is connected to the second electrolyte outlet 45i of the second electrolyte chamber 45d as a second electrolyte outlet line for draining the electrolyte that has flowed through the second electrolyte chamber 45d. The drain pipe 48d and the drain pipe 48e are joined to form the drain pipe 48f. The drain pipe 48d and the drain pipe 48e do not need to be joined, but joining them can reduce the alkalinity of the electrolyte flowing through the drain pipe 48f.

[0074] The water supply section 51 includes a water supply source 49 for supplying water, an opening / closing valve 58 provided near the outlet of the water supply source 49, a first water supply pipe 51a for conducting water from the water supply source 49 to the lower part of the anode chamber 43 and the cathode chamber 44, a first drainage pipe 51b connected to the first drainage outlet 43h and serving as a first drainage line for discharging water that has flowed through the anode chamber 43 from the upper part of the anode chamber 43, and a second drainage pipe 51c connected to the second drainage outlet 44h and serving as a second drainage line for discharging water that has flowed through the cathode chamber 44 from the upper part of the cathode chamber 44.

[0075] The first water supply pipe 51a branches into a second water supply pipe 51e as a first water supply line and a third water supply pipe 51f as a second water supply line. The second water supply pipe 51e is connected to the first water supply port 43f and supplies water to the anode chamber 43. The third water supply pipe 51f is connected to the second water supply port 44f and supplies water to the cathode chamber 44. The first drain pipe 51b is connected to a midway portion of the second drain pipe 51c and constitutes a produced water mixing section 60. In addition, each pipe may be provided with an opening / closing valve or a flow rate adjusting valve.

[0076] Below, we will explain the operation of generating hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water in the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 of the example shown in Figure 11, mixing the generated hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water, and adjusting the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water.

[0077] The liquid supply pump 59 is operated to supply salt water from the salt water tank 55 to the first electrolyte chamber 45c and the second electrolyte chamber 45d of the electrolyte chamber 45 of the electrolytic cell 41. In addition, water is supplied from the water supply source 49 to the anode chamber 43 and the cathode chamber 44.

[0078] When a positive voltage and a negative voltage are applied to the anode 43b and the first cathode 44b, respectively, by operating the switch 47b, the sodium ions ionized in the salt water that has flowed into the first electrolyte chamber 45c and the second electrolyte chamber 45d are attracted to the first cathode 44b, pass through the second diaphragm 44a, and reach the first cathode 44b. At the first cathode 44b, electrolysis of water occurs according to the following formula, which corresponds to the amount of sodium ions, and hydrogen gas is generated in the cathode chamber 44. 2H2O+2Na + +2e - →H2+2NaOH The sodium ions become sodium hydroxide in the cathode chamber 44, and alkaline water is produced. The produced alkaline water flows out to the second drain pipe 51c together with the hydrogen gas.

[0079] The chlorine ions in the salt water in the first electrolyte chamber 45c and the second electrolyte chamber 45d pass through the first diaphragm 43a and reach the anode 43b. Then, as shown in the following formula, the chlorine ions are oxidized at the anode 43b to generate chlorine gas. 2Cl - →Cl2+2e - Thereafter, as shown in the following formula, the chlorine gas immediately reacts with water in the anode chamber 43 to produce hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid. Cl2+H2O→HClO+HCl

[0080] The hypochlorous acid water thus produced flows out from the anode chamber 43 into the first drain pipe 51b. The alkaline water flowing out to the second drain pipe 51c and the hypochlorous acid water flowing out to the first drain pipe 51b are mixed in the produced water mixing section 60 to become hypochlorous acid water whose pH is controlled to be approximately neutral to weakly alkaline.

[0081] In addition, when a positive voltage and a negative voltage are applied to the anode 43b and the second cathode 45b, respectively, by operating the switch 47b, the sodium ions ionized in the salt water that has flowed into the first electrolyte chamber 45c and the second electrolyte chamber 45d are attracted to the second cathode 45b. Then, an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (alkaline water) containing hydrogen gas is generated in the second electrolyte chamber 45d by electrolysis of the salt water at the second cathode 45b. The alkaline water generated in the second electrolyte chamber 45d flows out into the drain pipe 48e, and is mixed with the electrolyte in the drain pipe 48d and discharged from the drain pipe 48f. Since the alkaline water produced in the second electrolyte chamber 45d does not flow into the first electrolyte chamber 45c, the first diaphragm 43a in the first electrolyte chamber 45c is not exposed to strong alkali and is therefore less susceptible to deterioration.

[0082] When a positive voltage and a negative voltage are applied to the anode 43b and the second cathode 45b, respectively, the chlorine ions ionized in the salt water in the first electrolyte chamber 45c and the second electrolyte chamber 45d are attracted to the anode 43b. The chlorine ions are then oxidized at the anode 43b to generate chlorine gas, and hypochlorous acid water is generated in the anode chamber 43. The generated hypochlorous acid water flows into the first drain pipe 51b and is mixed with the wastewater from the second drain pipe 51c in the generated water mixing section 60. In this case, the discharged water from the second drain pipe 51c is not alkaline water, and is therefore hypochlorous acid water that is strongly acidic to weakly acidic and has a lower pH than when a negative voltage is applied to the first cathode 44b.

[0083] 11, the ratio of current supply to the first cathode 44b and the second cathode 45b is controlled to adjust the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator 40. Therefore, the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the vaporized hypochlorous acid water can be maintained within a desired range by supplying hypochlorous acid water discharged from the generated water mixer 60 to the vaporizer 70 while controlling the ratio of current supply to the first cathode 44b and the second cathode 45b. In addition, a portion of the hypochlorous acid water discharged from the generated water mixing section 60 will be vaporized in the downstream vaporizer 70, but the excess hypochlorous acid water may be sent further downstream than the vaporizer 70 to be used for another purpose as is.

[0084] [Sterilization method] A sterilization method using the sterilization treatment device 3 will be described below. In the sterilization method using the sterilization treatment device 3, hypochlorous acid water is generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator 40, sent from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 to the vaporizer 70, and the hypochlorous acid water is vaporized by ventilation while contained in the filter of the vaporizer 70. Then, the air containing the vaporized material of the hypochlorous acid water is discharged from the vaporizer 70 to sterilize the external space.

[0085] In the above-described third embodiment, a hypochlorous acid water generator is combined that can adjust the pH and effective chlorine concentration of hypochlorous acid water supplied to the vaporizer by generating hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water and mixing them, so that the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water to be vaporized can be minimized.As a result, it becomes easy to diffuse a sufficient amount of hypochlorous acid water vaporized material in the space to be sterilized. In the third embodiment, even if a conventional vaporizer configuration is adopted in which an air intake and an air exhaust are provided on opposing wall surfaces of a housing and a flat filter is placed between them, the problem of minimizing the pH and available chlorine concentration of the vaporized hypochlorous acid water can be solved.

[0086] <Fourth embodiment> [Sterilization treatment equipment] Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device 4 according to another example of the embodiment. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sterilization treatment device 4. Sterilization treatment device 4 includes vaporizer 10, storage tank 30, and hypochlorous acid water generator 40A. In this example, sterilization treatment device 4 includes air speed control unit 92 that controls the air speed of fan 14 of vaporizer 10.

[0087] A control panel 90 is connected to the sterilization treatment device 4, and the operations of the vaporizer 10, the storage tank 30, and the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A can be controlled by a control unit 91 of the control panel 90. For example, a touch panel can be provided on the control unit 91 of the control panel 90 and operated to control the operation of the sterilization treatment device 4. An air speed control unit 92 may be incorporated into the control unit 91. In addition, the power supply unit 90a provided on the control panel 90 is capable of distributing appropriate power to the power supply unit 4a that operates the vaporizer 10 of the sterilization treatment device 4 and the power supply unit 40a of the hypochlorous acid water generation device 40A.

[0088] The hypochlorous acid water generator 40A in the sterilization treatment device 4 can adopt the same configuration as the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 in the sterilization treatment device 3, except for the configuration described below. The same parts in the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A as those in the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described. The hypochlorous acid water generator 40A may have the same configuration as the hypochlorous acid water generator 40.

[0089] The hypochlorous acid water generator 40A includes a raw water tank 61 connected to a water supply source 49, a salt water tank 55, an electrolysis cell 41, an electrolytic water storage tank 62, and a waste liquid tank 63. The water supply source 49 and the raw water tank 61 are connected by a pipe 64a. The raw water tank 61 and the electrolytic cell 41 are connected by a pipe 64b, and a magnetic pump 65a is installed on the pipe 64b. The salt water tank 55 and the electrolytic cell 41 are connected by a pipe 64c, and a tube pump 65b is installed on the pipe 64c. The electrolytic cell 41 and the electrolytic water storage tank 62 are connected by the produced water mixing section 60. The electrolytic cell 41 and the waste liquid tank 63 are connected by a pipe 64d. The first water supply pipe 51a, the second water supply pipe 51e, and the third water supply pipe 51f of the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 can be used as the pipe 64b. The supply pipes 48a, 48b, and 48c of the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 can be used as the pipe 64c. The drain pipes 48d, 48e, and 48f can be used as the pipe 64d.

[0090] In the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A, the tube pump 65b is operated to supply salt water from the salt water tank 55 to the electrolysis cell 41, and the magnet pump 65a is operated to supply water from the raw water tank 61 to the electrolysis cell 41. Then, the hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water generated in the electrolysis cell 41 are mixed in the generated water mixing section 60, and the hypochlorous acid water whose pH is controlled to be around neutral to weakly alkaline is stored in the electrolysis water storage tank 62.

[0091] 13, the storage tank 30 and the electrolytic water storage tank 62 of the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A are connected by a pipe 38, and a magnet pump 65c is installed in the pipe 38. Note that the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A may not be provided with an electrolytic water storage tank, and the generated water mixing section 60 of the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A and the storage tank 30 may be connected by the pipe 38.

[0092] In the sterilization treatment device 4, hypochlorous acid water W1 generated in the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A is supplied to the storage tank 30 through a pipe . 13, a first water level sensor 39a, a second water level sensor 39b, and a third water level sensor 39c are installed in the storage tank 30. The first water level sensor 39a is installed in the upper part of the storage tank 30 and detects that the storage tank 30 is full of water. The third water level sensor 39c is installed in the bottom part of the storage tank 30 and detects that the storage tank 30 is almost empty. The second water level sensor 39b is installed between the first water level sensor 39a and the third water level sensor 39c in the height direction of the storage tank 30 and detects that the water level in the storage tank 30 has dropped by a certain amount from the full water state. The configurations of the sterilization treatment device 4 other than the above-mentioned configurations of the vaporizer 10 and the storage tank 30 may be the same as those of the sterilization treatment device 2.

[0093] In the sterilization treatment device 4, a certain amount of hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 can be extracted through the pipe 34 during the vaporization operation, and new hypochlorous acid water W1 can be supplied from the hypochlorous acid water production device 40A. When hypochlorous acid water W1 is stored in the storage tank 30 and sent to the vaporizer 10 for vaporization, the amount of hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 does not decrease much during vaporization, and the pH of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 gradually increases and the effective chlorine concentration tends to gradually decrease. In contrast, by extracting a certain amount of hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 at any time and supplying new hypochlorous acid water W1 from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A, it becomes easy to maintain the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 during vaporization within a desired range.

[0094] More specifically, for example, a water level sensor installed in the storage tank 30 can be used to adjust the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1. In an example shown in FIG. 13, hypochlorous acid water W1 is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A, and the vaporization operation is started after the first water level sensor 39a detects the full water state of the storage tank 30. When it becomes necessary to adjust the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 based on the measured values ​​of the pH sensor 36 and the chlorine concentration sensor 37, the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is extracted from the pipe 34 until the second water level sensor 39b detects that the water level is below a certain level. Then, new hypochlorous acid water W1 is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to the storage tank 30 until the first water level sensor 39a detects the full water state again. At this time, the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A are calculated and adjusted in advance so that the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 after the new hypochlorous acid water W1 is supplied are the desired values. This makes it possible to maintain the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 during the vaporization operation within a desired range. The third water level sensor 39c can detect when the storage tank 30 has unexpectedly become empty during the evaporation operation, and therefore can prevent the magnetic pump 32 from running empty.

[0095] The adjustment of the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 by extracting a certain amount of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 and supplying the same amount of the hypochlorous acid water W1 from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to the storage tank 30 can be controlled by the control unit 91. In this case, as described above, the control may be performed by using the detection of the water level in the storage tank 30 by the first water level sensor 39a and the second water level sensor 39b, or by setting in advance the extraction flow rate and time of the hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 and the supply flow rate and time of the hypochlorous acid water W1 from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to the storage tank 30 so that the extraction amount and the supply amount of the hypochlorous acid water W1 are the same. The extraction of the hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 and the supply of the same amount of the hypochlorous acid water W1 to the storage tank 30 may be performed manually. When performed manually, the adjustment of the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 may be performed without using the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A.

[0096] In the sterilization treatment device 4, when the vaporization operation is stopped and then restarted, the entire amount of hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 may be replaced, or a portion of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 may be extracted and then new hypochlorous acid water W1 in the same amount as the amount extracted may be supplied to adjust the pH and available chlorine concentration.

[0097] The vaporizer 10 and the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A may each be operated manually, or a control unit that can control the operation of the vaporizer 10 and the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A may be provided and operated via the control unit.

[0098] [Sterilization method] A sterilization method using the sterilization treatment device 4 will be described below. In the sterilization method using the sterilization treatment device 4, the hypochlorous acid water W1 stored in the storage tank 30 is sent to the sterilizing water supply means 13, and is dripped from the sterilizing water supply means 13 onto the filter 12 to make the filter 12 soak with the hypochlorous acid water W1. The hypochlorous acid water W1 that passes through the filter 12 without vaporization is returned to the storage tank 30 through the drain port 26 of the housing 11 and piping 33 for circulation. In this state, the fan 14 is rotated, and air A outside the housing 11 is taken in through the air intake port 20 and passed through the filter 12, and the air A is brought into contact with the hypochlorous acid water W1 and vaporized. Then, air B containing the vaporized material of the hypochlorous acid water W1 is discharged from the air exhaust port 18 through the upper duct 27, and the external space is sterilized. Furthermore, when it becomes necessary to adjust the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 based on the measured values ​​of the pH sensor 36 and the chlorine concentration sensor 37, a certain amount of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is extracted from the pipe 34, and new hypochlorous acid water W1 is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to the storage tank 30. This maintains the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 within the desired range during the vaporization operation.

[0099] The pH and available chlorine concentration of the new hypochlorous acid water W1 supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A when adjusting the pH and available chlorine concentration can be calculated in advance, for example, by the following method. The amount of hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 before the new hypochlorous acid water is supplied is V0 (L), the available chlorine concentration is X0 (mg / L), and the amount of hypochlorous acid water newly supplied is V add (L), the available chlorine concentration is X add (mg / L), and the effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 after the supply of new hypochlorous acid water is X (mg / L), the effective chlorine concentration X of the newly supplied hypochlorous acid water is calculated from the following formula (1): add can be sought. X = {X0 × (V0 - V add ) / V0}+{X add ×V add / V0} ···(1)

[0100] In addition, the pH of the newly supplied hypochlorous acid water is calculated using the following formulas (2) to (4). pH=-log 10 [H + ] ···(2) pOH=-log 10 [OH - ] ···(3) [H + ][OH - ]=1.0×10 -14 (4)

[0101] As a specific example, consider a case where 2 L of fresh hypochlorous acid water is supplied to 8 L of hypochlorous acid water (pH 6.43) in the storage tank 30 to adjust the pH of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 to 6.30. From the above formulas (2) to (4), the concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in the hypochlorous acid water (pH 6.43) in the storage tank 30 are respectively [H + ]=3.715352×10 -7 mol / L, [OH - ]=2.691534×10 -8 mol / L. Then, the total amount of hydrogen ions in the hypochlorous acid water (8 L) in the storage tank 30 is 2.972281 × 10 -6 mol (=8×3.715352×10 -7 ), the total amount of hydroxide ions is 2.153228 × 10 -7 mol(=8×2.691534×10 -8 ). In addition, if the pH of the newly supplied hypochlorous acid water is set to 6.0, the concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are [H + ]=1×10 -6 mol / L, [OH - ]=1×10 -8 mol / L. Then, the total amount of hydrogen ions in the newly supplied hypochlorous acid water (2L) is 2×10 -6 mol (=2×1×10 -6 ), the total amount of hydroxide ions is 2 × 10 -8 mol (=2×1×10 -8 ).

[0102] Therefore, the theoretical total amount of hydrogen ions in the hypochlorous acid water (10 L) immediately after mixing the hypochlorous acid water (8 L) in the storage tank 30 with the newly supplied hypochlorous acid water (2 L) is 4.972281 × 10 -6 mol, the total amount of hydroxide ions is 2.353228 × 10 -7 mol, and the hydrogen ion concentration is [H + ]=4.972281×10 -7 mol / L, the total hydroxide ion is [OH - ]=2.353228×10 -8 It is expressed as mol / L. If the concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions consumed in the neutralization reaction after mixing are Y mol / L, then after the neutralization reaction, [H + ][OH - ]=(4.972281×10 -7 -Y)×(2.353228×10 -8 -Y) = 1 × 10 -14 Since this is true, Y is 3.28695458×10 -9 Then, the concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in the hypochlorous acid solution (10 L) after the neutralization reaction are [H + ]=4.939412×10 -7 mol / L, [OH - ]=2.024532×10 -8 mol / L, pH=-log 10 (4.939412×10 -7 )=6.31. From this calculation result, it can be seen that if 2 L of hypochlorous acid water with a pH of 6.0 is supplied to the 8 L of hypochlorous acid water with a pH of 6.43 remaining in the storage tank 30, the pH of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 can be adjusted to around 6.30.

[0103] In actual evaporation operation, the pH of the hypochlorous acid water to be newly supplied is changed in increments of 0.1 while the pH of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 after mixing is calculated using the above-mentioned calculation method, and a suitable value for the pH of the hypochlorous acid to be newly supplied is selected from the calculation results. As shown in the example in Figures 12 and 13, when a control unit 91 capable of controlling the operation of the vaporizer 10 and the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A is provided, these calculations may be automatically performed by the control unit 91 based on the measurement values ​​of the pH sensor 36 and the chlorine concentration sensor 37, and the control unit 91 may start adjusting the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 based on the results.

[0104] The vaporization operation of the hypochlorous acid water W1 may be performed continuously or intermittently. When a water level sensor is installed in the storage tank 30 as in the example shown in Fig. 13, even if the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is removed during the vaporization operation, the hypochlorous acid water W1 can be stably supplied to the vaporizer 10, so that the vaporization operation of the hypochlorous acid water W1 can be easily performed continuously. The intermittent vaporization operation can be performed by intermittently rotating the fan 14. In the intermittent vaporization operation, the supply of hypochlorous acid water to the filter 12 may be performed continuously or intermittently.

[0105] An example of a method for controlling the sterilization process using the sterilization processing device 4 by a control panel 90 having a control unit 91 will be described below. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, on the touch panel of the control unit 91, "manual" or "automatic" is selected.

[0106] If you select "Manual", you can perform the following steps manually. Step 1-3 (S1-1): Drain the hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30, and stop draining when the storage tank 30 becomes empty. Step 1-2 (S1-2): Hypochlorous acid water W1 is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to the storage tank 30, and when the storage tank 30 becomes full, the supply of hypochlorous acid water W1 is stopped. Step 1-1 (S1-3): The vaporizer 10 is turned on / off, that is, the fan 14 is turned on / off.

[0107] In the case of manual operation, for example, the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is drained to empty it (step 1-1), and hypochlorous acid water W1 is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to fill the storage tank 30 (step 1-2), thereby replacing the entire amount of hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30. Then, the vaporization operation is started by turning on the fan 14 of the vaporizer 10, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the fan 14 is turned off to stop the operation (step 1-3). Furthermore, when starting the vaporization operation, if the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is to be used as is, step 1-1 may not be performed, and step 1-2 may be performed as necessary, followed by step 1-3.

[0108] If "Auto" is selected on control panel 90, the following steps are performed. Step 2-1 (S2-1): On the touch panel of the control unit 91, either "continuous operation" or "intermittent operation" is selected. Step 2-2 (S2-2): If "continuous operation" is selected, set "total operation time T." Step 2-3 (S2-3): If you select "Intermittent operation", select "Total operation time T" and "Cycle time T s ", "Ventilation evaporation time T on " respectively. Step 2-4 (S2-4): Cycle time T ry ". Step 2-5 (S2-5): On the touch panel of the control unit 91, it is selected whether to replace the entire amount of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 before starting the vaporization operation, or to use the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 as it is.

[0109] The "total operating time T" is the time from the start to the end of the vaporization operation, and refers to the time from when the fan 14 is first started to operate to when the fan 14 is finally stopped. Cycle time T s " is the time interval for intermittent operation of the fan 14, and refers to the time from when the intermittently operated fan 14 starts to operate until when the next cycle starts to operate. "Ventilation evaporation time T on " means the operation time of each of the intermittently operated fans 14. Cycle time T ry " is the time interval until the pH and available chlorine concentration are adjusted by draining a portion of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 and supplying new hypochlorous acid water W1 from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to the storage tank 30, and means the time from the start of evaporation operation to the start of drainage of hypochlorous acid water W1 in the first adjustment, or the time from the stop of the supply of hypochlorous acid water W1 in the previous adjustment to the start of drainage of hypochlorous acid water W1 in the next adjustment.

[0110] The total operating time T in the case of continuous operation is not particularly limited, and may be set appropriately depending on the space to be sterilized. Cycle time T for continuous operation ry is not particularly limited, and can be set, for example, in the range of 1 minute to 180 minutes.

[0111] The total operating time T in the case of intermittent operation is not particularly limited, and may be set appropriately depending on the space to be sterilized. Cycle time T for intermittent operation s is not particularly limited, and can be set, for example, in the range of 1 minute to 180 minutes. Ventilation evaporation time T on is not particularly limited, and can be set, for example, in the range of 1 minute to 180 minutes. Cycle time T for intermittent operation ry is not particularly limited, and can be set, for example, in the range of 1 minute to 180 minutes.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 16, if "full replacement" is selected in step 2-5, the following steps are performed. Step 2-6 (S2-6): The hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is drained, and the storage tank 30 is emptied. Step 2-7 (S2-7): New hypochlorous acid water W1 from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A is supplied to the storage tank 30 to fill the storage tank 30 with water.

[0113] If you selected "As is" in step 2-5, follow the steps below. Step 2-8 (S2-8): The water level of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is detected. Step 2-9 (S2-9): If the storage tank 30 is not full, new hypochlorous acid water W1 is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to the storage tank 30 until the storage tank 30 is full. If the storage tank 30 is full, skip steps 2-9 and proceed to the next step.

[0114] With the storage tank 30 full, the following steps are carried out. Step 2-10 (S2-10): The supply of hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 to the sterilizing water supply means 13 of the vaporizer 10 is started. Step 2-11 (S2-11): If "intermittent operation" is selected in step 2-1, the operation of the fan 14 of the vaporizer 10 is started, and the ventilation vaporization time T on When the time has elapsed, the operation of the fan 14 is stopped and the stop time (T s -T on ) has elapsed, the fan 14 is started again, and the cycle is repeated. Step 2-12 (S2-12): If "continuous operation" is selected in step 2-1, the fan 14 of the vaporizer 10 is started and operated continuously. Step 2-14 (S2-13): When the total operation time T has elapsed, the operation of the fan 14 of the vaporizer 10 and the supply of hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 to the sterilizing water supply means 13 are stopped, and the vaporization operation is terminated.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 17, the amount of hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 after the start of the vaporization operation can be controlled, for example, by the following steps. Step 3-1 (S3-1): The water level of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is detected by the second water level sensor 39b. Step 3-2 (S3-2): If the water level has decreased to the level of the second water level sensor 39b, the hypochlorous acid water W1 is replenished into the storage tank 30 from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A. Step 3-3 (S3-3): From the start of vaporization operation to cycle time T ry After this time has elapsed, the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is drained up to the second water level sensor 39b, and new hypochlorous acid water W1 is replenished into the storage tank 30 from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A.

[0116] FIG. 18 shows an example of the operation of the magnetic pump 65c installed in the piping 38 connecting the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A and the storage tank 30, the solenoid valve 35 installed in the piping 34 that discharges the hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30, the magnetic pump 32 installed in the piping 31 connecting the storage tank 30 and the sterilizing water supply means 13, and the fan 14 of the vaporizer 10 during continuous operation and intermittent operation.

[0117] In the case of continuous operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 18(A), the solenoid valve 35 opens to completely drain the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30, and then the solenoid valve 35 is closed. Next, the magnet pump 65c is operated, and new hypochlorous acid water W1 is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to the storage tank 30. When the storage tank 30 is full, the magnet pump 65c is stopped. Next, the magnet pump 32 is operated, and the supply of hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 to the sterilizing water supply means 13 is started, and then the fan 14 of the vaporizer 10 is started. After the cycle time T ryAfter the total operating time T has elapsed, the solenoid valve 35 opens, the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is drained up to the second water level sensor 39b, and the solenoid valve 35 is closed. Next, the magnet pump 65c is operated to replenish the storage tank 30 with new hypochlorous acid water W1 from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A, and when the storage tank 30 is full, the magnet pump 65c is stopped. After the total operating time T has elapsed, the operation of the fan 14 of the vaporizer 10 is stopped, and further the magnet pump 32 is stopped to stop the supply of hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 to the sterilizing water supply means 13.

[0118] In the case of intermittent operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 18(B), the solenoid valve 35 opens to completely drain the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30, and then the solenoid valve 35 is closed. Next, the magnet pump 65c is operated, and new hypochlorous acid water W1 is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to the storage tank 30. When the storage tank 30 is filled with water, the magnet pump 65c is stopped. Next, the magnet pump 32 is operated, and the supply of hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 to the sterilizing water supply means 13 is started. Next, the fan 14 of the vaporizer 10 is started, and the ventilation evaporation time T on When the time has elapsed, the fan 14 stops operating, and the stop time (T s -T on The fan 14 starts to operate again when the cycle time T ry After the total operation time T has elapsed, the solenoid valve 35 opens, the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is drained up to the second water level sensor 39b, and the solenoid valve 35 is closed. Next, the magnet pump 65c is operated to replenish the storage tank 30 with new hypochlorous acid water W1 from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A, and when the storage tank 30 is full, the magnet pump 65c is stopped. After the total operation time T has elapsed, the operation of the fan 14 of the vaporizer 10 is stopped, and further the magnet pump 32 is stopped to stop the supply of hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 to the sterilizing water supply means 13.

[0119] In addition, when the calculation by the control unit 91 based on the measured values ​​of the pH sensor 36 and the chlorine concentration sensor 37 indicates that the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 need to be adjusted, the control unit 91 may extract a certain amount of the hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 and supply new hypochlorous acid water W1 from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A. In this case, threshold values ​​may be set in advance for the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30, and adjustment of the pH and effective chlorine concentration in the storage tank 30 may be started when the measured values ​​of the pH sensor 36 and the chlorine concentration sensor 37 deviate from the threshold values. For example, as shown in Experimental Example 2 of Table 1, the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 are "6.30" and "62 mg / L" respectively at the start of vaporization operation (0 minutes), but 30 minutes after the start of operation, the pH rises to "6.42" and the effective chlorine concentration falls to "58 mg / L". As in Experimental Example 2, if things remain as they are, the pH value will continue to rise and the effective chlorine concentration value will continue to fall. Therefore, it is possible to set the pH threshold to a value such as 6.42 in advance, or the effective chlorine concentration threshold to a value such as 59 in advance. Then, when the pH becomes equal to or higher than the threshold, or when the effective chlorine concentration becomes equal to or lower than the threshold, the adjustment of the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 is started. In Experimental Example 1 of Table 1, by adjusting after 30 minutes, the pH after adjustment drops to "6.29" and the effective chlorine concentration rises to "62 mg / L". In this way, the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 can be automatically controlled.

[0120] The mode of controlling the vaporization operation of the sterilization processing device 4 is not limited to the mode in which a control panel 90 is provided. For example, instead of providing a separate control panel, a sterilization processing device 4A may be provided in which a control system including a power supply unit 90a and a control unit 91 is built in, as shown in Fig. 14. The same parts of the sterilization processing device 4A as those of the sterilization processing device 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0121] In the fourth embodiment described above, a large amount of hypochlorous acid water W1 can be vaporized by arranging the filter 12 in a manner that fully utilizes the space in the housing 11, which makes it easy to miniaturize the device and reduce equipment costs. In addition, by combining the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A, the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 can be maintained within a desired range, so that changes in the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water to be vaporized can be minimized. As a result, it becomes easy to diffuse a sufficient amount of vaporized material of hypochlorous water into the space to be sterilized. In the fourth embodiment, even if a conventional vaporizer configuration is adopted in which an air intake and an air exhaust are provided on opposing wall surfaces of a housing and a flat filter is placed between them, the problem of minimizing the pH and available chlorine concentration of the vaporized hypochlorous acid water can be solved.

[0122] <Fifth embodiment> [Sterilization treatment equipment] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization treatment device 5 according to another example of the embodiment. The sterilization treatment device 5 includes a vaporizer 10, a storage tank 30, and a hypochlorous acid water production device 40A.

[0123] In the sterilization treatment device 5, the storage tank 30 and the electrolytic water storage tank 62 of the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A are connected by a pipe 38A. A magnetic pump 65c is provided in the pipe 38A. In addition, a pipe 38B for extracting a part of the hypochlorous acid water W1 from the storage tank 30 is connected to the storage tank 30. The end of the pipe 38B opposite to the storage tank 30 is connected to a pipe 64a that connects the water supply source 49 and the raw water tank 61 of the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A. A magnetic pump 65d is provided in the pipe 38B. The hypochlorous acid water W1 generated in the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 is supplied to the storage tank 30 through a pipe 38A, and a portion of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 is returned to the hypochlorous acid water generator 40 through a pipe 38B. Other than the above-mentioned configuration, the sterilization processing device 5 may have the same configuration as the sterilization processing device 4.

[0124] In the example shown in Figure 19, the storage tank 30 and the electrolytic water storage tank 62 of the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A are connected by piping 38, but the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A may not be provided with an electrolytic water storage tank, and the generated water mixing section 60 of the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A and the storage tank 30 may be connected by piping 38A.

[0125] In the sterilization treatment device 5, while returning a portion of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 to the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A during the vaporization operation, the hypochlorous acid water W1 generated in the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A can be supplied to the storage tank 30. This makes it possible to easily maintain the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 within the desired range during the vaporization operation.

[0126] [Sterilization method] A sterilization method using the sterilization treatment device 5 will be described below. In the sterilization method using the sterilization treatment device 5, the hypochlorous acid water W1 stored in the storage tank 30 is sent to the sterilizing water supply means 13, and is dripped from the sterilizing water supply means 13 onto the filter 12 to make the filter 12 soak with the hypochlorous acid water W1. The hypochlorous acid water W1 that passes through the filter 12 without vaporization is returned to the storage tank 30 through the drain outlet 26 of the housing 11 and circulated through the piping 33. In this state, the fan 14 is operated to take in air A from outside the housing 11 through the air intake 20 and pass it through the filter 12, and the air A is brought into contact with the hypochlorous acid water W1 and vaporized. Then, the air B containing the vaporized material of the hypochlorous acid water W1 is discharged from the air exhaust 18, and the external space is sterilized. Also, while returning a portion of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 to the hypochlorous acid water generator 40, new hypochlorous acid water W1 is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A to the storage tank 30. In this manner, while circulating the hypochlorous acid water W1 between the storage tank 30 and the hypochlorous acid water generator 40A during the vaporization operation, the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 are maintained within a desired range. The operation of vaporizing the hypochlorous acid water W1 may be performed continuously or intermittently.

[0127] In the fifth embodiment described above, a large amount of hypochlorous acid water W1 can be vaporized by arranging the filter 12 in a manner that fully utilizes the space in the housing 11, which makes it easy to miniaturize the device and reduce equipment costs. In addition, by combining the hypochlorous acid water generator 40, the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water W1 in the storage tank 30 can be maintained within a desired range, so that the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water to be vaporized can be minimized. As a result, it becomes easy to diffuse a sufficient amount of vaporized material of hypochlorous water into the space to be sterilized. In the fifth embodiment, even if the vaporizer adopts a conventional configuration in which an air intake and an air exhaust are provided on opposing wall surfaces of the housing and a flat filter is placed between them, the problem of minimizing the pH and available chlorine concentration of the vaporized hypochlorous acid water can be solved. Moreover, since the hypochlorous acid water W1 extracted from the storage tank 30 can be reused, it is more environmentally friendly and can also reduce costs.

[0128] <Modified embodiment> In the sterilization treatment device according to the embodiment, a duct provided with a plurality of blowing ports may be connected to the air outlet of the vaporizer. By using such a duct, it becomes easier to uniformly diffuse the vaporized substance of the sterilizing water in the space. For example, in an example shown in Fig. 20, an L-shaped duct 80 provided with a plurality of air outlets 81 is connected to the upper duct 27 that communicates with the air outlet 18 of the vaporizer 10. The shape of the duct 80 is not limited to an L-shape, and can be designed appropriately depending on the application. The end face of the duct 80 opposite to the side connected to the upper duct 27 is closed, and a plurality of air outlets 81 are provided on the side of the duct 80 at intervals in the length direction. For example, a plurality of air outlets 81 can be provided at intervals in the length direction on both side faces of the duct 80 extending in the horizontal direction in the width direction.

[0129] The air outlet 81 is preferably an outlet that is closed when the vaporization operation is stopped and that opens when the internal pressure of the duct 80 increases due to air containing the vaporized substance of the sterilizing water during the vaporization operation. With such an outlet 81, it becomes easy to evenly blow out the air B containing the vaporized substance from each of the multiple outlets 81, making it even easier to diffuse the vaporized substance evenly throughout the space.

[0130] When the duct 80 is made of a soft material, the outlet 81 that opens due to the internal pressure may be, for example, an outlet made of a cut. More specifically, for example, an outlet 81 made of a cross cut (FIG. 21(A)), an outlet 81 made of four straight cuts formed radially (FIG. 21(B)), and a tongue-shaped outlet 81 made of a U-shaped cut (FIG. 21(C)) may be used.

[0131] When the duct 80 is made of a hard material, examples of the air outlet 81 that opens due to internal pressure include an air outlet 81 in which an opening 83 formed in the duct is closed with a soft cover member 84 and the cover member 84 opens due to internal pressure (Figure 21(D)), an air outlet 81 in which an opening 83 formed in the duct is closed with a hard cover member 86 connected by a hinge 85 and the cover member 86 opens due to internal pressure (Figure 21(E)), and an air outlet 81 in which an opening 83 formed in the duct is closed with a soft cover member 88 in which a notch 87 is formed (Figure 21(F)). These air outlets 81 act as some resistance to the air flow, and as a result, they also contribute to increasing the internal pressure of the duct 80.

[0132] It is preferable that the multiple air outlets 81 provided in the duct 80 all have the same shape, since this makes it easy to open the multiple air outlets 81 simultaneously at a predetermined internal pressure and evenly blow out air containing the vaporized matter of the sterilizing water. The number, size and pitch of the air outlets 81 can be appropriately set taking into consideration the dimensions of the duct 80, the size of the space in which the sterilization treatment device is used, etc.

[0133] The soft material constituting the duct 80 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, polyethylene. The hard material constituting the duct 80 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, polyvinyl chloride.

[0134] As the soft material constituting the cover members 84, 88, the same materials as those exemplified as the soft material constituting the duct 80 can be exemplified. Examples of the hard material constituting the cover member 86 include the same materials as those exemplified as the hard material constituting the duct 80.

[0135] The sterilization treatment device of the present invention can be applied to sterilization treatment of various spaces. In the commercial field, for example, it can be applied to sterilization treatment of shopping baskets in small spaces created in supermarkets, and sterilization treatment of flower refrigerated showcases in front of florists. In the agricultural field, for example, it can be applied to sterilization treatment in small agricultural greenhouses, sterilization treatment of the entire greenhouse by installing a sterilization treatment device at the exit of the corridor (air conditioner) of a corridor-type agricultural greenhouse, and sterilization treatment in a storage facility when harvested products are stored for a long time to increase added value. In the livestock field, it can be applied to sterilization treatment of farrowing houses and weaning houses. In the distribution field, it can be applied to sterilization treatment in containers of trucks and trains.

[0136] The sterilization treatment device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the sterilization treatment device 2, 4, 5 may be configured so that the hypochlorous acid water W1 is not circulated between the vaporizer 10 and the storage tank 30. An air exhaust port 18 may be provided in a lower lid portion 17 of the housing 11, and the fan 14 may be provided in the air exhaust port 18. In addition, within the scope of the invention, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with well-known components, and the above-described modified examples may be combined as appropriate. EXAMPLES

[0137] The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following description.

[0138] [Experimental Example 1] As shown in Figures 22(A) and 22(B), the space inside refrigerator 100, which is 180 cm long x 80 cm wide x 210 cm high, was the subject of sterilization treatment, and sterilization treatment of refrigerator 100 was performed using a sterilization treatment device (Figure 20) equipped with evaporator 10 connected to duct 80 having multiple air outlets. In the housing 11 of the vaporizer 10, a flat filter having a length of 160 mm, a width of 160 mm, and a thickness of 35 mm was arranged without gaps in a rectangular cylindrical shape as the filter 12. In addition, a duct 80 (diameter 160 mm) made of soft polyvinyl chloride was connected to the air exhaust port 18 of the vaporizer 10, and the horizontal part of the duct 80 was inserted into the cooler 100 as shown in Figures 22(A) and 22(B). On both sides in the width direction of the horizontal part of the duct 80, five air outlets 81 consisting of cross-shaped cuts with a straight part length of 5 cm were provided at intervals of 30 cm in the length direction of the duct 80. Hypochlorous acid water with a pH of 6.0 and an effective chlorine concentration of 62 mg / L was used as the sterilizing water. 8 L was stored in the storage tank 30 and supplied to the filter 12, and the fan 14 was operated continuously to perform the vaporization operation. The ventilation volume of air B containing the vaporized substance of hypochlorous acid water passing through the air outlet 18 was 4.5 m 3 / min. Every 30 minutes from the start of evaporation operation, 2 L of hypochlorous acid water was extracted from the storage tank 30 through piping 34 in order to restore the pH of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 30 to 6.0 and the available chlorine concentration to 62 mg / L, and then 2 L of fresh hypochlorous acid water (pH 6.0, available chlorine concentration 71 mg / L) was supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 40.

[0139] [Experimental Example 2] Sterilization treatment inside the refrigerator was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water were not adjusted every 30 minutes from the start of the vaporization operation.

[0140] [Amount of hypochlorous acid reached] In each experimental example, the amount of hypochlorous acid reached was measured at the bottom immediately below the air outlet 81 of the duct 80 in the cooler by the following method. The amount of hypochlorous acid reached was measured using the APF method, which uses the fluorescent reagent APF (aminophenyl fluorescein) for detecting active oxygen. APF shows almost no fluorescence in a neutral aqueous solution, but it shows no fluorescence in the presence of hypochlorous acid (HClO / OCl). - When it reacts with hypochlorous acid, it produces a highly fluorescent compound that emits strong fluorescence around 515 nm when excited by 490 nm light. It is known that there is a correlation between the intensity of this fluorescence and the amount of hypochlorous acid. A container containing an APF aqueous solution was placed directly below the outlet 81 of the duct 80 in the cooler, and hypochlorous acid that reached the container was collected. The amount of hypochlorous acid that reached the container was calculated from the fluorescence intensity of the collected liquid, and normalized by the area of ​​the container and the collection time to obtain the amount of hypochlorous acid that reached per unit area and unit time (μg / m 2 / min) was calculated.

[0141] The measurement results of the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank and the amount of hypochlorous acid reached in Experimental Examples 1 and 2 are shown in Table 1.

[0142] [Table 1]

[0143] As shown in Table 1, in Experimental Example 1, in which the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank were adjusted by combining a hypochlorous acid water generator, the amount of hypochlorous acid reached was maintained even 120 minutes after the start of evaporation operation, and the diffusion efficiency of the evaporated substance was more sustained, compared to Experimental Example 2, in which the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water were not adjusted.

[0144] [Experimental Example 3] Six outlets are provided in the duct 80, the distances from the air exhaust port 18 of the vaporizer 10 being 1 m, 3 m, 5 m, 7 m, 9 m, and 11 m. Hypochlorous acid water with a pH of 6.0 and an effective chlorine concentration of 54 mg / L is used as the sterilizing water. The ventilation volume of air B passing through the air exhaust port 18 is set to 6.0 m 3 The sterilization treatment was carried out in the same manner as in Experimental Example 2, except that the treatment time was changed to / min. A container containing an APF solution was placed directly under each outlet, and the amount of hypochlorous acid reached directly under each outlet was measured. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0145] [Experimental Example 4] Sterilization treatment was carried out in the same manner as in Experimental Example 3, except that the discharge port provided in the duct 80 was changed to a circular opening having a diameter of 5 cm. A container containing an APF solution was placed directly under each outlet, and the amount of hypochlorous acid reached directly under each outlet was measured. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0146] [Table 2]

[0147] As shown in Table 2, in Experimental Example 3, in which an outlet consisting of a cross cut was provided in the duct, the amount of hypochlorous acid that reached the outlet was greater even directly below the outlet far from the air exhaust port of the vaporizer, and the vaporized substance of the hypochlorous acid water was diffused more evenly over a greater distance, compared to Experimental Example 4, in which an outlet consisting of a circular opening was provided.

[0148] [Experimental Example 5] As shown in FIG. 23, the humidifier has a humidifying element 211, a heating coil 212, a cooling coil 213, and a dust filter 214. The humidifier has an intake air volume of 480 m 3The sterilization treatment was performed on an office space 200 measuring 3.6 m in length, 3.1 m in width, and 2.4 m in height and connected to an 1 / h air conditioner 210. The air conditioner 210 and the office space 200 are connected to each other via an air conditioning pipe 220 for supplying air and an air conditioning pipe 230 for exhausting air. A sterilization treatment device in which a duct 89 is connected to air exhaust port 18 of vaporizer 10 is used, and duct 89 is connected to air conditioning piping 220 for air supply of air conditioner 210, so that the vaporized material produced in vaporizer 10 is supplied to office space 200 through air conditioning piping 220. Within housing 11 of vaporizer 10, a flat filter having dimensions of 160 mm in length, 160 mm in width, and 35 mm in thickness is arranged without gaps in the shape of a square tube as filter 12. The sterilizing water used was hypochlorous acid water with a pH of 6.0 and an effective chlorine concentration of 60 mg / L, and the pH and effective chlorine concentration during treatment were controlled to be constant using a hypochlorous acid water generator. The ventilation volume of air B containing the vaporized substance of hypochlorous acid water passing through the air outlet 18 was 6.5 m 3 / min. The amount of vaporized hypochlorous acid water blown out from the air conditioning piping 220 into the office space 200 is 1.2 mg / min, and the average concentration of vaporized hypochlorous acid water in the office space 200 is 0.14 mg / m 3 This concentration is within the acceptable concentration range of 0.5 ppm (1.5 mg / m) for workers exposed to chlorine gas for 8 hours of work, 5 days a week, as set by the Japan Society for Occupational Health. 3 ) was less than one-tenth of that.

[0149] <Other embodiments> Other embodiments will be described below. [Embodiment (i)] JP 2017-100220 A discloses a vaporizer that vaporizes hypochlorous acid water by blowing air on the filter while the hypochlorous acid water dripping from a pipe is absorbed by the filter. However, in the conventional method of supplying sterilizing water as disclosed in JP 2017-100220 A, the amount of sterilizing water dripped varies depending on the location of the filter, and a large amount of sterilizing water is consumed to distribute the sterilizing water over the entire filter. The object of embodiment (i) is to provide a sterilization treatment device that can easily supply sterilizing water uniformly to a filter and can perform sterilization efficiently while reducing the consumption of sterilizing water.

[0150] The embodiment (i) includes the following features. (i) A sterilization treatment device for performing sterilization treatment using a vaporized substance of sterilizing water, Equipped with a vaporizer that vaporizes sterilizing water, The vaporizer includes a housing, a filter, a sterilizing water supply means for supplying sterilizing water to the filter, and a fan. The housing is provided with an air intake and an air exhaust, The filter is contained within the housing; The fan is provided at the air intake or the air exhaust, The sterilizing water supply means includes a water sprinkler and a reflector. The sprinkler pipe is disposed above the filter and has a plurality of holes formed in an upper surface of the pipe at intervals along its length; the reflector is disposed above the hole; The sterilizing water that spurts out upward from the hole hits the reflector plate and drips onto the filter. A sterilization treatment device, wherein the sterilizing water supplied to the filter is vaporized upon contact with air taken in through the air intake port, and the vaporized matter of the sterilizing water is discharged from the air exhaust port.

[0151] According to embodiment (i), a sterilization treatment device is provided that can easily supply sterilizing water uniformly to the filter and can efficiently perform sterilization while reducing the consumption of sterilizing water.

[0152] A specific example of embodiment (i) is a sterilization treatment device equipped with a vaporizer having the sterilizing water supply means 13 shown in Figures 2, 5, and 8 above. The sterilizing water W sprayed upward from each hole 24 of the water spray pipe 22 hits the reflector plate 23, and the sterilizing water W that bounces back drips onto the filter 12, making it easy to distribute the sterilizing water W uniformly over the entire filter 12. As a result, it is possible to reduce the consumption of sterilizing water and perform highly efficient sterilization treatment with reduced running costs.

[0153] The sterilization treatment device according to embodiment (i) is not particularly limited, except for the configuration in which the sterilizing water supply means includes a sprinkler tube and a reflector, and the sterilizing water sprayed upward from the hole hits the reflector and drips onto the filter, within the scope of solving the problem of embodiment (i). For example, an invention for a vaporizer that vaporizes sterilizing water may have at least a filter and sterilizing water supply means for supplying sterilizing water to the filter, the sterilizing water supply means including a sprinkler tube and a reflector, the sprinkler tube being disposed above the filter and having a hole formed in its upper surface, the reflector being disposed above the hole, and the sterilizing water sprayed upward from the hole hitting the reflector and dripping onto the filter. In the sterilization treatment device according to embodiment (i), the configuration other than the sterilizing water supply means may be appropriately selected from the configurations described in the above sterilization treatment devices 1 to 5, or may be a conventional configuration. For example, the vaporizer of the sterilization treatment device according to embodiment (i) may have an air inlet and an air outlet provided on opposing wall surfaces of the housing, and a flat filter disposed within the housing.

[0154] [Embodiments (ii) and (iii)] In a sterilization process using a vaporized substance of hypochlorous acid water vaporized through a filter, if the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water change during the sterilization process, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient sterilization effect. The objective of embodiments (ii) and (iii) is to provide a sterilization treatment apparatus and a sterilization method that can minimize changes in the pH and available chlorine concentration of hypochlorous acid water during sterilization treatment and can stably obtain the sterilization effect of the vaporized substance of hypochlorous acid water.

[0155] The embodiment (ii) includes the following configuration. (ii) A sterilization treatment device for performing sterilization treatment using a vaporized substance of sterilizing water, The apparatus includes a vaporizer for vaporizing sterilizing water, a storage tank for storing the sterilizing water, and a control unit. The vaporizer includes a housing, a filter, a sterilizing water supply means for supplying sterilizing water to the filter, and a fan. The housing is provided with an air intake and an air exhaust, The filter is contained within the housing; The fan is provided at the air intake or the air exhaust, A pipe for sending sterilizing water from the storage tank to the sterilizing water supply means, and a pipe for returning the sterilizing water that has passed through the filter without being vaporized to the storage tank are provided. The storage tank stores hypochlorous acid water as sterilizing water, The hypochlorous acid water supplied to the filter is vaporized by contact with the air taken in from the air intake port, and the vaporized substance of the hypochlorous acid water is discharged from the air exhaust port, The control unit controls adjustment of the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank by extracting a fixed amount of hypochlorous acid water from the storage tank and supplying the same amount of hypochlorous acid water as the extracted amount to the storage tank.

[0156] The embodiment (iii) includes the following configuration. (iii) A sterilization method for performing sterilization treatment using a vaporized substance of sterilizing water using a sterilization treatment device, The sterilization treatment device includes a vaporizer for vaporizing sterilizing water, a storage tank for storing sterilizing water, and a control unit. The vaporizer includes a housing, a filter, a sterilizing water supply means for supplying sterilizing water to the filter, and a fan. The housing is provided with an air intake and an air exhaust, The filter is contained within the housing; The fan is provided at the air intake or the air exhaust, A pipe for sending sterilizing water from the storage tank to the sterilizing water supply means, and a pipe for returning the sterilizing water that has passed through the filter without being vaporized to the storage tank are provided. Hypochlorous acid water is stored in the storage tank as sterilizing water, The sterilization method includes: supplying hypochlorous acid water to the filter; taking in air through the air intake port and bringing it into contact with the hypochlorous acid water to vaporize it; and discharging the vaporized hypochlorous acid water from the air exhaust port to perform a sterilization treatment; and extracting a fixed amount of hypochlorous acid water from the storage tank and supplying an equal amount of hypochlorous acid water to the storage tank, thereby adjusting the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank.

[0157] According to embodiments (ii) and (iii), a sterilization treatment apparatus and a sterilization treatment method are provided that can minimize changes in the pH and available chlorine concentration of hypochlorous acid water during sterilization treatment and can stably obtain the sterilization effect by the vaporized substance of hypochlorous acid water.

[0158] Specific examples of the embodiments (ii) and (iii) include the sterilization treatment apparatus and the sterilization method using the same shown in FIG. 10 and FIGS. 12 to 14 described above. In the embodiment (ii) and (iii), a certain amount of hypochlorous acid water is extracted from the storage tank, and the same amount of hypochlorous acid water is supplied to the storage tank to adjust the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank, so that the change of the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water during sterilization treatment is minimized.Therefore, the sterilization effect of the vaporized substance of hypochlorous acid water can be stably obtained.

[0159] In addition, embodiments (ii) and (iii) are not particularly limited except for the configuration in which the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank are adjusted by extracting and supplying a certain amount of hypochlorous acid water within the scope that can solve the problems of embodiments (ii) and (iii). For example, a method for sterilizing air using a sterilization treatment device having a filter that vaporizes sterilizing water, a sterilizing water supply means that supplies sterilizing water to the filter, a storage tank that stores sterilizing water, piping that sends sterilizing water from the storage tank to the sterilizing water supply means, and piping that returns the sterilizing water that has passed through the filter without vaporization to the storage tank, the sterilization method includes storing hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank as sterilizing water, supplying hypochlorous acid water to the filter to vaporize it, performing sterilization treatment with a vaporized substance of the hypochlorous acid water, and returning the sterilizing water that has passed through the filter without vaporization to the storage tank, and extracting a certain amount of hypochlorous acid water from the storage tank and supplying hypochlorous acid water having a predetermined pH and hypochlorous acid concentration to the storage tank in the same amount as the amount extracted, thereby adjusting the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank. In the embodiments (ii) and (iii), the configuration other than the adjustment of the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank by extracting and supplying a certain amount of hypochlorous acid water may be appropriately adopted from the configurations described in the above-mentioned sterilization treatment devices 1 to 5, or may be a conventional configuration. For example, the vaporizer in the embodiments (ii) and (iii) may have an air inlet and an air outlet provided on opposing wall surfaces of the housing, and a flat filter disposed in the housing. In the embodiments (ii) and (iii), the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water may or may not be adjusted using a hypochlorous acid water generator.

[0160] [Embodiment (iv)] In conventional sterilization treatments using vaporized matter of sterilizing water, it is difficult to ensure that the vaporized matter of the sterilizing water is sufficiently distributed throughout the entire space to be sterilized, and the larger the space to be sterilized, the more difficult it is to obtain a sufficient sterilization effect. The object of embodiment (iv) is to provide a sterilization treatment apparatus that can easily spread vaporized substances of sterilizing water throughout the entire space to be sterilized.

[0161] The embodiment (iv) includes the following configuration. (iv) A sterilization treatment device for performing sterilization treatment using a vaporized substance of sterilizing water, Equipped with a vaporizer that vaporizes sterilizing water, The vaporizer includes a housing, a filter, a sterilizing water supply means for supplying sterilizing water to the filter, and a fan. The housing is provided with an air intake and an air exhaust, The filter is contained within the housing; The fan is provided at the air intake or the air exhaust, A duct is connected to the air exhaust port, The duct is provided with a plurality of air outlets spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the duct, the air outlets being opened by internal pressure, the plurality of air outlets are air outlets formed by cuts formed in the soft duct, air outlets in which openings formed in the duct are closed by a cover member that opens due to internal pressure, or air outlets in which openings formed in the duct are closed by a soft cover member in which cuts are formed, A sterilization treatment device in which sterilizing water supplied to the filter comes into contact with air taken in from the air intake port and is vaporized, and the vaporized matter of the sterilizing water is discharged from the air exhaust port, passes through the duct, and is blown out from the multiple outlets.

[0162] According to embodiment (iv), a sterilization treatment device is provided that can easily spread vaporized matter of sterilizing water throughout the entire space to be sterilized.

[0163] A specific example of the embodiment (iv) is the sterilization treatment device shown in the above-mentioned Figs. 20 to 22. In the sterilization treatment device according to embodiment (iv), a duct connected to the air outlet of the vaporizer has a plurality of outlets spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, which are opened by internal pressure, and the difference in the amount of vaporized material of sterilizing water blown out from each outlet is small. Therefore, by inserting this duct into the space to be sterilized, the vaporized material of sterilizing water can be easily distributed to places far from the vaporizer in the space to be sterilized, and a sufficient sterilization effect can be easily obtained.

[0164] The sterilization treatment device according to embodiment (iv) is not particularly limited, except for the configuration in which a duct having a plurality of blowing ports spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and opened by internal pressure is connected to an air exhaust port, within the scope in which the problem of embodiment (iv) can be solved. In embodiment (iv), the configuration other than that of connecting a duct having a plurality of blowing ports spaced apart in the length direction that open due to internal pressure to an air exhaust port can be appropriately selected from the configurations described in the above sterilization processing devices 1 to 5, or a conventional configuration may be adopted. For example, the vaporizer in the sterilization processing device according to embodiment (iv) may have an air intake port and an air exhaust port provided on opposing wall surfaces of the housing, and a flat filter disposed within the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 1-5...sterilization treatment device, 10,70...vaporizer, 11,11A-11C...housing, 12...filter, 13...sterilizing water supply means, 14...fan, 15...body, 16,17...lid, 18...air exhaust port, 19...side wall, 20...air intake port, 21...tube, 22...sprinkler pipe, 23...reflector, 24...hole, 25...groove, 30...storage tank, 36...pH sensor, 37...chlorine concentration sensor, 40...hypochlorous acid water generation device, 80...duct, 81...blowout port, 83...opening, 84,86,88...cover member, 85...hinge, 87...notch, W...sterilizing water, W1...hypochlorous acid water, A...air, B...air containing vaporized hypochlorous acid.

Claims

1. A sterilization treatment device for performing sterilization treatment using a vaporized substance of sterilizing water, Equipped with a vaporizer that vaporizes sterilizing water, The vaporizer includes a housing, a filter, a sterilizing water supply means for supplying sterilizing water to the filter, and a fan. The housing includes a cylindrical body portion and a pair of lid portions provided at both ends of the body portion, An air exhaust port is provided in one of the pair of lids, and an air intake port is provided in the body, the filter is arranged in a cylindrical shape along an inner surface of the body portion so as to surround a central axis of the body portion, The fan is provided at the air intake or the air exhaust, A sterilization treatment device, wherein the sterilizing water supplied to the filter is vaporized upon contact with air taken in through the air intake port, and the vaporized matter of the sterilizing water is discharged from the air exhaust port.

2. 2. The sterilization treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizing water supply means is a means for dripping sterilizing water from above the filter.

3. The sterilizing water supply means comprises a water sprinkler pipe and a reflector, The sprinkler pipe is disposed above the filter, and a hole is formed in an upper surface of the pipe; the reflector is disposed above the hole; The sterilizing treatment device according to claim 2 , wherein the sterilizing water jetting out upward from the holes hits the reflecting plate and drips onto the filter.

4. The apparatus further includes a hypochlorous acid water generator, and the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator is supplied to the filter as sterilizing water. The sterilization treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for adjusting a pH and an available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water supplied to the filter by generating hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water, and mixing the generated hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water.

5. The sterilization treatment device according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage tank for storing sterilizing water; a pipe for sending the sterilizing water from the storage tank to the sterilizing water supply means; and a pipe for returning the sterilizing water that has passed through the filter without being vaporized to the storage tank.

6. The apparatus further includes a hypochlorous acid water generator, and the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator is stored in the storage tank as sterilizing water. The hypochlorous acid water generator generates hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water, and mixes the generated hypochlorous acid water and alkaline water to adjust the pH and available chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank. The sterilization treatment device according to claim 5.

7. A control unit is further provided. Hypochlorous acid water is stored in the storage tank as sterilizing water, The control unit controls adjustment of the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank by extracting a fixed amount of hypochlorous acid water from the storage tank and supplying the same amount of hypochlorous acid water as the extracted amount to the storage tank. The sterilization treatment device according to claim 5.

8. The sterilization treatment device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising at least one of a pH sensor for measuring a pH of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank and a chlorine concentration sensor for measuring an effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank.

9. A duct is connected to the air exhaust port, The duct is provided with a plurality of air outlets spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the duct, the air outlets being opened by internal pressure, 2. The sterilization treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of air outlets are air outlets formed by cuts formed in the soft duct, air outlets in which an opening formed in the duct is closed by a cover member that opens due to internal pressure, or air outlets in which an opening formed in the duct is closed by a soft cover member in which a cut is formed.

10. A sterilization method for performing sterilization by a vaporized substance of sterilizing water using a sterilization treatment device equipped with a vaporizer that vaporizes sterilizing water, The vaporizer includes a housing, a filter, a sterilizing water supply means for supplying sterilizing water to the filter, and a fan. The housing includes a cylindrical body portion and a pair of lid portions provided at both ends of the body portion, An air exhaust port is provided in one of the pair of lids, and an air intake port is provided in the body, the filter is arranged in a cylindrical shape along an inner surface of the body portion so as to surround a central axis of the body portion, The fan is provided at the air intake or the air exhaust, A sterilization method comprising the steps of: supplying sterilizing water to the filter; taking in air from the air intake port and bringing it into contact with the sterilizing water to vaporize it; and discharging the vaporized matter of the sterilizing water from the air exhaust port to perform sterilization.

11. The sterilization treatment device further includes a storage tank for storing sterilizing water, a pipe for sending sterilizing water from the storage tank to the sterilizing water supply means, and a pipe for returning the sterilizing water that has passed through the filter without being vaporized to the storage tank, Hypochlorous acid water is stored in the storage tank as sterilizing water, The sterilization method according to claim 10, wherein a certain amount of hypochlorous acid water is extracted from the storage tank, and the same amount of hypochlorous acid water as the extracted amount is supplied to the storage tank, thereby adjusting the pH and effective chlorine concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank.

12. The sterilization treatment device further includes a storage tank for storing sterilizing water, a hypochlorous acid water generating device, a pipe for sending sterilizing water from the storage tank to the sterilizing water supply means, and a pipe for returning the sterilizing water that has passed through the filter without being vaporized to the storage tank, The hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator is stored in the storage tank as sterilizing water, The sterilization method according to claim 10, wherein a portion of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank is returned to the hypochlorous acid water generator.

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