Gas supply mechanism and decontamination gas circulation unit

Abstract

To provide a gas supply mechanism and a decontamination gas circulation unit capable of supplying efficiently a gas such as a decontamination gas into a space to circulate the same.SOLUTION: A gas supply mechanism 100 is installed in a prescribed space S, and supplies a gas to the surroundings. The gas supply mechanism 100 comprises: a fan 130 feeding the gas upward; a gas supply housing 110 having an upper end opening 112 opened upward; and a top face plate 120 for closing the upper end opening 112 and fitted to the gas supply housing 110. Between the top face plate 120 and an upper end part 111 of the gas supply housing 110, there is formed an annular gap G, and the gas sent from the fan 130 is discharged through the gap G in all directions in the circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a gas supply mechanism and a decontamination gas circulation device for supplying and circulating a gas such as a decontamination gas into a space.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, an apparatus for supplying a gas to a space to be decontaminated and performing decontamination (that is, sterilization or disinfection, etc.) is known. In the space sterilization and deodorization system described in Patent Document 1, a chlorine-based gas supply device and a plurality of rooms are connected by a duct and a distribution duct. A regulating valve provided in the duct and a control means adjust the distribution amount of the chlorine-based gas. Further, in the sterilization device described in Patent Document 2, a liquid nitrogen oxide is supplied to an injection device by a metering pump. The injection device vaporizes the nitrogen oxide and injects the nitrogen oxide toward the space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional system or apparatus, although a decontamination gas is supplied to the space, insufficient consideration has been given to how to efficiently diffuse or circulate the decontamination gas in the space. For example, since the diffusion efficiency and circulation efficiency of the gas are not sufficient, there are problems such as taking a long time for decontamination or requiring a large apparatus and power.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a gas supply mechanism and a decontamination gas circulation device that can efficiently supply and circulate a gas such as a decontamination gas in a space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is a gas supply mechanism installed in a space and configured to supply gas toward the surroundings, including a blower device configured to send out the gas upward or laterally, a gas supply housing that houses the blower device and has an upper end opening that is open upward, and a top plate attached to the gas supply housing so as to close the upper end opening of the gas supply housing. An annular gap is formed between the top plate and the upper end portion of the gas supply housing, and the gas sent out from the blower device is discharged through the gap in all directions in the circumferential direction.

[0007] According to this gas supply mechanism, the gas sent out from the blower device is discharged in all directions in the circumferential direction through the gap formed between the peripheral edge of the top plate and the upper end portion of the gas supply housing. Therefore, the gas is efficiently supplied into the space. By sucking in the indoor air from the lower part of the gas supply mechanism, the gas can also be efficiently circulated.

[0008] The gas supply housing has a flange portion that projects laterally at the upper end portion, and a gap is formed between the top plate and the flange portion. The top plate and / or the flange portion may be configured to cause the Coanda effect by the discharged gas. The Coanda effect has the effect of attracting indoor air from above and below the flange portion and sending it out in the circumferential direction. Thereby, a large air circulation amount, that is, a gas circulation amount, can be obtained based on the limited power of the blower device.

[0009] The top plate is disposed at a position higher than the flange portion, the diameter of the top plate is larger than the outer diameter of the flange portion, the peripheral edge of the top plate projects radially outward of the diameter of the flange portion, and a Coanda structure portion that causes the Coanda effect may be provided at the peripheral edge. According to this configuration, an upward flow convection from below to above can be generated by the Coanda effect.

[0010] The upper panel is arranged at a position higher than the flange portion. The outer diameter of the flange portion is larger than the diameter of the upper panel. The flange portion protrudes outward in the radial direction of the upper panel. The flange portion may be provided with a Coanda structure portion that generates the Coanda effect. According to this configuration, the Coanda effect can cause a downward flow convection from above to below.

[0011] As another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a decontamination gas circulation device including a gas generator that is installed vertically in a space and generates decontamination gas as a kind of gas, and any one of the above gas supply mechanisms attached to the upper part of the gas generator, and configured such that the decontamination gas generated by the gas generator is taken in from below the gas supply housing and guided to the suction port of the blower. According to this decontamination gas circulation device, the decontamination gas generated by the gas generator is taken into the gas supply housing of the gas supply mechanism and discharged in all directions in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the decontamination gas can be efficiently supplied and circulated in the space.

[0012] The gas generator has a raw material vaporizer that vaporizes the raw material of the gas, and a reaction part that is arranged above the raw material vaporizer and generates decontamination gas. An air supply port for supplying air to the gas generator may be formed between the raw material vaporizer and the reaction part. According to this configuration, the supplied air is efficiently sent toward the gas supply mechanism.

[0013] With the gas supply mechanism attached to the gas generator, the gap of the gas supply mechanism may be located at a height of 1.0 m or more from the installation surface of the gas generator. According to this configuration, for example, by installing the decontamination gas circulation device on the floor surface between beds in a hospital ward, the decontamination gas can be circulated in the space above the beds, and the decontamination work can be carried out reliably and quickly.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, a gas such as a decontamination gas can be efficiently supplied into a space and circulated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0017] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the decontamination gas circulation device 1 will be described. The decontamination gas circulation device 1 of the present embodiment is installed, for example, in the hospital room A of a medical institution (such as a hospital), and is a device for decontaminating the space S in the hospital room A. The decontamination gas circulation device 1 can be used for all types of decontamination. For example, it is used for sterilization or virus inactivation in the hospital room A. According to the decontamination gas circulation device 1, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, by installing the decontamination gas circulation device 1 on the floor surface (installation surface) F of the hospital room A and operating it for several hours to about half a day, the complete inactivation of the virus is possible, and the hospital room A can be started to be used about one day (for example, the next day) after the installation of the decontamination gas circulation device 1. Of course, based on the size (volume) of the space S in the hospital room A and the capacity of the decontamination gas circulation device 1, the number of units of the decontamination gas circulation device 1, the type (when a plurality of types are prepared according to the processing capacity, etc.), and the operation time, etc. are appropriately set. A plurality of decontamination gas circulation devices 1 may be installed in the hospital room A. One or a plurality of decontamination gas circulation devices 1 and, if necessary, auxiliary circulators, etc. may be installed.

[0018] The decontamination gas circulation device 1 has excellent performance compared with conventional decontamination devices by having the unique configuration described below. The decontamination gas circulation device 1 circulates the indoor air a predetermined number of times or more. The decontamination gas circulation device 1 is superior to conventional decontamination devices in terms of the circulation performance, safety, compactness, and power saving and total energy of the decontamination gas. Note that the decontamination gas circulation device 1 is not limited to the space S in the hospital room A and may be used in other spaces outside the hospital room A.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the decontamination gas circulation device 1 is incorporated into the decontamination system 200 as part of the decontamination system 200. The decontamination system 200 supplies decontamination gas into the space S. The decontamination system 200 includes a decontamination gas circulation device 1 equipped with a gas generator 10, a temperature sensor 41, a humidity sensor 42, a gas sensor 43, and an oxygen sensor 44 provided at appropriate locations in the hospital room A, and a controller 50 that performs upstream communication of measured values, control values, etc. between the decontamination gas circulation device 1 and these sensors and controls each part of the decontamination gas circulation device 1. The controller 50 including a CPU for control may be installed outside the decontamination gas circulation device 1 and in the hospital room A, or may be provided inside the decontamination gas circulation device 1. Alternatively, the controller 50 may be installed in an arbitrary room of a medical institution or may be incorporated into a computer such as a PC. The decontamination system 200 may include a remote monitoring device (control unit) connected to the Internet separately from the controller 50.

[0020] The decontamination gas circulation device 1 is a vertical decontamination device. The decontamination gas circulation device 1 includes a gas generator 10 installed vertically in the space S and a gas supply mechanism 100 attached to the upper part of the gas generator 10. The gas generator 10 generates decontamination gas according to the purpose. Four casters 19 are attached to the lower end of the gas generator 10 to facilitate the movement of the decontamination gas circulation device 1 on the floor surface F. The gas supply mechanism 100 of the present embodiment discharges the decontamination gas generated by the gas generator 10 in all directions around the horizontal direction. Details of the configuration of the gas supply mechanism 100 will be described later.

[0021] The gas generator 10 generates a decontamination gas by, for example, a methanol oxidation spontaneous reaction. The decontamination gas generated by the gas generator 10 enables decontamination in a space contaminated with, for example, COVID-19. The decontamination gas inactivates the virus by cleaving the base sequence in the nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) within the virus. The gas generator 10 has a methanol vaporizer (raw material vaporizer) 12 and a reactor (reaction section) 13 that constitute a decontamination gas generation section. The methanol vaporizer 12 vaporizes methanol as a raw material for the decontamination gas stored in the methanol tank 21. The reactor 13 is disposed above the methanol vaporizer 12. The reactor 13 and the methanol vaporizer 12 are separated by a predetermined distance, but they are connected by a cylindrical portion 15. The reactor 13 has a heater composed of a thermocouple or the like, and heats the vaporized methanol to cause a predetermined reaction using, for example, a copper catalyst, thereby generating a decontamination gas.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the decontamination gas circulation device 1 includes a methanol pump 22 such as an electromagnetic pump, a methanol temperature controller 23 connected to the methanol vaporizer 12, and a heating controller 30 connected to the reactor 13. The decontamination gas circulation device 1 further includes a compressor 24 that compresses and supplies air to the gas generator 10, an air filter 26 provided upstream of the compressor 24, a dehumidifier 27 containing silica gel and a flow rate adjustment unit 28 that is a mass flow controller (MFC) provided downstream of the compressor 24, and a flow rate controller 29 connected to the flow rate adjustment unit 28. By installing the dehumidifier 27 and controlling the humidity range of dry air, the catalytic reaction is stabilized. Calcium chloride may be used for the dehumidifier 27. The flow rate adjustment unit 28 automatically stabilizes the mixing amount of methanol gas and air. The methanol temperature controller 23, the heating controller 30, the compressor 24, and the flow rate controller 29 are each supplied with the required power source. As shown in FIG. 2, all or part of these may be housed in the vertical cylindrical gas generation housing 11 of the gas generator 10. These arrangements and layouts within the device can be appropriately changed in order to adjust the overall height of the device to be higher or lower. For example, the outer shape of the gas generator 10 (including the ratio of height to width, etc.) may be designed appropriately.

[0023] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, an operation panel 20 made of a tablet or the like is attached to the gas generation housing 11 of the decontamination gas circulation device 1 on the back side. The operation panel 20 enables the operation of the decontamination gas circulation device 1 when the operator operates a touch panel or the like with a finger. The operation panel 20 can also display the operating status and the like of the decontamination gas circulation device 1. The display on the operation panel 20 may include a graph display showing gas concentration, temperature, humidity, reaction temperature, etc., and may include a display showing the operating status in addition to or instead of the graph display. The operation panel 20 is detachable from the gas generation housing 11. The operator can remove the operation panel 20 from the gas generation housing 11 and remotely operate the decontamination gas circulation device 1, for example, at a location away from the gas generation housing 11. Note that the operation panel 20 may be fixed to the gas generation housing 11.

[0024] In the gas generation housing 11, an air supply port 14 for supplying air to the decontamination gas circulation device 1 is formed between the methanol vaporizer 12 and the reactor 13. Compressed air from a compressor 24 is supplied to this air supply port 14 via a pipe (not shown). The methanol gas vaporized in the methanol vaporizer 12 is ejected from a nozzle (not shown) provided at the upper part of the methanol vaporizer 12 and inserted into the lower end of the cylindrical part 15, and is supplied into the cylindrical part 15 from the lowermost part of the cylindrical part 15. An air filter 14a may be attached to the air supply port 14.

[0025] In the gas generator 10, as a technique for converting liquid-phase methanol into gas-phase, a method is adopted in which methanol is heated and expanded and then vaporized by being injected from a nozzle. The injected methanol gas with momentum is temporarily received by a plate-like portion below the air supply port 14 to stop the injection momentum. Therefore, the distance between the nozzle for injecting methanol gas and the plate-like portion is kept constant. For the methanol gas without momentum, air flowing in from the air supply port 14 is mixed with it, allowed to undergo natural convection, and then lifted upward. Further, the methanol gas mixed with air is guided to a catalyst layer heated through a porous baffle plate. In this way, since the liquid-phase methanol is vaporized and then mixed with air, the air supply port 14 for supplying air from a compressor is provided above the methanol vaporizer 12. Note that the cylindrical portion 15 may have a frustum-conical shape with an inner diameter decreasing upward to weaken the momentum of the methanol gas and may have the function of a buffer cylinder.

[0026] A decontaminated gas discharge port 17 is attached to the upper part of the reactor 13, and a circular or rectangular opening 18 is formed around the decontaminated gas discharge port 17. Air is sucked in through the opening 18, and a filter housing 140 of a gas supply mechanism 100 is connected to the upper end surface 11a of the gas generation housing 11. The filter housing 140 has, for example, a square tube shape.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the gas supply housing 110 of the gas supply mechanism 100 has an upper end opening 112 that is open upward. The gas supply housing 110 has an inverted frustum-shaped main body portion 115 with an inner diameter increasing upward and an annular flange portion 116 protruding horizontally from the upper end of the main body portion 115. A disk-shaped upper surface plate 120 is attached so as to close the upper end opening 112 at the upper end portion 111 of the main body portion 115. The upper surface plate 120 is installed, for example, so as to fit into the upper end opening 112. The upper surface plate 120 is installed at a position lower than the upper end opening 112 and may be housed within the main body portion 115 without protruding from the upper end opening 112. The upper surface 121 of the upper surface plate 120 is, for example, flat.

[0028] Note that it is desirable to perform curved surface machining (such as R machining) on the boundary between the flange portion 116 and the main body portion 115, that is, the corner portion (connection portion), so as to preferably exhibit the Coanda effect described later. The mounting height (fixing height) of the upper panel 120 is not limited to the above and may be changed as appropriate. The gap between the corner portion of the gas supply housing 110 and the upper panel 120 is adjusted by changing the mounting height of the upper panel 120. The peripheral edge portion 120a of the upper panel 120 is not limited to extending flatly (horizontally), and may be curved upward or downward. When the peripheral edge portion 120a is curved upward, the outer edge of the upper panel 120 may be disposed at a position higher than the outer edge of the flange portion 116. When the peripheral edge portion 120a is curved downward, the outer edge of the upper panel 120 may be disposed at a position lower than the outer edge of the flange portion 116.

[0029] The flange portion 116 projects laterally from the upper end of the main body portion 115, but the shape of the flange portion 116 and the direction in which the flange portion 116 extends may be changed as appropriate. The flange portion 116 is not limited to projecting horizontally from the upper end of the main body portion 115. The flange portion 116 may project from the upper end of the main body portion 115 in a direction having an elevation angle.

[0030] The curved surface shape of the corner portion, the shape of the peripheral edge portion 120a, and the shape of the flange portion 116 described above can be set according to the injection direction of the mixed gas and the generated flow (convection). For example, by performing R machining on the corner portion and further forming the flange portion 116 downward, injection with downward blow is realized. Conversely, by performing R machining on the corner portion and further forming the flange portion 116 upward, injection with upward blow is realized.

[0031] The lower surface 122 of the upper panel 120 is flat. A fan (air blower) 130 configured to send out the decontamination gas upward is fixed to the lower surface 122 of the upper panel 120. The type of the fan 130 is not particularly limited, and for example, a centrifugal fan, a sirocco fan, an axial flow fan, etc. may be used. Note that the fan 130 is not limited to being attached to the upper panel 120, and may be fixed to other parts within the main body 115.

[0032] The decontamination gas generated by the gas generator 10 is taken in from below the gas supply housing 110 and guided to the suction port of the fan 130, so the lower end of the filter housing 140 is connected to the upper end surface 11a of the gas generation housing 11. Further, the gas supply housing 110 is attached to the filter housing 140 so that the upper end opening 140a of the filter housing 140 aligns with the lower end opening 110b of the gas supply housing 110. Inside the filter housing 140, a pre-filter 141 and a high-performance filter 142 arranged above the pre-filter 141 are built in. The high-performance filter 142 is a ULPA filter having a filtration pore diameter of 0.1 to 0.15 μm, and effectively captures aerosols present in the air. The high-performance filter 142 may be a HEPA filter, and the filter may be appropriately selected according to the collection purpose. Also, in the case of decontamination that does not require the collection of pathogens or viruses, it is not necessary to use the high-performance filter 142, and the circulation air volume can be increased to shorten the time of the decontamination process.

[0033] The lower part of the filter housing 140 has a cylindrical structure that maintains airtightness except that an opening 18 is provided. A sealed cylindrical body may or may not be provided in the space below the high-performance filter 142. A configuration that surely introduces the mixed gas and passes it through the high-performance filter 142 is desirable. Note that when the high-performance filter 142 itself has a housing such as an outer cylinder, the filter housing 140 can be omitted.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, an annular gap G is formed between the peripheral edge portion 120a of the upper surface plate 120 and the upper end portion 111 of the gas supply housing 110. More specifically, a gap G having a predetermined width in the radial direction is formed between the upper surface plate 120 and the flange portion 116. The positions and shapes of the upper surface plate 120 and the flange portion 116 are configured to cause the Coanda effect by the decontamination gas to be discharged (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The width of the gap G is, for example, about 1 to 5 mm. In the decontamination gas circulation device 1 provided with the gas supply mechanism 100 in this way, the decontamination gas sent out from the fan 130 is jetted through the gap G, blows out along the flat upper surface 116a, and is discharged in all directions in the main direction. As also shown in FIG. 7, according to the gas supply mechanism 100, the decontamination gas is diffused over 360° in all directions.

[0035] In the decontamination gas circulation device 1 having the above configuration, with the gas supply mechanism 100 attached to the gas generator 10, the gap G of the gas supply mechanism 100 is located at a height of 1.0 m or more from the floor surface F, for example. For example, the discharge height H (see FIG. 6) may be a height within the range of 1.2 m to 2.0 m. Thereby, in the circulation of the gas, the influence of obstacles can be reduced.

[0036] According to the gas supply mechanism 100 of the present embodiment, the decontamination gas sent out from the fan 130 hits the upper surface plate 120. Then, the decontamination gas is discharged in all directions in the circumferential direction through the gap G formed between the peripheral edge portion 120a of the upper surface plate 120 and the upper end portion 111 of the gas supply housing 110. Therefore, the decontamination gas is efficiently supplied into the space S. By sucking indoor air from the gas generator 10 below the gas supply mechanism 100, the decontamination gas can also be efficiently circulated. The discharge of the decontamination gas in the 360° direction causes air convection, stirs the indoor air, and can transport the decontamination gas evenly throughout the room.

[0037] In addition, the decontamination gas circulation device 1 can also be used when fine particles such as microparticles (particle diameter of about 20 μm or less) are used as the decontamination gas. Furthermore, it can also be used only with the gas supply mechanism 100. When the gas supply mechanism 100 (circulation device) is used alone, the following effects can be expected. 1) When operating alone indoors, it functions as an air purifier (when there is a filter). 2) By using it alone in a room filled with decontamination gas, it can provide a function capable of collecting and decontaminating (inactivating) pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Also, depending on the efficacy of the decontamination gas, since nucleic acids (DNA·RNA) can be decomposed, it can also be applied to sites where decontamination at the nucleic acid level is required, such as nucleic acid decontamination in areas where nucleic acids have scattered.

[0038] Pathogens such as viruses attracted to the high-performance filter 142 are collected, and the pathogens come into contact with the decontamination gas inside the filter unit, and the pathogens are purified. The decontamination gas is circulated into the room through the high-performance filter 142 and through the gap G (jet port). Since the high-performance filter 142 is arranged at the upper part, a contact time with the decontamination waste is ensured. Generally, the outer side of the filter becomes an effective collection surface, but in the high-performance filter 142, since air passes through its interior, collection inside is possible. The pathogens are inactivated by the contact with the decontamination gas before and after the high-performance filter 142.

[0039] The top panel 120 and the flange portion 116 are configured to generate the Coandă effect by the decontamination gas to be released. The Coandă effect has the effect of attracting (sucking in) the indoor air from above and below the flange portion 116 and sending it out in the circumferential direction. The Coandă effect can double the gas circulation amount compared to a normal gas supply mechanism using an equivalent fan. Thereby, based on the limited power of the fan 130, a large air circulation amount, that is, a decontamination gas circulation amount, can be obtained.

[0040] According to the gas supply housing 110 having the inverted frustum-shaped main body portion 115, the decontamination gas is supplied into the space S more efficiently. The decontamination gas is effectively released in all directions in the circumferential direction with less resistance.

[0041] The fan 130 is attached to the lower surface 122 of the upper surface plate 120. The fan 130 is accommodated in the gas supply housing 110 in a state of being integrated with the upper surface plate 120. Thereby, a simple configuration is realized, and the gas supply mechanism 100 can be made compact.

[0042] Moreover, according to the decontamination gas circulation device 1 of the present embodiment, the decontamination gas generated by the gas generator 10 is taken into the gas supply housing 110 of the gas supply mechanism 100 and discharged in all directions in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the decontamination gas can be efficiently supplied and circulated in the space S. The installation area of the decontamination gas circulation device 1 is very small, and the floor area is reduced compared with the conventional gas circulation device.

[0043] An air supply port 14 for supplying air to the gas generator 10 is formed between the methanol vaporizer 12 and the reactor 13. According to this configuration, the supplied compressed air becomes decontamination gas and is efficiently sent toward the gas supply mechanism 100.

[0044] The gap G of the gas supply mechanism 100 is located at a height of, for example, 1.0 m or more from the installation surface of the gas generator 10. For example, by installing the decontamination gas circulation device 1 only on the floor surface F between the beds B in the hospital room A, the decontamination gas can be circulated in the space above the bed B, and the decontamination work can be carried out reliably and quickly.

[0045] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the upper surface 121 of the upper surface plate 120 may be located at the same height as the upper end opening 112.

[0046] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, a gas supply mechanism 100A may be employed that has a cylindrical (having a constant inner diameter) main body portion 115A instead of an inverted frustum shape. In that case, it may be a gas supply mechanism 100A with an upper surface plate 120 disposed at a position higher than the flange portion 116. The upper surface plate 120 is installed at a position higher than the upper end opening 112. Even with the decontamination gas circulation device 1A equipped with the gas supply mechanism 100A, an annular gap G is formed, achieving the same functions and effects as the above-described decontamination gas circulation device 1.

[0047] In the decontamination gas circulation device 1A where the upper surface plate 120 is disposed at a position higher than the flange portion 116, for example, the outer diameter of the flange portion 116 is larger than the diameter of the upper surface plate 120. The flange portion 116 protrudes radially outward of the upper surface plate 120. The flange portion 116 is provided with a Coanda structure portion that generates the Coanda effect. Details of the Coanda structure portion will be described later. According to this configuration, the Coanda effect can cause an upward flow convection from below to above.

[0048] The Coanda effect causes a pressure drop, for example, by the Coanda structure portion provided on the flange portion 116. Convection from the surroundings can be drawn into the low-pressure region where the pressure has dropped, inducing an amount of convection exceeding the actual injection amount by the fan 130. Thereby, the mixing of the injected gas with the indoor air is promoted, and circulation decontamination with a gas concentration without concentration unevenness can be realized.

[0049] The gas supply mechanism may be provided with a configuration capable of adjusting the width (clearance) of the gap G by a mechanism or the like that makes the installation position (installation height) of the upper surface plate 120 variable.

[0050] The gas supply mechanism may be used not only in combination with the gas generator 10, but also alone as an indoor air (or gas such as decontamination gas) circulation device. The gas supply mechanism may be used as a dust collector, an air purifier, or an air circulator. According to the gas supply mechanism having a unique configuration that exhibits the Coanda effect, gas circulation with low power and high efficiency is possible. The gas supply mechanism may be used in combination with other devices other than the gas generator 10.

[0051] The configuration in which the upper panel 120 is disposed at a position higher than the flange portion 116 may be applied to the configuration including the inverted frustum-shaped main body portion 115 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6. In that case, the diameter of the upper panel 120 may be larger than the outer diameter of the flange portion 116, or the outer diameter of the flange portion 116 may be larger than the diameter of the upper panel 120. The diameter of the upper panel 120 may be equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 116, and their outer edges 120b and 116b may be substantially aligned. A Coanda structure portion may be provided on the upper panel 120 and / or the flange portion 116. When the diameter of the upper panel 120 is equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 116, the gas injection port (gap G) is not designed to utilize the Coanda effect.

[0052] Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, a specific configuration example for generating the Coanda effect will be described. In each of FIGS. 9 to 12, illustration of the fan 130, the filter housing 140, etc. described in the above embodiment is omitted.

[0053] In the gas supply mechanism 100B shown in Fig. 9(a), the top plate 120 is disposed at a position higher than the flange portion 116, and the diameter of the top plate 120 is larger than the outer diameter of the flange portion 116. The peripheral edge portion 120a of the top plate 120 faces the flange portion 116 with a predetermined interval therebetween, and protrudes radially outward of the flange portion 116. A Coanda structure portion 150 that causes the Coanda effect is provided at the peripheral edge portion 120a of the top plate 120. The Coanda structure portion 150 is, for example, annular, and is attached to the lower surface 122 side of the top plate 120. The Coanda structure portion 150 has, for example, a wing-shaped cross section. The cross-sectional shape of the Coanda structure portion 150 is constant regardless of which part in the circumferential direction is cut. The Coanda structure portion 150 may be formed of the same material as the top plate 120. The Coanda structure portion 150 may be a resin part (for example, a molded product). The outer edge 116b of the flange portion 116 is disposed inside (in front of) the top 155 of the Coanda structure portion 150. A gap G is formed between the wing-shaped surface 152 of the Coanda structure portion 150 and the outer edge 116b of the flange portion 116. The size of the gap G is, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm. According to this configuration, an upward flow convection from the lower side to the upper side can be caused by the Coanda effect. In the gas supply mechanism 100B, the main body portion 115A of the gas supply housing 110B may be replaced with the frustum-shaped main body portion 115 (see Fig. 5).

[0054] Also, in the gas supply mechanism 100C shown in FIG. 9(b), the outer edge 116b of the flange portion 116 is disposed at a position close to (facing) the top 155 of the Coanda structure portion 150. The top 155 is a part of the airfoil surface 152 and is the portion (annular portion) that protrudes most from the lower surface 122 among the airfoil surfaces 152. Since the description of the Coanda structure portion 150 is the same as the above description regarding the form shown in FIG. 9(a), it will be omitted in the description of the following modification examples. A gap G is formed between the top 155 of the Coanda structure portion 150 and the outer edge 116b of the flange portion 116. The size of the gap G is, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm. Also with this configuration, due to the Coanda effect, an upflow convection from below upward can be generated. In the gas supply mechanism 100C, the main body portion 115A of the gas supply housing 110C may be replaced with the frustum-shaped main body portion 115 (see FIG. 5).

[0055] In the gas supply mechanism 100D shown in FIG. 10(a), the upper surface plate 120 is disposed at a position higher than the flange portion 116, and the outer diameter of the flange portion 116 is larger than the diameter of the upper surface plate 120. The peripheral edge 120a of the upper surface plate 120 faces the flange portion 116 at a predetermined interval. The flange portion 116 protrudes radially outward of the upper surface plate 120. The flange portion 116 is provided with a Coanda structure portion 150 that generates a Coanda effect. The Coanda structure portion 150 is, for example, annular and is attached to the upper surface 116a side of the flange portion 116. The outer edge 120b of the upper surface plate 120 is disposed inside (in front of) the top 155 of the Coanda structure portion 150. A gap G is formed between the airfoil surface 152 of the Coanda structure portion 150 and the outer edge 120b of the upper surface plate 120. The size of the gap G is, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm. According to this configuration, due to the Coanda effect, a downflow convection from above downward can be generated. In the gas supply mechanism 100D, the main body portion 115A of the gas supply housing 110D may be replaced with the frustum-shaped main body portion 115 (see FIG. 5).

[0056] Also, in the gas supply mechanism 100E shown in FIG. 10(b), the outer edge 120b of the top plate 120 is arranged at a position close to (facing) the top 155 of the Coanda structure portion 150. A gap G is formed between the top 155 of the Coanda structure portion 150 and the outer edge 120b of the top plate 120. The size of the gap G is, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm. According to this configuration, a downflow convection from above to below can be generated by the Coanda effect. In the gas supply mechanism 100E, the main body portion 115A of the gas supply housing 110E may be replaced with the frustum-shaped main body portion 115 (see FIG. 5).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 11, a gas supply mechanism 100F having a top plate 120F with a peripheral edge portion 120a warped upward and a gas supply housing 110F may be adopted. Regarding the comparison of the sizes of the top plate 120F and the flange portion 116, it may be the same as that of the gas supply mechanism 100B shown in FIG. 9(a), or it may be the same as that of the gas supply mechanism 100C shown in FIG. 9(b). A gap G is formed between the wing-shaped surface 152 of the Coanda structure portion 150 and the outer edge 116b of the flange portion 116. The size of the gap G is, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm. In this way, even with the top plate 120F with an elevation angle structure added, an upflow convection from below to above can be generated by the Coanda effect. In the gas supply mechanism 100F, the main body portion 115A of the gas supply housing 110F may be replaced with the frustum-shaped main body portion 115 (see FIG. 5). An elevation angle structure may be added to the flange portion 116. In the gas supply mechanism 100F, the main body portion 115A of the gas supply housing 110F may be replaced with the frustum-shaped main body portion 115 (see FIG. 5).

[0058] As shown in FIG. 12, a gas supply mechanism 100G having a top plate 120G with a peripheral edge 120a curved along a Coandă structure portion 150 and a gas supply housing 110G may be employed. Regarding the comparison of the sizes of the top plate 120G and the flange portion 116, it may be the same as that of the gas supply mechanism 100D shown in FIG. 10(a), or it may be the same as that of the gas supply mechanism 100E shown in FIG. 10(b). A gap G is formed between the airfoil surface 152 of the Coandă structure portion 150 and the outer edge 116b of the flange portion 116. The peripheral edge 120a of the top plate 120G forms a certain gap G with the airfoil surface 152 of the Coandă structure portion 150. The outer edge 120b of the top plate 120 is disposed at a position close to (facing) the top 155 of the Coandă structure portion 150. The size of the gap G is, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm. According to this configuration, a downward flow convection from above to below can be generated by the Coandă effect. In the gas supply mechanism 100G, the main body portion 115A of the gas supply housing 110G may be replaced with a frustum-shaped main body portion 115 (see FIG. 5).

[0059] Since the contact between the pathogens collected in the area where the pre-filter 141 and the high-performance filter 142 are present and the decontamination gas is carried out, a mixed air flow of the decontamination gas and air is generated and circulated inside and around this unit, promoting decontamination while collecting the pathogens on the filter. Moreover, the decontamination gas ejected from the gap G after passing through the high-performance filter 142 effectively acts on the airborne floating pathogens and the inactivation of the attached pathogens. The arrangement of the pre-filter 141 and the high-performance filter 142 can be appropriately changed from the above-described embodiment. For example, the high-performance filter 142 may be provided at the opening 18. By shortening the size of the high-performance filter 142, the contact area between the contaminated air flowing in from the opening 18 and the pre-decontamination gas can be expanded. By selecting the size of the high-performance filter 142, the air volume can be selected.

[0060] In the gas supply mechanism 100, the pre-filter 141 and the high-performance filter 142 may be omitted. Even in a configuration without the pre-filter 141 and the high-performance filter 142, the circulation function and the decontamination function can be achieved by stirring the gas and air by the intake of the fan 130. When the decontamination gas circulation device 1 is used without a filter, an air volume (air circulation volume) 2 to 5 times that in the case of providing a filter can be obtained. The ability as an air cleaner can be improved.

[0061] The reaction part is not limited to a mechanism / device in a form that generates a decontamination gas by heating the vaporized raw material to cause a predetermined reaction, and may be a device such as an ultrasonic humidifier that generates a decontamination agent atomized by spraying.

[0062] The upper surface plate 120 is not limited to a disk shape. The shape of the upper surface plate 120 can be appropriately changed. For example, it may be a rectangular plate shape with rounded corners. When the upper surface plate 120 is not circular, the diameter of the upper surface plate 120 may be the length of the longest line segment (a line segment parallel to the upper surface plate 120) that can exist on the surface of the upper surface plate 120.

[0063] In the main body part 115 of the gas supply housing 110, a constricted shape may be provided such that a part of the cylindrical body protrudes inward. In that case, the stirring effect (uniformization effect) of the mixed gas is enhanced.

[0064] The fan 130 (air blower) may be attached not to the upper surface plate 120 but to the main body part 115. As the air blower, a centrifugal fan may be used. According to the centrifugal fan, the mixed gas is sent out sideward (in the 90° direction), hits the side surface (the main body part 115), and is jetted from the gap G.

[0065] The Coandă structure part 150 may have an arcuate surface instead of a wing shape.

[0066] In each of the various embodiments and modifications described above, the shape of the boundary portion between the main body portion 115 of the flange portion 116, that is, the corner portion (connection portion), the shape of the peripheral edge portion 120a, and the shape of the flange portion 116 may be appropriately set according to the injection direction of the mixed gas and the generated flow (convection).

[0067] The Coanda structure portion 150 is not limited to being a resin part (for example, a molded product) prepared separately from the upper surface plate 120 or the flange portion 116. For example, the Coanda structure portion 150 may be provided by forming the shape of the upper surface plate 120 and / or the flange portion 116 into a curved surface shape (airfoil shape). When the upper surface plate 120 and / or the flange portion 116 is made of metal, sheet metal working, drawing, or molding by a mold may be used to form the Coanda structure portion 150. When the upper surface plate 120 and / or the flange portion 116 is made of resin, integral molding such as injection molding may be used to form the Coanda structure portion 150.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0068] 1... Decontamination gas circulation device, 10... Gas generation device, 11... Gas generation housing, 12... Methanol vaporizer (raw material vaporizer), 13... Reactor (reaction portion), 14... Air supply port, 100... Gas supply mechanism, 110... Gas supply housing, 111... Upper end portion, 112... Upper end opening, 115... Main body portion, 116... Flange portion, 120... Upper surface plate, 120a... Peripheral edge portion, 122... Lower surface, 130... Fan (air blower), 142... High-performance filter, 150... Coanda structure portion, A... Hospital ward, F... Floor surface (installation surface), G... Gap, H... Discharge height, S... Space.

Claims

1. A gas supply mechanism that is installed in a space and supplies gas to the surroundings, A blower configured to blow the gas upward or to the side; a gas supply housing that houses the blower and has an upper end opening that is open upward; a top plate attached to the gas supply housing so as to close the top opening of the gas supply housing, A gas supply mechanism in which an annular gap is formed between the upper plate and the upper end of the gas supply housing, and the gas sent out from the blower is released in all circumferential directions through the gap.

2. the gas supply housing has a flange portion extending laterally at the upper end portion, The gap is formed between the upper plate and the flange portion, The gas supply mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the top plate and / or the flange portion are configured to generate a Coanda effect with released gas.

3. The upper plate is disposed at a position higher than the flange portion, A diameter of the upper plate is larger than an outer diameter of the flange portion, and a peripheral edge portion of the upper plate protrudes radially outward from the flange portion, The gas supply mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the peripheral portion is provided with a Coanda structure that produces the Coanda effect.

4. The upper plate is disposed at a position higher than the flange portion, An outer diameter of the flange portion is larger than a diameter of the upper surface plate, and the flange portion protrudes radially outward from the upper surface plate, The gas supply mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the flange portion is provided with a Coanda structure that produces the Coanda effect.

5. a gas generator that is installed vertically in the space and generates a decontamination gas as one type of the gas; The gas supply mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is attached to an upper portion of the gas generator; A decontamination gas circulation device configured so that the decontamination gas generated by the gas generator is taken in from below the gas supply housing and guided to the suction port of the blower.

6. The gas generator comprises: a raw material vaporizer for vaporizing the gas raw material; a reaction section disposed above the raw material vaporizer and generating the decontamination gas; 6. The decontamination gas circulation system according to claim 5, further comprising an air supply port formed between said raw material vaporizer and said reaction section for supplying air to said gas generator.

7. 7. The decontamination gas circulation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when the gas supply mechanism is attached to a gas generator, the gap of the gas supply mechanism is located at a height of 1.0 m or more from an installation surface of the gas generator.

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