Gas dissolving device

Abstract

To provide a gas dissolving device that is able to dissolve a gas in a liquid, at a high concentration.SOLUTION: A gas dissolving device 10, which is connected to a pipe, through which a liquid L1 flows, and generates a gas-dissolved liquid L2 by sending a gas G to the liquid L1 flowing inside, includes a body portion 20, a gas introduction hole 30, and means for changing the flow of the liquid L1. The main body portion 20 has a cylindrical shape and has a hollow internal space 21 serving as a flow passage for the liquid L1 flowing therein. The gas introduction hole 30 communicates with a gas supply passage connected to a gas supply source and opens in an internal space 21 of the main body portion 20. The means for changing the flow of the liquid L1 is provided in the internal space 21 of the main body portion 20 and is stirring means for generating a swirl flow in the flow of the liquid L1 and / or flow dividing means for dividing the flow of the liquid L1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas dissolver for dissolving a gas, such as carbon dioxide gas, at a high concentration in a liquid, such as water or hot water. [Background technology]

[0002] Carbonated springs, which are warm water with dissolved carbon dioxide gas, are known for their beneficial effects such as improving blood circulation and providing excellent heat retention, and there is a growing need for more convenient use of carbonated springs at home, in public baths, etc. One technology for artificially and easily generating such carbonated springs is a gas dissolver that can be connected to water pipes such as those for showers, and is disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] In the carbonated spring manufacturing device of Patent Document 1, a coil is provided as an agitating member in the hot water pipe in order to efficiently dissolve carbon dioxide gas in the hot water. In the gas dissolver of Patent Document 2, multiple through holes for supplying carbon dioxide gas are provided on the outer periphery of the hot water pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-30000 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6602284 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the carbonated spring manufacturing device of Patent Document 1, the hot water containing carbon dioxide simply scatters when it hits the coil inside the piping, making it difficult to sufficiently increase the solubility of carbon dioxide. Also, the gas dissolver of Patent Document 2 employs a method of supplying carbon dioxide through through-holes of a predetermined shape from the outer periphery of the hot water piping, making it possible to dissolve a high concentration of carbon dioxide, but to maximize the efficacy of carbonated springs, there was a demand for a technology that could easily produce carbonated springs with an even higher concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a gas dissolver that is connected to a pipe through which a liquid flows and dissolves gas by sending the gas into the liquid flowing inside, and that can dissolve a higher concentration of gas in the liquid than conventional gas dissolvers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a gas dissolver that is connected to a pipe through which a liquid flows and generates a gas-dissolved liquid by supplying a gas to the liquid flowing therein, the gas dissolver comprising: a cylindrical main body having a hollow internal space that serves as a flow path for the liquid flowing therein; a gas inlet port that communicates with a gas supply path connected to a gas supply source and opens into the internal space of the main body; and a means for changing the flow of liquid provided in the internal space of the main body, the means for changing the flow of liquid being a stirring means for generating a swirling flow in the liquid flow and / or a flow dividing means for dividing the liquid flow. According to this configuration, by generating a swirling flow and / or a flow dividing means in the internal space of the main body, the effect of intensely mixing the liquid and the gas is enhanced, and a higher concentration of gas can be dissolved in the liquid flowing therein.

[0008] In one embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the gas inlet hole may be configured to open downstream of the means for changing the flow of the liquid. With this configuration, the gas is supplied after the liquid flow in the internal space of the main body has sufficiently become a swirling flow and / or a diverging flow, thereby further enhancing the effect of intensely mixing the liquid and the gas and improving the solubility of the gas in the liquid.

[0009] In one embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the stirring means may be a propeller unit having rotatable blades. With this configuration, the rotation of the propeller unit generates a stronger swirling flow, which reliably stirs the liquid and improves the solubility of the gas in the liquid flowing inside.

[0010] In another embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the blades may extend radially from the central axis of the liquid flowing through the internal space of the main body toward the outer periphery. This configuration allows the liquid flowing inside to be more efficiently agitated, thereby increasing the solubility of gas.

[0011] In another embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the propeller section may include a plurality of blades arranged at upstream and downstream positions in the flow direction, spaced apart at predetermined intervals around the central axis, each blade including a bridge plate connecting the upstream blade to the downstream blade, such that the upstream and downstream blades connected by the bridge plate do not overlap each other in an axial plan view. This configuration can generate a spiral flow along the bridge plate, which is disposed obliquely relative to the liquid flow passing through the propeller section. This can create a more complex swirling flow of the liquid, further enhancing the mixing effect. Furthermore, the force of the water flow hitting the bridge plate generates a rotational force that rotates the propeller section, making it possible to generate a swirling flow without requiring additional power for the propeller section.

[0012] In one embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the flow dividing means may include a plate-shaped base portion arranged to divide the internal space of the main body portion into an upstream space and a downstream space, and two or more through-holes formed in the base portion and extending in the direction of liquid flow. With this configuration, the liquid passing through the base portion is divided into two or more flows by the multiple through-holes, resulting in multiple flows with increased flow velocities. Changing the liquid flow in this way provides a stirring effect, thereby improving the dissolution of gas into the liquid.

[0013] In another embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the through-hole may have a tapered portion whose inner diameter decreases from upstream to downstream. With this configuration, when the liquid passes through the tapered portion of the through-hole, the flow rate of each of the divided flows gradually increases, resulting in a plurality of divided flows with increased flow rates.

[0014] In another embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the through-hole may have a small diameter region in which the inner diameter is constant from the smallest portion of the tapered through-hole section to the downstream opening of the through-hole. With this configuration, the liquid flow flows out of the base section while maintaining the increased flow velocity caused by passing through the tapered through-hole section, and then flows into the downstream area where the inner diameter expands all at once, thereby creating a more complex flow.

[0015] In one embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the internal space of the main body may have a tapered region downstream of the gas inlet, the internal space having a diameter that decreases from upstream to downstream. With this configuration, the liquid flows through the tapered region of the internal space after the gas is introduced through the gas inlet to form a gas-liquid mixture. This allows the flow rate of the gas-liquid mixture to gradually increase, thereby increasing the solubility of the gas.

[0016] In another embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the internal space of the main body may have a small-diameter region in which the internal diameter is constant from the smallest part of the tapered region to the downstream opening of the main body. With this configuration, the flow of the liquid in a gas-liquid mixture flows out of the gas dissolver while maintaining the increased flow velocity caused by passing through the tapered region, and then flows downstream where the internal diameter expands. This makes the flow more complex and causes a temporary, sudden drop in pressure, thereby increasing the solubility of the gas.

[0017] In another embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the internal space of the main body may have a large-diameter region extending from the upstream opening of the main body connected to the downstream opening of the pipe to the base of the flow dividing means, the large-diameter region having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the downstream opening of the pipe. With this configuration, the liquid passing through the pipe and flowing into the gas dissolver according to the present invention can be uniformly applied to the base of the flow dividing means, thereby ensuring the division of the flow.

[0018] In another embodiment of the gas dissolver according to the present invention, the flow dividing means may comprise a plate-shaped base portion arranged to divide the internal space of the main body portion into an upstream space and a downstream space, two or more through-holes formed in the base portion in the direction of liquid flow, and a shaft extending downstream from the downstream surface of the base portion, and the stirring means may be a propeller portion having rotatable blades, which is rotatably attached to the shaft of the flow dividing means and located downstream of the through-holes. With this configuration, the propeller portion, which is a rotating means, is located downstream of the base portion of the flow dividing means, so that the rotation of the propeller portion can add a stirring effect to the flow of liquid that has been divided after passing through the base portion, making the flow more complex, or in other words, turbulent. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the gas dissolver of the present invention, a complex flow is created by generating a swirling flow and / or branching flow in the liquid flow in the internal space of the main body, and by introducing a gas into this complex flow, the effect of the liquid and gas being vigorously mixed is significantly enhanced, making it possible to extremely increase the solubility of the gas, thereby making it possible to create a gas-dissolved liquid with a high concentration of dissolved gas. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1A shows a gas dissolver according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1[A] is a plan view, FIG. 1[B] is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1B-1B in FIG. 1[A], and FIG. 1[C] is a front view. [Figure 2] 2A, 2B, and 2C show a base portion in this embodiment, with FIG. 2A being a plan view, FIG. 2B being a front view, and FIG. 2C being a perspective view. [Figure 3] The propeller part of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 3[A1], [A2], and [A3], which are plan views, Fig. 3[B1], [B2], and [B3], which are front views, and Fig. 3[C], which is a perspective view. Fig. 3[A1] and Fig. 3[B1] correspond to each other, Fig. 3[A2] and Fig. 3[B2], and Fig. 3[A3] and Fig. 3[B3], respectively. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a liquid outlet pipe is connected to the downstream end of the gas dissolver of this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5[A] is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a swirling flow, and FIG. 5[B] is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a branched flow. [Figure 6] 6A, 6B, and 6C show a base portion according to a first modified example of the present embodiment, with FIG. 6A being a plan view, FIG. 6B being a front view, and FIG. 6C being a perspective view. [Figure 7] 7A, 7B, and 7C show a base portion according to a second modified example of the present embodiment, with FIG. 7A being a plan view, FIG. 7B being a front view, and FIG. 7C being a perspective view. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows a first example of use of the gas dissolver of this embodiment, and is a perspective view of the gas dissolver and other components as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 shows a first example of use of the gas dissolver of this embodiment, and is a perspective view of the gas dissolver and other components as seen obliquely from behind. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a second example of use of the gas dissolver of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The configuration of the gas dissolver 10 of this embodiment will be described. The gas dissolver 10 is connected to a pipe through which a liquid L1 flows, and as shown in FIG. 1, generates a gas-dissolved liquid L2 by supplying a gas G to the liquid L1 flowing therein. The gas dissolver 10 includes a main body 20, a gas inlet 30, and a means for changing the flow of the liquid L1 (described below). The flow direction (downstream direction) 15 of the liquid L1 is indicated by an arrow. The main body 20 is cylindrical and has a hollow internal space 21 that serves as a flow path for the liquid L1 flowing therein. The gas inlet 30 communicates with a gas supply path connected to a gas supply source and opens into the internal space 21 of the main body 20. The means for changing the flow of the liquid L1 is provided in the internal space 21 of the main body 20 and includes a stirring means for generating a swirling flow in the flow of the liquid L1 and / or a flow dividing means for dividing the flow of the liquid L1. The agitating means is a means for generating a swirling flow like a vortex by rotating and agitating the flow of liquid (not limited to the entire flow but including a localized portion of the flow) flowing inside. The flow dividing means is, as the name suggests, a means for dividing the flow of liquid into multiple flows. In this embodiment, the agitating means includes a propeller portion 50, and the flow dividing means includes a base portion 40 having multiple through holes, and the gas introduction hole 30 opens downstream of the means for changing the flow of the liquid L1 within the internal space 21.

[0022] The upstream end of the main body 20 is connected to a pipe for liquid L1 via a liquid inlet pipe 11, and the downstream end is connected to a pipe for gas-dissolved liquid L2 via a liquid outlet pipe (not shown). A gas inlet hole 30 on the side is connected to a gas supply channel via a gas inlet pipe 12. The pipe for liquid L1 may be a general tap pipe. For example, when carbon dioxide gas is introduced, the gas injection pressure may be 0.15 to 0.6 MPa. Those skilled in the art can select the gas injection pressure appropriately depending on the type of gas to be introduced and the conditions of use. The liquid inlet pipe 11 is cylindrical and has an outer thread 11a at its downstream end, which threads into an inner thread 20a formed at the upstream end of the main body 20. An outer thread 20b formed at the downstream end of the main body 20 threads into an inner thread formed inside a liquid outlet pipe (not shown). These liquid inlet pipe 11 and liquid outlet pipe can be general-purpose pipes that are compatible with the pipes to be connected. The gas inlet tube 12 is L-shaped and cylindrical, with an external thread 12a formed at its downstream end. The external thread 12a engages with an internal thread 30a that communicates with the gas inlet hole 30. Liquid L1 flows into the internal space 21 of the main body 20 and is diverted as it passes through the base 40. It then passes through the propeller 50, where it is subjected to a swirling flow. The liquid then mixes with the gas G introduced through the gas inlet hole 30, dissolving the gas G. Through this process, the liquid flowing through the main body 20 flows out as a gas-dissolved liquid L2. To maximize solubility, it is desirable to open the gas inlet hole 30 downstream of the liquid flow changer, i.e., the agitator and / or the diverter, as in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 . However, although this slightly reduces gas solubility, the gas inlet hole 30 may also be opened in the internal space between the large-diameter region 22 before the diverter and the agitator. Below, each component will be described in detail along the flow of the liquid L1.

[0023] The flow dividing means will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the flow dividing means includes a base portion 40, a plurality of through holes 41, and a shaft 44 to which a propeller portion (described later) is axially attached. The base portion 40 is plate-shaped and is provided to divide the internal space 21 of the main body portion 20 into an upstream space and a downstream space. In FIG. 2, the arrow indicates the liquid flow direction (downstream direction) 15 when the base portion 40 is installed in the main body portion 20. Two or more through holes 41 are provided in the base portion 40 and penetrate the liquid L1 in the flow direction. Each through hole 41 has a tapered through hole portion 42 whose inner diameter gradually decreases from upstream to downstream, and a small through hole diameter region 43 whose inner diameter is constant from the smallest portion of the tapered through hole portion 42 to the downstream opening of the through hole 41. The shaft 44 extends from the center of the downstream surface of the base portion 40 in the liquid flow direction 15.

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2[A] and 2[C], the base portion 40 is disk-shaped and conforms to the cross section of the internal space, and five through holes 41 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In other words, the five through holes 41 are arranged at equal angles (72°) in the circumferential direction surrounding the central axis of the base portion 40. In Figures 2[A] and 2[C], only one of the five through holes 41 is indicated by a reference symbol. In Figure 2[B], only one of the five through holes 41 is indicated by a hidden (dashed) line. The number of through holes 41 may be any number greater than or equal to two, but from the perspective of improving solubility, it is preferably 3 to 7, more preferably 4 to 6, and most preferably 5. In this embodiment, the through holes 41 are each the same size and arranged in a circumferential row. However, the arrangement and diameter may be changed as appropriate, such as by adding smaller diameter through holes on the outside. The shaft 44 is cylindrical and extends from the center of the base portion 40 in the liquid flow direction 15. The base 40 and the shaft 44 may be made of any material, such as metal or synthetic resin, as long as they have appropriate hardness and durability. The base 40 is not limited to a disk shape, and may be a rectangular or elliptical plate shape to match the cross-sectional shape of the internal space 21.

[0025] The stirring means will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the stirring means is a propeller unit 50 equipped with rotatable blades 51 and 52. Plan views in FIGS. 3[A1], 3[A2], and 3[A3] and corresponding front views in FIGS. 3[B1], 3[B2], and 3[B3] show the propeller unit 50 gradually rotating in the rotation direction 16. The blades 51 and 52 extend radially from the central axis toward the outer periphery of the liquid L1 flowing through the internal space 21 of the main body 20. The propeller unit 50 includes a plurality of blades 51 and 52, each of which is provided at an upstream position and a downstream position in the flow direction, spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the central axis. Each of the blades 51 and 52 includes a bridge plate 53 connecting the upstream blade 51 to the downstream blade 52. In this embodiment, the upstream blade 51 and the downstream blade 52 connected by the connecting plate 53 are arranged so as not to overlap each other in an axial plan view. Although the stirring effect is somewhat inferior, the upstream blade 51 and the downstream blade 52 can also be arranged so as to overlap each other in an axial plan view.

[0026] The blades 51 and 52 of the propeller unit 50 extend radially from the central axis in the direction of the liquid flow toward the outer periphery, as shown in FIG. 3[C]. The blades 51 and 52 have surfaces 51a and 52a, respectively, that are parallel to the liquid flow direction 15. The crossing plate 53 has a surface 53a that is oblique to the liquid flow direction. This shape allows the propeller unit 50 to form a spiral shape as a whole. As a result, part of the flow passing through the propeller unit 50 flows along the crossing plate 53, creating a partial spiral flow. This generates a more complex swirling flow, further enhancing the mixing effect. At the same time, the force of the water flow hitting the crossing plate generates a rotational force that rotates the propeller unit, allowing the propeller unit to rotate without requiring additional power for the propeller unit. This rotational force includes an impact force generated when the liquid L1 collides with the crossing plate 53 and a reaction force generated when the liquid L1 hits the crossing plate 53 and changes direction. On the other hand, the upstream blade 51 and the downstream blade 52 do not need to generate rotational force, so they can be specialized for agitation. In other words, the surfaces 51a and 52a (FIG. 3[C]) of the blades 51 and 52, which are parallel to the liquid flow direction 15, can be enlarged. The presence of these surfaces 51a and 52a enables the liquid L1 to be significantly stirred and agitated in the direction perpendicular to the flow of the liquid L1 (the direction of rotation 16). Note that this characteristic of the propeller unit 50 can also cause friction due to rotation, and is therefore not adopted in propeller turbines for hydroelectric power generation or flow meters. As described above, by configuring the propeller unit 50 as in this embodiment, sufficient agitation can be achieved solely through the force of the water flow. However, for ease of fabrication, the propeller unit may be simplified to consist of only a few blades, and the agitation means may be configured to rotate the blades by connecting other power sources such as electricity.

[0027] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3[A1] and other figures, the propeller portion 50 is circular in plan view, and five upstream blades 51 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 3, only one of the five blades 51 is labeled. The same number of downstream blades 52 are also provided corresponding to the upstream blades 51. In other words, the five upstream blades 51 are arranged at equal angles (72°) in the circumferential direction surrounding the central axis, corresponding to the through-holes 41. In this embodiment, the downstream blades 52 connected to the upstream blades 51 by the connecting plates 53 are twisted at 1.5 times (108°) the equal angle (72°). The number of blades 51, 52 may be any number greater than or equal to one. However, from the viewpoints of improving solubility through the stirring effect and ease of manufacturing the propeller portion 50, the number is preferably 3 to 7, more preferably 4 to 6, and most preferably 5. The number of blades 51, 52 may be the same as the number of through holes 41 provided in the flow dividing means described above. The upstream blade 51 and downstream blade 52 connected by the bridge plate 53 can be appropriately changed depending on the number of blades to be provided and the fluid properties of the flowing liquid. For example, in the case where there are five upstream blades 51 and five downstream blades 52, as in this embodiment, if it is desired to provide a bridge plate 53 at a steeper slope than in this embodiment, the upstream blade 51 can be connected to the downstream blade 52 at a twisted position 0.5 times (36°) the equal angle (72°) of the case where there are five blades. If a gentler slope is desired, the upstream blade 51 can be connected to the downstream blade 52 at a twisted position 2.5 times (180°) the equal angle (72°). The propeller portion 50 may be made of any material, such as synthetic resin or metal, as long as it has appropriate hardness and durability. These materials can be manufactured using known techniques such as 3D printing and molding.

[0028] An insertion hole 54 is formed in the center of the propeller unit 50, penetrating the propeller unit 50 in the axial direction. The inner diameter of the insertion hole 54 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 44, which is erected on the base unit 40 of the flow dividing means. The axial length of the insertion hole 54 is slightly shorter than the axial length of the shaft 44. Therefore, when the shaft 44 is inserted into the insertion hole 54 of the propeller unit, the tip of the shaft 44 protrudes from the insertion hole 54. In this state, by covering the tip of the shaft 44 with a cap-shaped stopper 45, the propeller unit 50 is rotatably supported on the shaft 44. The stopper 45 is made of, for example, metal and is attached to the tip of the shaft 44 by welding. In this way, the propeller unit 50 is rotatably attached to the shaft 44 and is located downstream of the through hole 41 of the flow dividing means.

[0029] Returning to FIG. 1 , the main body 20 will now be described. The internal space 21 of the main body 20 includes, in order from upstream to downstream along the liquid flow direction 15, a large-diameter region 22, a constant-diameter region 23, a tapered internal space region 24, and a small-diameter region 25. The large-diameter region 22 extends from the upstream opening of the main body 20, which connects to the downstream opening of the liquid inlet pipe 11, to the base 40. In this embodiment, the large-diameter region 22 has an inner diameter φb that is larger than the inner diameter φa of the downstream opening of the liquid inlet pipe 11. The large-diameter region 22 allows the liquid flowing through the liquid inlet pipe 11 to uniformly impinge on the base 40. The large-diameter region 22 need only be a section sufficient for the liquid to uniformly impinge on the base 40; even a narrow section, such as that shown in FIG. 1 , can achieve this effect. The constant-diameter region 23 is the region between the base 40 and the tapered internal space region 24, where the stirring means and gas introduction hole 30 are located. In this embodiment, the large-diameter region 22 has the same inner diameter φc regardless of its position. The inner diameter φc is smaller than the inner diameter φb of the large-diameter region 22. The constant-diameter region 23 houses the propeller portion 50, and the gas inlet hole 30 is formed downstream thereof. The tapered internal space region 24 is located downstream of the gas inlet hole 30, and its inner diameter gradually decreases from upstream to downstream. The small-diameter internal space region 25 is the region from the smallest part of the tapered internal space region 24 to the downstream opening of the main body portion 20, and has the same inner diameter φd regardless of position. The main body portion 20 is made of a material such as metal or synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the main body portion 20 is cylindrical, but it may be rectangular or elliptical.

[0030] The outer diameter of the base portion 40 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter φb of the large-diameter region 22 and slightly larger than the inner diameter φc of the constant-diameter region 23. Therefore, when the base portion 40 with the propeller portion 50 attached is inserted from the upstream opening of the main body portion 20 for installation, the base portion 40 is installed at the upstream opening position of the constant-diameter region 23. In this state, the pin 46 that enters the base portion 40 is inserted from the outer periphery of the main body portion 20, whereby the base portion 40 is fixed to the internal space 21.

[0031] 1, the external thread 20b formed at the downstream end of the main body 20 is threadedly engaged with the internal thread 13a formed on the inside of the liquid outflow pipe 13. As a result, the downstream end of the main body 20, i.e., the small-diameter internal space region 25, is connected to the liquid outflow pipe 13. The liquid outflow pipe 13 is cylindrical and has an inner diameter φe that is larger than the inner diameter φd of the small-diameter internal space region 25. As a result, the gas is introduced, and the gas-liquid mixture, whose flow rate has increased as it passes through the tapered internal space region 24 and the small-diameter internal space region 25, flows into the liquid outflow pipe with a larger inner diameter. As a result, the flow suddenly expands, creating a complex flow and a sudden drop in pressure, thereby increasing the solubility of the gas.

[0032] Next, the changes in the flow of liquid flowing inside the gas dissolver 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 4, and 5. Liquid L1 flowing from the piping into the liquid inlet pipe 11 is in a state that can be described as laminar flow. Liquid L1 flowing from the liquid inlet pipe 11 into the internal space 21 of the main body 20 spreads in the large-diameter region 22 and hits the entire base portion. The flow passing through the through-hole 41 of the base 40 is split into multiple streams, the flow velocity increases, and the liquid is ejected into the internal space downstream. As a result, the flow, which was in a laminar state before flowing into the main body, changes into a complex flow that includes streams that move in different directions in some parts, and is supplied to the propeller portion 50.

[0033] In the propeller section 50, the liquid L1 strikes the crossing plate 53, which has a surface disposed obliquely relative to the flow, generating a spiral flow along the crossing plate 53 and generating a rotational force in the propeller section, causing the propeller section 50 to rotate. The propeller section 50 has multiple blades extending radially from the central axis of the liquid flow toward the outer periphery. As these blades rotate, they generate a large swirling flow 55 as shown in FIG. 5[A], thereby significantly stirring the liquid flowing inside. Furthermore, the propeller section 50 can further enhance this stirring effect by arranging multiple blades 51 at an upstream position and multiple blades 52 at a downstream position, as shown in FIG. 3. Note that while FIG. 5[A] shows the swirling flow 55 schematically, the actual swirling flow 55 is extremely complex.

[0034] Within the uniform diameter region 23, the liquid L1, which has generated the swirling flow 55, mixes with the gas G supplied through the gas inlet pipe 12, which in this embodiment is connected to the gas inlet hole 30 downstream of the propeller section 50. After the liquid L1 has sufficiently formed the swirling flow 55, it engulfs the gas G and vigorously mixes with the gas, forming a gas-dissolved liquid L2 with a high concentration of dissolved gas G. The gas-dissolved liquid L2 gradually increases in flow velocity as it passes through the tapered internal space region 24 and maintains this flow velocity as it enters the small diameter region 25 and the liquid outlet pipe 13. At this time, the gas-dissolved liquid L2 experiences a rapid drop in flow velocity and pressure due to the difference in inner diameter. Furthermore, the sudden expansion of the pipe diameter generates a small swirling flow returning upstream near the pipe inner wall away from the center of the flow. Because this small swirling flow rotates perpendicular to the swirling flow generated by the stirring means described above, the flow becomes even more complex. As a result, the undissolved gas G and the gas-dissolved liquid L2 are vigorously mixed together.

[0035] Next, the effects of the gas dissolver 10 will be described. With the gas dissolver 10, the gas G can be introduced into the liquid L1 in a state where the liquid L1 is flowing in a complex manner, including both swirling and branching flows, in the internal space 21 of the main body 20. This allows the liquid L1 and the introduced gas G to mix vigorously, thereby significantly improving the solubility of the gas G. For example, when the liquid L1 is water and the gas G is carbon dioxide, the gas solubility was measured under the same conditions. The gas dissolver of Patent Document 2 gave a value of 1600 mg / L, whereas the gas dissolver 10 of this embodiment gave a value of 2200 mg / L, which is almost the saturated concentration of carbon dioxide.

[0036] Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, a gas dissolver equipped with both a stirring means and a flow dividing means was shown, but a gas dissolver equipped with only either a stirring means or a flow dividing means may also be used. Hereinafter, a gas dissolver equipped with only a stirring means will be described as a first modification, and a gas dissolver equipped with only a flow dividing means will be described as a second modification. The gas dissolvers of the first and second modifications are also capable of producing a gas solution with a higher concentration of dissolved gas than conventional gas dissolvers. Under the same conditions as the above-mentioned example, when the liquid L1 is water and the gas G is carbon dioxide, the solubility of carbon dioxide was approximately 1700 to 1800 mg / L in the first modification and approximately 1800 to 2000 mg / L in the second modification. In the gas dissolver of the present invention, the blades or bridge plates in the agitator, the tapered through-holes or small-diameter through-hole regions in the flow dividing means, the tapered inner space or small-diameter inner space region provided downstream of the inner space of the main body, and the large-diameter region provided upstream of the flow dividing means can be optionally omitted. These components each have the effect of increasing the gas solubility by approximately 5 to 20 mg / L in the gas dissolver of the present invention, and when combined, they produce a synergistic effect. The range of carbon dioxide solubility results for each of the above-mentioned variations is due to the fact that some of the components are omitted.

[0037] Next, an example of the dimensions of the main parts will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The length is the dimension along the liquid flow direction 15. There are no particular restrictions on the length of the main body 20, and it can be selected appropriately so that a stirring means and a gas introduction hole can be provided in the internal space. As an example, a length of approximately 60 to 120 mm is easy to manufacture. The length from the upstream end of the large-diameter region 22 to the downstream end (downstream opening) of the small-diameter region 25 of the internal space can be 75 to 90% of the length of the main body 20. For the purpose of explaining this section, it will be referred to as the gas dissolving section in the following explanation. The section between the downstream end of the stirring means (propeller section 50) and the upstream opening of the tapered region 24 of the internal space, i.e., the section where the gas introduction hole 30 is preferably provided, is preferably 10 to 25% of the length of the gas dissolving section. The combined length of the tapered internal space region 24 and the small diameter internal space region 25 can be about 30 to 45% of the length of the gas dissolution section. It is preferable that the small diameter internal space region 25 is about 15 to 25% of this section. The taper angle of the tapered internal space region 24 can be 20 to 35°. The taper angle here is defined as 2×tan -1 The inner diameter of each part can be designed as follows to match the inner diameter of the connected liquid pipe. The inner diameter φb of the large diameter region 22 may be 120 to 150% of the inner diameter φa of the liquid inlet pipe 11, and the inner diameter φc of the large diameter region 23 may be 90 to 96% of the inner diameter φb of the large diameter region 22. The inner diameter φd of the small diameter region 25 may be 25 to 35% of the inner diameter φb of the large diameter region 22. There are no particular limitations on the thickness of the base part 40 of the flow dividing means, as long as it is thick enough to accommodate the tapered through-hole part 42 and the small diameter region 43. A thickness of approximately 4 to 10 mm is usually preferred. The taper angle of the tapered through-hole portion 42 may be 20 to 35°, and the length of the small through-hole diameter region 43 may be about 30 to 50% of the thickness of the base portion 40 .

[0038] The first modified example can be realized, for example, by shaping the base portion 40 of the gas dissolver 10 so as to simply allow the liquid L1 to pass through. An example of a base portion 48 having such a shape is shown in FIG. 6. The base portion 48 is annular, and one or more support rods 49 supporting the shaft 44 are provided inside the base portion 48. One end of the support rod 49 is fixed to the inside of the base portion 48, for example, by welding, and the other end of the support rod 49 is fixed to the shaft 44, also by welding. With a base portion having such a shape, no flow-diverting effect occurs when the liquid L1 passes through openings other than the support rod 49 inside the base portion 48. Furthermore, as in the above-described embodiment, a propeller portion 50 as a stirring means can be axially attached to the shaft 44 to create a carbon dioxide dissolver of the first modified example equipped only with a stirring means. As described above, in this first modified example, the gas solubility is slightly inferior to that of a gas dissolver equipped with both a stirring means and a flow-diverting means, but it is possible to produce a gas-dissolved liquid with a higher concentration than conventional gas dissolvers. Furthermore, the base portion 48 only needs to have the function of fixing the shaft that axially mounts the propeller portion 50, which has the advantage of being easy to manufacture.

[0039] The second modified example can be realized, for example, by removing the propeller unit 50 from the gas dissolver 10. In this case, the shaft 44 may be removed from the base unit 40. The base unit 40 from which the shaft 44 has been removed is shown in Figure 7, and the branched flow 47 in this case is shown in Figure 5[B]. Figure 5[B] shows the branched flow 47 schematically, and the actual branched flow 47 is an extremely complex flow.

[0040] Next, a first usage example of the gas dissolver 10 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. In the first usage example, the gas dissolver 10 is attached to a mixer faucet 60 in a bathroom or the like. The mixer faucet 60 is equipped with pipes 61 and 62, a lever 63 for operating the water supply, a swivel faucet 64, a shower hose 65, and a shower head 66. The pipe 61 guides the liquid L1 through the gas dissolver 10, and the pipe 62 guides the liquid L1 without passing through the gas dissolver 10.

[0041] Gas dissolver 10 uses hot water or water as liquid L1 and carbon dioxide gas as gas G to produce highly concentrated carbonated water (including carbonated spring water) as gas-dissolved liquid L2. Carbon dioxide gas cylinder 70, which serves as a gas supply source, is equipped with regulator 71, which maintains constant gas pressure, gas hose 72, which serves as a gas supply path, and gas check valve 73, which prevents backflow. Gas dissolver 10 is connected to piping 61 via liquid inlet pipe 11 and check valve 14, to gas hose 72 via gas introduction pipe 12, and to downstream mixer faucet 60 via liquid outlet pipe 13.

[0042] The mixer faucet 60 is connected to pipes 61 and 62, allowing it to switch between or mix the gas-dissolved liquid L2 and the liquid L1. When the lever 63 or the like of the mixer faucet 60 is operated to select the gas-dissolved liquid L2 (carbonated water), the liquid L1 (hot or cold water) flows from the pipe 61 through the liquid inlet pipe 11 into the gas dissolver 10. Then, against the flow of the liquid L1 within the gas dissolver 10, gas G (carbon dioxide gas) is introduced into the gas dissolver 10 through the gas inlet pipe 12 and vigorously mixes with the liquid L1. As a result, the gas-dissolved liquid L2, which has become highly concentrated carbonated water, flows out of the oscillating faucet 64 or the shower head 66 through the liquid outlet pipe 13.

[0043] Next, a second use example of the gas dissolver 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . In the second use example, the gas dissolver 10 is attached to a water heater 80 and uses water as the liquid L1 and carbon dioxide gas as the gas G to produce highly concentrated carbonated water as the gas-dissolved liquid L2. The water heater 80 includes a water pipe 81 for the liquid L1, a hot water outlet pipe 82, gas pipes 84 and 85 for fuel, and a power cord 86. The carbon dioxide gas cylinder 70, regulator 71, gas hose 72, and gas check valve 73 are as described in the first use example. The gas dissolver 10 is connected to the hot water outlet pipe 82 via the liquid inlet pipe 11, to the gas hose 72 via the gas inlet pipe 12, and to the hot water supply pipe 83 via the liquid outlet pipe 13.

[0044] When a faucet or the like (not shown) connected to the hot water pipe 83 is opened, the water heater 80 operates and liquid L1 (water) is introduced into the water heater 80 from the water pipe 81. The liquid L1 that has become hot water in the water heater 80 flows into the gas dissolver 10 via the hot water outlet pipe 82 and the liquid inlet pipe 11. As the liquid L1 flows through the gas dissolver 10, gas G (carbon dioxide gas) is introduced into the gas dissolver 10 via the gas inlet pipe 12 and vigorously mixes with the liquid L1. As a result, the gas-dissolved liquid L2, which has become highly concentrated carbonated water, is supplied from the hot water pipe 83 to the faucet or the like via the liquid outlet pipe 13.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art may be made to the configuration and details of the present invention, and such modified configurations and details are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0046] The present invention is also expected to be widely applicable to applications other than producing carbonated water or carbonated spring water for showers. For example, in hydroponic cultivation of vegetables, flowers, and other plants, supplying nitrogen, a nutrient essential for plant growth, as nitrogen gas-dissolved water can promote plant growth. It is also known that in the cultivation of aquatic plants such as aquatic plants, a higher carbon dioxide concentration in the water promotes plant photosynthesis. In such cases, the high-concentration carbon dioxide-dissolved water produced by the gas dissolver of the present invention can be used. It is also expected to be used to increase the oxygen concentration in water in fish farming, etc. Thus, the gas dissolver of the present invention is expected to have a variety of applications in a wide range of fields. [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] The present invention can be used as a gas dissolver that dissolves gases in liquids at high concentrations. In this embodiment, carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in water or hot water to create carbonated water or carbonated spring water for use in showers. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be used as a gas dissolver that dissolves gases such as oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, or mixtures of these gases in other liquids, such as water or hot water. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 Gas Dissolver 11 Liquid inlet pipe 11a external screw 12 Gas introduction tube 12a external screw 13 Liquid outflow tube 13a internal thread 14 Check valve 15 Liquid flow direction 16 Rotation direction 20 Main body 20a internal thread 20b external thread 21 Interior Space 22 Large diameter area 23 Same diameter area 24 Tapered region of internal space 25 Internal space small diameter area 30 Gas inlet 30a internal thread 40 Base portion (flow dividing means, means for changing the flow of liquid) 41 Through-hole (flow dividing means, means for changing the flow of liquid) 42 Tapered through-hole 43 Small through hole diameter area 44 Shaft 45 Fastener 46 pins 47 Diversion 48 Base 49 Support rod 50 Propeller section (mixing means, means for changing the flow of liquid) 51 Upstream blade 52 Downstream blade 53 Gangplank 54 Insertion hole 55 Swirling flow 60 Mixer tap 61,62 Piping 63 Lever 64 Oscillating Faucet 65 shower hose 66 shower head 70 Carbon dioxide gas cylinder (gas supply source) 71 Regulator 72 Gas hose (gas supply line) 73 Gas check valve 80 Water heater 81 Water Pipe 82 Outlet pipe 83 Hot Water Pipe 84,85 Gas pipes 86 power cord L1 liquid L2 gas solution G gas

Claims

1. A gas dissolver that is connected to a pipe through which a liquid flows and generates a gas-dissolved liquid by sending a gas to the liquid flowing inside, a cylindrical main body having a hollow internal space that serves as a flow path for the liquid flowing therein; a gas introduction hole communicating with a gas supply path connected to a gas supply source and opening in an internal space of the main body; a means for changing the flow of liquid provided in the internal space of the main body, The means for varying the flow of the liquid comprises: Agitation means for generating a swirling flow in the liquid flow and / or A means for dividing the flow of liquid A gas dissolver characterized by:

2. The gas introduction hole opens downstream of the means for changing the flow of the liquid.

2. The gas dissolver according to claim 1.

3. The stirring means is a propeller unit having rotatable blades.

3. A gas dissolver according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The blades extend in a radial direction from a central axis toward an outer periphery in the direction of flow of the liquid flowing in the internal space of the main body.

4. The gas dissolver according to claim 3.

5. The propeller portion has blades at an upstream position and a downstream position in a flow direction, A plurality of plates are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the central axis, Each of the blades includes a bridge plate connecting the upstream blade and the downstream blade, The upstream blade and the downstream blade connected by the bridge plate are arranged so as not to overlap each other in an axial plan view.

5. A gas dissolver according to claim 4.

6. The flow dividing means includes a plate-shaped base portion provided to divide the internal space of the main body portion into an upstream space and a downstream space; two or more through holes provided in the base portion and penetrating in the direction of liquid flow; 3. The gas dissolver according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. The through-hole has a tapered portion in which the inner diameter decreases from upstream to downstream.

7. A gas dissolver according to claim 6.

8. The through hole has a small diameter region in which the inner diameter is constant from the smallest inner diameter portion of the tapered portion of the through hole to the downstream opening of the through hole.

8. A gas dissolver according to claim 7.

9. The internal space of the main body is The gas inlet has a tapered region in the interior space, the inner diameter of which decreases from upstream to downstream, downstream of the gas inlet.

3. A gas dissolver according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The internal space of the main body is The tapered region has a small diameter internal space, and the inner diameter is constant from the smallest inner diameter portion of the tapered region to the downstream opening of the main body.

10. A gas dissolver according to claim 9.

11. The internal space of the main body is a large-diameter region having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the downstream opening of the pipe from the upstream opening of the main body connected to the downstream opening of the pipe to the base of the flow dividing means; 7. A gas dissolver according to claim 6.

12. The flow dividing means is a plate-shaped base portion provided so as to divide the internal space of the main body portion into an upstream space and a downstream space; two or more through holes provided in the base portion and penetrating in the direction of liquid flow; a shaft extending in a downstream direction from the downstream surface of the base portion, The stirring means is A propeller unit having rotatable blades, The propeller portion is rotatably attached to the shaft of the flow dividing means and is located downstream of the through hole.

3. A gas dissolver according to claim 1 or 2.

Images