Modified ozone UFB water production apparatus

Abstract

To provide a modified ozone UFB water production apparatus capable of mass-producing an aqueous solution containing ozone UFB water in a low-hazard state and allowing UFBs to stay in the aqueous solution for a long time.SOLUTION: A modified ozone UFB water production apparatus includes a storage tank that stores an aqueous solution, a bubble generation unit that is provided downstream of the storage tank, is connected to the storage tank, and generates bubbles in the aqueous solution, and a bubble crushing unit that is provided downstream of the bubble generation unit and upstream of the storage tank, is connected to the bubble generation unit and the storage tank, and crushes the bubbles in the aqueous solution, the apparatus being configured such that the aqueous solution circulates, wherein an aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water is generated by the bubble generation unit and the bubble crushing unit, the generated aqueous solution of the modified ozone UFB water is stored in the storage tank, and the storage tank stores the aqueous solution of the modified ozone UFB water at a pressure in a range of 0.12 MPa to 0.18 MPa.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a modified ozone UFB water production device for generating ozone UFB (ultra-fine bubbles) in an UFB aqueous solution to produce modified ozone UFB water, which is a germicidal disinfectant suitable for drinking and spraying as an alternative to hypochlorous acid water. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the rise in awareness of hygiene, sterilizing disinfectants have been used in a variety of fields and situations. For example, hypochlorous acid water (the Food Safety Commission of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries considers sodium hypochlorite, slightly acidic electrolyzed water, and weak acidic electrolyzed water to be in the same group as hypochlorous acid water) is used as a sterilizing disinfectant for cooking utensils and food.

[0003] However, it has been reported that the pH (hydrogen ion concentration index) and dissolved chlorine concentration required for sterilization and disinfection are 5.0 to 6.5 and 50 ppm or higher, respectively, and it is known that chlorine gas is generated when the pH exceeds this range. Furthermore, as a result of reacting with all organic matter present in the aqueous solution of the sterilizing disinfectant, the dissolved chlorine concentration required for sterilization drops sharply, resulting in the loss of sterilizing ability.

[0004] Chlorine gas is generated when the pH is below 5.0 and on the acid side, or above 6.5 and on the neutral or alkaline side, so it is known that pH control is extremely important for the aqueous solution to function as a disinfectant.

[0005] Furthermore, it is known that the chlorine gas produced can produce highly carcinogenic trihalomethanes when its concentration becomes high. For this reason, most countries outside of Japan have already banned the use of hypochlorous acid as a disinfectant for food ingredients, feed, etc.

[0006] Furthermore, hypochlorous acid water, which is widely used as a disinfectant, reacts generally with all organic matter in aqueous solution when the dissolved chlorine concentration is 50 ppm to 200 ppm (HOCL component concentration), against the conventional Salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, and the recently noted viruses and bacteria that cause food poisoning, such as norovirus, Campylobacter, and O157. As a result, the chlorine content drops rapidly, losing its disinfecting effect and generating chlorine gas (chlorine ions are consumed and reduced), creating a vicious cycle where more chlorine must be added to maintain disinfecting power.

[0007] On the other hand, while it is known that strong acid or strong alkali disinfectants are effective against these specific viruses and bacteria, there is a problem in that strong acid or strong alkali is undesirable from the viewpoint of biological safety.

[0008] Moreover, although hypochlorous acid water is certified as a food additive as a disinfectant as stipulated by the Food Safety Commission of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the standards for its use state that "hypochlorous acid water must be removed before the final food is completed," and a notice from the Director of the Standards Division, Food and Health Department, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare states that "after use, food should be thoroughly washed with potable water" (Standards for Foods, Additives, etc. (Ministry of Health and Welfare Notification No. 370 of 1959) Section 2: Additives. Partial Revision of the Food Sanitation Act Enforcement Regulations and Standards for Foods, Additives, etc. Notification No. 0610001, dated June 10, 2002, from the Director of the Standards Division, Food and Health Department, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).

[0009] In light of these issues, ozonated water, which is used to disinfect tap water both in Japan and overseas, is one example that is highly biologically safe and has sufficient sterilization and disinfection effects.

[0010] However, this ozone water is produced by dissolving ozone, which has high bactericidal and disinfecting properties, in an aqueous solution containing a surfactant. Patent Document 1 describes an ozone-dissolved glycerin solution that can be used as such a disinfectant. Patent Document 1 describes that an ozone-dissolved glycerin solution with a final ozone concentration of 3000 ppm can be obtained by releasing ozone from an air diffuser into glycerin contained in a tank (hereinafter also referred to as the "air diffuser method").

[0011] In recent years, bubbles with diameters on the order of micrometers (also known as "microbubbles") and bubbles with diameters on the order of nanometers (also known as "nanobubbles" or "ultrafine bubbles (UFB)"; however, in accordance with ISO20480-1_2017, we will standardize on "UFB") have been attracting attention as they can be applied to various fields, such as medicine, fisheries (aquaculture), and the food and beverage industry. In particular, UFB are known to remain in liquid for several months or more without floating up due to their negative charge and Brownian motion.

[0012] However, it is known that under normal conditions, the ozone gas in UFB has large particle sizes and easily passes through walls, diffusing from the air interface into the atmosphere, causing a sudden increase in atmospheric ozone concentration and a decrease in the concentration of dissolved ozone, which contributes to sterilization, etc.

[0013] In particular, ozone gas is known to cause respiratory diseases such as emphysema in humans and animals, so the Industrial Safety and Health Act stipulates that the ozone gas concentration in working environments where people are present must be kept below 0.1 ppm.

[0014] Ozone microbubbles turn into ozone gas much more easily than UFB, so it is very difficult to use ozone gas for sterilization in the presence of people or animals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0015] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-42689 A (Patent No. 5222344 A) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] In addition to the diffuser method described in Patent Document 1, a method has also been devised in which ozone gas containing ozone is trapped in glycerin using a gas-liquid contact method in a tank containing glycerin, and this method has been applied to some cosmetics, etc. The method states that the release period can last up to seven days, which is unsuitable for mass production of germicidal disinfectants. Furthermore, this method involves encapsulating ozone gas in a glycerin solution, and was developed with the aim of converting the glycerin solution into ozonated glycerin to produce cosmetics or skin treatments, but was not developed as a drinkable germicidal disinfectant.

[0017] Furthermore, gases containing high concentrations of ozone are harmful to living organisms, and the diffuser method described in Patent Document 1 releases such gases into the workplace during the disinfectant manufacturing process, posing a high risk to workers.

[0018] Furthermore, there is a demand for disinfectants to maintain their effectiveness for a longer period of time.

[0019] The inventors have conducted extensive research in light of these problems and have discovered that by using a collapse-type circulation-type modified ozone UFB production device to convert ozone-containing gas bubbles in a liquid into UFB, it is possible to mass-produce an aqueous solution containing ozone UFB with low risk, and that by holding the aqueous solution at a predetermined pressure in the tank of the UFB production device during the UFB conversion process, it is possible to store UFB in the aqueous solution for a longer period of time, thereby completing the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] (1) The modified ozone UFB water production apparatus of the present invention comprises a storage tank for storing an aqueous solution, a bubble generating unit located downstream of the storage tank and connected to the storage tank, for generating bubbles in the aqueous solution, and a bubble crushing unit located downstream of the bubble generating unit and upstream of the storage tank, connected to the bubble generating unit and the storage tank, for crushing the bubbles in the aqueous solution, so that the aqueous solution circulates. The bubble generating unit and the bubble crushing unit generate an aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water, and the generated aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water is stored in the storage tank, and the storage tank stores the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water at a pressure in the range of 0.12 MPa to 0.18 MPa.

[0021] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to mass-produce an aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water in which modified ozone UFB can remain for a long period of time under low risk conditions.

[0022] (2) In the above-mentioned modified ozone UFB water production apparatus, the bubble generating unit may include a discharge unit that discharges the aqueous solution at a predetermined pressure, and the storage tank may include a pressure regulator, and the aqueous solution of the modified ozone UFB water may be stored at a pressure in the range of 0.12 MPa to 0.18 MPa by the discharge pressure from the discharge unit and the pressure regulator.

[0023] According to the above configuration, the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water can be stored in the storage tank in a pressurized state more efficiently by the discharge section and the pressure regulator.

[0024] (3) In the above-mentioned modified ozone UFB water production apparatus, the storage tank may be connected to a target water supply device that supplies bubble target water and an additive liquid supply device that supplies additive liquid that modifies the target water.

[0025] According to the above configuration, an aqueous solution of any desired concentration can be prepared.

[0026] (4) In the above-mentioned modified ozone UFB water production apparatus, the bubble generation unit may be connected to a gas generation unit that generates ozone gas, and may be provided with a liquid-gas mixing unit that mixes the ozone gas generated by the gas generation unit with the target water or an aqueous solution of the modified ozone UFB water supplied from the storage tank.

[0027] According to the above configuration, the ozone gas can be efficiently mixed with the target water or the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water.

[0028] (5) In the modified ozone UFB water production apparatus, the bubble collapse unit may be connected to a cooling water supply device equipped with a chiller unit.

[0029] According to the above configuration, the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water can be produced more efficiently.

[0030] (6) In the nanobubble generator for producing modified ozone UFB water, the aqueous solution may contain a surfactant at a concentration of 20% or less.

[0031] According to the above configuration, a more effective sterilizing disinfectant can be prepared.

[0032] (7) In the modified ozone UFB water production apparatus, the surfactant may be glycerin.

[0033] According to the above configuration, a more effective sterilizing disinfectant can be prepared.

[0034] (8) In the above-mentioned modified ozone UFB water production nanobubble generator, the surfactant may be casein, polypropylene glycol, sorbitol, sucrose, or milk protein.

[0035] According to the above configuration, a more effective sterilizing disinfectant can be prepared. [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] According to the present invention, a modified ozone UFB water production device can be provided that can mass-produce an aqueous solution containing modified ozone UFB water in a low-risk state and can keep the modified ozone UFB in the aqueous solution for a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the bubble crushing section, where (A) is a side view and (B) is a front view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A modified ozone UFB water production apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0039] Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of the modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus according to this embodiment, seen from the front.

[0040] The modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment generates ozone bubbles (ozone UFB) having particle sizes on the nanometer order (1 nm or more and less than 200 nm) in an aqueous solution, and produces an aqueous solution containing ozone UFB.

[0041] The aqueous solution used in the modified ozone UFB water production system 1 preferably contains a surfactant containing a nonionic surfactant, particularly at a surfactant concentration of 20% or less. In this embodiment, the concentration of the nonionic surfactant in the aqueous solution is % by mass (mass of nonionic surfactant ÷ mass of aqueous solution × 100). The nonionic surfactant may be glycerin, but is not limited to glycerin.

[0042] The modified ozone UFB water production apparatus 1 of this embodiment comprises a storage tank 10 for storing an aqueous solution, a bubble generating unit 20 provided downstream of the storage tank 10 and connected to the storage tank 10 for generating bubbles in the aqueous solution, and a bubble crushing unit 30 provided downstream of the bubble generating unit 20 and upstream of the storage tank 10, connected to the bubble generating unit 20 and the storage tank 10 for crushing the bubbles in the aqueous solution.

[0043] In the modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus 1, an aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water is generated by the bubble generating unit 20 and the bubble collapsing unit 30, and the generated aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water is stored in the storage tank 10. The storage tank 10 stores the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water at a pressure in the range of 0.12 MPa to 0.18 MPa.

[0044] In the modified ozone UFB water production apparatus 1, the storage tank 10, bubble generation unit 20, and bubble collapse unit 30 are interconnected to form a circulation path C. The aqueous solution flows through the circulation path C in the following order: storage tank 10, bubble generation unit 20, bubble collapse unit 30, and storage tank 10. As the aqueous solution circulates through the circulation path C, the ozone UFB water content of the aqueous solution increases, and as the aqueous solution repeatedly flows through the circulation path C, an aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water with a high ozone UFB content is obtained.

[0045] In addition to the above components, the modified ozone UFB water production system 1 includes a target water supply device 3 that supplies the target water to the storage tank 10, an additive liquid supply device 4 that supplies the target water to the storage tank 10 with an additive liquid that modifies the target water, a pressure regulator 5 that adjusts the pressure applied to the aqueous solution stored in the storage tank 10, a sterilizing disinfectant liquid outlet 6 that extracts a fixed amount of modified ozone UFB water from the storage tank 10, an oxygen cylinder 7 that stores oxygen gas, a gas generator 8 that generates ozone gas from the oxygen gas supplied from the oxygen cylinder 7, a cooling water supply device 9 connected to the bubble collapse unit 30, and a pump 40 that pumps the aqueous solution from the storage tank 10 to the bubble generator 20. Note that the target water supply device 3, additive liquid supply device 4, disinfectant liquid outlet 6, oxygen cylinder 7, and gas generator 8 are not shown in FIG. 2. Recently, an air separation oxygen concentrator capable of achieving an on-site oxygen gas concentration of 90% or more has become commercially available. This can also be used in place of the oxygen tank 7.

[0046] The modified ozone UFB water production apparatus 1 further includes a valve B provided between each of the target water supply device 3, the additive liquid supply device 4, the pressure regulator 5, and the sterilizing and disinfecting liquid discharge section 6 and the storage tank 10, and a control section 50 that controls the series of operations of each section of the modified ozone UFB water production apparatus 1.

[0047] The control unit 50 is electrically connected to a control panel and can be operated by an operator or automatically controlled by a program set in a PLC, etc. The control unit 50 controls the switches and valves B, etc., provided at various locations in the modified ozone UFB water producing system 1 based on information detected by sensors such as water level sensors, pressure sensors, and temperature sensors provided at various locations in the modified ozone UFB water producing system 1.

[0048] The target water supplied from the target water supply device 3 to the storage tank 10 can be tap water supplied from a general water supply or purified water obtained by purifying such purified water, but purified water is preferred. The additive liquid supplied from the additive liquid supply device 4 to the storage tank 10 modifies the target water and can be, for example, a surfactant containing a nonionic surfactant. Glycerin, for example, can also be used as a nonionic surfactant. Furthermore, for full-scale disinfectants that are not suitable for drinking, ethanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, methanol, etc. can also be used. The aqueous solution according to this embodiment is obtained by mixing the target water and the additive liquid in a predetermined ratio. In this embodiment, the target water and the additive liquid are supplied separately to the storage tank 10. However, a mixture of the target water and the additive liquid in a predetermined ratio may also be supplied to the storage tank 10.

[0049] The bubble generator 20 is connected to the gas generator 8. The bubble generator 20 has a gas suction unit 22 that sucks ozone from the gas generator 8, and a liquid-gas mixer 24 that mixes the ozone gas sucked by the gas suction unit 22 and generated by the gas generator 8 with an aqueous solution of bubble-target water or modified ozone UFB water supplied from the storage tank 10 via a pump 40. The bubble generator 20 further has a discharge unit 26 that discharges the aqueous solution mixed with the ozone gas in the liquid-gas mixer 24 at a predetermined pressure.

[0050] In the case of ozone UFB water, the gas suction unit 22 is the unit that draws in ozone from the gas generation unit 8 and generates primary UFB with relatively large particle sizes before the bubbles collapse. A check valve 22a is provided at the part of the gas suction unit 22 where the gas is drawn, and a sealant (not shown) is provided between the gas suction unit 22 and the check valve 22a. The check valve 22a must be made of ozone-resistant SUS316L or the like, and the sealant must be made of ozone-resistant PTFE (Teflon (registered trademark)) rubber or the like, but the parts from the discharge unit 26 onwards can be made of PVC resin or the like. If the water is not ozone UFB, a general check valve can be used.

[0051] The liquid-gas mixing section 24 has a flow path for the aqueous solution and a flow path for the ozone gas so that the ozone gas is taken in along with the flow of the aqueous solution, and the aqueous solution and ozone gas are sucked together using the suction force of the discharge section 26. As a result, ozone gas bubbles are generated in the aqueous solution, and the aqueous solution containing the ozone gas bubbles is smoothly supplied to the discharge section 26. Furthermore, when the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water is introduced into the liquid-gas mixing section 24, new ozone gas bubbles with relatively large particle sizes are generated in the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water, and the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water containing these bubbles is supplied to the discharge section 26.

[0052] The discharge unit 26 generates UFB with relatively large particle diameters by utilizing the gas and aqueous solution supplied from the liquid-gas mixing unit 24. A tornado flow method can be used to generate these UFB. Specifically, the discharge unit 26 is a nozzle equipped with a Venturi tube, and the aqueous solution mixed with ozone gas is caused to flow along the inner surface of the Venturi tube, thereby foaming the UFB. Therefore, the ozone gas bubbles contained in the aqueous solution discharged from the discharge unit 26 are not microbubbles but UFB with relatively large particle diameters. The discharge unit 26 supplies the aqueous solution containing the UFB with relatively large particle diameters to the bubble collapse unit 30. The pressure for supplying this aqueous solution is provided by the pressure of the pump 40.

[0053] 3 is a structural diagram of the bubble collapse unit, with (A) being a side view and (B) being a front view. Bubble collapse unit 30 is connected to discharge unit 26 of bubble generator 20 and includes a cylindrical body 31 that passes an aqueous solution containing ozone gas bubbles through its internal space, and an exterior body 32 that covers the periphery of cylindrical body 31. As a result, bubble collapse unit 30 has a two-layer structure with an intermediate space 33 between cylindrical body 31 and exterior body 32. Bubble collapse unit 30 is arranged so that cylindrical body 31 extends vertically.

[0054] A plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 34 are provided on the outer periphery of the exterior body 32, and each ultrasonic vibrator 34 irradiates ultrasonic waves toward the cylindrical body 31. A carrier liquid is filled in an intermediate space 33 between the cylindrical body 31 and the exterior body 32. The ultrasonic waves irradiated from the ultrasonic vibrators 34 are propagated into the interior of the cylindrical body 31 through the carrier liquid, and can collapse ozone gas bubbles contained in the aqueous solution flowing inside the cylindrical body 31 to form even finer UFBs.

[0055] The cylindrical body 31 has a circular cross section, extends cylindrically with a uniform diameter, and forms a uniform flow path inside. The cylindrical body 31 is connected between the bubble generator 20 and the storage tank 10. The aqueous solution containing ozone gas bubbles supplied from the bubble generator 20 flows to the storage tank 10 while filling the interior of the cylindrical body 31. In FIG. 2(A), the aqueous solution flows from top to bottom through the cylindrical body 31. In this embodiment, ultrasonic waves are applied to the aqueous solution passing through the cylindrical body 31, collapsing the ozone gas bubbles generated in the bubble generator 20 and generating UFBs with smaller particle sizes. Because the aqueous solution only passes through the cylindrical body 31, its flow is not impeded, even in aqueous solutions containing solvents such as additives, and UFBs are efficiently generated. By repeatedly passing the aqueous solution through the cylindrical body 31, the particle sizes of the UFBs contained in the aqueous solution become finer and more uniform, and the concentration becomes higher.

[0056] The exterior body 32 is made of stainless steel and includes a cylindrical side circumferential member 32a with a regular hexagonal cross section, and a pair of disk-shaped flat plate members 32b that sandwich the side circumferential member 32a from both sides in the extension direction. The cylindrical body 31 is fitted into the center of both flat plate members 32b, and the cylindrical body 31 is fixed so that the cylindrical body 31 extends from the center of the regular hexagon of the side circumferential member 32a. This forms an intermediate space 33 between the cylindrical body 31 and the side circumferential members 32a of the exterior body 32. A medium liquid outlet 32c is provided in the portion of the upper flat plate member 32b facing the intermediate space 33, and a medium liquid inlet 32d is provided in the portion of the upper flat plate member 32b facing the intermediate space 33.

[0057] In this embodiment, cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply unit 9 shown in Fig. 1 is used as the medium liquid filled in the intermediate space 33. The medium liquid is introduced into the intermediate space 33 through the medium liquid inlet 32d, flows through the intermediate space 33, and is discharged from the medium liquid outlet 32c. The medium liquid discharged from the medium liquid outlet 32d is returned to the cooling water supply unit 9, cooled again, and introduced into the intermediate space 33.

[0058] The medium liquid flows steadily through the intermediate space 33. This allows for the discharge of heat generated in the bubble collapse section 30 by ultrasonic collapse and shear friction heat generated by the pump. The medium liquid flows in a direction opposite to the aqueous solution containing ozone gas bubbles flowing inside the cylindrical body 31. The UFB-containing liquid flows from top to bottom, while the cooling water flows from bottom to top, blocking the cooling water bubbles and preventing them from inhibiting the bubble collapse effect. This allows for efficient heat discharge. Furthermore, there is no need to increase the flow rate of the medium liquid; the minimum amount of cooling water flow suppresses frictional heat between the pump emperor and the aqueous solution and heat generation in the ultrasonic transducer. Control of the medium liquid flow rate is not necessary; a monitoring function to prevent abnormal heating of the ultrasonic transducer due to the stoppage of the cooling water and medium water flow is sufficient.

[0059] The bubble collapse section 30 does not have to have a two-layer structure, and may have, for example, a single-layer structure. If it has a single-layer structure, an aqueous solution containing ozone gas bubbles can be used as cooling water.

[0060] The ultrasonic vibrators 34 are attached to each surface of the side peripheral member 32a of the exterior body 32. The ultrasonic vibrators 34 are arranged in two stages in the extending direction of the cylindrical body 31. The ultrasonic vibrators 34 on the bubble generating unit 20 side are the front stage ultrasonic vibrator group, and the ultrasonic vibrators 34 on the storage tank 10 side are the rear stage ultrasonic vibrator group. Each stage ultrasonic vibrator group consists of six ultrasonic vibrators 34 arranged radially around the central axis of the cylindrical body 31. Two ultrasonic vibrators 34 facing each other across the central axis of the cylindrical body 31 form a pair of vibrators, so each stage ultrasonic vibrator group has three pairs of vibrators.

[0061] The frequency and output of the ultrasonic waves emitted by each ultrasonic transducer 34 can be controlled by the control unit 50. In this embodiment, all 12 ultrasonic transducers 34 are controlled to emit ultrasonic waves at the same frequency and the same output.

[0062] Each pair of oscillators is provided at the same position in the extension direction of the cylindrical body 31, on a pair of opposing side surfaces of the hexagonal prism of the exterior body 32. Here, the exterior body 32 is made of stainless steel, and therefore reflects ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic vibrators 34. Therefore, ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic vibrators 34 provided on one surface of the side circumferential member 32a are reflected by the other opposing surface of the side circumferential member 32a. This reflected ultrasonic wave is superimposed on the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic vibrators 34 provided on the other surface (the reflected surface).

[0063] Each of the six ultrasonic transducers 34 constituting each stage of ultrasonic transducer group irradiates ultrasonic waves toward a single point at the center of the cylindrical body 31. Therefore, each ultrasonic transducer 34 irradiates ultrasonic waves from a different position in a different radial direction, and radially inward toward the center of the cylindrical body 31. This prevents the flow of the aqueous solution containing ozone gas flowing inside the cylindrical body 31 from being obstructed by the ultrasonic waves. In particular, each pair of transducers irradiates ultrasonic waves from opposing positions in opposing directions. This forms an ultrasonic collapse field at the center of the cylindrical body 31, causing ozone gas bubbles contained in the aqueous solution passing through the inside of the cylindrical body 31 to collapse, generating bubbles with smaller particle sizes.

[0064] The cooling water supply device 9 includes a chiller unit, supplies cooling water (carrier liquid) to the bubble collapse section 30, recovers the cooling water that has cooled the bubble collapse section 30 from the bubble collapse section 30, cools it again, and supplies it to the bubble collapse section 30. The cooling water supply device 9 may also be used to cool something other than the bubble collapse section 30; for example, the cooling water supply device 9 may be connected to the storage tank 10 to supply cooling water and cool the storage tank 10.

[0065] In the bubble collapse unit 30, ultrasonic waves are applied from multiple directions, and an ultrasonic collapse field is formed where the ultrasonic waves are concentrated. Therefore, in this embodiment, each of the two ultrasonic transducer groups forms an ultrasonic collapse field inside the cylindrical body 31. Even if all bubbles are not collapsed by the ultrasonic collapse field formed by the ultrasonic transducer group in the first stage, the remaining bubbles are collapsed by the ultrasonic collapse field formed by the ultrasonic transducer group in the second stage. Therefore, the bubble collapse unit 30 according to this embodiment can more efficiently collapse UFBs and produce finer, more uniform UFBs at a high concentration.

[0066] In this embodiment, six ultrasonic transducers 34, i.e., an even number, are provided in each of the front and rear ultrasonic transducer groups on the exterior body 32 of the bubble collapse unit 30, and all transducer pairs are formed. However, an ultrasonic transducer group may be provided with an odd number of ultrasonic transducers 34, in which case one or more transducer pairs are combined with one ultrasonic transducer 34.

[0067] The storage tank 10 is made of stainless steel and has a sealed structure. This prevents the trace gas generated by ultrasonic collapse in the bubble collapse section 30 from coming into contact with the atmosphere even when introduced into the storage tank 10. Furthermore, since there is no gas leakage to the outside, the modified ozone UFB water production system 1 can be operated safely.

[0068] Furthermore, the storage tank 10 has a sealed structure and is connected to a pressure regulator 5. Therefore, by controlling the output of the pressure regulator 5 with a control unit 50, it is possible to adjust the pressure at which the aqueous solution is stored in the storage tank 10. A general pressure adjustment valve, for example, can be used as the pressure regulator 5. However, in the case of ozone UFB, an ozone-resistant sealant such as SUS316L or PTFE (Teflon (registered trademark)) is required.

[0069] It is necessary to control the pressure in the upper part of the storage tank 10 and to lower the pressure inside the storage tank 10 to within the control range when discharging the sterilizing disinfectant solution, so the tank is connected to the atmosphere via a filter 81 and an ozone absorber 82 after the pressure regulator 5. The ozone absorber 82 has activated carbon 82a packed into the upper part of a stainless steel tube and has a screw structure that allows it to be opened and closed. The lower part of the activated carbon is hollow 82b, so that water droplets do not accumulate.

[0070] The pressure in the storage tank 10 can be adjusted not only by controlling the output of the pressure regulator 5, but also by adjusting the opening of valve B between the pressure regulator 5 and the storage tank 10 using the control unit 50, and by adjusting the discharge pressure from the discharge unit 26 of the bubble generator 20 using the control unit 50. The pressure inside the storage tank 10 is adjusted by the control unit 50 measuring the pressure using a pressure transmitter and controlling the operation of each unit based on the measurement results. If the upper and lower limits of pressure control are set, it is also possible to use the above-mentioned pressure adjustment valve.

[0071] In the modified ozone UFB water production system 1 of the present invention, the aqueous solution is circulated through the circulation path C and repeatedly passed through the storage tank 10, the bubble generator 20, and the bubble crusher 30, thereby crushing bubbles with relatively large particle sizes and producing an aqueous solution containing a sufficient amount of UFB. When the UFB content of the aqueous solution reaches a level suitable for use as a sterilizing disinfectant, the modified ozone UFB water is discharged as a product from the disinfectant outlet 6. The modified ozone UFB water does not have an ozone odor. Furthermore, because the modified ozone UFB water is suitable for spraying as a drink, there are no health issues even if the aqueous solution is left to spray on food. In other words, the modified ozone UFB water does not require rinsing, and there is no need to actively remove it after spraying it on food, etc.

[0072] According to the modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus 1 of the present invention, an aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water in which UFB can be retained for a long period of time can be obtained by storing the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water at a pressure in the range of 0.12 MPa to 0.18 MPa in the storage tank 10. Furthermore, since bubbles are generated in the aqueous solution by the bubble generator 20, the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water can be mass-produced in a low-risk environment.

[0073] In the modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, it is preferable to store the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water in the storage tank 10 at a pressure in the range of 0.12 MPa to 0.18 MPa using the discharge pressure from the discharge part 26 and the pressure regulator 5.

[0074] The modified ozone UFB water production device of this embodiment can be used to produce an aqueous solution containing modified ozone UFB water as a drinkable and sprayable germicidal disinfectant that can replace hypochlorous acid water. For example, by raising broiler chickens, which are raised in crowded environments, for a long period of time in an aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water that is drinkable for living organisms and diluted 10 times (dissolved ozone concentration 1.86 ppm), it is expected that the occurrence of Campylobacter will be suppressed, and that the use of modified ozone UFB water as drinking water or spraying will be effective in preventing infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza and swine fever virus.

[0075] In addition, the Campylobacter suppression effect has the potential to solve the problems currently plaguing broiler processors when using hypochlorous acid water for sterilization, such as the generation of chlorine gas and the loss of sterilizing power due to blood or meat juices being mixed into the sterilization tank during sterilization.

[0076] Furthermore, the inventors have confirmed that when about 2% of BSA (bovine serum albumin) is added to modified ozone UFB water, the bactericidal activity is reduced compared to when no BSA is added, but the bactericidal activity is still at least double the digits. In contrast, the inventors have confirmed that when about 2% of BSA is added to hypochlorous acid water, the bactericidal activity is lost.

[0077] Hypochlorous acid sterilization treatment issues not only address the issue of Campylobacter sterilization in broilers, but also have the potential to solve chlorine gas issues through sterilization treatment for preserving cut vegetables and various meats, and sterilization treatment in food factories and kitchens.

[0078] Furthermore, even without adding a modifier, the particle size of the UFB is 200 nm or less, so in environments where there is a slight ozone odor, there is no need to add a modifier, and the running cost can be reduced to just the electricity bill.

[0079] Furthermore, the inventors have confirmed a paper stating that in the case of sterilization treatment using low-concentration ozone water with an ozone concentration of around 1.0 ppm, the lipid peroxide value index is 1.0 or less after a treatment time of around 5 hours, and that this is fully applicable to actual meat processing processes (Journal of the Japanese Society for Food Low-Temperature Preservation, Vol. 16, No. 4, 1990, "Effect of food components on the sterilizing action of ozone and its application to meat processing processes").

[0080] Furthermore, the inventors conducted a rust test on iron by immersing iron samples in ozone-dissolved water and ozone UFB water for about a week. They found that while some rust occurred on the samples in the ozone-dissolved water, there was almost no rusting in the ozone UFB water. [Example]

[0081] To confirm the effectiveness of the present invention, the inventors used the above-mentioned modified ozone UFB water production apparatus to convert ozone into UFB water, which was then converted into modified ozone UFB water. The nanobubble aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water was then stored in a storage tank at pressures ranging from 0.12 MPa to 0.18 MPa. The resulting aqueous solution, with a high dissolved ozone concentration exceeding 20 ppm, was stored at 10°C for over a year, and the dissolved ozone concentration was confirmed to remain unchanged. Furthermore, the solution was heated to 50°C for 48 hours and then returned to room temperature, confirming that the dissolved ozone concentration remained unchanged before and after heating. Furthermore, the modified ozone UFB water solution was solidified, stored for six months, and then reconstituted, and the dissolved ozone concentration of the initial aqueous solution was maintained.

[0082] This solution was evaluated by an external research institute for its ability to inactivate highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and the new coronavirus. During this evaluation, it was verified that modified dissolved ozone UFB had sufficient sterilization / inactivation effects even at a 1 / 10 dilution of 20 ppm dissolved in water. Furthermore, both research institutes that evaluated the inactivation of influenza viruses sprayed modified dissolved ozone UFB onto a mask, air-dried it for 48 hours, and then sprayed the mask with virus-containing water and left it for two hours, confirming that the virus was below the detection limit in both cases.

[0083] This phenomenon is an inactivation effect due to the Coulomb force between UFB and viruses, a phenomenon not seen with disinfectants or sterilants such as hypochlorous acid water. The inventor believes that this, combined with the sustained release properties of UFB, is the principle by which the reduction in disinfectant activity due to erosion is significantly suppressed over a long period of time at low concentrations. Because UFB possesses a negative charge and viruses possess a positive charge, this phenomenon can be explained as the principle of inactivation. Because fungi possess a bipolar charge, the same sterilization principle as viruses can be explained.

[0084] At a facility other than the research institute, the bactericidal effects of Campylobacter, mold, Bacillus cereus (spore-forming bacteria), Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were confirmed to be greater than that of hypochlorous acid water when used with a chloride ion concentration of 200 ppm and a pH of 6.0 and modified dissolved ozone UFB water with a dissolved ozone concentration of 1.86 ppm (a 18.6 ppm product diluted 10 times).The dissolved ozone concentration in the aqueous solution was measured using the ultraviolet absorption method with an Ebara Jitsugyo EL-610.

[0085] There is absolutely no ozone odor in these modified ozone UFB water solutions, solidified modified ozone UFB water, modified ozone UFB water that has been reconstituted into a liquid, or modified ozone UFB water sprays, including those immediately after spraying. The reason for this is believed to be that the ozone UFB, confined under pressure to a particle size of 100 nm, has its outer wall solidified like an eggshell by the modifier, allowing the unstable ozone gas to maintain its concentration for a long period of time, even in the face of changes in its physical properties. It is known that for particles of 100 nm diameter, the Young-Laplace equation states that the internal pressure of the bubble (the force acting on the inside of the bubble): 30 atm (a force acting inward that is 30 times atmospheric pressure) acts.

[0086] This invention proves that the addition of a modifier can further strengthen the maintenance of ozone gas. The modifier is not limited to glycerin, but can also be casein or milk protein contained in milk, carbohydrates such as sucrose, polypropylene glycol, sorbitol, etc. There is no particular restriction on the modifier as long as it is available in the usage environment and is a surfactant that meets the usage conditions.

[0087] We also confirmed that UFB water can be maintained for a relatively long period of time under a certain pressure without adding any modifiers. This confirmed that it is possible to maintain not only ozone gas, but also almost all other dissolved gases, including oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. For example, in the case of oxygen UFB water, when generated using this device for two hours, a dissolved oxygen concentration of over 50 ppm could be maintained for approximately three months, even when charging a PET bottle.

[0088] Regarding the particle size and concentration of UFB in the modified ozone UFB water production system described above, if a large amount of modifier is contained, the modifier inhibits Brownian motion, making accurate measurements impossible using the commonly used UFB particle size concentration analyzer, the NanoSight NS-300, manufactured by Malvern Instruments, UK. For this reason, the recently developed atomic force microscope can be used to measure UFB particle size concentration even when modifiers are present. The modified ozone UFB water produced by the inventors had a bubble size of 50 nm to 150 nm, a peak particle size of 85 nm, and a UFB concentration of 1.4 billion particles / mL.

[0089] Furthermore, after about two hours of operation, the modified ozone UFB water production device measured a peak particle size of 100 nm, particle sizes ranging from 50 nm to 150 nm, and no UFB particle sizes exceeding this range were observed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0090] The present invention can be used in a modified ozone UFB water production system for producing an aqueous solution containing modified ozone UFB water. The modified ozone UFB water produced by this modified ozone UFB water production system can be used as a disinfectant in spray sterilization of drinking water for live animals, food processing, and meat and food preservation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1. Modified ozone UFB water production equipment 3. Target water supply equipment 4 Additive liquid supply device 5 Pressure Regulator 8 Gas generation section 9 Cooling water supply device 10. Storage Tank 20 Bubble generating section 24 Liquid / gas mixing section 26 Discharge part 30 Bubble crushing section 81 filters 82 Ozone absorber

Claims

1. a storage tank for storing the aqueous solution; a bubble generating unit that is provided downstream of the storage tank, is connected to the storage tank, and generates bubbles in the aqueous solution; a bubble collapse unit that is provided downstream of the bubble generation unit and upstream of the storage tank, and that is connected to the bubble generation unit and the storage tank, and that collapses the bubbles in the aqueous solution so that the aqueous solution is circulated; an aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water is generated by the bubble generating unit and the bubble collapsing unit, and the generated aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water is stored in the storage tank; The storage tank stores the aqueous solution of modified ozone UFB water at a pressure in the range of 0.12 MPa to 0.18 MPa.

2. the bubble generating unit includes a discharge unit that discharges the aqueous solution at a predetermined pressure, The modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage tank is connected to a pressure regulator, and the aqueous solution of the modified ozone UFB water is stored at a pressure in the range of 0.12 MPa to 0.18 MPa by the discharge pressure from the discharge portion and the pressure regulator.

3. 3. The modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage tank is connected to a target water supply device that supplies target water to be bubbled and an additive liquid supply device that supplies an additive liquid to modify the target water.

4. the bubble generator is connected to a gas generator that generates ozone gas; The modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a liquid-gas mixing section that mixes the ozone gas generated in the gas generating section with an aqueous solution of the target water or the modified ozone UFB water supplied from the storage tank.

5. 5. The modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the bubble collapse section is connected to a cooling water supply device including a chiller unit.

6. The modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the aqueous solution contains a surfactant at a concentration of 20% or less.

7. 7. The modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the surfactant is glycerin.

8. 7. The modified ozone UFB water producing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the surfactant is casein, polypropylene glycol, sorbitol, sucrose, or milk protein.

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