Immersion sterilization cells

Abstract

We provide an immersion-type sterilization cell that can sterilize various types of bacteria with a simple configuration and without the need for an external power supply. [Solution] The immersion sterilization cell 10 comprises a cell body 12 with a double-tube structure consisting of a cylindrical outer tube 12a and an inner tube 12b, and made of a diamagnetic metal. The outer tube 12a contains cellulose resin 14 inside, and the inner tube 12b contains paramagnetic metal particles 16 inside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an immersion sterilization cell that reduces various viruses and bacteria in water.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to remove or inactivate microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi present in water, sterilization devices using ultraviolet irradiation and technologies for generating electrolyzed water having bactericidal properties by electrolysis are widely known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a water treatment device that arranges a DUV-LED unit that irradiates deep ultraviolet rays in water and directly irradiates the ultraviolet rays emitted from the unit into the water to efficiently sterilize microorganisms such as Legionella. This document describes the arrangement structure and protection structure of the LED unit, optimization of the irradiation direction, etc., and is useful as a water sterilization technology using ultraviolet irradiation.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for generating neutral electrolyzed water containing bactericidal components such as hypochlorous acid by performing electrolysis using a diaphragm or non-diaphragm electrolytic cell. This document describes electrode configuration, electrolysis conditions, means for stabilizing the properties of the generated water, etc., and can be widely implemented as a sterilization method using electrolyzed water. Thus, water sterilization technologies using ultraviolet irradiation and electrolysis are already known and exhibit a certain sterilization effect on microorganisms in water.

[0005] However, in the ultraviolet irradiation device described in Patent Document 1, power supply from an external power source is indispensable for driving the DUV-LED. In a device used in water, the waterproof structure and the routing of the power cable become complicated, and an additional structure for increasing the burden of installation work and ensuring safety is required. Also, there is a problem that when a power outage or power failure occurs, ultraviolet irradiation stops and the sterilization function cannot be maintained.

[0006] Furthermore, in the electrolytic water generator described in Patent Document 2, an external power supply is essential to apply current to the electrodes, and a considerable amount of power is required to drive the electrolytic cell. Therefore, it is difficult to use in environments where power supply equipment is not adequately provided (such as waterfront facilities, temporary facilities, and outdoor water tanks). In addition, continuous electrolytic operation leads to electrode deterioration and increased power consumption, resulting in a heavy maintenance burden.

[0007] Therefore, both sterilization technologies using ultraviolet irradiation and electrolysis inevitably rely on external power sources, and share the common problem of being unsuitable for practical use in locations where securing a power source is difficult. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-076596 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4365413 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The problem that this invention aims to solve is, in view of the problems of the prior art described above, to provide an immersion-type sterilization cell that can sterilize various bacteria with a simple configuration and without the need for an external power source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] As a first means to solve the above problems, this invention provides a cell body with a double-tube structure consisting of a cylindrical outer tube and an inner tube, and made of a diamagnetic metal. The outer tube contains cellulose resin inside, The objective is to provide an immersion-type sterilization cell characterized in that the inner tube contains paramagnetic metal particles inside. According to the first method described above, various types of bacteria can be sterilized with a simple configuration without the need for an external power source. Furthermore, it does not deteriorate and can be used for a long period of time.

[0011] As a second means to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an immersion-type sterilization cell characterized in that, in the first means, the cell body is covered at both ends with insulating caps. According to the second method described above, in the case of a water tank made of a conductive material, it is possible to prevent current from flowing to the water tank when the cell body is in contact with the water tank underwater. Therefore, by insulating the conductive water tank from the cell body, current can be efficiently generated in the water tank, thereby sterilizing various bacteria. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this invention, various viruses and bacteria can be stably sterilized with a simple configuration that is easy to carry and does not rely on an external power source. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the immersion-type sterilization cell of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] An embodiment of the immersion-type sterilization cell of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] [Immersion Sterilization Cell 10] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the immersion sterilization cell of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the immersion sterilization cell 10 of the present invention comprises a cell body 12 with a double-tube structure consisting of a cylindrical outer tube 12a and an inner tube 12b housed inside it, and made of a diamagnetic metal. The outer tube 12a contains cellulose resin 14 inside, and the inner tube 12b contains paramagnetic metal particles 16 inside.

[0016] (composition) In the immersion-type sterilization cell 10 of this invention, paramagnetic metal particles 16 such as zinc (Zn) or magnesium (Mg) are filled into the inner tube 12b at the center of the cell body 12. These are metals with a high ionization tendency and serve as a source of electric current. The outer tube 12a outside the inner tube 12b serving as the internal electrode is filled and sealed with a petroleum-based polymer compound, cellulose resin, that is, nitrocellulose resin in which nitro groups are introduced into β-glucose monomers. The cell body 12 has a double-tube structure composed of the inner tube 12b and the outer tube 12a, is formed of a diamagnetic substance such as copper or silver, and has the property of being magnetized in the opposite direction when receiving an external magnetic field. Such an immersion sterilization cell 10 adopts a double-tube structure composed of an internal electrode (mineral particles such as zinc or magnesium) serving as the inner tube 12b and a nitrocellulose resin layer serving as the outer tube 12a, and as a whole, has a structure in which the inside is a paramagnetic substance and the outside is a diamagnetic substance. Both ends of the cell body 12 are covered with insulating caps 20. Thereby, in the case of a water tank formed of a conductive material, when the cell body 12 is brought into contact with the water tank in water, it is possible to prevent current from flowing to the water tank side. Therefore, by insulating the conductive water tank and the cell body 12, current can be efficiently generated in the water tank to sterilize various bacteria.

[0017] (Operating principle of the underwater battery) When the cell body 12 is immersed in water, the internal metal particles undergo an electrochemical reaction with hydrogen and oxygen in the aqueous solution, and a weak direct current (Faraday current) is generated inside. The generated current density is proportional to the mineral ion concentration in the surrounding aqueous solution. That is, the higher the ion concentration, the more the electrolysis reaction is promoted and the weak current increases. This current generation mechanism is similar to the cathodic protection method and corresponds to the following configuration. The internal metal (Zn / Mg) has a large ionization tendency and acts as a sacrificial anode. The entire cell body 12 functions as a weak direct current source and supplies a reduction current into the water. The reducing power is maintained according to the mineral ion concentration in the water. Therefore, the immersion sterilization cell 10 becomes an underwater battery that does not require an external power source and spontaneously generates a weak current in water. Since it is paramagnetic in the air, no current flows from the cell body 12. The cell body 12 is covered at both ends with insulating caps 20. This prevents current from flowing to the water tank when the cell body 12 comes into contact with the water tank, especially in the case of a water tank made of conductive material. Therefore, by insulating the cell body 12 from the conductive water tank, current can be efficiently generated in the water tank to sterilize various bacteria.

[0018] (The effects of diamagnetic and paramagnetic structures) The cell body 12, which forms the outer layer of the immersion sterilization cell 10, is composed of diamagnetic materials such as copper and silver. On the other hand, the interior contains paramagnetic materials such as zinc and magnesium metal particles. Diamagnetism is the property of being magnetized in the opposite direction to an external magnetic field (negative susceptibility), and it occurs through a mechanism in which an external magnetic field acts on electrons in an atom, exciting electron orbital motion in the opposite direction. In this embodiment, the combination of the diamagnetic outer layer and paramagnetic inner layer of the immersion sterilization cell 10 stabilizes the weak current field and electric field formed around the cell body 12, and the electron spin energy is relaxed, thereby improving the persistence of the weak current.

[0019] (Mechanism of action of microbial inactivation) In this embodiment, aquatic microorganisms (bacteria, single-celled organisms, etc.) are inactivated by the weak DC current and electric field generated by the immersion-type sterilization cell 10. Electric field stress occurs on the cell membrane. In other words, the cell membrane of microorganisms has K + (Potassium ions), Na + Ions such as sodium ions are transported passively / facilitated via gate channels (protein channels). The DC electric field generated by the immersion sterilization cell 10 alters the opening and closing balance of these channels, causing polarization in the cell membrane.

[0020] Abnormalities occur in the cell division process. Specifically, prolonged exposure to a direct current electric field disrupts the potential gradient necessary for cell division, leading to the accumulation of physical stress on the cell membrane. As a result, this causes destruction of the cell membrane structure and DNA damage. A disruption of intracellular pH occurs. Specifically, an electric field causes an imbalance in ion transport, leading to abnormal fluctuations in intracellular pH. The cell can no longer maintain an internal pH within a certain range, and enzyme activity and metabolic function rapidly decline. Final inactivation (death) occurs. That is, cell membrane disruption, DNA damage, and loss of pH control act in combination, rendering the microorganism unable to grow and resulting in an inactivated state.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Since the immersion-type sterilization cell 10 itself spontaneously generates a weak electric current in water, an external power supply is not required. By using a weak direct current and an electric field, aquatic microorganisms can be inactivated without relying on chemicals. The structure, consisting of a diamagnetic outer layer and a paramagnetic inner layer, improves the stability of weak electric currents, maintaining a long-term sterilization effect. Because current generation is based on the principle of cathode corrosion protection, the device configuration is simple, allowing for miniaturization and cost reduction.

[0022] [Examples] (Bactericidal effect on Legionella bacteria) Two glass containers containing 800 ml each of sterile distilled water (one containing an immersion-type sterilization cell, the other without) were prepared in a safety cabinet. Legionella bacteria grown on GVPC agar were scraped off and suspended in a small amount of physiological saline. 80 μl of this suspension was inoculated into the two glass containers, and each was stirred to obtain a homogeneous solution. A sample was taken to measure the initial bacterial count (initial bacterial count: 4.0 × 10⁶). 4 The sample was divided into CFU / ml (800 ml of bacterial solution) and then left to stand in a cabinet at room temperature for 24 hours. After 24 hours, 25 μl samples were taken from each of the two glass containers and compared. The samples were inoculated onto GVPC agar, a selective medium for Legionella bacteria, and cultured at 37°C for 48 hours for comparative observation. The control suspension (without immersion sterilization cells) showed widespread bacterial colony growth, while the suspension with immersion sterilization cells showed only 8 colonies. Initial bacterial count: 4.0 × 10⁶ 4 Assuming no decrease in CFU / ml in the control bacterial suspension (without immersion sterilization cells), after 24 hours, the bacterial suspension with immersion sterilization cells added showed a decrease of 3.2 × 10⁶. 2The CFU / ml level was reduced to less than 1 / 100 of the original level.

[0023] (Effectiveness against E. coli) The same evaluation method was used for E. coli as for Legionella. The result was an initial bacterial count of 1.2 × 10⁶. 3 If the CFU / ml level in the control bacterial suspension (without immersion sterilization cells) showed no decrease, then after 24 hours, the level in the bacterial suspension with immersion sterilization cells added was 2.0 × 10⁶. 1 The CFU / ml level was reduced to approximately 1 / 100th of the original level.

[0024] According to this invention, various viruses and bacteria can be stably sterilized with a simple configuration that is easy to carry and does not rely on an external power source. Furthermore, when the immersion-type sterilization cell 10 of this invention is immersed in water with corroded iron for several hours, the rust dissolves from the corroded iron, producing uncorroded iron. Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited in any way to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, this invention is not limited to the combinations shown in the embodiments, but can be implemented using various combinations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0025] 10 Immersion Sterilization Cells 12-cell main unit 12a outer tube 12b Inner tube 14 Cellulose resin 16 Metal particles 20 caps

Claims

1. The cell body has a double-tube structure consisting of a cylindrical outer tube and an inner tube housed inside it, and is made of a diamagnetic metal. The outer tube contains cellulose resin inside, The aforementioned inner tube is characterized by containing paramagnetic metal particles inside, making it an immersion-type sterilization cell.

2. An immersion-type sterilization cell according to claim 1, The aforementioned immersion-type sterilization cell is characterized in that the cell body is covered at both ends with insulating caps.

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