Magnetic electrophoresis device

Abstract

To provide a magnetophoresis device (fluid purification device) capable of easily releasing metal ions into a fluid to be treated.SOLUTION: There is provided a magnetophoresis device, including: an outer cylinder 1; a shaft 5 housed inside the outer cylinder 1; and a plurality of metal plates 4 and a plurality of magnets 2 inserted into the shaft 5, in which at least one metal plate out of the plurality of metal plates 4 is arranged between two magnets 2 adjacent in an axial direction of the shaft 5 among the plurality of magnets 2, and the plurality of metal plates 4 each contains at least one of copper and silver, and the shaft 5 is made of carbon, or a spacer 3A made of carbon is inserted into the shaft 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetophoresis device that purifies a fluid to be treated by using heavy metal ions and magnetic force.

Background Art

[0002] As a device capable of removing rust, scale, slime, stickiness, mold, Legionella bacteria and other fungi, algae, etc. contained in a fluid to be treated (for example, water) or adhering to the inner wall of a pipe through which the fluid to be treated flows, there is a magnetophoresis device (fluid purification device) that uses heavy metal ions (for example, copper ions and silver ions) and magnetic force.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, inside a cylindrical casing having an inlet and an outlet for water (fluid to be treated), a metal ion generation part (sterilization part) that generates at least one of copper ions and silver ions, and a plurality of laminates in which magnets and magnetic pole pieces are alternately laminated are arranged in parallel with each other, and a passage for allowing water to pass between the magnetic pole pieces of the adjacent laminates is formed, and a water activation treatment part that activates the water by applying a magnetic field when the water passes through the passage is provided. In this device, the shape of the edge of the magnet is similar to the shape of the edge of the magnetic pole piece adjacent to each other in the region where the passage is formed, and the distance between the edge of the similar-shaped magnetic pole piece and the edge of the magnet is made the narrowest at the location where the magnetic field is to be made the strongest and constant at other locations.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The inventors of the present application have found that when a metal ion generation unit (sterilization unit) that houses a metal ion elution source (e.g., copper or silver particles) and generates copper ions or silver ions and a living water treatment unit that houses a magnet are provided independently, as in Patent Document 1, it is difficult for the amount of copper ions or silver ions eluted from the metal ion generation unit to easily increase.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetophoresis device (fluid purification device) that can easily release metal ions into a fluid to be treated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present application includes a plurality of means for solving the above problems. For example, in a magnetophoresis device, it includes an outer cylinder, a shaft housed inside the outer cylinder, and a plurality of metal plates and a plurality of magnets inserted into the shaft. Between two adjacent magnets among the plurality of magnets in the axial direction of the shaft, at least one metal plate among the plurality of metal plates is arranged. Each of the plurality of metal plates contains at least one of copper and silver, and a carbon material is used for the shaft, or a member using a carbon material is inserted into the shaft.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, at least one of copper ions and silver ions can be easily released into the fluid to be treated. Therefore, the removal performance of calcium compounds, iron oxides, etc. can be improved, and the antibacterial performance by copper ions and silver ions can also be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetophoresis device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the II-II plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the III-III plane.

[0012] The magnetophoresis device 100 includes an outer cylinder 1 which is a cylindrical casing, a plurality of disc-shaped magnets 2 arranged along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 inside the outer cylinder 1, a plurality of spacers 3 arranged between the plurality of magnets 2, a plurality of disc-shaped copper alloy plates (metal plates) 4 arranged between the adjacent magnets 2 and spacers 3 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1, and two turbulence generating plates 6 arranged at both ends in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 inside the outer cylinder 1.

[0013] A shaft 5 is inserted through through-holes in the centers of these plurality of magnets 2, spacers 3, copper alloy plates 4, and turbulence generating plates 6, and these members 2, 3, 4, 6 are fixed along the axis by the shaft 5. For example, a bolt can be used as the shaft 5, and after inserting all the necessary members 2, 3, 4, 6 into the shaft 5, the members 2, 3, 4, 6 can be fixed on the same axis by fastening with nuts. Note that a plurality of support members (not shown) for holding the position of the shaft 5 inside the outer cylinder 1 may be provided on the inner or outer side of the outer cylinder 1.

[0014] As shown by the arrow in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the fluid to be processed (for example, water) is introduced into the interior of the magnetophoretic device 100 (inside the outer cylinder 1) from left to right in FIG. 1. That is, the upstream side in the flow direction of the fluid to be processed is the left side in the figure, and the downstream side is the right side in the figure.

[0015] (Outer cylinder 1) Both ends of the outer cylinder 1 in its axial direction are open. The outer cylinder 1 in FIG. 1 has a double structure with different materials on the inner and outer sides, and includes an inner outer cylinder 1a located on the inner side and an outer outer cylinder 1b located on the outer side. From the viewpoint of increasing the contact liquid area between the fluid to be processed and the copper alloy and increasing the generation amount of copper ions, the material of the inner outer cylinder 1a is preferably a copper alloy. However, when the generation amount of copper ions can be sufficiently ensured only by the copper alloy plate 4, there may be a case where the copper alloy is not used for the inner outer cylinder 1a (that is, only the outer outer cylinder 1b). On the other hand, the entire outer cylinder 1 (that is, both the inner outer cylinder 1a and the outer outer cylinder 1b) may be made of a copper alloy.

[0016] (Magnet 2) The plurality of magnets 2 are, for example, ferrite magnets or neodymium magnets, each having a round shape with a through-hole (not shown) provided in the center, and a shaft 5 is inserted into each through-hole. However, the shape of the magnet 2 is not limited to round. Each magnet 2 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged such that two adjacent magnets 2 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 have the same pole. As a result, magnetic field lines as shown in FIG. 4 are distributed inside the outer cylinder 1. Note that the arrangement of the magnets 2 is not limited to that shown in the figure, and two adjacent magnets 2 may be arranged such that they have opposite poles.

[0017] (Spacer 3) The plurality of spacers 3 are located between each of the plurality of magnets 2 arranged along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1. A through-hole for passing the shaft 5 is provided in the center of each spacer 3. The diameter of each spacer 3 shown in FIG. 2 is smaller than the diameter of each magnet 2. As the spacer 3, a hexagonal nut with a screw groove cut in the central through-hole can be used, and in this embodiment, a hexagonal nut (see FIG. 2 etc.) is used. By providing the spacer 3, the interference of the magnetic field lines generated by the plurality of magnets 2 can be reduced, and the contact area between the fluid to be processed and the copper alloy plate 4 can be increased. Note that, as the material of the spacer 3, for example, stainless steel having a rust and corrosion prevention effect against water can be used. However, the spacer 3 can be omitted, and the diameter of the spacer 3 may be the same as that of the magnet 2.

[0018] (Copper alloy plate (metal plate) 4) The plurality of copper alloy plates 4 each have a round shape with a through hole (not shown) provided in the center, and a shaft 5 is inserted into each through hole. The diameter of each copper alloy plate 4 shown in FIG. 2 is larger than the diameter of each magnet 2, but it may be the same as that of each magnet 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the copper alloy plates 4 do not necessarily need to be installed at both ends (both the N-pole side end face and the S-pole side end face) in the axial direction of each magnet 2. That is, it may be installed only at one end in the axial direction of each magnet 2. The diameter of each copper alloy plate 4 is preferably selected to be a size that can generate a turbulent flow in the outer cylinder 1 to such an extent that an excessive pressure loss does not occur in the space with the inner surface of the outer cylinder 1 (inner outer cylinder 1a). As the material of the copper alloy plate 4, for example, brass or bronze can be used. Note that washers may be appropriately inserted between two adjacent members in the axial direction of the shaft 5, such as between the spacer (hexagonal nut) 3 and the copper alloy plate 4, and between the copper alloy plate 4 and the magnet 2. In addition, in this embodiment, the case of using the copper alloy plate 4 as the metal plate is described. However, any metal that can generate metal ions that impart an antibacterial function to the fluid to be treated, similar to copper, can be substituted for the copper alloy plate 4. Specifically, any metal plate containing at least one of copper and silver can generate antibacterial copper ions or silver ions, and thus can be substituted for the copper alloy plate 4. The copper or silver of the metal plate 4 does not necessarily need to be a pure metal, and plating or an alloy may be used (that is, it may contain impurities). Also, copper and silver metal plates 4 may be used in combination within the same magnetophoretic device 100.

[0019] (Turbulent flow generating plate 6) The turbulent flow generating plate 6 is disposed inside the outer cylinder 1 so as to be positioned on the most upstream side in the flow direction of the fluid to be processed with respect to all the magnets 2 installed inside the outer cylinder 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the turbulent flow generating plate 6 has a plurality of notches (tooth portions) 6a provided at predetermined intervals on its outer periphery. As the turbulent flow generating plate 6, as shown in FIG. 3, an external tooth type washer with teeth can be used. Twisting is applied to the notches 6a of the turbulent flow generating plate 6 in FIG. 3, and the notches 6a are inclined with respect to the flow direction of the fluid to be processed. When the turbulent flow generating plate 6 generates a turbulent flow, the frequency at which the fluid to be processed passes through the magnetic flux and the opportunity to contact the copper alloy can be increased. As the material of the turbulent flow generating plate 6, for example, stainless steel having a rust prevention and corrosion prevention effect against water can be used.

[0020] Note that the shape of the turbulent flow generating plate 6 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3, and any shape that can generate a turbulent flow by imparting a velocity vector component (a velocity vector not parallel to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1) parallel to the cross section of the outer cylinder 1 when the fluid to be processed passes through the turbulent flow generating plate 6 can be appropriately substituted. However, as the shape of the notch 6a, it is preferable to select a shape that can generate a turbulent flow inside the outer cylinder 1 to such an extent that an excessive pressure loss does not occur. Also, in the example of FIG. 1, a turbulent flow generating plate 6 is provided on the most downstream side of the fluid to be processed, but this turbulent flow generating plate 6 on the most downstream side may be omitted. Further, the turbulent flow generating plate 6 does not necessarily have to be installed upstream of all the magnets 2, and for example, it may be installed in the middle of the flow path formed by the outer cylinder 1. Note that the turbulent flow generating plate 6 can also be omitted.

[0021] (Function and Effect) In the electrophoresis apparatus 100 configured as described above, when the fluid to be processed (for example, water) is introduced from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, a counterclockwise swirling component (see arrow 31 in FIG. 3) is imparted to the turbulent flow generating plate 6 to form a turbulent flow (swirling flow) and is introduced into the inside of the outer cylinder 1. In a turbulent flow, microscopically, each fluid particle (for example, a water molecule) approaches a state where it can flow freely back and forth, left and right, so that the opportunity for charged particles to contact the copper alloy plate 4 increases due to the effect of the magnetic force inside the outer cylinder 1.

[0022] Next, the fluid to be treated comes into contact with the turbulence generating plate 6 and the copper alloy plate 4 located on the downstream side, and the copper alloy constituting the inner outer cylinder 1a, thereby being imparted with copper ions, and is introduced into the first annular flow path 41 (see FIG. 4) formed by two adjacent copper alloy plates 4 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 and the magnet 2 sandwiched between the two copper alloy plates 4. Since the plurality of magnets 2 in the outer cylinder 1 are arranged at intervals by the spacer 3 so that the same poles face each other, even with a small volume in the outer cylinder 1, the inside of the outer cylinder 1 is filled with many magnetic flux lines as shown in FIG. 4. Particularly in the first annular flow path 41, since the flow of the fluid flow rate to be treated approaches the reverse direction or the forward direction of the magnetic flux lines, the fluid to be treated (water) is likely to be charged when passing through the first annular flow path 4, and as a result, the ionization of copper contained in the copper alloys 1a and 4 is promoted. When the ionization of copper progresses, scale such as calcium with a smaller ionization tendency than copper ions is removed. Furthermore, the fluid to be treated that has received the magnetic force promotes functions such as the removal of red rust and the formation of black rust.

[0023] After passing through the first annular flow path 41, the fluid to be treated is introduced into the second annular flow path 42 (a flow path secured by the spacer 3 having a smaller diameter than the copper alloy plate 4 and the magnet 2, and a flow path in which the flow path diameter suddenly expands compared to the immediately preceding first annular flow path) formed by two adjacent copper alloy plates 4 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 and the spacer 3 sandwiched between the two copper alloy plates 4. The fluid to be treated introduced into the second annular flow path 42 is imparted with copper ions eluted from the two copper alloy plates 4 and flows so as to pass through the magnetic field formed by the two magnets 2 located on the upstream side and the downstream side of the spacer 3, so it receives a lot of magnetic force from the magnetic field. The fluid to be treated flowing out from the space repeatedly passes through the first annular flow path 41 and the second annular flow path 42 within a short distance to the outlet of the outer cylinder 1, thereby receiving sufficient copper ion impartation and the influence of the magnetic force. From the viewpoint of ensuring sufficient space for the second annular flow path 42, it is preferable that the diameter of the spacer 3 is small.

[0024] Patent Document 1 discloses that a fluid containing ions with a relatively large ionization tendency such as copper ions and silver ions has a function of removing slime, stickiness, mold, Legionella bacteria and other fungi, algae, etc. (referred to as "antibacterial function"), and a fluid subjected to magnetism has a function of removing scale and rust adhering to the inner wall of a pipe or preventing their adhesion (referred to as "rust removal and rust prevention function"). Further, it is disclosed that in a fluid subjected to magnetism, the antibacterial function by copper ions or the like is synergistically improved.

[0025] However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, a metal ion generation unit (sterilization unit) that imparts metal ions to the fluid to be treated and a living water treatment unit that imparts magnetism to the fluid to be treated are provided independently. In this regard, the inventors of the present application have found that when the metal ion generation unit (sterilization unit) and the living water treatment unit are provided independently as in Patent Document 1, it is difficult for the amount of metal ions eluted from the metal ion generation unit to easily increase, and they have conceived the configuration of the magnetophoresis apparatus 100 of the present embodiment to solve this problem.

[0026] That is, the magnetophoresis apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes an outer cylinder 1, a shaft 5 housed inside the outer cylinder 1, and a plurality of metal plates (copper alloy plates) 4 and a plurality of magnets 2 inserted into the shaft 5. At least one metal plate (copper alloy plate) 4 among the plurality of metal plates (copper alloy plates) 4 is arranged between two adjacent magnets 2 in the axial direction of the shaft 5 among the plurality of magnets 2, and each of the plurality of metal plates (copper alloy plates) 4 contains at least one of copper and silver.

[0027] When the magnets 2 and the metal plates 4 are alternately arranged along the shaft 5 in this way, metal ions (specifically, copper ions and silver ions) capable of imparting an antibacterial function to the fluid to be treated can be easily released from the metal plates 4 by the action of the magnetism of the magnets 2. Thereby, the removal performance of calcium compounds and iron oxides having a larger ionization tendency than copper and silver can be improved, and the antibacterial performance by copper ions and silver ions can also be improved.

[0028] <Comparative Test 1> Next, a comparative test conducted by the inventors of the present application to confirm the effects of the first embodiment (particularly, the purification function of the electrophoresis device 100 in which the magnets 2 and the copper alloy plates 4 are arranged alternately along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 2) will be described.

[0029] In this comparative test, an electrophoresis device A having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 4 (i.e., both "magnet 2" and "copper alloy plate 4") and an electrophoresis device B obtained by removing only the magnet 2 from the electrophoresis device A (i.e., having the "copper alloy plate 4" but not having the "magnet 2") were used. Specifically, the following three samples were left in the laboratory for five days from September 15th to 20th, 2021, and then the amount of copper ions in the tap water of each sample was measured. The measurement of the amount of copper ions was performed by the bathocuproine colorimetric method using Packtest Copper manufactured and sold by Kyoritsu Chemical-Check Laboratory Co., Ltd.

[0030] (Samples used) · Sample 1: A commercially available plastic cup containing the electrophoresis device A (with magnets and copper alloy plates), with a predetermined amount of tap water added so that the entire electrophoresis device A is immersed in water. · Sample 2: A plastic cup having the same shape as Sample 1, with only the same amount of tap water as in Sample 1 added. · Sample 3: A plastic cup having the same shape as Sample 1, containing the electrophoresis device B (without magnets, with copper alloy plates), with the same amount of tap water as in Sample 1 added.

[0031] (Measurement results of copper ion amount) The measurement results of the copper ion amounts of Samples 1 - 3 were as follows. · Sample 1: 5 ppm · Sample 2: 0 ppm · Sample 3: 1 ppm

[0032] As described above, when the electrophoresis device A according to the present embodiment is used (Sample 1), the amount of copper ions in tap water can be increased by five times compared to the case where the electrophoresis device B without a magnet is used (Sample 3). It was confirmed that the removal performance of calcium compounds, iron oxides, etc. can be improved, and the antibacterial performance by copper ions and silver ions can also be improved compared to the prior art.

[0033] By the way, in the device of Patent Document 1, in addition to providing the metal ion generation part (sterilization part) and the activated water treatment part independently as described above, the structure of the laminate of the magnet and the magnetic pole piece in the activated water treatment part is very complicated. Therefore, since the size tends to be relatively large and the manufacturing cost also tends to be high, it has been difficult to use in ordinary households. For example, it is inevitable to say that it is difficult to insert the electrophoresis device of Patent Document 1 between the water supply hose connection port of the washing machine main body and the water supply hose in consideration of the installation space of the washing machine in ordinary households.

[0034] Regarding this point, in the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of magnets 2 are arranged so that the same poles face each other in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1, a spacer 3 is disposed between two adjacent magnets 2 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1, and further a copper alloy plate 4 is disposed between the adjacent magnet 2 and spacer 3 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 to form a flow path structure. According to the electrophoresis device 100 having such a flow path structure, by generally circulating two types of annular flow paths 41 and 42 through the fluid to be treated, it is possible to impart copper ions and add the action of magnetic force to the fluid to be treated in a short time. Therefore, even if the size of the electrophoresis device 100 (outer cylinder 1) is made compact, an antibacterial function and a rust removal / anti-rust function can be imparted to the fluid to be treated that has passed through the electrophoresis device 100. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if it is miniaturized, a decrease in the purification function of the fluid to be treated can be suppressed.

[0035] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a magnetophoresis device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The magnetophoresis device 200 in FIG. 5 is obtained by replacing the spacer 3 in the first embodiment with a spacer 3A made of a carbon material (carbonaceous material). As a specific material for the spacer 3A, for example, graphite or carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) can be used. The spacer 3A is not particularly limited as long as it has a through-hole or a similar shape that can be inserted into the shaft 5, but from the viewpoint of forming the annular flow path 42, a smaller diameter than that of the magnet 2 or the metal plate 4 is preferable. Further, a member that can be inserted into the shaft 5 and is made of a carbon material does not have to be a spacer, and a member having another shape may be used.

[0036] Carbon has a smaller ionization tendency than copper or silver (the ionization tendency of carbon is smaller than that of platinum or gold), and a potential difference is generated with copper or silver. Therefore, copper ions or silver ions are efficiently released from the metal plate 4 in the presence of carbon. Thus, when a carbon material is used for the spacer 3A as in the present embodiment, copper or silver contained in the metal plate 4 is ionized more efficiently than in the first embodiment. As a result, the amount of copper ions or silver ions increases compared to the first embodiment, so that the removal performance of calcium compounds or iron oxides, etc., which have a greater ionization tendency than copper ions or silver ions, can be improved, and the antibacterial performance can also be improved.

[0037] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a magnetophoresis device 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The magnetophoresis device 300 in FIG. 6 is obtained by replacing the shaft 5 in the first embodiment with a shaft 5A made of a carbon material in the same manner as the spacer 3A. Even if the shaft 5A is made of a carbon material (for example, graphite or CFRP) in this way, the same effects as in the second embodiment can be exhibited. Note that the shaft 5A may have a hollow cylindrical shape (for example, a pipe shape) inside.

[0038] Note that although one spacer 3 shown in Fig. 6 is arranged between the magnet 2 and the metal plate 4, the number and position of the spacers 3 are not limited to this. Also, although the diameter of the illustrated spacer 3 is the same as that of the magnet 2 and smaller than that of the metal plate 4, it is not limited to this, and for example, it may have the same diameter as the metal plate 4. And the spacer 3 can be omitted, in which case the device can be miniaturized.

[0039] Further, each metal plate 4 in Fig. 6 is arranged between two adjacent magnets 2 in the axial direction of the shaft 5A. However, the position of the metal plate 4 is not limited to that shown. For example, two metal plates 4 may be arranged between two adjacent magnets 2 as in the first embodiment or the like.

[0040] <Comparative Test 2> Next, the comparative test conducted by the inventors of the present application to confirm the effect of the third embodiment (that is, the purification function of the electrophoresis device 300 using the carbon material shaft 5A) will be described.

[0041] In this comparative test, an electrophoresis device C having the same configuration as that shown in Fig. 6 (that is, a carbon material shaft 5A) and an electrophoresis device D in which the shaft 5A of the electrophoresis device C was replaced with a stainless steel shaft 5 were used. Specifically, the following two samples were left in the laboratory for 65 hours from a predetermined time on August 20, 2021, and then the amount of copper ions in the tap water of each sample was measured. The measurement of the amount of copper ions was performed by the same bathocuproine colorimetric method as in Comparative Test 1.

[0042] (Samples Used) · Sample 4: A commercially available plastic cup containing the electrophoresis device C (carbon material shaft 5A) with a predetermined amount of tap water added so that the entire electrophoresis device C is immersed in water. · Sample 5: A plastic cup having the same shape as Sample 4 containing the electrophoresis device D (stainless steel shaft 5) with the same amount of tap water as Sample 4 added.

[0043] (Measurement Results of Copper Ion Amount) The measurement results of the copper ion content in Sample 4-5 were as follows. · Sample 4: 3 ppm · Sample 5: 1 ppm

[0044] As described above, when the magnetophoresis device C according to the present embodiment is used (Sample 4), the amount of copper ions in tap water can be increased by three times compared to the case where the magnetophoresis device D is used (Sample 5). Thereby, compared with the first embodiment, the removal performance of calcium compounds, iron oxides, etc. can be improved, and the antibacterial performance by copper ions and silver ions can also be improved. Although the comparative test regarding the second embodiment is not mentioned in this paper, the same effects as those of the third embodiment described above can be exhibited.

[0045] <Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a magnetophoresis device 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The magnetophoresis device 400 in FIG. 7 further includes a plurality of coils 7 inserted into a shaft 5A made of a carbon material. Each coil 7 is formed of a metal containing copper, and for example, a coil formed by winding a copper wire or a copper tube a plurality of times can be used.

[0046] In the magnetophoresis device 400 shown in FIG. 7, the coil 7, the magnet 2, and the metal plate 4 are arranged in this order toward the downstream in the fluid flow direction, and the combination of these three members 7, 2, 4 is repeated along the axial direction of the shaft 5A. Note that the arrangement of these three members 7, 2, 4 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7.

[0047] When a predetermined voltage (e.g., 0.2 V) was applied to the shaft 5A of the electrophoresis device 400 in which a plurality of coils 7 were inserted into the shaft 5A as described above, the current value increased as compared with the case where the plurality of coils 7 were removed from the electrophoresis device 400. In light of Faraday's law of electrolysis (the amount of electrolyzed substance is proportional to the amount of electricity that has flowed), it is considered that copper ions and silver ions released from the metal plate 4 of the electrophoresis device 400 can increase as compared with the case without the coil 7. That is, also according to the present embodiment, the removal performance of calcium compounds, iron oxides, etc. can be improved, and the antibacterial performance due to copper ions and silver ions can also be improved.

[0048] <Fifth Embodiment> FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrophoresis device 500 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The electrophoresis device 500 in FIG. 8 has an outer cylinder 1A with a different shape from the outer cylinder 1 of the first embodiment. The outer cylinder 1A has an inner outer cylinder 1a and an outer outer cylinder 1b disposed outside the inner outer cylinder 1a with a gap therebetween, and a plurality of holes 11a are provided in the inner outer cylinder 1a. The inner outer cylinder 1a preferably contains either copper or silver, similar to the metal plate 4. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8, the fluid to be treated can flow through the annular flow path between the inner outer cylinder 1a and the inner outer cylinder 1a.

[0049] By providing a plurality of holes 11a in the inner outer cylinder 1a in this way, the generation of turbulent flow by the fluid to be treated is promoted around each hole 11a, so that the frequency with which the fluid to be treated passes through the magnetic flux of the magnet 2 and the opportunity to contact the metal plate 4 can be increased. Thereby, improvement in the removal performance and antibacterial performance of the compounds of the electrophoresis device 500 can be expected.

[0050] <Sixth Embodiment> FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a magnetophoresis device 600 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The magnetophoresis device 600 in FIG. 9 has an outer cylinder 1B with a shape different from that of the outer cylinder 1 in the first embodiment. The outer cylinder 1B has an inner outer cylinder 1a and an outer outer cylinder 1b disposed at a distance from the inner outer cylinder 1a on the outside of the inner outer cylinder 1a, and a plurality of holes 11b are provided in the outer outer cylinder 1b. The outer outer cylinder 1b preferably contains either copper or silver, similar to the metal plate 4. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 9, the processing target fluid can flow into the magnetophoresis device 600 through the holes 11b provided on the side surface of the outer outer cylinder 1b.

[0051] By providing a plurality of holes 11b in the outer outer cylinder 1b in this way, it is possible to promote the generation of turbulent flow around the holes 11b and to promote the circulation of the processing target fluid between the inside and outside of the magnetophoresis device 600, similar to the fifth embodiment. From the viewpoint of promoting these effects, the inclination angle θ of the plurality of holes 11b with respect to the axial direction of the shaft 5 is preferably set to 15 - 60 degrees.

[0052] In the fifth and sixth embodiments, an embodiment in which a plurality of holes are provided in either the inner outer cylinder 1a or the outer outer cylinder 1b has been described, but a plurality of holes may be provided in both the inner outer cylinder 1a and the outer outer cylinder 1b. Also, a plurality of holes may be provided in the same way in the case of the integral outer cylinder 1 with the inner outer cylinder 1a and the outer outer cylinder 1b as in the first embodiment.

[0053] <Seventh Embodiment> FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a metal plate 4A according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The metal plate 7A in FIG. 10 is used in place of the metal plate 4 in each of the above-described embodiments. The metal plate 7A includes a plurality of notches 45 provided on the outer periphery, a plurality of grooves 46 provided on the flat portion of the metal plate 7A and connected to the plurality of notches 45, and a through hole 43 into which the shaft 5 or the shaft 5A is inserted, and contains at least one of copper and silver. The illustrated groove 46 connects the notch 45 and the through hole 43, but the shape of the groove 46 is not limited to this. Also, only either one of the notch 45 and the groove 46 may be provided in the metal plate 4A.

[0054] When the metal plate 4A having the notch 45 and the groove 46 is used in this way, the generation of turbulent flow of the fluid to be processed can be promoted. Further, when the metal plate 4A and other members (for example, the magnet 2, the spacers 3, 3A, and the coil 7) are arranged adjacent to each other, the groove 46 serves as a flow path of the fluid to be processed formed between the metal plate 4A and the other members, so that the ionization of copper and silver contained in the metal plate 4A can be promoted. By arranging a spacer such as a small-diameter washer on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the metal plate 4 without the groove 46, the contact between the metal plate 4 and the fluid to be processed can be ensured. However, in this embodiment, since the groove 46 serves as a flow path and there is no need to provide this type of spacer (washer, etc.), the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

[0055] <Others> The outer cylinder 1 may contain silver.

[0056] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention are included. For example, the present invention is not limited to the one having all the configurations described in the above embodiments, and those in which a part of the configurations is deleted are also included. Further, a part of the configuration according to one embodiment can be added to or replaced with the configuration according to another embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0057] 1... outer cylinder, 1a... inner outer cylinder (copper alloy), 1b... outer outer cylinder, 2... magnet, 3... spacer (hexagonal nut), 3A... carbon spacer, 4... metal plate, 4A... grooved metal plate, 4A... copper alloy mesh, 5... shaft, 5A... carbon shaft, 6... turbulent flow generating plate, 6a... notch (tooth part), 7... coil, 11(11a, 11b)... hole, 41... first annular flow path, 42... second annular flow path, 43... through hole, 45... notch, 46... groove

Claims

1. An outer cylinder, A shaft housed inside the outer cylinder; A plurality of metal plates and a plurality of magnets are inserted into the shaft, At least one metal plate among the plurality of metal plates is disposed between two magnets adjacent to each other in an axial direction of the shaft, among the plurality of magnets; each of the plurality of metal plates includes at least one of copper and silver; A magnetophoretic device, characterized in that a carbon material is used for the shaft, or a member using a carbon material is inserted into the shaft.

2. 2. The magnetophoretic device of claim 1, Further comprising a coil inserted into the shaft, The magnetophoresis device, wherein the coil contains copper.

3. The magnetophoretic device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, The magnetic electrophoretic device according to claim 1, wherein the outer cylinder contains at least one of copper and silver.

4. The magnetophoretic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A magnetophoretic device characterized in that a plurality of holes are provided in the outer cylinder.

5. The magnetophoretic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The outer cylinder includes an inner outer cylinder and an outer outer cylinder disposed outside the inner outer cylinder with a gap therebetween, A magnetophoretic device, characterized in that a plurality of holes are provided in at least one of the inner and outer cylinders.

6. The magnetophoretic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A magnetic phoretic device characterized in that a plurality of cutout portions are provided on the outer periphery of each of the plurality of metal plates, and a plurality of grooves connected to the plurality of cutout portions are provided on the planar portions of each of the plurality of metal plates.

7. The magnetophoretic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A magnetophoresis device, characterized in that a turbulence generating plate having a plurality of notches on its outer periphery is inserted into the shaft.

8. The magnetophoretic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The plurality of magnets are arranged such that two adjacent magnets in the axial direction of the shaft have the same polarity or different polarities, a plurality of spacers each having a smaller diameter than the plurality of magnets are inserted in the shaft and positioned between the plurality of magnets, A magnetic electrophoresis device, wherein the plurality of metal plates are round and have a diameter larger than that of the plurality of magnets.

Images