Chlorine dioxide generator and fumigation composition

Abstract

To provide a chlorine dioxide generating apparatus and a fumigation composition that are more reliable and smooth in reaction with a heat generating agent and a chlorine dioxide generating agent than in the prior art, ensure a sufficient amount of chlorine dioxide to be generated stably, have simple operation, and are easy to dispose after use, and are environmentally friendly.SOLUTION: Provided is a chlorine dioxide generating apparatus that includes a metal can having an upper lid and a bottom lid at an easy open end, which metal can contains a water-permeable or water soluble bag accommodating a fumigating composition comprising a solid heat generating agent for generating heat when in contact with water and a solid chlorine dioxide generating agent for generating chlorine dioxide when in contact with water. Preferably, the upper lid is a partially-open end lid and the bottom lid is a full-open end lid. The apparatus may be provided in a form of kit that further includes a container containing a sufficient amount of water to generate water vapor from the heat generating agent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for generating chlorine dioxide in the presence of water vapor by generating heat from a heat-generating material, and to a fumigation composition. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, devices for generating chlorine dioxide as described above are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example. The chlorine dioxide generator in Patent Document 1 contains a heat-generating agent that generates heat when water is added and a chlorine dioxide activator in the lower part of an insulated container with an open top, and a water container with a breakable film bottom placed above it, with chlorine dioxide water contained in the water container.The film on the bottom of the water container is broken by a film breaking member placed inside the water container, and the chlorine dioxide water is brought into contact with the activator and the heat-generating agent, generating water vapor and evaporating chlorine dioxide.

[0003] The chlorine dioxide generator of Patent Document 2 comprises a container with an open top, a perforated plate dividing the interior of the container into upper and lower sections, and a lid with a chimney-shaped top opening that covers the container opening. A nonwoven fabric bag containing a heat-generating agent that generates heat when water is added is placed on the bottom of the container. After water is poured into the bag, a perforated plate is placed inside the container, and a nonwoven fabric bag containing a chlorine dioxide generating agent is placed on the perforated plate, and the lid is attached to the top of the container. Water vapor generated by contact between the heat-generating agent and water rises inside the container and comes into contact with the chlorine dioxide generating agent, generating chlorine dioxide, which is then released together with the water vapor from the opening in the lid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-218826 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-93811 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The chlorine dioxide generator of Patent Document 1 had problems in that the chlorine dioxide generation rate and the timing of water vapor generation did not react at the appropriate time, and the amount of chlorine dioxide generated was insufficient. Furthermore, the insulated container and water container of the chlorine dioxide generator were constructed by tightly assembling a variety of metal and resin parts, and after use, reacted chemical powder of the exothermic agent remained in the insulated container, which posed a problem from the perspective of separate collection of waste. Furthermore, the chlorine dioxide generator contained potentially dangerous chlorine dioxide water in the water container before use, requiring advanced technology to ensure the water container was tightly sealed.

[0006] The chlorine dioxide generator of Patent Document 2 has a problem in that the amount of chlorine dioxide generated is insufficient because the contact between the water vapor and the chlorine dioxide generating agent is sometimes insufficient.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a chlorine dioxide generator in which the reaction between a heat generating agent and a chlorine dioxide generating agent proceeds more reliably and smoothly than conventional ones, and which not only ensures a stable generation of a sufficient amount of chlorine dioxide but also produces chlorine dioxide safely, is simple to operate, is easy to dispose of after use, and is environmentally friendly, and provides a fumigation composition to be used therewith. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a chlorine dioxide generator containing a fumigation composition inside a metal can with an easy-open-end top lid and bottom lid, the fumigation composition comprising a solid heat-generating agent that generates heat on contact with water and a solid chlorine dioxide generator that generates chlorine dioxide on contact with water, both enclosed in a water-permeable or water-soluble bag.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top cover is a partially open-end cover, and the bottom cover is a fully open-end cover. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chlorine dioxide generator further comprises a container containing a sufficient amount of water for generating steam from the heat generating agent.

[0010] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a fumigation composition comprising a solid heat-generating agent that generates heat upon contact with water and a solid chlorine dioxide generator that generates chlorine dioxide upon contact with water, both placed in a water-permeable or water-soluble bag. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the chlorine dioxide generator of the present invention, by opening the top lid and injecting a predetermined amount of water into the metal can through the opening formed, chlorine dioxide is released from the opening along with water vapor. After use, the bottom lid can be opened and the contents inside the metal can can be easily removed through the opening. Since the user only needs to inject water before use, fumigation can be performed safely, and the metal can and its contents can be easily collected separately after use. If the top lid is a partially open-end lid and the bottom lid is a fully open-end lid, the nozzle effect of the top lid opening allows chlorine dioxide to be forcefully released along with water vapor, resulting in a higher fumigation effect. Furthermore, after use, the contents inside the metal can can be easily removed through the opening in the bottom lid, allowing the metal can and its contents to be easily collected separately. Furthermore, if the chlorine dioxide generator is equipped with a container containing a sufficient amount of water to generate water vapor from the exothermic agent, fumigation can be performed more easily because the user does not need to measure the appropriate amount of water for fumigation.

[0012] According to the fumigation composition of the present invention, the chemicals necessary to generate chlorine dioxide in association with water vapor simply by pouring water on it are packed in one pack, so that when in use, the user simply places this fumigation composition in the metal can or other suitable container and pours in water, thereby enabling safe and easy fumigation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a chlorine dioxide generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from below. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the chlorine dioxide generator of FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] <Chlorine dioxide generator of the present invention> The chlorine dioxide generator of the present invention contains a fumigation composition in a metal can, which releases chlorine dioxide together with water vapor when it comes into contact with water.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the metal can 10 of the illustrated embodiment of the chlorine dioxide generator contains a bag 21 containing a fumigant composition. The metal can 11 has upper and lower openings closed by a disk-shaped top lid 12 and a disk-shaped bottom lid 13, similar to a beverage can or food can. The top lid 12 and bottom lid 13 are easy-open-end lids for ease of opening and closing. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the top lid 12 is a partial-open-end lid, and the bottom lid 13 is a full-open-end lid, but this is not limiting. The top lid 12 and bottom lid 13 can be fastened to the metal can 11 in the same manner as beverage cans or food cans. For example, they can be fastened using a double seam (double seam method) available on the metal can market. This sealing is preferably used to safely maintain the airtightness of the interior of the metal can 10 for a long period of time. The metal can is preferably made of aluminum and / or steel, but may also be made of other metals. The bag 21 is a water-permeable or water-soluble bag, and by putting the heat generating agent and chlorine dioxide generating agent powder into it, it is possible to prevent the chemicals from scattering when the can is opened, and to prevent the fine powder heat generating material from flying out through the mesh of the nonwoven fabric due to vibration during storage or transportation, and also to control the reaction time with water due to its water permeability or water solubility.

[0016] The chlorine dioxide generator of the illustrated embodiment is opened along the teardrop-shaped notch 17 by pulling the tab 16 of the top lid 12 outward in a conventional manner. When a predetermined amount of water is poured into the metal can 10 through this opening, the water penetrates the bag 21 contained within the metal can 10. The exothermic agent and chlorine dioxide generating agent contained within the bag 21 then come into contact with the water, generating chlorine dioxide together with water vapor from the bag 21. The chlorine dioxide and water vapor are then expelled from the opening along the notch 17 and released to the outside of the metal can 10. At this time, the nozzle effect of the opening along the notch 17 causes the chlorine dioxide and water vapor to rise upward in the metal can 10. The tab 16 may be a pull-tab type that is detached when opening, or a stay-on tab type that is not detached.

[0017] After use, the tab 15 of the fully open-end bottom lid 13 is pulled outward from the bottom lid 13, opening it along the inner periphery 18. As a result, the bottom lid 13 opens wide, allowing the bag body 21 contained therein to be easily removed to the outside of the metal can 10. Therefore, the metal can 10 and the bag body 21 can be easily separated and collected.

[0018] The chlorine dioxide generator of the present invention can also be supplied as a kit product equipped with a container containing a sufficient amount of water to generate steam from the exothermic agent. The amount of water varies depending on the amount of exothermic agent contained in the metal can 10. When the exothermic agent is quicklime, the amount of water is preferably 0.3 to 1.5 mL, more preferably 0.4 to 1.3 mL, and even more preferably 0.5 to 1.2 mL per gram of quicklime. If the amount of water is too large, the temperature rise will be too low, making it difficult to generate steam, narrowing the range of chlorine dioxide release, and preventing sufficient sterilization, deodorization, and other effects. If the amount of water is too small, the temperature rise will be too high, resulting in insufficient chlorine dioxide generation, and again, preventing sufficient sterilization, deodorization, and other effects. For example, when the capacity of the metal can 10 is 310 mL, it is preferable to place 30 to 60 g of quicklime in the metal can 10 and the amount of water is 25 to 55 mL.

[0019] <Fumigation composition of the present invention> The fumigation composition of the present invention contains at least a solid exothermic agent that generates heat upon contact with water and a solid chlorine dioxide generator that generates chlorine dioxide upon contact with water, and these are placed in a water-permeable or water-soluble bag. Examples of solid exothermic agents include the above-mentioned quicklime, as well as powdered aluminum and powdered magnesium. These exothermic agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0020] A solid chlorine dioxide generator preferably contains at least a solid acid and a chlorite. Theoretically, the solid acid and the chlorite may be mixed in an equivalent amount or more. However, considering the water solubility of the solid acid, it is preferable to combine the solid acid in excess of the chlorite. Typically, 2 to 7 equivalents of the solid acid are combined per equivalent of the chlorite, and 2 to 5 equivalents of the solid acid are preferred. Examples of solid acids include, but are not limited to, citric acid, sulfamic acid, acetic acid, and formic acid. Examples of chlorite include, but are not limited to, alkali metal salts of chlorite and alkaline earth metal salts of chlorite. Examples of alkali metal salts of chlorite include sodium chlorite and potassium chlorite. Examples of alkaline earth metal salts of chlorite include calcium chlorite and magnesium chlorite. When this chlorine dioxide generator comes into contact with water, the solid acid and the chlorite react to generate chlorine dioxide gas. Chlorine dioxide is a molecule with free radicals (unpaired electrons) that constantly steal electrons from other molecules, making it useful for air sterilization and deodorization. Furthermore, adding sodium chloride and sodium carbonate to a chlorine dioxide generator can control the above reaction, such as by delaying the reaction time.

[0021] The typical blending ratios for preparing a fumigant composition per can (internal volume 310 mL) are as follows: ·Quicklime 20~60g 7-18g citric acid Sodium chloride 1-18g 3-6g sodium chlorite Sodium carbonate 4-15g To ensure sufficient release of chlorine dioxide, it is preferable to add 1 to 5 g of citric acid per 1 g of sodium chlorite. Since the expected effect of quicklime is steam generation, the amount of water required to confirm water vapor through exothermic action is within the range mentioned above per 1 g of quicklime, with 0.6 ml being particularly preferred. To generate chlorine dioxide in synchronization with the generation of water vapor, it is preferable to add 0.0005 to 0.002 equivalents of chlorite (0.045 to 0.18 g in terms of sodium chlorite) per 1 g of quicklime, and more preferably 0.0007 to 0.0015 equivalents (0.063 to 0.14 g in terms of sodium chlorite).

[0022] The water-permeable or water-soluble bag may be a water-permeable bag or a water-soluble bag alone, but is preferably a bag in which a water-soluble bag is layered on the outside, and more preferably a stretchable water-permeable bag (e.g., made of polypropylene or nylon) is layered on the outside of that as the outermost layer. If a water-soluble bag is used alone, when water vapor and chlorine dioxide are generated, the dissolved components of the water-soluble bag dissolve in water and become a highly viscous liquid substance, which may mix with the water vapor and chlorine dioxide gas and cause foaming that may overflow from the metal can. However, using a water-permeable bag layered on the outside of the water-soluble bag has the effect of enclosing the foam and preventing it from overflowing from the metal can, and also has the effect of containing the slaked lime generated after use and preventing it from scattering, making it easy to remove from the metal can 10 and dispose of it.

[0023] The water-soluble bag is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a material that dissolves in water upon contact with water, such as a water-soluble film. Examples of water-soluble films include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film, edible or medicinal wafers, and starch films. The water-soluble bag may be used in a single layer or in multiple layers to control the release of water vapor and chlorine dioxide.

[0024] The water-permeable bag is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a water-permeable material, and examples thereof include bags made of nonwoven fabric or screen mesh. Examples of nonwoven fabrics that can be used to form the nonwoven bag include nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, nonwoven fabrics made of polyester, and nonwoven fabrics made of polylactic acid. The basis weight of the nonwoven fabric is 10 to 60 g / m 2 The thickness is preferably 0.03 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0025] The screen mesh constituting the screen mesh bag is not particularly limited, but is preferably a highly flexible plastic screen mesh, such as a nylon, polyester, polylactic acid, or polyolefin screen mesh. The mesh count of the screen mesh is preferably 20 to 200 mesh, and the opening ratio is preferably 30 to 80%.

[0026] When a water-permeable bag is used as the outermost bag as described above, the bag is preferably a stretchable bag, for example, a water-permeable bag made of a mesh stretchable material such as that used in stockings, etc. When a stretchable water-permeable bag is used as the outermost bag, even if quicklime generates slaked lime after the reaction and its volume increases, the bag can be maintained in its original state, which is convenient when it is disposed of separately from the metal can. [Example]

[0027] Example 1 (Preparation of fumigation composition) The following components were mixed in the following amounts to prepare a fumigation composition for one can of chlorine dioxide generator (internal volume 310 mL) of the present invention. ·Quicklime 50g 10g citric acid 10g sodium chloride 5g sodium chlorite 5g sodium carbonate The above composition was placed in a water-soluble bag formed by stacking two PVA film bags, and this bag was then placed in a nonwoven fabric bag (110 mm x 105 mm) made of polyethylene and polypropylene to prepare a bagged fumigation composition.

[0028] Comparative Example 1 (Preparation of Fumigation Composition) As a control, the above polyethylene and polypropylene nonwoven fabrics (110 mm x 105 m) were used. A bagged fumigation composition similar to that of Example 1 was prepared, except that m) was not used.

[0029] Example 2 (Preparation and Use of Chlorine Dioxide Generator) The bagged fumigation composition prepared in Example 1 was placed in a cylindrical steel can (internal volume 310 mL) shown in Figures 1 and 2, which had a diameter of 65 mm and a length of 100 mm, and the top lid 12 and bottom lid 13 were fixed by double seaming to prepare a chlorine dioxide generator. Additionally, 30 mL of water was prepared in a plastic container with a lid.

[0030] The tab 16 of the top lid 12 was pulled outward to open along the notch 17. 30 mL of water contained in the plastic container was poured into the steel can through this opening. As a result, it was confirmed that chlorine dioxide was released from the opening about one minute after injection, along with a white rising current of water vapor. The type and amount of chlorine dioxide gas generated was confirmed using the Kitagawa gas detector tube method using chlorine dioxide (Tube No. 116). Gas generation from the steel can continued for 1 to 10 minutes before stopping. Thereafter, by pulling the tab 15 of the bottom lid 13 outward, the inside of the bottom lid 13 was released along the inner circumference 18, and the bag 21 containing the fumigation composition stored therein could be easily separated from the steel can. The slaked lime produced by the reaction of water and quicklime inside the steel can can be used as a soil improvement agent (a neutralizer for acidic soil), thereby contributing to waste reduction.

[0031] Comparative Example 2 (Preparation and Use of Chlorine Dioxide Generator) An experiment was carried out in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the bagged fumigant composition prepared in Comparative Example 1 was used in place of the bagged fumigant composition prepared in Example 1. As a result, bubbles started to form on the outer surface of the bag, filling the steel can with foam, and rubber balloon-like bubbles spilled out of the opening along the notch 17, contaminating the entire steel can. In addition, the steam generated hot water, which was dangerous. [Industrial Applicability]

[0032] The present invention can be used in the field of chlorine dioxide fumigation for the purpose of deodorizing and sterilizing the interior of automobiles, as well as deodorizing and sterilizing the interior spaces of hotels, inns, hospitals, nursing homes, etc., which require deodorization and sterilization for environmental hygiene reasons. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10 Metal cans 11 Metal cylinder 12 Top lid 13 Bottom lid 15 tabs 16 tabs 17 Notch 18 inner circumference 21 Bag body

Claims

1. A chlorine dioxide generator containing a fumigation composition comprising a bag containing a solid exothermic agent that generates heat when it comes into contact with water and a solid chlorine dioxide generator that generates chlorine dioxide when it comes into contact with water, the bag being either a water-permeable bag or a water-soluble bag overlaid with another water-permeable bag.

2. 2. The chlorine dioxide generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the top cover is a partially open-ended cover and the bottom cover is a fully open-ended cover.

3. 3. The chlorine dioxide generator according to claim 1, further comprising a container containing a sufficient amount of water for generating steam from the heat generating agent.

4. A fumigant comprising a fumigation composition contained in a bag, the fumigation composition including a solid heat generating agent that generates heat when it comes into contact with water and a solid chlorine dioxide generator that generates chlorine dioxide when it comes into contact with water, the bag being a water-permeable bag or a bag in which a water-permeable bag is layered on the outside of a water-soluble bag.

5. 5. The fumigation agent according to claim 4, wherein the solid chlorine dioxide generator comprises at least a solid acid and a chlorite.

6. 6. The fumigant of claim 5, wherein the solid chlorine dioxide generator further comprises sodium chloride and sodium carbonate.

7. The fumigant according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the heat generating agent comprises quicklime.

8. The fumigant according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the composition is contained in a bag having a water-permeable bag layered on the outside of a water-soluble bag.

9. 9. The fumigant of claim 8, wherein the water-soluble bag is a bag made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film and the water-permeable bag is a bag made of nonwoven fabric or screen mesh.

10. The fumigant according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the bag is a bag in which a stretchable water-permeable bag is further layered on the outside of the water-permeable bag.

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