Deodorizing device

Abstract

To provide a deodorant apparatus that has high deodorant ability, is safe, is easy to operate and is less expensive in an operation cost and a deodorant method.SOLUTION: An air circulation passage 10 of a deodorizing apparatus is installed in a partition wall 12b in the inside a target space 12 or inside and outside of the target space 12. An air blowing section 14 circulates air in the target space 12 to the air circulation passage 10. A charged fine spray head 16 sprays charged water particles on the side of the inlet 10a of the air flow path 10 to air flowing through the air flow path 10, and acquires the odorant substance in the air by electrostatic force. A recovery section 18 recovers charged water particles capturing the odor substance on an outlet 10b side of the air circulation passage 10. The recovered water is discharged by removing the odor substance and dust in a drainage filter portion 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a deodorizing device for removing odorous substances generated in target spaces such as livestock sheds and poultry houses. to Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional odor control measures for livestock and poultry houses involve making the exhaust outlet from inside the house as high as a chimney, and using the dilution effect of the exhaust as it diffuses into the air to prevent high-concentration odors from reaching the surrounding area, so that the exhaust lands at a low concentration far from the house. However, if there are tall buildings nearby, the exhaust may be caught in the building and the high-concentration odor may land near the house. Also, since distance is necessary for effective dilution, a considerable amount of buffer ground is required around the house, especially on the downwind side along the wind flow.

[0003] To solve this problem, a method of deodorizing livestock sheds or poultry houses by spraying ozone water, for example, is known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-253378 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-183712 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional methods of spraying ozone water require strict control of ozone concentration, and because spraying ozone water is fundamentally dangerous, spraying of ozone water is stopped when workers enter the building, but workers who enter the building are still affected by the residual ozone. For example, with an ozone concentration of 1 to 2 ppm, two hours of exposure can cause headaches, chest pain, dryness of the upper respiratory tract, and coughing, and repeated exposure can lead to chronic poisoning.

[0006] Another method is to install a sprinkler filter at the exhaust vent of a livestock or poultry house to remove water-soluble odors and odor components caused by microbial films, but this method has the problem of only being able to remove certain odors.

[0007] Furthermore, if a waste disposal site has an incinerator, there is a method of burning off the odors as well, but if there is no incinerator, introducing equipment that uses a combustion method that is limited to deodorizing the odors is costly.

[0008] Furthermore, there are methods to remove odors by chemical reactions or adsorption between deodorants and odorous substances, or by adding fragrances to change the quality of the odor, but these methods do not essentially eliminate the odor, so it remains as a different odor, and furthermore, it is necessary to replenish the deodorants, which results in the problem of increased effort and cost in operation and management.

[0009] The present invention provides a deodorizing device that has high deodorizing ability, is safe, easy to operate, and has low operating costs. of The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] (Deodorizing device 1) The present invention is a deodorizing device for removing odorous substances from a target space, This system is characterized by spraying charged water particles into the air flowing through the airflow passage from the target space, capturing odorous substances in the air, and then collecting them.

[0011] (Deodorizing device 2) The present invention is a deodorizing device for removing odorous substances from a target space, a blower that circulates air from the target space through the air flow passage; an electrically charged spray unit that sprays electrically charged water particles onto the air flowing through the air flow passage at an inlet side of the air flow passage to capture odorous substances in the air; a collection section that collects the charged water particles that have captured the odorous substances at an outlet side of the air flow passage; The present invention is characterized by the following features.

[0012] (Deodorizing device 3) The present invention is a deodorizing device for removing odorous substances from a target space, an electrically charged spray unit that sprays electrically charged water particles from the inlet side toward the outlet side of the air flow passage to circulate air and causes the electrically charged water particles to capture odorous substances in the air; a collection section that collects the charged water particles that have captured the odorous substances at an outlet side of the air flow passage; The present invention is characterized by the following features.

[0013] (Charged spray part) The electrostatic spray unit is a charged fine spray head that sprays charged water particles; a water supply unit that supplies water to the charged fine spray head for generating water particles; a high-voltage power supply unit that supplies a high voltage to the charging fine spray head for charging the water particles; Equipped with.

[0014] (Adjustment of applied voltage and polarity switching) The high-voltage power supply section is a voltage adjusting unit that adjusts the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head in accordance with the odorous substance; a polarity switching unit that switches the polarity of the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head in accordance with the odorous substance; Equipped with.

[0015] (Installation location) The air flow passage is provided within the target space or in a partition between the target space and the outside.

[0016] (Structure of the recovery section) the collection section includes an electrically grounded conductive ventilation structure member; The ventilation structure includes a honeycomb material, a multi-tiered wire mesh, a sloped wire mesh, or a multi-layered sloped plate structure.

[0017] (Recovered water discharge) The recovery section removes odorous substances and dust contained in the recovered water obtained by recovering the charged water particles, and then discharges the water.

[0018] (Control of deodorizing device) An odor observation unit is provided to observe odorous substances in the target space, Based on the observed value of the odorous substance observed by the odor observation unit, the charge amount of the charged water particles sprayed by the charged fine spray head is adjusted and / or the charge polarity is switched.

[0019] (Adjusting the amount of charge) If the observed value of the odorous substance does not decrease below a predetermined value, the charge amount of the charged water particles is adjusted, and if the observed value of the odorous substance decreases after the adjustment, the adjusted charge amount is maintained, and if the observed value of the odorous substance does not decrease, the original charge amount is restored.

[0020] (Switching the charging polarity) If the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall below a predetermined value, the charging polarity of the charged water particles is switched, and if the observed value of the odorous substance falls after the switch, the charging polarity after the switch is maintained, and if the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall, the original charging polarity is restored.

[0021] (Deodorizing method 1) The present invention is a deodorizing method for removing odorous substances from a target space, This system is characterized by spraying charged water particles into the air flowing through the airflow passage from the target space, capturing odorous substances in the air, and then collecting them.

[0022] (Deodorizing method 2) The present invention is a deodorizing method for removing odorous substances from a target space, The air blower circulates air from the target space through the air flow passage, The electrically charged spray unit sprays electrically charged water particles into the air flowing through the air flow passage at the inlet side of the air flow passage to capture odorous substances in the air, The collecting section collects the charged water particles that have captured the odorous substances at the outlet side of the air flow passage. It is characterized by:

[0023] (Deodorizing method 3) The present invention is a deodorizing method for removing odorous substances from a target space, The electrically charged spray unit sprays electrically charged water particles from the inlet side of the air flow passage toward the outlet side thereof to circulate air, and the electrically charged water particles capture odorous substances in the air. The collecting section collects the charged water particles that have captured the odorous substances at the outlet side of the air flow passage. It is characterized by:

[0024] (Effect of deodorizing device 1) According to the deodorizing device of the present invention, charged water particles are sprayed by a charged fine spray head into the air flowing through the air passage from the target space. They capture ionic odorous substances by electrostatic attraction and adsorption, and also capture water-soluble odorous substances by electrostatic attraction and adsorption, and then dissolve and absorb them, resulting in a higher deodorizing effect than conventional water sprays. Furthermore, since the deodorizing device uses water spray, no deodorizer is required and there are no consumables. Because the device uses fine spray, tap water can be used in small amounts, resulting in low operating costs. In addition to odor removal, when circulating air in the target area, the device also simultaneously removes dust and pollen, humidifies the air, and lowers the temperature during high summer temperatures. Furthermore, because no chemicals such as deodorizers are used, wastewater treatment is simple and safe.

[0025] (Effect of deodorizing device 2) In addition to the effects of the deodorizing device 1 described above, the blower section circulates air from the target space through the air flow passage, thereby making it possible to efficiently remove odorous substances from the target space.

[0026] (Effect of deodorizing device 3) In addition to the effects of the deodorizing device 1 described above, the momentum of the water particles sprayed from the electrostatic spray unit is used to create an air flow from the target space in the air flow passage, eliminating the need for a blower, reducing the causes of breakdowns, and also simplifying maintenance such as cleaning.

[0027] (Effect of the electrostatic spray unit) In addition, the charged spray unit is equipped with a charged fine spray head, a water supply unit, and a high-voltage power supply unit, making it possible to continuously spray a sufficient amount of charged water particles into the air from the target space flowing through the air flow passage, thereby removing odorous substances.

[0028] (Effect of adjusting the applied voltage and switching the polarity) The high-voltage power supply adjusts the voltage applied to the charged atomizing head according to the odorous substance, By switching the voltage polarity, odorous substances can be efficiently captured and removed.

[0029] (Effects depending on installation location) Depending on the installation location, the device either circulates the air within the target space or exhausts it to the outside, thereby efficiently removing odorous substances from the target space.

[0030] (Effect of the recovery section structure) In addition, the ventilation structure of the collection unit is electrically grounded and uses a honeycomb material, for example, to increase the contact area with the passing air, allowing the charged water particles that have captured odorous substances to be adsorbed by electrostatic force and reliably collected. Furthermore, because the ventilation structure has low air resistance, even when a blower is provided, a sufficient amount of air can be efficiently passed from the target space and the charged water particles can be sprayed into it to remove odorous substances. Furthermore, when a blower is not provided, the smaller the air resistance, the better the flow of air from the target space through the air flow passage due to the spray of charged water particles, thereby improving the odorous substance removal performance.

[0031] (Effect of draining recovered water) Furthermore, the recovery section removes odorous substances and dust contained in the recovered water before discharging it, thereby preventing odors from re-emerging from the wastewater and making it possible to prevent environmental pollution caused by the wastewater.

[0032] (Effect of deodorizing device control) Based on the observed values ​​of odorous substances in the target space observed by the odor observation unit, the amount of charge on the charged water particles sprayed by the charged fine spray head is adjusted and / or the charge polarity is switched, thereby enabling efficient deodorizing operation while observing the deodorizing effect.

[0033] (Effect of adjusting the amount of charge) In addition, if the observed value of odorous substances does not fall below a predetermined value, the charge amount of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged spray unit is increased, allowing the charged water particles to act with an optimal charge amount to capture odorous substances, making it possible to achieve a high deodorizing effect against various odorous substances.

[0034] (Effect of switching charge polarity) In addition, if the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall below a predetermined value, the charging polarity of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged spray unit is switched and reversed, allowing the charged water particles to act with the charging polarity that is optimal for capturing the ionic polarity of the odorous substance, thereby achieving a high deodorizing effect against a variety of odorous substances.

[0035] (Effect of deodorizing method) The deodorizing method of the present invention can provide the same effects as the deodorizing device described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of a deodorization device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of the air flow passage of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the air flow passage of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an embodiment of a charged fine atomizing head provided in an air flow passage. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a high-voltage power supply unit together with a charged fine spray head. [Figure 6] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a pulse voltage applied to the charged fine spray head by the high-voltage power supply unit of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a pulsating voltage applied to the charged fine spray head by the high-voltage power supply unit of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an AC voltage applied to the charged fine spray head by the high-voltage power supply unit of FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the deodorizing device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the air flow passage of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a deodorizing device and a deodorizing method according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0038] [Basic concept of the embodiment] First, the basic concept of the embodiment will be described. The embodiment generally relates to a deodorizing device that removes odorous substances from a target space. Note that the deodorizing device includes the concepts of deodorizing equipment and deodorizing appliances.

[0039] Here, the "malodorous substances" that are the cause of particular malodors are the "malodorous substances" that are the target of deodorization. As an example, this concept includes the specific malodorous substances regulated by the Offensive Odor Prevention Act, and more specifically, it is a concept that includes 22 substances including ammonia, methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, methyl sulfide, and trimethylamine.

[0040] Furthermore, the term "target space" refers to a space that is the target of deodorization where odorous substances (malodorous substances) that cause bad odors are present in the air, and is a concept that includes, for example, the indoor spaces of buildings such as livestock barns, poultry farms, garbage disposal sites, sewage treatment plants, and nursing homes.

[0041] As an example (first embodiment), the deodorizing device is composed of an air blowing section, an electrically charged spraying section, and a collection section, and as another example (second embodiment), it does not have an air blowing section and is composed of an electrically charged spraying section and a collection section.

[0042] The "air blowing unit" is a unit that circulates air from the target space through the air flow passage. Here, the "air flow passage" is an air passage defined from the surroundings through which air from the target space passes, and is formed, for example, by a cavity, housing, duct, etc. that ventilates the air from the target space. When installed within the target space, it serves as an air flow passage that circulates air within the target space, and when installed on a partition wall that separates the target space, it serves as an air flow passage that exhausts air from within the target space to the outside.

[0043] The "charged spray unit" sprays charged water particles into the air flowing through the air flow passage at the entrance side of the air flow passage to capture odorous substances in the air, and is, for example, composed of a charged fine spray head, a water supply unit, and a high-voltage power supply unit.

[0044] Here, the "charged fine spray head" refers to a device that sprays charged water particles into the airflow generated by the air blower to capture odorous substances in the air. Furthermore, the "charged water particles" are charged by an induction charging method in which water particles with an average particle diameter of approximately tens to hundreds of micrometers are sprayed from the charged fine spray head and passed through an external electric field formed by a predetermined high voltage applied to the charged fine spray head from a high-voltage power supply. Furthermore, "capturing odorous substances" refers to the charged water particles sprayed into the air attracting, adsorbing, and capturing odorous substances by electrostatic force.

[0045] The "water supply unit" is a unit that supplies water to generate water particles to the charged fine spray head, and is a concept that includes, for example, a water supply pump that supplies tap water.

[0046] The "high-voltage power supply unit" supplies a high voltage to the spray airflow discharge unit to generate charged water particles, and applies, for example, a DC voltage, a pulsating voltage, an AC voltage, or a pulse voltage to the charged fine spray head, and is, for example, composed of a voltage adjustment unit and a polarity switching unit. Here, the "voltage adjustment unit" adjusts the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head, and allows water particles with an optimal charge to act on odorous substances, making it possible to achieve a high deodorizing effect against various odorous substances.

[0047] The "polarity switching unit" switches the polarity of the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head, allowing charged water particles with the optimal charging polarity to capture the ionic polarity of the odorous substance, thereby achieving a high deodorizing effect against various odorous substances.

[0048] In addition, the "charged spray section" of the deodorizing device (second embodiment) that does not have a blower section sprays charged water particles from the entrance side to the exit side of the air flow passage to circulate the air, and causes the sprayed charged water particles to capture odorous substances in the air.

[0049] The "collection unit" collects charged water particles at the outlet side of the air flow passage, and includes, for example, an electrically grounded conductive ventilation structural member. Here, the "ventilation structural member" is a member having a structure that allows airflow containing charged water particles to pass through, and is a concept that includes, for example, a honeycomb material, a multi-tiered wire mesh, an inclined wire mesh, or a multi-layered inclined plate structure that has a ventilation structure with a large contact area with air and low air resistance. Furthermore, "collecting charged water particles" means using electrostatic force to attract and adsorb charged water particles passing through the grounded conductive ventilation structural member, thereby collecting the charged water particles that have captured odorous substances and returning them to water.

[0050] In addition, the recovery section removes odorous substances and dust contained in the recovered water obtained by recovering the charged water particles and discharges the water, thereby preventing the re-emergence of odors from the discharged water and preventing environmental pollution caused by the discharged water.

[0051] Furthermore, the deodorizing device of this embodiment controls the deodorizing device based on the observed value of the odorous substance in the target space observed by the odor observation unit. For example, if the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall below a predetermined value, the charge amount of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged spray unit is adjusted, and if the observed value of the odorous substance falls after the adjustment, the adjusted charge amount is maintained, or if the observed value does not fall, the original charge amount is restored. Also, if the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall below a predetermined value, the charge polarity of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged spray unit is switched, and if the observed value of the odorous substance falls after the switch, the switched charge polarity is maintained, or if the observed value does not fall, the original charge polarity is restored.

[0052] Specific embodiments will be described below, divided into a first embodiment and a second embodiment. In the specific embodiments shown below, the "target to be deodorized" is a "target space in a building" and at least "malodorous substances" among "smelly substances" are the target.

[0053] [First specific embodiment of the deodorizing device] As shown in Figure 1, the deodorizing device of the first embodiment removes malodorous components from a target space 12 such as a livestock barn, a poultry house, a garbage disposal site, a sewage treatment plant, or a nursing home, and although its configuration and structure are arbitrary, it may, for example, comprise an air flow passage 10, an air blowing section 14, an electrically charged fine spray head 16, a collection section 18, a drainage filter section 20, an operation panel 23, a water supply section 26, a high-voltage power supply section 28, and an odor observation section 30, with a control section 24 and an operation display section 25 provided on the operation panel 23.

[0054] Here, the charged spray unit in this embodiment is composed of a charged fine spray head 16, a water supply unit 26, and a high-voltage power supply unit 28, and a water supply pipe 27 from the water supply unit 26 is connected to the charged fine spray head 16, and a high-voltage cable 29 from the high-voltage power supply unit 28 is also connected to the charged fine spray head 16.

[0055] [Air flow passage] The air flow passage 10 will be described in more detail. The air flow passage 10 circulates air from the target space 12, and although its configuration and structure are arbitrary, it is, for example, a cylindrical hollow body or housing with both ends open, and as one example, is supported on the ceiling surface 12a of the target space 12 by a support mechanism 15, and is disposed so as to penetrate a partition wall 12b that separates the target space 12, with an inlet 10a located inside the target space 12 and an outlet 10b located outside the target space 12.

[0056] Figure 2 shows the external appearance of the air flow passage 10 of Figure 1, with Figure 2(A) showing a side view and Figure 2(B) showing an end face seen from the inlet side. Also, Figure 3 shows the internal structure of the air flow passage 10.

[0057] As shown in Figure 2, the air flow passage 10 is supported on the ceiling surface 12a near the wall of the target space 12 by a support mechanism 15, and the outlet 10b of the air flow passage 10 is disposed so as to penetrate the partition wall 12b. The support mechanism 15 supports and fixes the air flow passage 10 within the target space 12, and while the configuration and structure thereof are arbitrary, it may be composed of, for example, a fixed base 36, a horizontal rotation shaft 38, a support member 40, and a vertical rotation shaft 42. The fixed base 36 is fixed to the ceiling surface 12a, and supports the support member 40 so that it can rotate horizontally via the horizontal rotation shaft 38 that is journaled on the fixed base 36. The support member 40 is a U-shaped member that opens downward, and supports the air flow passage 10 so that it can rotate vertically via the vertical rotation shafts 42 journaled on both sides.

[0058] In this embodiment, the air flow passage 10 is installed so that the outlet 10b at the tip end penetrates the partition wall 12b, and therefore the function of rotating the air flow passage 10 horizontally and vertically using the support mechanism 15 can be utilized for positioning adjustments when attaching and installing the air flow passage 10 to the partition wall 12b.

[0059] [Ventilation section] The blower 14 will be described in more detail. The blower 14 circulates air from the target space 12 through the air flow passage 10. While the configuration and structure of the blower 14 are arbitrary, as an example, as shown in FIG. 3, a fan 14a driven by a fan motor 14b is disposed on the inlet 10a side of the air flow passage 10, and the air within the target space 12 drawn in through the inlet 10a by the rotation of the fan 14a is exhausted to the outside from the outlet 10b through the air flow passage. The volume of air circulated by the blower 14 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, a predetermined volume sufficient to replace the air equivalent to the volume of the target space 12 in a predetermined time. The volume of air can be changed as needed by controlling the fan motor 14b to change the rotation speed of the fan 14a.

[0060] [Charged spray unit] The electrically charged spray unit will be described in more detail below. The electrically charged spray unit of this embodiment is composed of an electrically charged fine spray head 16, a water supply unit 26, and a high-voltage power supply unit 28, and sprays electrically charged water particles into the air flowing through the air flow passage 10 at the inlet 10a side of the air flow passage 10 to capture odorous substances in the air.

[0061] 3, a charged fine spray head 16 is disposed on the blowing side (exit 10b side) of the blower 14. The installation position and number of the charged fine spray heads 16 are arbitrary, but as an example, one charged fine spray head 16 is disposed on the flow axis 11 of the air flow passage 10, following the fan 14a.

[0062] [Charged fine spray head] A more detailed description will be given of the charged fine spray head 16. Figure 4 shows the charged fine spray head 16, with Figure 4(A) showing a perspective view seen from the spray side and Figure 4(B) showing a cross-sectional view.

[0063] 4, the charged fine spray head 16 sprays charged water particles into the airflow containing malodorous substances from the air blower 14 to capture the malodorous substances in the air, and while the configuration and structure are arbitrary, as an example, it is composed of a body 44, an injection nozzle part 46, an electrode holding part 48, an induction electrode part 50, a water-side electrode part 52, and a water supply connection part 54. The body 44, injection nozzle part 46, electrode holding part 48, and water supply connection part 54 are made of insulating materials.

[0064] A through hole is formed inside body 44 in the direction of spray axis 45, and conductive water-side electrode 52 is fitted from below with water supply connector 54 fitted above it, and an earth cable is connected from the outside to electrode connector 52a of water-side electrode 52. Pressurized water is supplied to water supply connector 54. A spray nozzle 46 is provided at the tip of water-side electrode 52, and it sprays water particles with an average particle diameter of, for example, several tens to several hundreds of μm.

[0065] A ring-shaped induction electrode 50 is disposed in the open space on the tip side of the injection nozzle 46 by an electrode holder 48. The induction electrode 50 may have any configuration or structure, but may be formed, for example, by insulating a conductive electrode core material. An external voltage application cable is connected to a cable connection portion 50a of the induction electrode 50.

[0066] A predetermined voltage (e.g., a DC voltage of 10 kV) adjusted from a predetermined adjustment range (e.g., 0.5 kV to 20 kV) within the voltage range capable of charging water particles is applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52 from high-voltage power supply unit 28 shown in Fig. 1. This applied voltage creates an external electric field around the ring portion of induction electrode unit 50, and water particles sprayed from spray nozzle unit 46 are charged by induction charging as they pass through the external electric field.

[0067] Here, the predetermined adjustment range (i.e., the predetermined adjustable range) may include a voltage range in which water particles cannot be charged, and it is sufficient if the voltage can be adjusted to a predetermined voltage that can charge water particles. The polarity (positive / negative) of the applied voltage is switched by a polarity switching unit. Note that the above voltage values ​​are examples and are not limited to these, and a pulse voltage, pulsating voltage, or AC voltage may also be applied.

[0068] For example, when a DC voltage is applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52, either positively or negatively charged water particles are generated depending on the polarity of induction electrode unit 50 when water-side electrode unit 52 is set to a reference potential (earth potential, 0V). Here, the potential of induction electrode unit 50 is positive relative to water-side electrode unit 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the applied voltage that negatively charges water particles is referred to as a positive applied voltage. The potential of induction electrode unit 50 is negative relative to water-side electrode unit 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the applied voltage that positively charges water particles is referred to as a negative applied voltage. Furthermore, by setting the voltage applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52 to a range of, for example, 0.5 kV to 20 kV, spark discharge is prevented, and charged water particles are sprayed safely.

[0069] The configuration and structure of the charged fine spray head 16 are arbitrary and are not limited to those shown in FIG. 4, and include any suitable structure or known structure that generates water particles and charges the generated water particles to generate charged water particles.

[0070] [Water supply section] The water supply unit 26 shown in Fig. 1 will be described in more detail. The water supply unit 26 supplies, for example, tap water to generate water particles to the charged fine spray head 16, and although the configuration and structure thereof are arbitrary, as an example, it is configured by a pressurized water supply device or pressurized water supply equipment including a water supply pump.

[0071] [High voltage power supply] The high-voltage power supply unit 28 will be described in more detail below. The high-voltage power supply unit 28 supplies a high voltage for generating charged water particles to the charged fine spray head 16 via a high-voltage cable 29, and although the configuration and function of the high-voltage power supply unit 28 are optional, for example, as shown in Fig. 5, it includes a high-voltage variable circuit 60 that functions as a voltage adjustment unit and a polarity reversal circuit 62 that functions as a polarity switching unit.

[0072] 5 shows high-voltage power supply unit 28 together with the circuit configuration of charged fine spray head 16. Charged fine spray head 16 includes induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52. Voltage application cable 29a from high-voltage power supply unit 28 is connected to induction electrode unit 50 via current-limiting resistor 56, and earth cable 29b from high-voltage power supply unit 28 is connected to water-side electrode unit 52 via current-limiting resistor 58. A high voltage is applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52, thereby charging the water particles sprayed from charged fine spray head 16. Highly insulated, high-voltage cables are used for voltage application cable 29a and earth cable 29b. However, when only DC voltage is applied, the cable on the induction electrode side should be a high-voltage cable, and the cable on the water-side electrode side may be a normal low-voltage cable.

[0073] The high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the voltage applied between the induction electrode section 50 and the water-side electrode section 52 in response to a control signal from the control section 24 of the operation panel 23, thereby making it possible to adjust the charge amount of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged fine spray head 16 to a charge amount suitable for capturing malodorous substances.

[0074] The polarity reversing circuit 62 switches the polarity of the voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52 in response to a control signal from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23, thereby switching the charge polarity of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged fine spray head 16 to positive (plus) or negative (minus), making it possible to select a charge polarity that is suitable for capturing the ion polarity of the malodorous substances. For example, if the malodorous substances are charged or easily charged, spraying charged water particles of the opposite polarity to the charged polarity can be expected to provide better deodorizing performance.

[0075] Here, the types of voltage applied from the high-voltage power supply unit 28 between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water side electrode unit 52 of the charged fine spray head 16 include, for example, DC voltage, pulse voltage, pulsating voltage, and AC voltage.

[0076] [When applying DC voltage] First, a case where a DC voltage is applied between the induction electrode section 50 and the water-side electrode section 52 of the charged fine spray head 16 from the high-voltage power supply section 28 will be described in more detail.

[0077] High voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the voltage output from high voltage variable circuit 60 to a predetermined DC voltage in response to a control signal from control unit 24 of operation panel 23. "Adjusting to a predetermined DC voltage" here means adjusting to a DC voltage that can charge water particles, for example, adjusting to a DC voltage selected from the range of 0.5 kV to 20 kV (+0.5 kV to +20 kV or -0.5 kV to -20 kV), which is the voltage range that can charge water particles.

[0078] The polarity reversing circuit 62 determines whether or not to switch the polarity of the specified DC voltage adjusted and output by the high-voltage variable circuit 60 in response to a control signal from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23, and adjusts the polarity of the DC voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water side electrode unit 52.

[0079] For example, if high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the predetermined DC voltage to +10 kV DC (positive DC), and polarity switching is not performed by polarity reversal circuit 62, the potential of induction electrode unit 50 becomes +10 kV with water-side electrode unit 52 at the reference potential (earth potential, 0 V), and a +10 kV DC voltage (positive DC voltage) that increases the potential of induction electrode unit 50 relative to the potential of water-side electrode unit 52 is applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52. As a result, the sprayed water particles become negatively charged.

[0080] On the other hand, when high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the predetermined DC voltage to +10 kV DC (positive DC), and polarity switching is performed by polarity reversal circuit 62, the potential of induction electrode unit 50 becomes -10 kV with water-side electrode unit 52 at the reference potential (earth potential, 0 V), and a DC voltage of -10 kV (negative DC voltage) that makes the potential of induction electrode unit 50 lower than the potential of water-side electrode unit 52 is applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52. As a result, the sprayed water particles become positively charged.

[0081] Here, the output of the control signal for switching polarity from control unit 24 of operation panel 23 to polarity reversing circuit 62 includes both output by manual operation, for example, when operation display unit 25 of operation panel 23 is operated, and output based on the observation results of odor observation unit 30. In other words, in the case of output by manual operation, the polarity of the DC voltage applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52 can be switched at any timing, and in the case of output based on the observation results of odor observation unit 30, the polarity of the DC voltage applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52 can be switched depending on the state of malodorous substances in target space 12.

[0082] Alternatively, the polarity may not be switched by the polarity reversing circuit 62, but the polarity reversing circuit 62 may be controlled to adjust and output a DC voltage of the opposite polarity to the high voltage variable circuit 60. For example, if the high voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts and outputs a DC voltage of +10 kV (positive DC voltage), the high voltage variable circuit 60 is controlled to output a DC voltage of -10 kV (negative DC voltage).

[0083] [When applying a pulse voltage] Next, a more detailed description will be given of the case where a pulse voltage is applied between the induction electrode section 50 and the water-side electrode section 52 of the charged fine spray head 16 from the high-voltage power supply section 28.

[0084] The high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the voltage output from the high-voltage variable circuit 60 to a predetermined pulse voltage in response to a control signal from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23. Here, "adjusting to a predetermined pulse voltage" means adjusting the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage by adjusting, for example, the pulse period, pulse width (or duty ratio indicating the ratio of the pulse width to the pulse period), pulse amplitude, and pulse polarity. Note that parameters other than those mentioned above can also be used as appropriate as long as they are necessary to adjust the voltage waveform.

[0085] Also, "adjusting the pulse polarity" here means, for example, selecting a unipolar pulse that swings to one polarity side and a bipolar pulse that swings in both polarity directions, and unipolar pulses include positive unipolar pulses that swing to the positive (plus) side and negative unipolar pulses that swing to the negative (minus) side.

[0086] The voltage waveform of the pulse voltage adjusted by high-voltage variable circuit 60 is arbitrary, but for example, it is the voltage waveform shown in Fig. 6(A) adjusted as a positive unipolar pulse with a pulse period of T, pulse width of T1, and pulse amplitude of V1. Here, pulse amplitude V1 may be any pulse amplitude as long as a voltage capable of charging water particles can be applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52, but for example, it is set to the same value as a voltage selected from the range of 0.5 kV to 20 kV, which is the voltage range capable of charging water particles.

[0087] Furthermore, the pulse period T is arbitrary. For example, the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage shown in FIG. 6(B) is adjusted to a pulse period 2T, which is twice the pulse period T of the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage in FIG. 6(A).

[0088] Furthermore, the pulse width T1 can be any value as long as it does not exceed the period T. For example, the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage in FIG. 6(C) is obtained by adjusting the pulse width T2 (=3T / 4) to 75% of the pulse period T compared to the pulse width T1 which is 50% of the pulse period T of the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage in FIG. 6(A).

[0089] Alternatively, instead of adjusting the pulse width itself, the pulse width may be adjusted by adjusting the duty ratio, which indicates the ratio of the pulse width to the pulse period. The duty ratio in the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage in Figure 6(A) is 50%, and the duty ratio in the voltage waveform of the pulse voltage in Figure 6(C) is 75%, and the duty ratio can be adjusted to any ratio between 0% and 100%.

[0090] In addition, the pulse polarity may be adjusted as a positive unipolar pulse swinging to the positive side as shown in Fig. 6(A), a negative unipolar pulse swinging to the negative side as shown in Fig. 6(D), or a bipolar pulse swinging in both directions as shown in Fig. 6(E) and (F). When adjusting as a bipolar pulse as shown in Fig. 6(E), the pulse width of the positively swinging pulse is treated as T1, the pulse width of the negatively swinging pulse is treated as T-T1, and the ratio of the pulse width of the positively swinging pulse to the pulse period is treated as the duty ratio.

[0091] The polarity reversing circuit 62 determines whether or not to switch the polarity of the specified pulse voltage adjusted and output by the high-voltage variable circuit 60 in response to a control signal from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23, and adjusts the polarity of the pulse voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52.

[0092] As an example of a unipolar pulse, if the high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the pulse voltage to the voltage waveform of Figure 6(A) and the polarity is not switched by the polarity reversal circuit 62, the potential of the induction electrode unit 50 becomes +V1 with the water side electrode unit 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the water particles sprayed during the period (between t0 and t1) when a positive voltage (+V1) that makes the potential of the induction electrode unit 50 higher than the potential of the water side electrode unit 52 is applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water side electrode unit 52 are negatively charged, and the water particles sprayed during the period (between t1 and t2) when the voltage between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water side electrode unit 52 is 0V are not charged, and these two periods (between t0 and t2) are repeated as one cycle.

[0093] On the other hand, when the high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the pulse voltage to the voltage waveform of Figure 6(A) and the polarity is switched by the polarity reversal circuit 62, the potential of the induction electrode unit 50 becomes -V1 with the water side electrode unit 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the water particles sprayed during the period (between t0 and t1) when a negative voltage (-V1) that makes the potential of the induction electrode unit 50 lower than the potential of the water side electrode unit 52 is applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water side electrode unit 52 are positively charged, and the water particles sprayed during the period (between t1 and t2) when the voltage between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water side electrode unit 52 is 0V are not charged, and these two periods (between t0 and t2) are repeated as one cycle.

[0094] As an example of a bipolar pulse, when high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the pulse voltage to the voltage waveform of FIG. 6(E) and polarity is not switched by polarity reversal circuit 62, the potential of induction electrode 50 becomes +V1 with water-side electrode 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and a positive voltage (+V1) that makes the potential of induction electrode 50 higher than the potential of water-side electrode 52 is applied between induction electrode 50 and water-side electrode 52 during the period (t0-t1) when the voltage is applied. The water particles sprayed are negatively charged, and the potential of induction electrode unit 50 becomes -V1 with water-side electrode unit 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V). During the period (t1-t2) when a negative voltage (-V1) that makes the potential of induction electrode unit 50 lower than the potential of water-side electrode unit 52 is applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52, the water particles sprayed are positively charged, and these two periods (t0-t2) constitute one cycle, which is repeated. Furthermore, when the polarity is switched by polarity reversal circuit 62, the period in which the water particles are negatively charged and the period in which the water particles are positively charged are interchanged.

[0095] When the pulse voltage is a bipolar pulse and the duty ratio is adjusted to 50% with the voltage waveform of Figure 6(E) or to the voltage waveform of Figure 6(F), the voltage waveform whose polarity has been switched by the polarity reversal circuit 62 is merely a voltage waveform that is delayed by half a cycle or one cycle from the voltage waveform before the polarity was switched by the polarity reversal circuit 62. Therefore, when the waveforms before and after switching by the polarity reversal circuit 62 become equivalent by shifting the phase in this way, it is not necessary to switch the polarity in the polarity reversal circuit 62.

[0096] As in the case of applying a DC voltage, the output of a control signal for switching polarity from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23 to the polarity reversing circuit 62 includes both an output by manual operation, for example, when the operation display unit 25 of the operation panel 23 is operated, and an output based on the observation results of the odor observation unit 30. Instead of switching the polarity in the polarity reversing circuit 62, the polarity reversing circuit 62 may be controlled to adjust the pulse voltage to the opposite polarity and output it to the high-voltage variable circuit 60.

[0097] [When applying pulsating voltage] Next, a case where a pulsating voltage is applied between the induction electrode section 50 and the water-side electrode section 52 of the charged fine spray head 16 from the high-voltage power supply section 28 will be described in more detail.

[0098] The high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the voltage output from the high-voltage variable circuit 60 to a predetermined pulsating voltage in response to a control signal from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23. "Adjusting to a predetermined pulsating voltage" here means adjusting the voltage waveform of the pulsating voltage, for example, by adjusting the pulsating waveform, pulsating period, and pulsating amplitude. Note that parameters other than those mentioned above can also be used as appropriate as long as they are necessary to adjust the voltage waveform.

[0099] Furthermore, "adjusting the pulsating waveform" as used herein means that it is sufficient to adjust the waveform so that the magnitude of the voltage changes periodically without changing the polarity of the output voltage, and includes selecting from predetermined waveform types such as a full-wave rectified wave, a half-wave rectified wave, a square wave, and a triangular wave.

[0100] The voltage waveform of the pulsating voltage adjusted by the high-voltage variable circuit 60 is arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is a voltage waveform adjusted as a positive full-wave rectified wave with a pulsating period of T3 and a pulsating amplitude of V2. Here, the pulsating amplitude V2 may be any pulsating amplitude V1 as long as a voltage capable of charging water particles can be applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52 for a predetermined period within one period. For example, the pulsating amplitude V2 may be set to the same value as a voltage selected from the range of 0.5 kV to 20 kV, which is the voltage range capable of charging water particles. As a result, the voltage changes within the range of 0 to +V2 (or -V2 to 0 if the polarity is switched), so that a voltage capable of charging water particles is applied for a predetermined period within one period. The pulsating period T3 is also arbitrary.

[0101] The polarity reversing circuit 62 determines whether or not to switch the polarity of the specified pulsating voltage adjusted and output by the high-voltage variable circuit 60 in response to a control signal from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23, and adjusts the polarity of the pulsating voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water side electrode unit 52.

[0102] For example, if high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the voltage to the pulsating voltage waveform of Figure 7 and polarity switching is not performed by polarity reversal circuit 62, the potential of induction electrode unit 50 will change within the range of 0 to +V2, with water-side electrode unit 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the positive voltage (0 to +V2) applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52 will also change, changing the amount of negative charge on the sprayed water particles.

[0103] On the other hand, when the high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the voltage to the pulsating voltage waveform of Figure 7 and the polarity is switched by the polarity reversal circuit 62, the potential of the induction electrode unit 50 changes within the range of -V2 to 0, with the water-side electrode unit 52 being at the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the negative voltage (-V2 to 0) applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52 also changes, changing the amount of positive charge on the sprayed water particles.

[0104] As in the case of applying a DC voltage, the output of a control signal for switching polarity from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23 to the polarity reversing circuit 62 includes both an output by manual operation, for example, when the operation display unit 25 of the operation panel 23 is operated, and an output based on the observation results of the odor observation unit 30. Instead of switching the polarity in the polarity reversing circuit 62, the polarity reversing circuit 62 may be controlled to adjust the polarity to a pulsating voltage of the opposite polarity and output it to the high-voltage variable circuit 60.

[0105] [When applying AC voltage] Next, a case where an AC voltage is applied between the induction electrode section 50 and the water-side electrode section 52 of the charged fine spray head 16 from the high-voltage power supply section 28 will be described in more detail.

[0106] The high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the voltage output from the high-voltage variable circuit 60 to a predetermined AC voltage in response to a control signal from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23. "Adjusting to a predetermined AC voltage" here means adjusting the voltage waveform of the AC voltage, for example, by adjusting the AC waveform, AC period, or AC amplitude. Note that parameters other than those mentioned above can also be used as appropriate as long as they are necessary to adjust the voltage waveform.

[0107] Furthermore, "adjusting the AC waveform" as used herein means that the polarity of the output voltage and the magnitude of the voltage can be adjusted to a waveform that changes periodically, and includes selecting from predetermined waveform types such as sine wave AC, square wave AC, and triangular wave AC.

[0108] The AC voltage adjusted by the high-voltage variable circuit 60 can be any voltage, but for example, as shown in FIG. 8, it can be an AC period T4, an AC amplitude V3, and a voltage waveform adjusted as a sinusoidal AC. Here, AC amplitude V3 can be any AC amplitude V3 as long as a voltage capable of charging water particles can be applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52 for a predetermined period within one period. For example, AC amplitude V3 can be set to a value equal to a voltage selected from the range of 0.5 kV to 20 kV, which is the voltage range capable of charging water particles. This causes the voltage to vary within the range of -V3 to +V3, so that a voltage capable of charging water particles is applied for a predetermined period within one period. Furthermore, AC period T4 can be any AC amplitude.

[0109] The polarity reversing circuit 62 determines whether or not to switch the polarity of the specified AC voltage adjusted and output by the high-voltage variable circuit 60 in response to a control signal from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23, and adjusts the polarity of the AC voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water side electrode unit 52.

[0110] For example, if high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the AC voltage to the voltage waveform of Figure 8 and polarity is not switched by polarity reversal circuit 62, the potential of induction electrode unit 50 changes in the range of 0 to +V3 with water-side electrode unit 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the amount of negative charge on the sprayed water particles changes during the period (between t3 and t4) when the positive voltage (0 to +V3) applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52 changes, and the potential of induction electrode unit 50 changes in the range of -V3 to 0 with water-side electrode unit 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the amount of positive charge on the sprayed water particles changes during the period (between t4 and t5) when the negative voltage (-V3 to 0) applied between induction electrode unit 50 and water-side electrode unit 52 changes.

[0111] On the other hand, when the high-voltage variable circuit 60 adjusts the voltage to the pulsating voltage waveform of Figure 8 and the polarity is switched by the polarity reversal circuit 62, the potential of the induction electrode unit 50 changes in the range of -V3 to 0, with the water side electrode unit 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the positive charge of the sprayed water particles changes during the period (between t3 and t4) when the negative voltage (-V3 to 0) applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water side electrode unit 52 changes; the potential of the induction electrode unit 50 changes in the range of 0 to +V3, with the water side electrode unit 52 as the reference potential (earth potential, 0V), and the negative charge of the sprayed water particles changes during the period (between t4 and t5) when the positive voltage (0 to +V3) applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water side electrode unit 52 changes in response to the change in the potential of the induction electrode unit 50.

[0112] The voltage waveform whose polarity has been switched by the polarity reversal circuit 62 is merely a voltage waveform delayed by half a cycle from the voltage waveform before the polarity was switched by the polarity reversal circuit, and since the waveforms before and after switching by the polarity reversal circuit 62 become equivalent waveforms by shifting the phase, it is also possible not to switch the polarity by the polarity reversal circuit 62.

[0113] As in the case of applying a DC voltage, the output of a control signal for switching polarity from the control unit 24 of the operation panel 23 to the polarity reversing circuit 62 includes both an output by manual operation, for example, when the operation display unit 25 of the operation panel 23 is operated, and an output based on the observation results of the odor observation unit 30. Instead of switching the polarity in the polarity reversing circuit 62, the polarity reversing circuit 62 may be controlled to adjust the AC voltage to the opposite polarity and output it to the high-voltage variable circuit 60.

[0114] Although the above description has been given with respect to cases where the applied voltage is a DC voltage, a pulse voltage, a pulsating voltage, or an AC voltage, the type of voltage to be applied is not limited to these.

[0115] Furthermore, when applying a pulse voltage, pulsating voltage, or AC voltage, this can be achieved by amplifying a voltage waveform (approximately ±several volts) generated by a function generator using a high-voltage amplifier capable of amplifying to the order of kV.

[0116] [Recovery Department] The collection unit 18 provided in the air flow passage 10 will be described in more detail. The collection unit 18 collects the charged water particles that have captured malodorous substances at the outlet 10b side of the air flow passage 10 and returns them to water, and although the configuration and structure thereof are arbitrary, one example is that it is provided with a conductive ventilation structural member 18a. Since the cavity or housing that forms the air flow passage 10 is made of a conductive metal, the ventilation structural member 18a is connected to a ground 19 via the cavity or housing that defines the air flow passage 10.

[0117] The ventilation structural member 18a is a member with a large contact area with air and low air resistance, and may have any configuration or structure, for example, a honeycomb material, a multi-tiered wire mesh, an inclined wire mesh, or a multi-layered inclined plate structure. In particular, a honeycomb material is a structural material with many holes formed in the ventilation direction, and is suitable as the ventilation structural member 18a used in the collection section 18 of this embodiment.

[0118] When the air flow containing charged water particles that have captured malodorous substances passes through the ventilation structure member 18a of the collection section 18, the charged water particles are attracted by electrostatic force to the conductive ventilation structure member 18a that is connected to the ground and adhere to it, and the adhered water particles aggregate to form recovered water containing malodorous substances.

[0119] A water reservoir 35 is provided on the bottom side of the air flow passage 10 where the ventilation structural member 18a of the collection section 18 is arranged, and the collected water is sent from the water reservoir 35 to the drainage filter section 20 connected by a collection pipe 21. The drainage filter section 20 removes malodorous substances and dust contained in the collected water and drains the water through a drainage pipe 22. The configuration, structure, and type of the drainage filter section 20 are arbitrary, but a known filter used for sewage treatment, for example, can be used.

[0120] [Operation panel] The operation panel 23 shown in Fig. 1 will be described in more detail. The operation panel 23 is used by the user to operate the deodorizing device of this embodiment, and the operation contents are arbitrary, but examples include operations and controls such as starting and stopping the charged spray unit, adjusting the amount of charge (including changing the type of voltage to be applied), and switching the charge polarity.

[0121] The operation panel 23 is provided with a control unit 24 and an operation display unit 25. The control unit 24 outputs control signals based on operations on the operation display unit 25, and controls the deodorizing device, and while its functions and configuration are arbitrary, it may be composed of, for example, a computer circuit equipped with a CPU, memory, various input / output ports, etc., and predetermined control functions are realized by the execution of a program by the CPU. The operation display unit 25 is provided with various operation buttons, indicator lights, etc. necessary for operating and controlling the deodorizing device.

[0122] [Control Unit] The control of the deodorizing device by the control unit 24 will be described in more detail. As shown in Fig. 1, an odor observation unit 30 is provided in the target space 12. The odor observation unit 30 observes malodorous substances contained in the air in the target space 12, and while its function and configuration are arbitrary, a known odor sensor may be used, for example. For example, in what is known as a semiconductor gas sensor, when an odorous substance (odor gas) comes into contact with a sensor element, the resistance value of the sensor element changes, and a sensor signal corresponding to the concentration of the odorous substance is obtained.

[0123] The control unit 24 may control the deodorizing device in any manner, but as an example, the control unit 24 may adjust the charge amount of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged fine spray head 16 or switch the charge polarity of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged fine spray head 16 based on the observed value (concentration value) of the malodorous substance in the target space 12 observed by the odor observation unit 30.

[0124] For example, in the case where a high DC voltage is applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52 from the high-voltage power supply unit 28, if the observed value of the malodorous substance does not fall below a predetermined value, the control unit 24 controls the high-voltage variable circuit 60 of the high-voltage power supply unit 18 shown in Figure 5 to increase the absolute value of the predetermined high voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52 to a higher predetermined absolute value, thereby increasing the charge of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged fine spray head 16, and if the observed value of the malodorous substance falls after the increase, the increased charge is maintained, or if the observed value does not fall, the original charge is restored.

[0125] Furthermore, if the observed value of the malodorous substance does not fall below a predetermined value, the control unit 24 controls the polarity reversal circuit 62 of the high-voltage power supply unit 18 shown in Figure 5 to switch the voltage polarity of the high voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52, thereby switching the charging polarity of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged fine spray head 16. After the switching, if the observed value of the malodorous substance falls, the charging polarity after the switching is maintained, and if the value does not fall, the charging polarity is returned to the original.

[0126] The control unit 24 may also perform control to reduce the observed value of malodorous substances by adjusting the high voltage applied between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52 and switching the voltage polarity. In addition, the type of voltage to be applied may be changed to adjust the charge amount of the charged water particles.

[0127] [Operation of deodorizing equipment] The operation of the deodorizing device according to the first embodiment will be described in more detail. When the operation of the deodorizing device is started, a predetermined start-up operation is performed on the operation display unit 25 of the operation panel 23. A control signal from the control unit 24 operates the air blower 14 of the air flow passage 10 to circulate the air in the target space 12 from the inlet 10a to the outlet 10b, operates the water supply unit 26 to supply, under pressure, tap water, for example, to the charged fine spray head 16 of the air flow passage 10 via the water supply pipe 27, and further operates the high-voltage power supply unit 28 to apply a high voltage between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52 via the high-voltage cable 29.

[0128] As a result, charged water particles are sprayed from the charged fine spray head 16 into the air flowing through the air flow passage 10, capturing malodorous substances contained in the air by electrostatic force, which are collected as water containing the malodorous substances as they pass through the collection section 18, and the air from which the malodorous substances have been removed is discharged to the outside through the outlet 10b. In other words, the air flow passage 10 draws in odor-laden air 32 from the target space 12 through the inlet 10a, captures and collects the malodorous substances by spraying charged water particles, and discharges odor-free air 34 to the outside through the outlet 10b. Accordingly, ventilation is performed in which new air is sent in through openings such as ventilation vents provided in the target space 12, reducing and eliminating the malodor within the target space 12.

[0129] The recovered water containing malodorous substances recovered in the recovery section 18 is sent to the drain filter section 20, where the malodorous substances and dust are removed, and then the water is drained through the drain pipe 22, so that it will not become a source of malodor again.

[0130] Furthermore, the control unit 24 controls the charge amount and charge polarity of the charged water particles sprayed from the charged fine spray head 16 based on the observed value observed by the odor observation unit 30. For example, when the observed value of the odor observation unit 30 exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit 24 increases the absolute value of the applied voltage from the high-voltage power supply unit 28 to increase the charge amount of the charged water particles and thereby control the electrostatic force that captures malodorous substances. If the observed value of the odor observation unit 30 decreases as a result, the increased applied voltage is maintained, but if no decrease in the observed value is observed, the control unit 24 returns the applied voltage to its original state.

[0131] Furthermore, when the observed value of the odor observation unit 30 exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit 24 switches the polarity of the applied voltage from the high-voltage power supply unit 28, reverses the charge polarity of the charged water particles, and controls the charged water particles to act with a charge polarity that can capture the ion polarity of the malodorous substances. If the observed value of the odor observation unit 30 decreases as a result, the switched voltage polarity is maintained, and if no decrease in the observed value is observed, the control unit 24 returns the voltage polarity to the original.

[0132] [Second specific embodiment of the deodorizing device] The deodorizing device of the second embodiment will be described in more detail. As shown in Figure 9, the deodorizing device of this embodiment is intended to remove malodorous components from a target space 12 such as a livestock barn, a poultry house, a garbage disposal site, a sewage treatment plant, or a nursing home, and while the configuration and structure are arbitrary, it may include, for example, an air flow passage 10, an electrically charged fine spray head 16, a recovery unit 18, a drainage filter unit 20, an operation panel 23, a water supply unit 26, a high-voltage power supply unit 28, and an odor observation unit 30, with the operation panel 23 provided with a control unit 24 and an operation display unit 25. It differs from the first embodiment in that it does not have an air blower 14 and that the outlet 10b of the air flow passage 10 is not located outside the target space 12, but the other configurations are the same.

[0133] Here, the charged spray unit in this embodiment is composed of a charged fine spray head 16, a water supply unit 26, and a high-voltage power supply unit 28, and a water supply pipe 27 from the water supply unit 26 is connected to the charged fine spray head 16, and a high-voltage cable 29 from the high-voltage power supply unit 28 is also connected to the charged fine spray head 16.

[0134] The air flow passage 10 circulates air within the target space 12, and as an example, the inlet 10a and outlet 10b are positioned within the target space 12, with the passage 10 being supported by a support mechanism 15 on the ceiling surface 12a at approximately the center of the target space 12.

[0135] FIG. 10 shows the internal structure of the air flow passage 10 of FIG. 9. The support mechanism 15 is composed of a fixed base 36, a horizontal rotation shaft 38, a support member 40, and a vertical rotation shaft 42. The air flow passage 10 is supported by the horizontal rotation shaft 38 so as to be freely rotatable horizontally, and by the vertical rotation shaft 42 so as to be freely rotatable vertically, so that the direction of the flow axis 11 of the air flow passage 10 can be adjusted as desired.

[0136] The electrically charged spray unit of this embodiment is composed of an electrically charged fine spray head 16, a water supply unit 26, and a high-voltage power supply unit 28. The installation position and number of electrically charged fine spray heads 16 are arbitrary, but as an example, as shown in Figure 9, one head is installed on the flow axis 11 on the inlet 10a side of the air flow passage 10 with the spray direction facing the outlet 10b side.

[0137] The charged fine spray head 16 sprays charged water particles from the entrance 10a side of the air flow passage 10 toward the exit 10b side, and uses the momentum of the sprayed charged water particles to circulate the air and pass it through the collection section 18, thereby causing the charged water particles to capture odorous substances in the air. This eliminates the need for an air blower, reduces the causes of breakdowns, simplifies maintenance such as cleaning, and reduces operating costs.

[0138] Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the deodorizing device of the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0139] When the deodorizing device of this embodiment is operated, charged water particles are sprayed from the charged fine spray head 16, so that odor-laden air 32 in the target space 12 is drawn into the air flow passage 10 from the inlet 10a, and malodorous substances contained in the air are captured by the sprayed charged water particles and removed by being collected as water in the collection section 18, and odor-free air 34 is discharged from the outlet 10b into the target space 12. In this way, the deodorizing device of this embodiment circulates the air in the target space 12 through the air flow passage 10 within the target space 12, and as a result, the concentration of malodorous substances contained in the air in the target space 12 can be reduced.

[0140] [Modifications of the present invention] (Installation of deodorizing equipment) The deodorizing device of the first embodiment described above, which has a blower 14 in the air flow passage 10, is installed in the partition 12b of the target space 12, and removes malodorous substances contained in the air from the target space 12 and discharges them to the outside. However, as in the second embodiment described above, which does not have a blower in the air flow passage 10, the deodorizing device of the first embodiment may be installed in the target space 12, and the air in the target space 12 may be circulated within the target space 12 to remove malodorous substances.

[0141] Similarly to the first embodiment, the deodorizing device of the second embodiment may be installed on the partition wall 12b of the target space 12. Furthermore, the deodorizing devices of the first and second embodiments may be installed in any manner relative to the target space, and for example, the deodorizing devices of the first and second embodiments may be installed in the same target space.

[0142] (Deodorization device of the first embodiment) In the deodorizing device of the first embodiment described above, the blower section 14 is arranged on the inlet 10a side of the air flow passage 10, but the position of the blower section 14 is arbitrary, and for example, the blower section 14 may be arranged on the outlet 10b side, that is, on the outlet 10b side following the collection section 18.

[0143] (Air flow passage) In the above embodiment, the air flow passage 10 is provided in the partition 12b of the target space 12 or within the target space 12, but the installation location and form of the air flow passage 10 are arbitrary. For example, a ventilation duct that ventilates the target space 12 of a building or an exhaust duct that exhausts air within the target space 12 may be used as the air flow passage, and the deodorizing device of the first or second embodiment may be provided in this ventilation duct or exhaust duct.

[0144] Here, in the case of a ventilation duct or exhaust duct equipped with a blower, a deodorizing device equivalent to the first embodiment is configured by providing the charged fine spray head 16 and the collection unit 18 inside the duct. The position of the blower in the duct may be on the inlet side or the outlet side. Also, in the case of a ventilation duct or exhaust duct without a blower, a deodorizing device equivalent to the second embodiment is configured by providing the charged fine spray head 16 and the collection unit 18 inside the duct.

[0145] (Support mechanism) Furthermore, when the horizontal and / or vertical rotation shaft of the support mechanism 15 of the air flow passage 10 is provided with a rotation drive mechanism using a motor or the like, and the malodorous substances are removed by circulating the air in the target space 12 as shown in Figure 6, the direction of circulation of the air that removes the malodorous substances can be changed by periodically rotating it in a predetermined range around the horizontal and / or vertical, thereby efficiently removing the malodorous substances from the entire target space 12.

[0146] (High voltage supply unit) In the above embodiment, when a voltage is applied from the high-voltage power supply unit 28 between the induction electrode unit 50 and the water-side electrode unit 52, it is possible to adjust the voltage and switch the polarity, but this is not limited to this and is optional; for example, the applied voltage and / or polarity may be fixed.

[0147] (others) Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the objects and advantages thereof, and is not limited by the numerical values ​​shown in the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 10: Air flow passage 11: Distribution axis 12: Target space 14: Air blower 14a: Fan 14b: Fan motor 15:Support mechanism 16: Electrostatic fine spray head 18: Recovery Department 20: Drainage filter section 21: Recovery tube 22: Drain pipe 23: Control panel 24: Control unit 25: Operation display section 26: Water supply section 27: Water pipe 28: High voltage power supply 29: High voltage cable 30: Odor Observation Department 32: Odor-containing air 34: Odor removal air 35: Puddle 36:Fixed stand 38: Horizontal rotation axis 40: Support member 42: Vertical rotation axis 44: Body 46: Injection nozzle part 48: Electrode holding part 50: Induction electrode part 52: Water side electrode part 54: Water supply connection 56, 58: Current limiting resistor 60: High voltage variable circuit 62: Reversing circuit

Claims

1. a blower that circulates air from the target space through the air flow passage; an electrically charged spray unit that sprays electrically charged water particles onto the air flowing through the air flow passage at an inlet side of the air flow passage to capture odorous substances in the air; a collection unit that collects the charged water particles that have captured the odorous substances; an outlet of the air flow passage that discharges the air that has passed through the collection section to the outside of the target space; Equipped with The electrostatic spray unit is a charged fine spray head that sprays the charged water particles; a water supply unit that supplies water to the charged fine spray head for generating water particles; a high-voltage power supply unit that supplies a high voltage to the charging fine spray head for charging the water particles; and further comprising: an odor observation unit that observes odorous substances in the target space; a control unit that adjusts the charge amount of the charged water particles sprayed by the charged fine spray head and / or switches the charge polarity based on the observed value of the odor substance observed by the odor observation unit; Equipped with The control unit adjusts the charge of the charged water particles when the observed value of the odorous substance does not decrease below a predetermined value, and if the observed value of the odorous substance decreases after the adjustment, maintains the adjusted charge, and if the observed value of the odorous substance does not decrease, returns the charge to its original value.

2. A deodorizing device that removes odorous substances from a target space, an electrically charged spraying unit that sprays electrically charged water particles from the inlet side toward the outlet side of the air flow passage, circulating air by utilizing the momentum of the sprayed electrically charged water particles, and causing the electrically charged water particles to capture odorous substances in the air; a collection unit that collects the charged water particles that have captured the odorous substances; an outlet of the air flow passage that discharges the air that has passed through the collection section to the outside of the target space; Equipped with The electrostatic spray unit is a charged fine spray head that sprays the charged water particles; a water supply unit that supplies water to the charged fine spray head for generating water particles; a high-voltage power supply unit that supplies a high voltage to the charging fine spray head for charging the water particles; and further comprising: an odor observation unit that observes odorous substances in the target space; a control unit that adjusts the charge amount of the charged water particles sprayed by the charged fine spray head and / or switches the charge polarity based on the observed value of the odor substance observed by the odor observation unit; Equipped with The control unit adjusts the charge of the charged water particles when the observed value of the odorous substance does not decrease below a predetermined value, and if the observed value of the odorous substance decreases after the adjustment, maintains the adjusted charge, and if the observed value of the odorous substance does not decrease, returns the charge to its original value.

3. The deodorizing device according to claim 1 or 2, The control unit switches the charging polarity of the charged water particles when the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall below a predetermined value, and if the observed value of the odorous substance falls after the switching, maintains the switched charging polarity, and if the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall, returns to the original charging polarity.

4. a blower that circulates air from the target space through the air flow passage; an electrically charged spray unit that sprays electrically charged water particles onto the air flowing through the air flow passage at an inlet side of the air flow passage to capture odorous substances in the air; a collection unit that collects the charged water particles that have captured the odorous substances; an outlet of the air flow passage that discharges the air that has passed through the collection section to the outside of the target space; Equipped with The electrostatic spray unit is a charged fine spray head that sprays the charged water particles; a water supply unit that supplies water to the charged fine spray head for generating water particles; a high-voltage power supply unit that supplies a high voltage to the charging fine spray head for charging the water particles; and further comprising: an odor observation unit that observes odorous substances in the target space; a control unit that adjusts the charge amount of the charged water particles sprayed by the charged fine spray head and / or switches the charge polarity based on the observed value of the odor substance observed by the odor observation unit; Equipped with The control unit switches the charging polarity of the charged water particles when the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall below a predetermined value, and if the observed value of the odorous substance falls after the switching, maintains the switched charging polarity, and if the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall, returns to the original charging polarity.

5. A deodorizing device that removes odorous substances from a target space, an electrically charged spraying unit that sprays electrically charged water particles from the inlet side toward the outlet side of the air flow passage, circulating air by utilizing the momentum of the sprayed electrically charged water particles, and causing the electrically charged water particles to capture odorous substances in the air; a collection unit that collects the charged water particles that have captured the odorous substances; an outlet of the air flow passage that discharges the air that has passed through the collection section to the outside of the target space; Equipped with The electrostatic spray unit is a charged fine spray head that sprays the charged water particles; a water supply unit that supplies water to the charged fine spray head for generating water particles; a high-voltage power supply unit that supplies a high voltage to the charging fine spray head for charging the water particles; and further comprising: an odor observation unit that observes odorous substances in the target space; a control unit that adjusts the charge amount of the charged water particles sprayed by the charged fine spray head and / or switches the charge polarity based on the observed value of the odor substance observed by the odor observation unit; Equipped with The control unit switches the charging polarity of the charged water particles when the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall below a predetermined value, and if the observed value of the odorous substance falls after the switching, maintains the switched charging polarity, and if the observed value of the odorous substance does not fall, returns to the original charging polarity.

6. The deodorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The high-voltage power supply unit a voltage adjusting unit that adjusts the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head in accordance with the odorous substance; a polarity switching unit that switches the polarity of the voltage applied to the charged fine spray head in accordance with the odorous substance; A deodorizing device comprising:

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