Concentration adjustment device

Abstract

To provide a density adjustment device which can desorb a specific component adsorbed to an adsorption layer in a short time, and adjust the adsorption layer to bring it in a low temperature region where adsorption is possible in a short time, therefore which can adjust the density of the specific component contained in gas in a space efficiently.SOLUTION: There is provided a density adjustment device for adjusting the density of a specific component contained in gas that can be reused by performing an operation of heating an adsorption layer and desorbing the adsorbed specific component after the specific component contained in the gas is adsorbed to the adsorption layer in which the specific component is adsorbed to the adsorption layer in such a process that the gas passes through a gap α and a gap β sequentially from a unit 1 to a unit N and the gas is discharged from an outlet, a calorific value of a heat generation layer in a unit K becomes equal to or greater than a calorific value of a heat generation layer in a unit K+1 when desorbing the specific component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a concentration adjusting device for adjusting the concentration of a specific component contained in a gas. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Several proposals have been made in the past regarding concentration adjusting devices for adjusting the concentration of specific components contained in gas.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioner having a dehumidifying means made of a moisture absorbent, a cooling means which is a heat exchanger, a heating means for heating the dehumidifying means, a blower means, an air intake port, and an exhaust port, the air conditioner having an adsorption mode and a desorption mode as its operating modes, the heating means being in a non-heating state in the adsorption mode, and the heating means being in a heated state in the desorption mode, and air taken into the blower means through the air intake port is dehumidified by the dehumidifying means, then cooled by the cooling means, and exhausted through the exhaust port. It also describes that such an air conditioner has little energy loss, provides an immediate cooling sensation by initially using the heat of evaporation of sweat from the dehumidified air, and can sustain the cooling sensation by blowing low-humidity cool air during normal operation, and is also free from the health effects of mold and bacteria.

[0004] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a heat exchanger that includes a heat transfer tube and a plurality of fins arranged in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube, and that exchanges heat between a fluid flowing inside the heat transfer tube and air flowing between the fins. The fins are corrugated sheet fins formed in a corrugated shape, and the amplitude direction of the corrugation of the corrugated sheet fins is approximately parallel to the axial direction of the heat transfer tube, and the ridge direction of the corrugation is approximately perpendicular to the front and back surfaces of the heat exchanger. An adsorption layer made of an adsorbent is formed on the surface of the fins, and the air passing between the fins and the The document describes an air conditioner that includes a heat exchanger in which moisture is exchanged between adsorption layers, and a heat medium circuit for supplying a heating or cooling heat medium to the heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger, and that alternately supplies the cooling heat medium to the heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger to adsorb moisture in the air onto the adsorption layer of the heat exchanger, and supplies the heating heat medium to the heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger to impart moisture desorbed from the adsorption layer to the air, and supplies one of the air dehumidified by the heat exchanger and the air humidified by the heat exchanger into the room and discharges the other to the outside.The document also describes that because such an air conditioner uses a high-performance heat exchanger with corrugated sheet fins, it can be made smaller while maintaining the humidity control capacity of the air conditioner.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes an adsorption element for an adsorption device of an adsorption heat pump or humidity control system, which is constructed using a plurality of specific sheet laminates, each of which is formed into a plate shape, and which includes a single heat transfer medium flow path, and the sheet laminates are arranged with their plate surfaces parallel and aligned with each other via a certain ventilation space, and the heat transfer medium flow path is disposed so as to penetrate each of the sheet laminates and to be in contact with each of the sheet laminates. It also describes that such an adsorption element can be made even smaller because it is constructed using sheet laminates with excellent adsorption and desorption capabilities. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-172389 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-017316 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-175300 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a concentration adjusting device that can desorb specific components adsorbed in an adsorption layer in a short time and adjust the adsorption layer to a low temperature range where adsorption is possible in a short time, thereby efficiently adjusting the concentration of specific components contained in gas in a space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above problems and have completed the present invention. The present invention includes the following (1) to (10). (1) A concentration adjusting device for adjusting the concentration of a specific component contained in a gas, which is made reusable by adsorbing the specific component contained in the gas onto an adsorption layer, and then heating the adsorption layer to desorb the adsorbed specific component, a sheet-like laminate including the adsorption layer and a heat-generating layer capable of heating the adsorption layer is disposed so that the main surfaces of the sheet-like laminate face each other with a gap α therebetween, and the heat-generating layer and the heat-generating layer included in the other sheet-like laminate are electrically connected to each other to form an adsorption element; The adsorption element is disposed so that the main surfaces of the adsorption element face each other via a gap β to form a unit, Furthermore, a plurality of the units are connected to each other so that when the gas is caused to flow through the gap α and the gap β, the gas flows linearly in a specific direction, thereby forming a unit connection body, The unit arranged at one end of the linked unit body is called unit 1, the unit arranged at the other end is called unit N (N is an integer of 2 or more), and the unit arranged between them, adjacent to unit 1, is called unit 2, the unit arranged adjacent to that is called unit 3, and so on, when the unit arranged so as to connect unit 1 to unit N is called unit K (K is an integer of 1 to N-1), then: When the gas is caused to flow into the inlets of the gaps α and β in the unit 1, the gas passes through the gaps α and β of the unit 2, the unit 3, ..., and the unit N in that order, and is discharged from the outlets of the gaps α and β in the unit N, and in this process the specific component contained in the gas is adsorbed onto the adsorption layer, When the specific component adsorbed in the adsorption layer is desorbed by heating the adsorption layer by generating heat in the heat generating layer, The heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit 1 is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit 2, Similarly, The heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit K is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit K+1, The concentration adjusting device is configured so that the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit N-1 is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit N. (2) A concentration adjusting device as described in (1) above, wherein in at least one of the adsorption elements, the main surface of the adsorption layer in the sheet-like laminate faces the main surface of the adsorption layer in another of the sheet-like laminate via the gap α. (3) The concentration adjusting device according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the gap α and / or the gap β has a width of 5 mm or less. (4) In each of the adsorption elements, the plurality of heat generating layers constituting the adsorption element are electrically connected in series, In each of the units, the plurality of adsorption elements constituting the unit are electrically connected in parallel, In the unit combination, the plurality of units constituting the unit combination are electrically connected in parallel, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit 1 is equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit 2, Similarly, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit K is equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit K+1, A concentration adjusting device described in any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N-1 is equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N. (5) A concentration adjusting device according to (4) above, which adjusts the resistance value of the heat generating layer of each of the adsorption elements and adjusts the amount of heat generated by adjusting the number of the sheet laminates in each of the adsorption elements. (6) In each of the adsorption elements, the plurality of heat generating layers constituting the adsorption element are electrically connected in series, In each of the units, the plurality of adsorption elements constituting the unit are electrically connected in parallel, In the unit combination, the plurality of units constituting the unit combination are electrically connected in series, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit 1 is equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit 2, Similarly, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit K is equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit K+1, A concentration adjusting device described in any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N-1 is equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N. (7) The concentration adjusting device according to (6) above, wherein the resistance value of the heat generating layer of each of the adsorption elements is adjusted by adjusting the number of the sheet laminates in each of the adsorption elements, thereby adjusting the amount of heat generated. (8) a power source E1 for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit 1; a power source E2 for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit 2; A power source E for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit K K and, A power source E for energizing the heating layer in the unit K+1 K+1 and, A power source E for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit N-1 N-1 and, A power source E for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit N N and, separately, the product of the current and the voltage in the power source E1 is equal to or greater than the product of the current and the voltage in the power source E2, so that the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit 1 is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit 2; Similarly, Power supply E K The product of the current and voltage at the power supply E K+1 the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit K is equal to or greater than the product of the current and voltage in the unit K+1, Power supply E N-1 The product of the current and voltage at the power supply E N A concentration adjusting device described in any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit N-1 is made equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit N by making the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit N-1 equal to or greater than the product of the current and voltage in unit N-1. (9) In the adsorption element, a spacer is provided in at least a part of the gap α between the main surface of the sheet laminate and the main surface of another sheet laminate. and / or In the unit, a spacer is provided in at least a part of the gap β between the adsorption element and another adsorption element. A concentration adjusting device according to any one of (1) to (8) above. (10) The concentration adjusting device according to (9) above, wherein the spacer is made of a metal plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a concentration adjustment device can be provided that can desorb specific components adsorbed in an adsorption layer in a short period of time and adjust the adsorption layer to a low temperature range where adsorption is possible in a short period of time, thereby efficiently adjusting the concentration of specific components contained in gas in a space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a sheet laminate 1, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line AA) obtained when the sheet laminate 1 shown in FIG. 1(a) is cut in a direction perpendicular to the main surface. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic end view showing an end face of an adsorption element 10 including four sheet laminates 1 described with reference to FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic end view showing an end face of another adsorption element 10 including four sheet laminates 1 described with reference to FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a corrugated spacer. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic end view showing a state in which the spacer shown in FIG. 4 is placed in the gap α in the adsorption element 10 shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a unit U including eight of the adsorption elements 10 described with reference to FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic end view of a unit U including eight of the adsorption elements 10 described with reference to FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic end view of a unit U including eight of the adsorption elements 10 described with reference to FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a unit assembly 20 including N units U (N is an integer of 2 or more) described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. [Figure 10]This is a unit connection body that the concentration adjusting device of the present invention has, and has two units (that is, the case where N=2). [Figure 11] This is another unit combination that the concentration adjusting device of the present invention has, which has two units (i.e., the case where N=2). In Fig. 11, unit 1 (U1) and unit 2 (U2) are both electrically connected in parallel to one power source E. [Figure 12] This is yet another unit combination that the concentration adjusting device of the present invention has, which has two units (i.e., the case where N=2). In Fig. 12, unit 1 (U1) and unit 2 (U2) are both electrically connected in series to one power source E. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The concentration adjusting device of the present invention will be described. The concentration adjusting device of the present invention is a concentration adjusting device for adjusting the concentration of a specific component contained in a gas. Examples of gases consisting of a single substance include nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas, and examples of gases consisting of a mixture of two or more gases include air, water vapor, exhaust gas, artificial air, and mixed gases. The temperature of the gas is not particularly limited, but may be 25°C or less, or may be 20°C or less. The specific component is a component contained in the gas. For example, if the gas is air, the specific component is moisture. When the gas is air, the humidity of the gas is not particularly limited, but may be 1 to 100%, or may be 5 to 35%. The concentration adjusting device of the present invention may be a dehumidifying device that reduces the concentration of moisture contained in air.

[0012] The concentration adjustment device of the present invention is a device that can be reused by adsorbing specific components contained in a gas into an adsorption layer, heating the adsorption layer, and then desorbing the adsorbed specific components. For example, when reducing the moisture concentration in air using the concentration adjusting device of the present invention, the concentration adjusting device of the present invention, which is equipped with an adsorption layer that adsorbs moisture, is placed in a specific space (e.g., a room) and operated, causing the moisture in the specific space to be adsorbed into the adsorption layer. Then, for example, after moving the concentration adjusting device of the present invention from the specific space to the outside, the adsorption layer is heated by energizing the heating layer in the concentration adjusting device of the present invention, causing the adsorbed moisture to desorb from the adsorption layer, allowing the adsorption layer to adsorb moisture again. In other words, the concentration adjusting device of the present invention can be reused. The concentration adjustment device of the present invention can desorb specific components adsorbed in the adsorption layer in a short period of time, and can also adjust the adsorption layer to a low temperature range where adsorption is possible in a short period of time, thereby efficiently adjusting the concentration of specific components contained in the gas in the space.

[0013] Here, instead of moving the concentration adjustment device of the present invention outside the specific space (outdoors), a path such as a duct may be connected from the exhaust port of the concentration adjustment device of the present invention to outside the specific space (outdoors) so that the gas discharged from the concentration adjustment device of the present invention moves outside the specific space (outdoors).

[0014] <Sheet-like laminate> The sheet laminate included in the concentration adjusting device of the present invention will be described. The sheet laminate includes an adsorption layer and a heat generating layer. The sheet laminate preferably further includes an insulating layer, and the sheet laminate preferably has an adsorption layer, an insulating layer, and a heat generating layer laminated in this order. However, if an adsorption layer having insulating properties is used, the sheet laminate does not need to include an insulating layer. Examples of adsorption layers having insulating properties include an adsorption layer formed from a sheet in which an adsorbent is carried on fibers made of an insulating material (organic fibers (pulp, PET, aramid, etc.) or highly insulating inorganic fibers such as ceramic), and an adsorption layer formed into a sheet by applying an adsorbent to an insulating film or the like.

[0015] The sheet laminate preferably has an adsorption layer, an insulating layer, a heat generating layer, an insulating layer and an adsorption layer laminated in this order. This preferred embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1, but the adsorption layer 2a, insulating layer 4a, heat generating layer 6, insulating layer 4b, and adsorption layer 2b included in the sheet laminate 1 of the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1 can also be used in sheet laminates of embodiments other than this preferred embodiment. For example, when the sheet laminate has an adsorption layer, an insulating layer, and a heat generating layer stacked in this order, the adsorption layer of this sheet laminate may be the same as the adsorption layers 2a and 2b described below, the insulating layer may be the same as the insulating layers 4a and 4b described below, and the heat generating layer may be the same as the heat generating layer 6 described below.

[0016] The sheet laminate is preferably one in which an adsorption layer 2a, an insulating layer 4a, a heat generating layer 6, an insulating layer 4b, and an adsorption layer 2b are laminated in this order, like the sheet laminate 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 1(a) is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the sheet laminate 1, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line AA) obtained by cutting the sheet laminate 1 shown in FIG. 1(a) in a direction perpendicular to the main surface.

[0017] The sheet laminate is preferably flat as shown in Fig. 1. However, it does not have to be flat, and may be, for example, corrugated.

[0018] The adsorption layers 2a and 2b will now be described. The adsorption layers 2a and 2b may be any layers that have the ability to adsorb the specific component whose concentration is to be adjusted. For example, it may be a matrix of fibers to which an adsorbent that adsorbs a specific component is attached and formed into a sheet.Other examples include a film or the like to which an adsorbent is applied and formed into a sheet, a mixture of a resin and an adsorbent formed, a material composed of an adsorbent alone, a matrix of fibers that have the ability to adsorb a specific component, a matrix of fibers that have the ability to adsorb a specific component to which an adsorbent that adsorbs a specific component is attached and formed into a sheet, and the like.

[0019] The adsorption layer 2a and the adsorption layer 2b may be the same or different.

[0020] When adjusting the concentration of moisture contained in air using the concentration adjusting device of the present invention, it is preferable to use a moisture absorbent as the adsorbent, and it is preferable that the adsorption layers 2a and 2b are layers containing organic fibers and a moisture absorbent. The moisture absorbent can be an organic moisture absorbent or an inorganic moisture absorbent.

[0021] Examples of organic fibers include thermoplastic synthetic resins such as olefin resins, polyester resins, polyethylene terephthalate resins, polyvinyl acetate resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins, polyamide resins, acrylic resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, polyvinylidene chloride resins, polyvinyl ether resins, polyvinyl ketone resins, polyether resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, diene resins, and polyurethane resins. The structure of the thermoplastic synthetic resin may be a main fiber having a substantially single composition in cross section without a core-sheath structure, or may have a core-sheath structure. Examples of organic fibers include fibers made of thermosetting synthetic resins such as phenol resin, melamine resin, furan resin, urea resin, aniline resin, unsaturated polyester resin, and alkyd resin. If the adsorption layers 2a, 2b contain a thermoplastic synthetic resin or a thermosetting synthetic resin, the processability and shape stability of the sheet-like laminate are easily improved.

[0022] Examples of organic fibers include fibers made from plant fibers such as wood pulp, paper mulberry, mitsumata, straw, kenaf, bamboo, linter, bagasse, esparto, and sugarcane, as well as fibers made by pulverizing these fibers. Other examples include rayon fibers, which are regenerated cellulose fibers, semi-synthetic fibers such as acetate, fluororesin fibers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone resin fibers, metal fibers such as stainless steel and nickel wool, carbon fibers, ceramic fibers, and glass fibers.

[0023] Of these, it is preferable that the organic fiber contains wood pulp in view of its ability to support moisture absorbents, its adaptability to post-processing, etc. Examples of wood pulp include chemical pulps such as high-yield unbleached softwood kraft pulp (HNKP; N wood), bleached softwood kraft pulp (NBKP; N wood, NB wood), unbleached hardwood kraft pulp (LUKP; L wood), and bleached hardwood kraft pulp (LBKP, L wood), mechanical pulps such as ground wood pulp (GP), pressure-risen ground wood pulp (PGW), and thermomechanical pulp (TMP), recycled paper pulps such as deinking pulp (DIP) and waste pulp (WP), and semi-chemical pulp (CP).

[0024] In addition to the organic fibers described above, inorganic fibers such as ceramic fibers, metal fibers, and carbon fibers can also be used.

[0025] As the organic moisture absorbent, water-absorbing polymers such as polyacrylic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, and the like can be used.

[0026] Examples of inorganic moisture absorbents that can be used include sepiolite, zeolite, bentonite, attapulgite, diatomaceous earth, diatomaceous earth shale, activated carbon, porous silica, aluminum hydroxide, fibrous titanium oxide, allophane, imogolite, amorphous aluminum silicate, and aluminum silicate complexes composed of low-crystalline layered clay minerals and amorphous aluminum silicate. Among these, an aluminum silicate complex comprising a low-crystalline layered clay mineral and an amorphous aluminum silicate can be suitably used because it can be dehumidified at a relatively low temperature.

[0027] In addition, if zeolite, silica, or polymer adsorbents are used as adsorbents, VOC gases can be adsorbed along with moisture in the air. Furthermore, when an inorganic deodorizing agent such as zeolite is used as an adsorbent, odorous components can be adsorbed along with moisture in the air. Furthermore, when activated carbon is used as an adsorbent, it is possible to adsorb specific substances contained in the air or moisture.

[0028] These adsorbents (moisture absorbents, etc.) may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0029] The content of the adsorbent (including the moisture absorbent) in the adsorption layers 2a and 2b is preferably 60 to 90% by mass, more preferably 65 to 85% by mass, and even more preferably 70 to 80% by mass. If this content is too low, it may be difficult to achieve the desired performance (dehumidifying performance in the case of a moisture absorbent). Conversely, if this content is too high, the amount of the fiber component may decrease, which may cause the adsorbent to easily fall off, reducing processability.

[0030] The content of the adsorbent contained in the adsorption layers 2a and 2b is determined by the following method. In an SEM image of the surfaces of the adsorption layers 2a and 2b, magnified 1,000 times using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the area of ​​each of the components (excluding voids) within the field of view was determined using an image processing device, and this was converted to a volume ratio by raising it to the power of 2 / 3, and then multiplied by the specific gravity to determine the mass ratio. The proportion of the adsorbent (mass %) was then calculated from this value.

[0031] The method for producing the adsorption layers 2a and 2b is not particularly limited, and they can be produced by, for example, a dry method or a wet papermaking method. As the dry method, a carding method, an air-laid method, etc. can be used. The wet papermaking method involves dispersing organic fibers and adsorbents (such as moisture absorbents) in water at low concentrations and then papering the resulting mixture. This method is inexpensive, highly uniform, and suitable for mass production. Specifically, a slurry is prepared primarily from organic fibers and adsorbents (such as moisture absorbents). Fillers, dispersants, thickeners, antifoaming agents, paper strength agents, sizing agents, flocculants, colorants, and fixing agents are added as appropriate, and the resulting mixture is wet-papered using a papermaking machine. Examples of suitable papermaking machines include cylinder papermaking machines, Fourdrinier papermaking machines, short wire papermaking machines, tilted papermaking machines, and combination papermaking machines combining the same or different types of papermaking machines. Furthermore, the wet paper after papermaking can be dried using an air dryer, cylinder dryer, suction drum dryer, infrared dryer, or the like to obtain a sheet. The basis weight of the sheet produced in this manner can be any value depending on the type and amount of moisture absorbent added, and is not particularly limited. In wet papermaking, a flocculant can be added to stabilize the papermaking slurry, which is composed of organic fibers and an adsorbent (such as a moisture absorbent). Examples of flocculants include metal hydroxides such as zinc hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide; metal oxides or metal silicates such as alumina, silica, aluminum silicate, and magnesium silicate; hydrates of these metal oxides or metal silicates; aluminum sulfate; polyaluminum chloride; anion- or cation-modified polyacrylamides; water-soluble polymers such as polyethylene oxide polymers and copolymers containing acrylic or methacrylic acid; alginic acid or polyvinyl phosphate and their alkaline salts; ammonia; alkylamines such as diethylamine and ethylenediamine; alkanolamines such as ethanolamine; pyridine; morpholine; and acryloylmorpholine-containing polymers. Among anion- or cation-modified water-soluble polymer flocculants, amphoteric flocculants containing both cationic and anionic units in the polymer are particularly preferred because of their excellent flocculation effects. Sizing agents, such as alkyl ketene dimers and acrylic resins, can also be added.

[0032] The shapes and sizes of the adsorption layers 2a and 2b are not particularly limited, but are preferably rectangular sheets as shown in FIG.

[0033] The thickness of the adsorption layers 2a and 2b is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50 to 500 μm, more preferably 150 to 400 μm, and even more preferably 200 to 300 μm.

[0034] The thickness of each of the adsorption layers 2a and 2b was determined by cutting the sheet laminate perpendicular to the main surface as shown in Figure 1(b), taking an enlarged photograph (200x magnification) of the cross section, measuring the thickness of the adsorption layer at 100 randomly selected points on the enlarged photograph, and calculating the simple average value of these measurements. The obtained average value was designated as the thickness of the adsorption layer. The thicknesses of other layers (insulating layer, heat generating layer) contained in the sheet laminate are also measured in the same manner and the values ​​obtained are used.

[0035] The insulating layers 4a and 4b will now be described. The insulating layers 4a and 4b serve to electrically insulate the heat generating layer 6, which will be described later, from other layers. The sheet laminate preferably includes an insulating layer, and when the sheet laminate includes an insulating layer, the insulating layer is preferably present so that the main surface of the insulating layer and the heat generating layer are in close contact with each other. However, if an adsorption layer having insulating properties is used, the sheet laminate does not need to include an insulating layer.

[0036] The insulating layer 4a and the insulating layer 4b may be the same or different.

[0037] Insulating layer 4a and insulating layer 4b are preferably made of, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PI (polyimide), PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), TAC (triacetyl cellulose), ceramic, etc., because these have high insulating properties. Among these, insulating layer 4a and insulating layer 4b made of PI (polyimide) are preferred because of their excellent heat resistance and insulating properties.

[0038] The shape, size, etc. of the insulating layers 4a and 4b are not particularly limited. However, since the insulating layers 4a and 4b serve to electrically insulate the heat generating layer 6 (described later) from other components, the size of the main surfaces of the insulating layers 4a and 4b is usually the same as or larger than the main surface of the heat generating layer 6.

[0039] The thickness of the insulating layer 4a and the insulating layer 4b is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 to 200 μm, more preferably 15 to 100 μm, and even more preferably 20 to 50 μm.

[0040] The heat generating layer 6 will now be described. The heat generating layer 6 serves to heat the adsorption layer. The heat generating layer 6 may be a sheet-like material that generates heat when an electric current is applied thereto. The heat generating layer 6 may be, for example, a metal foil, a metal mesh sheet, a metal fiber sheet, a carbon sheet, or a metal paste.

[0041] The material of the heat generating layer 6 is not particularly limited as long as it generates heat when electricity is applied, and is preferably stainless steel, but may also be Cu (copper), Al (aluminum), Ni (nickel), nichrome, or carbon.

[0042] The thickness of the heat generating layer 6 is preferably 10 to 200 μm, more preferably 20 to 100 μm, and even more preferably 30 to 70 μm.

[0043] There are no particular limitations on the shape or size of the main surface of the heat generating layer 6. It is preferably in the form of a rectangular sheet as shown in FIG.

[0044] The resistance value of the heat generating layer 6 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 50Ω, more preferably 0.1 to 10Ω, and even more preferably 0.6 to 2Ω. Here, the resistance of the heat generating layer is a value determined in accordance with JIS K 7194.

[0045] The heat generating layer 6 is preferably made mainly of metal fibers, and more preferably made only of metal fibers. Here, "mainly" means 70% by mass or more. In other words, it is preferable that 70% by mass or more of the heat generating layer 6 is metal fibers. The proportion of metal fibers contained in the heat generating layer 6 is more preferably 80% by mass or more, even more preferably 90% by mass or more, and even more preferably 95% by mass or more.

[0046] The proportion of metal fibers contained in the heat generating layer 6 is determined by the following method. In an SEM image obtained by magnifying the surface of the heat generating layer 6 by 1,000 times using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the area of ​​all components (excluding voids) within the field of view is determined using an image processing device, converted to a volume ratio by raising it to the power of 2 / 3, and then multiplied by the specific gravity to determine the mass ratio, thereby calculating the metal fiber content.

[0047] The metal fibers are preferably metallic fibers having a cross-sectional equivalent circle diameter of 2 to 100 μm (preferably 5 to 20 μm) and a length of 2 to 20 mm. Furthermore, the heat generating layer 6 is preferably a sheet-like structure (metal fiber sheet) in which countless such metallic fibers are intricately entangled. The metal fiber sheet may consist of only metal fibers, but may also contain other materials (such as resin fibers that function as a binder) in addition to the metal fibers as long as the heat generation is not hindered. Here, the metal fibers constituting the metal fiber sheet are in contact with each other to the extent that they are electrically conductive. It is preferable that the metal fibers are connected to each other at their contact points. For example, it is preferable that the metal fibers are sintered at a high temperature so that some of the metal fibers are melted and then solidified, thereby fusing the metal fibers to each other at their contact points.

[0048] The metal fiber sheet is preferably a SUS fiber sheet because of its high heat resistance and chemical resistance. Examples of the SUS fiber sheet include a stainless fiber sheet (for example, Tommy Firec SS, manufactured by Tomoegawa Paper Co., Ltd.).

[0049] The metal fiber sheet has a basis weight of 25 g / m 2 It is preferable that the weight is 50 g / m or more. 2 It is preferable that the density is 1000 g / m or more. 2 Preferably, it is 200 g / m or less. 2 More preferably, it is: The basis weight is a value determined in accordance with JIS P 8124.

[0050] The density of the metal fiber sheet is 1.0 to 5.0 g / cm 3 is preferably 1.4 to 2.0 g / cm 3 More preferably, it is 1.7 g / cm 3 It is preferable that the degree of The density of the metal fiber sheet is measured in accordance with JIS P 8118 (g / cm 3 ) = basis weight (g / m 2 ) / (thickness (mm) x 1000).

[0051] Metal fiber sheets can be manufactured by either a dry nonwoven fabric manufacturing method or a wet papermaking method. When manufactured by the wet papermaking method, numerous metallic fibers having a cross-sectional equivalent circle diameter of 2 to 100 μm and a length of 2 to 20 mm are stirred in a dispersion medium (water, organic solvent, etc.), and then an organic flocculant is added, and the fibers are formed into a sheet using a rectangular hand-made sheeting machine (manufactured by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd., etc.), and the sheet is dried using a ferrotype dryer to a basis weight of 50 to 1100 g / m. 2 A dried sheet of the above is obtained. Then, the sheet is fired at 400 to 1300° C. to obtain a metal fiber sheet. In principle, it is preferable that no organic flocculant remains in the metal fiber sheet.

[0052] The method for bonding the main surfaces of the layers included in the sheet laminate is not particularly limited, and they can be bonded together using an adhesive, for example. Examples of adhesives that can be used include moisture-curing adhesives, pressure-curing adhesives, heat-curing adhesives, and UV-curing adhesives.Specific examples that can be used include silicone-based adhesives, fluorine-based adhesives, metal (silver, copper) pastes, ceramic pastes, and glass pastes.

[0053] The thickness of the sheet laminate is not particularly limited, but is preferably 100 to 3000 μm, more preferably 300 to 2000 μm, and even more preferably 500 to 1000 μm. The thickness of the sheet laminate is determined by measuring the thickness of each layer contained therein by the above-mentioned method and then specifying the total thickness thereof.

[0054] When electricity is applied to the heat generating layer in such a sheet laminate, heat is generated from the heat generating layer, and the heat heats the adsorption layer. The specific component adsorbed by the adsorption layer is then desorbed. For example, when an adsorption layer containing amorphous aluminum silicate is used as the adsorbent, the moisture adsorbed in the adsorption layer is desorbed by applying electricity to the heat generating layer and raising the adsorption layer to about 80°C.

[0055] <Adsorption element> The adsorption element included in the concentration adjusting device of the present invention will be described. The adsorption element includes a plurality of the aforementioned sheet laminates. The plurality of sheet laminates are arranged such that their main surfaces face each other with a gap α therebetween. Furthermore, the plurality of heat generating layers included in one adsorption element are all electrically connected. The electrically connected heat generating layers have terminals on both ends. That is, the adsorption element includes a plurality of sheet laminates and two terminals, and one terminal is electrically connected to the other terminal via at least two or more sheet laminates. Here, the terminals are devices that are attached to both ends of the electric circuit that is treated as a heat generating layer, and that connect the adsorption elements together.

[0056] The adsorption element will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic end views showing the end face of an adsorption element 10 including four sheet laminates 1 described with reference to Fig. 1. The adsorption element 10 has four sheet laminates 10 and two terminals 14 and 16, and is configured to be electrically connectable from one terminal 14 to the other terminal 16 via the four sheet laminates 10.

[0057] In Figs. 2 and 3, the sheet laminate 1 is arranged so that the main surfaces of another sheet laminate 1 face each other with a gap α therebetween. 2 and 3 are examples using the sheet laminate 1 described with reference to Fig. 1, so the adsorption layers of the four sheet laminates face each other. In other words, the gap α is the gap between the adsorption layer of a specific sheet laminate and the adsorption layer of another adjacent sheet laminate. However, the sheet laminate does not have to be in the form shown in Figure 1, and in the adsorption element, the adsorption layer of a specific sheet laminate may face the insulating layer or the insulation layer of another sheet laminate, and they may form a gap α. Of the two layers (two surfaces) that form the gap α, at least one surface should be an adsorption layer.

[0058] The average value of the gap α between one sheet laminate 1 and another adjacent sheet laminate 1 is preferably 5 mm or less, and this gap is preferably 0.1 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more. Here, the average value of the gap α is determined by measuring the shortest distance at 100 randomly selected points between the two layers (two surfaces) that make up the gap α, and calculating the simple average value of these measurements.

[0059] The gap α is preferably 5 mm or less in its shortest distance at all points between one sheet laminate 1 and another adjacent sheet laminate 1. This gap is preferably 0.1 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more.

[0060] In the adsorption element shown in FIG. 2, the four heat generating layers included in the sheet laminate 1 are electrically connected in series by three connection portions 12. In the adsorption element shown in FIG. 3, the four heat generating layers included in the sheet laminate 1 are electrically connected in parallel by two connection portions 12. The connecting portion 12 may be any electrically conductive material, and is preferably made of metal. For example, it may be made of the same material as the heat generating layer, but is preferably made of a metal with a lower resistance than the heat generating layer.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each adsorption element can be connected to the positive and negative poles of a power source, and electricity can be applied to the heat generating layer included in that adsorption element.

[0062] In the adsorption element, it is preferable that a spacer is provided in at least a part of the gap α. The spacer serves to maintain the gap α and to enhance the cooling capacity of the concentration adjusting device of the present invention. The spacer may be, for example, a corrugated, bead-like, rod-like, comb-like, corrugated, or honeycomb-like spacer as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a corrugated spacer 15. Fig. 5 is a schematic end view showing the spacer 15 shown in Fig. 4 installed in the gap α in the adsorption element 10 shown in Fig. 2. The spacer is preferably made of, for example, a metal plate, a woven metal fiber fabric, a porous metal body, a nonwoven fabric, a resin molded product, ceramics, etc., and more preferably made of a stainless steel plate. In this case, it serves to enhance the cooling capacity of the concentration adjusting device of the present invention. The thickness of the spacer is not particularly limited and may be, for example, 10 to 50 μm, and is preferably about 10 μm.

[0063] <Unit> The units included in the concentration adjusting device of the present invention will be described. The unit includes a plurality of the above-described adsorption elements. The adsorption elements included in the unit are arranged such that their main surfaces face each other with a gap β therebetween. Then, by electrically connecting a terminal of an adsorption element to a terminal of another adsorption element, the adsorption elements are also electrically connected to each other.

[0064] The unit will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a unit U including eight of the adsorption elements 10 described with reference to FIG. 7 is a schematic end view of a unit U including eight adsorption elements 10 described with reference to FIG. 2. That is, it is a schematic end view showing the end surface S of the unit U shown in FIG. Fig. 8 is a schematic end view of a unit U including eight adsorption elements 10 described with reference to Fig. 3. That is, it is a schematic end view showing an end surface S when the unit shown in Fig. 6 is formed using the adsorption elements of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 instead of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

[0065] 7 and 8, eight adsorption elements 10 are arranged so that their respective main surfaces face each other with a gap β therebetween. Similarly, in unit U in FIG. 6, eight adsorption elements 10 are arranged so that their respective main surfaces face each other with a gap β therebetween.

[0066] The average value of the gap β between one unit U and another adjacent unit U is preferably 5 mm or less. This gap is preferably 0.1 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more. Here, the average value of the gap β is determined by measuring the shortest distance at 100 randomly selected points between the two surfaces that make up the gap β, and calculating the simple average value of these measurements. The gap β is preferably 5 mm or less in its shortest distance at all points between one unit U and another adjacent unit U. This gap is preferably 0.1 mm or more, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more.

[0067] The depth of the unit U shown in FIG. 6 (the distance from one end face S to the other end face) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 to 100 mm, more preferably 20 to 50 mm, and even more preferably about 30 mm.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each adsorption element can be connected to the positive and negative electrodes of a power source E, and electricity can be applied to the heat generating layers that make up the adsorption element. However, the number of power sources E included in one unit is not particularly limited. One unit may have multiple power sources E, and each adsorption element may be connected to a different power source E. Conversely, multiple units may be connected to one power source E and energized.

[0069] In the unit, it is preferable to have a spacer in at least a part of the gap β. The spacer serves to maintain the gap β. The spacer may be the same as that placed in the gap α of the adsorption element, and may be, for example, a corrugated plate as shown in FIG.

[0070] <Unit combination> The unit connection body included in the concentration adjusting device of the present invention will be described. The unit connection body includes a plurality of the above-described units. The plurality of units included in the unit connection body are connected so that when gas is caused to flow through the gaps α and β, the gas flows linearly in a specific direction.

[0071] The unit connection body will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a unit assembly 20 including N units U (N is an integer of 2 or more) described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. In the unit assembly 20, the N units U are preferably arranged without any gaps between them. 7 or 8 shows one end surface 20 of the unit connection body 20. X This shows: One end face 20 of the unit connecting body 20 XWhen gas G flows from the gap α to the gap β, the gas G flows in a generally straight line in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure, and the gas G flows from the other end face 20 Y is emitted from

[0072] A unit connection has two or more units, and therefore may be two units connected together (i.e., N=2), as shown in FIG.

[0073] In FIG. 9, the unit arranged at one end of the unit connection body 20 is referred to as unit 1 (U1), and the unit arranged at the other end is referred to as unit N (U N ) between them. The unit placed next to unit 1 (U1) is unit 2 (U2), and the unit placed next to that is unit 3, and so on. N ) is a unit that is placed so as to connect to unit K(U K ) (K is an integer between 1 and N-1).

[0074] In this case, the entrances of the gaps α and β in the unit 1 (U1) (i.e., the end faces 20 X ), gas G flows through unit 2 (U2), unit 3, unit N (U N ) and the gas G passes through the gaps α and β in the order of . Then, the gas G passes through the outlets of the gaps α and β in the unit N (i.e., the end surface 20 Y ) gas G is discharged. In this process, specific components contained in the gas G are adsorbed onto the adsorption layer.

[0075] Then, when the adsorption layer is heated by energizing the heat generating layer in the concentration adjusting device of the present invention, the specific component adsorbed thereto is desorbed from the adsorption layer, and the adsorption layer becomes capable of adsorbing the specific component again, which means that the concentration adjusting device of the present invention can be reused.

[0076] Here, the concentration adjustment device of the present invention is configured so that when the specific component adsorbed in the adsorption layer is desorbed by heating the heat generating layer and heating the adsorption layer, the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit 1 (U1) is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit 2 (U2). The concentration adjusting device of the present invention is configured so that the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit 2 (U2) is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit 3 (U3). Similarly, unit K(U K ) the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit K+1(U K+1 The concentration adjusting device of the present invention is configured so that the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in the heating layer is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heating layer in .... Furthermore, Unit N-1 (U N-1 The heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit N (U N The concentration adjusting device of the present invention is configured so that the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in the heating layer is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heating layer in .... With this configuration, the concentration adjusting device of the present invention can desorb the specific component adsorbed in the adsorption layer in a short time and adjust the adsorption layer to a low temperature range where adsorption is possible in a short time, thereby efficiently adjusting the concentration of the specific component contained in the gas in the space.

[0077] The heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in the unit is determined by the following method. The heat generation amount W of the heat generation layer in the unit can be calculated by multiplying the voltage V applied to the heat generation layer by the current A flowing through the heat generation layer. When the voltage is at a specified value, the V applied to the heat generation layer is 2 This can be calculated by dividing the heat dissipation factor by the heater resistance value (Ω) (W=EI, E=IR). That is, unit K, which has a low resistance, generates more heat than unit K+1, which has a higher resistance.

[0078] For example, a conventional dehumidifying device having an adsorption layer containing amorphous aluminum silicate as an adsorbent is operated indoors to adsorb moisture in the air in the room onto the adsorption layer. Here, suppose that the dehumidifier used is one in which two units are combined, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 10. However, because this dehumidifier is a conventional one, it is not configured so that the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit 1 (U1) is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit 2 (U2), as in the concentration adjusting device of the present invention.

[0079] After the moisture in the indoor air is adsorbed by the adsorption layer using such a dehumidifier, the dehumidifier is moved outside the room, and the one end surface 20 on the unit 1 (U1) side is adsorbed in the same manner as during adsorption. X The gas G is passed through the gaps α and β from the other end surface 20 on the unit 2 (U2) side. Y While discharging gas G from the dehumidifier, electricity is passed through the heating layer to generate heat and raise the temperature of the adsorption layer to about 80°C, causing the moisture adsorbed in the adsorption layer to desorb. Instead of moving the dehumidifier to the outside of the room, for example, a path (such as a duct) may be connected from the exhaust port of the dehumidifier to the outside of the room so that gas G discharged from the dehumidifier can be moved to the outside of the room. Here, if the temperature of the adsorption layer in unit 1 is set to about 80°C, the temperature of the adsorption layer in unit 2 will be higher than 80°C, for example, about 130 to 140°C. This is thought to be because gas G, whose temperature has increased by passing through unit 1, moves to unit 2.

[0080] The dehumidifier is then allowed to cool to a temperature at which the adsorbent can exert its adsorption capacity, for example, to about 40°C. Here, the temperature of the adsorption layer in unit 1 is about 80°C, but the temperature of the adsorption layer in unit 2 is 130 to 140°C, so it takes a long time for the temperature of the adsorption layer in unit 2 to drop to about 40°C. When the temperature of the adsorption layer in unit 2 reaches about 40°C, the temperature of the adsorption layer in unit 1 is even lower, that is, lower than necessary. Therefore, when using such a conventional dehumidifier, it is not possible to adjust the adsorption layer to a low temperature range where adsorption is possible in a short time, and therefore it is not possible to efficiently adjust the concentration of a specific component contained in the gas in the space.

[0081] In contrast to this, for example, in the concentration adjusting device of the present invention shown in FIG. 10, the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit 1 (U1) is configured to be equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit 2 (U2). After the moisture in the air in the room is adsorbed by the adsorption layer using the concentration adjusting device of the present invention, the concentration adjusting device of the present invention is moved outside the room, and the one end surface 20 on the unit 1 (U1) side is adsorbed in the same manner as during adsorption. X The gas G is passed through the gaps α and β from the other end surface 20 on the unit 2 (U2) side. Y While discharging gas G from the adsorption layer, electricity is passed through the heat generating layer to generate heat and the adsorption layer is heated to about 80°C, whereupon the moisture adsorbed in the adsorption layer is desorbed. Here, when the temperature of the adsorption layer in unit 1 is set to about 80°C, the temperature of the adsorption layer in unit 2 can also be set to about 80°C. This is because the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit 1 (U1) is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit 2 (U2).

[0082] Thereafter, when the dehumidifier is allowed to cool to a temperature at which the adsorbent can exert its adsorption capacity, for example, about 40°C, the temperatures of the adsorption layers in units 1 and 2 can both be set to (the same) about 80°C, so the adsorption layers can be adjusted to a low-temperature range at which adsorption is possible in a short time. As a result, the concentration of the specific component contained in the gas in the space can be efficiently adjusted.

[0083] In this way, the concentration adjustment device of the present invention is configured so that the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit 1 is greater than or equal to the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit 2, and similarly thereafter, the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit K is greater than or equal to the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit K+1, and the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit N-1 is greater than or equal to the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit N. Specifically, it is preferable that the device be configured as in the following aspect 1, aspect 2, or aspect 3.

[0084] <Aspect 1> A first embodiment, which is an example of a preferred embodiment of the concentration adjusting device of the present invention, will be described. In the first embodiment, the heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, i.e., the adsorption element has the configuration shown in FIG. In each unit, the plurality of adsorption elements constituting it are electrically connected in parallel, i.e., the adsorption elements are configured as shown in FIG. Furthermore, in a unit combination, the multiple units that make up the combination are electrically connected in parallel. That is, the unit combination is as shown in Figure 11. Note that Figure 11 differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 10 only in the power supply units. That is, in the embodiment shown in Figure 10, unit 1 (U1) is connected to power supply E1 and unit 2 (U2) is connected to power supply E2, but in the embodiment shown in Figure 11, unit 1 (U1) and unit 2 (U2) are both electrically connected in parallel to a single power supply E.

[0085] The resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit 1 is equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit 2, and similarly thereafter, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K is equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, and the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N-1 is equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N. Therefore, the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit 1 is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit 2, and similarly thereafter, the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit K is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit K+1, and the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit N-1 is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit N. Here, the resistance value (Ω) of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element is a value calculated from the voltage V applied to the heat generating layer / the current A flowing through the heat generating layer.

[0086] As a method for adjusting the resistance value of the heat generating layer for each unit and for each adsorption element included therein, a method for adjusting the material of the heat generating layer can be mentioned.

[0087] In aspect 1, the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, and therefore by making the thickness of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K thicker than the thickness of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0088] Furthermore, in aspect 1, the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, and therefore, by making the length of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K (the length in the direction of current flow; that is, the length of the heat generating layer connecting the positive electrode to the negative electrode) shorter than the length of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0089] Furthermore, in aspect 1, since the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, by making the width (length perpendicular to the direction in which current flows) of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K wider than the width of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0090] Furthermore, in aspect 1, since the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, when the heat generating layer is made of metal fiber, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made lower than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1 by making the density of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K smaller than the density of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0091] Furthermore, in aspect 1, since the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, when the heat generating layer is made of metal fiber, the basis weight of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made larger than the basis weight of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, so that the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0092] In addition, in the first aspect, it is preferable to adjust the resistance value of the heat generating layer of each adsorption element and thereby adjust the amount of heat generated by adjusting the number of sheet laminates in each adsorption element. In aspect 1, the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, and therefore by making the number of sheet laminates in each of the adsorption elements included in unit K less than the number of sheet laminates in each of the adsorption elements included in unit K+1, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0093] <Aspect 2> A second embodiment, which is an example of a preferred embodiment of the concentration adjusting device of the present invention, will be described. In the second embodiment, the heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, i.e., the adsorption element has the configuration shown in FIG. In each unit, the plurality of adsorption elements constituting it are electrically connected in parallel, i.e., the adsorption elements are configured as shown in FIG. Furthermore, in a unit combination, the multiple units that make up the combination are electrically connected in series. That is, the unit combination is as shown in Figure 12. Note that Figure 12 differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 10 only in the power supply units. That is, in the embodiment shown in Figure 10, unit 1 (U1) is connected to power supply E1, and unit 2 (U2) is connected to power supply E2, but in the embodiment shown in Figure 12, unit 1 (U1) and unit 2 (U2) are both electrically connected in series to a single power supply E.

[0094] The resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit 1 is equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit 2, and similarly thereafter, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K is equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, and the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N-1 is equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N. Therefore, the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit 1 is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit 2, and similarly thereafter, the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit K is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit K+1, and the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit N-1 is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generating layer in unit N.

[0095] As a method for adjusting the resistance value of the heat generating layer for each unit and for each adsorption element included therein, a method for adjusting the material of the heat generating layer can be mentioned.

[0096] In aspect 2, the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, and therefore by making the thickness of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K thinner than the thickness of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0097] Furthermore, in aspect 2, the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, and therefore, by making the length of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K (the length in the direction of current flow; that is, the length of the heat generating layer connecting the positive electrode to the negative electrode) longer than the length of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0098] Furthermore, in aspect 2, since the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, by making the width (length perpendicular to the direction in which current flows) of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K narrower than the width of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0099] Furthermore, in aspect 2, since the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, when the heat generating layer is made of metal fiber, the density of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made greater than the density of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, so that the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0100] Furthermore, in aspect 2, since the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, when the heat generating layer is made of metal fiber, the basis weight of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made smaller than the basis weight of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1, so that the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0101] In addition, in the second aspect, it is preferable to adjust the resistance value of the heat generating layer of each adsorption element and thereby adjust the amount of heat generated by adjusting the number of sheet laminates in each adsorption element. In aspect 2, the multiple heat generating layers constituting each adsorption element are electrically connected in series, and therefore by making the number of sheet laminates in each of the adsorption elements included in unit K greater than the number of sheet laminates in each of the adsorption elements included in unit K+1, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K can be made greater than or equal to the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit K+1.

[0102] <Aspect 3> A preferred embodiment 3 of the concentration adjusting device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the power supply connected to unit 1 (U1) is power supply E1, the power supply connected to unit 2 (U2) is power supply E2, and so on. K ) to connect the power supply to Power Supply E K , Unit N-1(U N-1 ) to connect the power supply to Power Supply E N-1 , unit N(U N ) to connect the power supply to Power Supply E N Let's say. Here, each unit has its own power supply.

[0103] In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a power source E1 is used to energize the heat generating layer in unit 1, a power source E2 is used to energize the heat generating layer in unit 2, and a power source E3 is used to energize the heat generating layer in unit K. K and a power supply E for energizing the heating layer in unit K+1. K+1 and a power supply E for energizing the heating layer in unit N-1. N-1 and a power source E for energizing the heating layer in unit N. N and , respectively. By making the product of the current and voltage in power supply E1 equal to or greater than the product of the current and voltage in power supply E2, the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit 1 is made equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit 2. Similarly, power supply E K The product of the current and voltage at the power supply E K+1 By setting the power supply E to be equal to or greater than the product of the current and voltage in the power supply E, the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit K is set to be equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit K+1. N-1 The product of the current and voltage at the power supply E N By making the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit N-1 equal to or greater than the product of the current and voltage in the unit N-1, the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit N-1 is made equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit N. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1. Sheet-like laminate 2a, 2b adsorption layer 4a, 4b insulating layers 6 Heating layer 10 Adsorption element 12 Connection 14, 16 terminals 15 Corrugated spacer 20 Unit Connections

Claims

1. A concentration adjusting device for adjusting the concentration of a specific component contained in a gas, the device being reusable by adsorbing the specific component contained in the gas onto an adsorption layer, and then heating the adsorption layer to desorb the adsorbed specific component, the specific component is water, a sheet-like laminate including the adsorption layer and a heat-generating layer capable of heating the adsorption layer is disposed so that the main surfaces of the sheet-like laminate face each other with a gap α therebetween, and the heat-generating layer and the heat-generating layer included in the other sheet-like laminate are electrically connected to each other to form an adsorption element; The adsorption element is disposed so that the main surfaces of the adsorption element face each other via a gap β to form a unit, Furthermore, a plurality of the units are connected to each other so that when the gas is caused to flow through the gap α and the gap β, the gas flows linearly in a specific direction, thereby forming a unit connection body, The unit arranged at one end of the linked unit body is called unit 1, the unit arranged at the other end is called unit N (N is an integer of 2 or more), and the unit arranged between them, adjacent to unit 1, is called unit 2, the unit arranged adjacent to that is called unit 3, and so on, the unit arranged so as to connect unit 1 to unit N is called unit K (K is an integer from 1 to N-1), When the gas is caused to flow into the inlets of the gaps α and β in the unit 1, the gas passes through the gaps α and β of the unit 2, the unit 3, ... and the unit N in that order, and is discharged from the outlets of the gaps α and β in the unit N, and in this process the specific component contained in the gas is adsorbed onto the adsorption layer, When the specific component adsorbed in the adsorption layer is desorbed by heating the adsorption layer by generating heat in the heat generating layer, The heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit 1 is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit 2, Similarly, the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit K is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit K+1, The concentration adjusting device is configured so that the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit N-1 is equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit N.

2. 2. The concentration adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein in at least one of the adsorption elements, the main surface of the adsorption layer in the sheet stack faces the main surface of the adsorption layer in another of the sheet stacks via the gap α.

3. The concentration adjusting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gap α and / or the gap β has a width of 5 mm or less.

4. In each of the adsorption elements, the plurality of heat generating layers constituting the adsorption element are electrically connected in series, In each of the units, the plurality of adsorption elements constituting the unit are electrically connected in parallel, In the unit combination, the plurality of units constituting the unit combination are electrically connected in parallel, a resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit 1 is equal to or less than a resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit 2, Similarly, a resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit K is equal to or less than a resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit K+1, A concentration adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N-1 is equal to or less than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N.

5. 5. The concentration adjusting device according to claim 4, wherein the resistance value of the heat generating layer of each of the adsorption elements is adjusted by adjusting the number of the sheet stacks in each of the adsorption elements, thereby adjusting the amount of heat generated.

6. In each of the adsorption elements, the plurality of heat generating layers constituting the adsorption element are electrically connected in series, In each of the units, the plurality of adsorption elements constituting the unit are electrically connected in parallel, In the unit combination, the plurality of units constituting the unit combination are electrically connected in series, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit 1 is equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit 2, Similarly, the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit K is equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in the unit K+1, A concentration adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N-1 is equal to or greater than the resistance value of the heat generating layer of the adsorption element included in unit N.

7. 7. The concentration adjusting device according to claim 6, wherein the resistance value of the heat generating layer of each of the adsorption elements is adjusted by adjusting the number of the sheet stacks in each of the adsorption elements, thereby adjusting the amount of heat generated.

8. A power source E for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit 1 1 and, A power source E for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit 2 2 and, A power source E for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit K K and, A power source E for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit K+1 K+1 and, A power source E for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit N-1 N-1 and, A power source E for energizing the heat generating layer in the unit N N and, separately, The power source E 1 The product of the current and voltage at the power supply E 2 the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit 1 is equal to or greater than the product of the current and voltage in the unit 2; Similarly, The power source E K The product of the current and voltage at the power supply E K+1 the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in the unit K is equal to or greater than the product of the current and the voltage in the unit K+1, The power source E N-1 The product of the current and voltage at the power supply E N A concentration adjustment device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit N-1 is made equal to or greater than the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit N by making the heat generation amount of the heat generation layer in unit N-1 equal to or greater than the product of the current and voltage in unit N-1.

9. In the adsorption element, a spacer is provided in at least a part of the gap α between the main surface of the sheet-like laminate and the main surface of another sheet-like laminate. and / or In the unit, a spacer is provided in at least a part of the gap β between the adsorption element and another adsorption element. The concentration adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The concentration adjusting device according to claim 9 , wherein the spacer is made of a metal plate.

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