Ozone Generator Using Excimer Lamp and Gas Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ozone generators using excimer lamps face inefficiencies in ozone generation due to unclear conditions for source gas supply, particularly flow rate, and simultaneous ozone generation and decomposition reactions when using low-pressure mercury lamps.
Innovation Solution
An ozone generator employing an excimer lamp with a wavelength of not more than 200 nm as the ultraviolet light source, positioned within the gas flow channel, and maintaining a source gas flow rate of at least 0.1 m/s to prevent ozone decomposition, while maintaining relative humidity below 30% to enhance ozone yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a low-pressure mercury lamp is employed as the ultraviolet light source, then the device structure is simple and cost is reduced, but ozone decomposition reaction occurs simultaneously with ozone generation reaction, reducing ozone yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the ultraviolet light source from 254 nm (low-pressure mercury lamp) to 185 nm (excimer lamp), which selectively enables ozone generation while avoiding ozone decomposition, thereby resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and ozone yield
2Productivity
If the source gas flow rate is increased to prevent ozone decomposition, then ozone yield is improved, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the source gas flow rate parameter to a specific range (0.5-5 m/s) that balances ozone generation efficiency with energy consumption, preventing both insufficient ozone yield and excessive energy usage
3Productivity
If the excimer lamp is positioned inside the gas flow channel, then ozone generation efficiency is improved, but the risk of thermal degradation and ozone decomposition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by controlling the relative humidity parameter in the gas flow channel (below 30%), which creates localized conditions that prevent thermal degradation and ozone decomposition while maintaining high ozone generation efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures high-efficiency ozone generation by preventing ozone decomposition and thermal degradation, allowing for stable and efficient production of ozone for sterilization and deodorization applications.
Implementation Method 1
a photochemical reaction method using ultraviolet light, for example, has been known as one of methods for industrially generating ozone (O3). In this photochemical reaction method, a source gas containing oxygen (O2) is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from an ultraviolet light source such as an ultraviolet lamp including a discharge space in an arc tube. This causes the oxygen in the source gas to absorb the ultraviolet light, thereby causing an ozone generating reaction to generate ozone.
Implementation Method 2
A flow rate of the source gas in a region where the ultraviolet light source is disposed in the gas flow channel is not lower than 0.1 m/s
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention has as its object the provision of an ozone generator that can generate ozone with high efficiency. The ozone generator of the present invention includes: source gas supply means for supplying a source gas containing oxygen; a gas flow channel forming member for forming a gas flow channel through which the source gas from the source gas supply means flows; and an ultraviolet light source for emitting ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light source being disposed in the gas flow channel. The ozone generator irradiates the source gas flowing through the gas flow channel with the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source to cause the oxygen in the source gas to absorb the ultraviolet light and thereby generate ozone. The ultraviolet light source comprises an excimer lamp for emitting ultraviolet light with a wavelength of not more than 200 nm. A flow rate of the source gas in a region where the ultraviolet light source is disposed in the gas flow channel is not lower than 0.1 m/s.