U.S. patent application number 11/816189 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-29 for ozonized water producing apparatus, gas/liquid mixing structure for use in the ozonized water producing apparatus, ozonized water producing method and ozonized water.
Invention is credited to Nobuko Hagiwara, Eiji Matsumura.
Application Number | 20090026143 11/816189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36916603 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090026143 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsumura; Eiji ; et
al. |
January 29, 2009 |
OZONIZED WATER PRODUCING APPARATUS, GAS/LIQUID MIXING STRUCTURE FOR
USE IN THE OZONIZED WATER PRODUCING APPARATUS, OZONIZED WATER
PRODUCING METHOD AND OZONIZED WATER
Abstract
To provide an ozonized water producing apparatus capable of
efficiently and easily producing ozonized water with a high
dissolution degree and a high concentration. In an ozonized water
producing apparatus constituted by including a pipeline for passing
water to be treated through, a gas-liquid mixing structure provided
halfway in the pipeline, and an ozone supply structure for
supplying ozone into the gas-liquid mixing structure, the
gas-liquid mixing structure is provided with a magnet for exerting
a magnetic force onto an inside. By causing the magnetic force to
act on both the water to be treated and ozone, ozonized water with
a high dissolution degree and a high concentration can be
efficiently and easily produced.
Inventors: |
Matsumura; Eiji;
(Kanagawa-Prefecture, JP) ; Hagiwara; Nobuko;
(Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURR & BROWN
PO BOX 7068
SYRACUSE
NY
13261-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
36916603 |
Appl. No.: |
11/816189 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
February 21, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2006/303065 |
371 Date: |
August 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/695 ;
210/149; 210/199 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 1/48 20130101; A61L
2/183 20130101; B01F 2003/04858 20130101; B01F 5/16 20130101; C02F
1/78 20130101; B01F 5/0415 20130101; C02F 2201/784 20130101; C02F
2201/782 20130101; B01F 13/0006 20130101; B01F 3/04985 20130101;
B01F 13/0001 20130101; B01F 3/04099 20130101; C01B 13/10 20130101;
A01K 63/042 20130101; B01F 5/061 20130101; B01F 5/106 20130101;
B01F 2005/0017 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/695 ;
210/149; 210/199 |
International
Class: |
C02F 1/78 20060101
C02F001/78; C02F 1/48 20060101 C02F001/48; C02F 103/02 20060101
C02F103/02; C02F 103/04 20060101 C02F103/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 21, 2005 |
JP |
2005-044867 |
May 23, 2005 |
JP |
2005-150180 |
Jun 6, 2005 |
JP |
2005-164937 |
Oct 24, 2005 |
JP |
2005-308726 |
Nov 23, 2005 |
JP |
2005-337916 |
Claims
1. An ozonized water producing apparatus, comprising: a pipeline
for passing water to be treated through; a gas-liquid mixing
structure provided halfway in the pipeline; and an ozone supply
structure for supplying ozone into the gas-liquid mixing structure,
wherein the gas-liquid mixing structure is provided with a magnet
for exerting a magnetic force onto an inside.
2. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said gas-liquid mixing structure comprises a Venturi tube
having a small-diameter path, and an ozone supply pipe having an
open end at a position facing the small-diameter path, and said
ozone supply structure is connected to a connecting end of the
ozone supply pipe.
3. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein said magnet is constituted to be able to exert a magnetic
force on at least the small-diameter path and/or a vicinity of the
small-diameter path of said Venturi tube.
4. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein said magnet is constituted of a magnetic circuit including
one magnet piece and the other magnet piece, and the one magnet
piece and the other magnet piece are opposed to each other with
said Venturi tube therebetween.
5. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the magnetic force of said magnet is set at 3000 gausses to
20000 gausses.
6. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising: a circulation structure for circulating the
water to be treated which has passed through said gas-liquid mixing
structure to cause the water to be treated to pass through the
gas-liquid mixing structure again, wherein the circulation
structure comprises said pipeline.
7. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein a storage tank for temporarily storing the water to be
treated which is circulated is provided halfway in said circulation
structure.
8. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 7,
further comprising: a temperature keeping structure for keeping the
water to be treated in said storage tank at a temperature in a
range of 5.degree. C. to 15.degree. C.
9. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein a dissolution accelerating tank for temporarily storing the
water to be treated passing through the circulation structure to
accelerate ozone dissolution is provided downstream from said
gas-liquid mixing structure and upstream from said storage tank
halfway in said circulation structure.
10. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein a degassing structure that is capable of discharging ozone
which escapes from the stored water to be treated is provided at a
top portion of said dissolution accelerating tank.
11. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein said circulation structure further comprises a mixing
accelerating structure for accelerating mixing of ozone into water,
and the mixing accelerating structure is provided with a magnet for
exerting a magnetic force on an inside.
12. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein said mixing accelerating structure is a static mixer and/or
a vortex flow pump.
13. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein the magnetic force of said magnet is set at 3000 gausses to
20000 gausses.
14. A gas-liquid mixing structure used for an ozonized water
producing apparatus, said gas-liquid mixing structure is
constituted to be usable for the ozonized water producing apparatus
according to claim 2.
15. A gas-liquid mixing structure used for an ozonized water
producing apparatus, comprising: a Venturi tube having a
small-diameter path, an ozone supply pipe having an open end at a
position facing the small-diameter path, and a magnet for exerting
a magnetic force on at least the small-diameter path and/or a
vicinity of the small-diameter path of the Venturi tube.
16. An ozonized water producing method for producing ozonized water
by passing water to be treated through a Venturi tube having a
small-diameter path, and supplying ozone through an ozone supply
pipe having an open end disposed at a position facing the
small-diameter path, wherein a magnetic force is caused to act on
at least the small-diameter path and/or a vicinity of the
small-diameter path of the Venturi tube.
17. The ozonized water producing method according to claim 16,
wherein the water to be treated which has passed said Venturi tube
is circulated, and is caused to pass through said Venturi tube at
least once again while ozone is being supplied.
18. The ozonized water producing method according to claim 17,
wherein said circulated water to be treated is temporarily stored
in a storage tank.
19. The ozonized water producing method according to claim 18,
wherein the water to be treated stored in said storage tank is
temporarily taken out and kept at a temperature in a range of
5.degree. C. to 15.degree. C.
20. The ozonized water producing method according to claim 16,
wherein the water to be treated after ozone is mixed therein is
temporarily stored in a dissolution accelerating tank to accelerate
ozone dissolution.
21. The ozonized water producing method according to claim 20,
wherein ozone escaping from the water to be treated which is stored
in said dissolution accelerating tank is discharged to an outside
of the dissolution accelerating tank.
22. An ozonized water producing method, wherein in a magnetic
field, hydraulic pressure of water to be treated is increased until
it reaches a pressure peak, and is reduced immediately after it
reaches the pressure peak, and ozone is supplied to the water to be
treated which reaches the pressure peak.
23. The ozonized water which is produced by the ozonized water
producing method according to claim 16, wherein a particle size R
of an ozone bubble contained in the ozonized water satisfies
0<R<50 nm.
24. Ozonized water which is produced by a gas-liquid mixing method,
wherein a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in the
ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm.
25. Ozonized water which is produced by mixing ozone into water to
be treated while causing a magnetic force to act on the water to be
treated, wherein a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in
the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm.
26. Ozonized water, wherein a particle size R of an ozone bubble
contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to an ozonized water producing
apparatus, a gas-liquid mixing structure for use in the ozonized
water producing apparatus, an ozonized water producing method and
ozonized water.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As an ozonized water producing apparatus, there is the one
disclosed in Patent Document 1. The ozonized water producing
apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as "a conventional producing
apparatus") disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a pipeline for
passing water to be treated through, an ozone injector which is
provided halfway in the pipeline, and a permanent magnet provided
at a pipeline outer wall upstream of the ozone injector. The ozone
injector is for diffusing ozone into the passing water, and the
above described ozone is supplied from the outside of the ozone
injector. The permanent magnet is disposed so as to exert a
magnetic force onto the water to be treated which flows in the
pipeline from a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of
the pipeline. Patent Document 1 describes that the reason of
providing the permanent magnet is to enhance ozone solubility by
fragmenting clusters as well as ionizing the water to be treated by
using the magnetic force of the permanent magnet. Also Patent
Document 1 cites acceleration of ionization of the water to be
treated and fragmentation of clusters by passing the water to be
treated (tap water) to penetrate through the magnetic field
(magnetic force) of the permanent magnet as the reason of making
the direction of the magnetic force of the permanent magnet
orthogonal to the axial direction of the pipeline. Further, Patent
Document 1 discloses the provision of the permanent magnet, which
is provided upstream of the ozone injector, downstream of it
instead of upstream of it, and provision of the permanent magnets
both upstream and downstream of it, and in any case, the magnet in
use is strictly for the purpose of exerting a magnetic force onto
the water to be treated flowing in the pipeline, that is, the water
to be treated in a stable state.
[0003] [Patent Documents] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2003-19486 (refer to paragraphs 0006, 0009, 0010, 0019, 0020, 0024,
0026 and FIG. 1)
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, the conventional producing apparatus which causes
the magnetic force of the permanent magnet to act on the water to
be treated flowing in the pipeline cannot easily produce
high-concentration ozonized water having a high degree of
dissolution (high dissolution degree) even if the acting direction
of the magnetic force is aligned with the direction orthogonal to
the flowing water to be treated. This point will be proved by the
later-described results of the experiments conducted by the
inventor and others. A problem to be solved by the present
invention is to provide an ozonized water producing apparatus, a
gas-liquid mixing structure for use in the ozonized water producing
apparatus, and an ozonized water producing method which are capable
of efficiently and easily producing high-concentration ozonized
water having a high dissolution degree, and ozonized water.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The inventor, who conducted earnest researches to achieve
the above described problem, obtained the views concerning the
action target, action spot and acting direction of the magnetic
force, which are totally different from those of the conventional
producing apparatus. Specifically, the inventor has acquired the
knowledge that the magnetic force should be exerted on the ozone
before dissolving into the water to be treated and for that purpose
the magnet should be provided at the ozone injector itself instead
of upstream of the ozone injector, and by providing the magnet at
the ozone injector itself, the acting direction of the magnetic
force on the water to be treated cannot be made constant. The
present invention is made based on the above acquired knowledge.
The detailed constitution of the invention will be described in the
later paragraph. The definition or the like of the terms which is
made in explaining the invention set forth in any claim shall be
also applied to the invention described in other claims in the
possible range in its characteristic and irrespective of the
difference in invention category, sequence of the description of
the invention and the like. In this application, "water to be
treated" is the concept including both raw water before ozone
dissolution (ground water, tap water, river water, rain water and
the like), and ozonized water produced by dissolving ozone in the
raw water, and the raw water and the ozonized water shall be
properly used in accordance with each ozonized water producing
process.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 1)
[0006] An ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 1 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 1") is constituted by
including a pipeline for passing water to be treated through, a
gas-liquid mixing structure provided halfway in the pipeline, and
an ozone supply structure for supplying ozone into the gas-liquid
mixing structure. The gas-liquid mixing structure is provided with
a magnet for exerting a magnetic force onto an inside. The magnet
is provided at the gas-liquid mixing device, and magnets may be
provided upstream and/or downstream from it in combination. As the
magnet, use of a natural magnet is preferable in simplifying the
structure and facilitating maintenance, but an electromagnet and
the like can be used as long as a suitable magnetic force can be
obtained from them.
[0007] According to the producing apparatus of claim 1, the
gas-liquid mixing structure is provided with a magnet, and
therefore, the magnetic force of the magnet is exerted in the
process of mixing the water to be treated and ozone. Specifically,
the magnetic force action is exerted on not only the water to be
treated, but also ozone which is not dissolved in the water to be
treated. The water to be treated on the occasion of mixing ozone
therein contains ozone bubbles in various sizes large and small,
and its flow is an extremely irregular turbulent flow. Therefore,
the direction of the magnetic force which acts on the water to be
treated and ozone is extremely irregular and unstable. Whereas it
is obvious from the later-described experimental result that the
irregular and unstable magnetic force action is effective for
production of high-concentration ozonized water having a high
dissolution degree, the causal relation is under elucidation at
present. The inventor assumes as follows. Specifically, a fact that
the water to be treated (ozone), which is subjected to the action
of the magnetic force, is in the turbulent flow means that the
water to be treated is under the action of the magnetic force for a
long time as compared with the water to be treated being in a
laminar flow. Further, in the water to be treated (ozone) being in
the turbulent flow, the distance from the magnet changes in rapid
succession. Specifically, the magnetic force can be uniformly
exerted onto the water to be treated flowing per unit time with
much expenditure of time. It is conceivable that this accelerates
cluster fragmentation of the water to be treated, and as a result,
realizes efficient production of high-concentration ozonized water
having a high dissolution degree.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 2)
[0008] In the ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 2 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 2"), the basic constitution of
the producing apparatus of claim 1 is included, in addition to
which, the aforesaid gas-liquid mixing structure is constituted by
including a Venturi tube having a small-diameter path, and an ozone
supply pipe having an open end at a position facing the
small-diameter path, and the aforesaid ozone supply structure is
connected to a connecting end of the ozone supply pipe.
[0009] According to the producing apparatus of claim 2, basically
the same operational effect as the operational effect of the
producing apparatus of claim 1 is taken, and the operational effect
in the gas-liquid mixing structure is as follows. Specifically, the
pressure of the water to be treated when flowing into the Venturi
tube from the pipeline abruptly increases as it is closer to the
small diameter path, and after passing through the small diameter
path, the pressure abruptly decreases. The inside of the Venturi
tube when the pressure decreases is under vacuum or in a negative
pressure state close to a vacuum, and by this negative pressure
state, the ozone supplied by the ozone supply pipe is sucked into
the water to be treated. The sucked ozone is abruptly stirred and
mixed as a result of complicated intertwinement of the above
described pressure change, flow change of the water to be treated
accompanying passage through the small diameter path and the
like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 3)
[0010] In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 3 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus according to claim 3"), the basic
constitution of the producing apparatus of claim 2 is included, and
the aforesaid magnet is constituted to be able to exert a magnetic
force on at least the small-diameter path and/or a vicinity of the
small-diameter path of the aforesaid Venturi tube.
[0011] According to the producing apparatus of claim 3, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 2,
the magnetic force can be the most efficiently exerted on the water
to be treated when passing through and/or before and after passing
through the Venturi tube. According to the experiment of the
inventor and others, when the magnetic force is exerted as
described above, high-concentration ozonized water having a high
dissolution degree was able to be produced the most efficiently.
The reason is assumed as follows. Specifically, when the same
magnet is provided at the same Venturi tube, by providing the
magnet so that the above described action occurs, a great change
occurs to the state of the water to be treated such as occurrence
of pressure change to the water to be treated, suction of ozone
into the water and the like when or before and after the passage of
the water through the small-diameter path of the Venturi tube. It
seems to be the factor that realizes the high dissolution degree
and high concentration to cause the magnetic force to act on the
water to be treated to correspond to the change. Further, it is
also assumed to contribute to realization of the high dissolution
degree and high concentration to cause the magnetic force to act on
ozone bubbles which are paramagnetic substances.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 4)
[0012] In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 4 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 4"), in addition to the basic
constitution of the producing apparatus of claim 2 or 3, the
aforesaid magnet is constituted of a magnetic circuit including one
magnet piece and the other magnet piece, and the one magnet piece
and the other magnet piece are opposed to each other with the
aforesaid Venturi tube put therebetween.
[0013] According to the producing apparatus of claim 4, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 2 or
3, the magnetic force can be caused to act intensively on a
required spot inside the Venturi tube by constituting the magnetic
circuit.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 5)
[0014] In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 5 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 5"), the basic constitution of
the producing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4 is included,
and in addition, the magnetic force of the aforesaid magnet is set
at 3000 gausses to 20000 gausses.
[0015] According to the producing apparatus of claim 5,
constitution of the magnet can be simply and economically carried
out. Specifically, the magnets having the above described magnetic
force are easily available on the market, and therefore, special
magnets do not have to be prepared. The magnets are inexpensive
because they are not special magnets. It goes without saying that
this does not intend to inhibit adoption of the magnets having the
magnetic force exceeding the above described range.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 6)
[0016] An ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 6 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 6") includes the basic
constitution of the producing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to
5, and in addition, is constituted by further including a
circulation structure for circulating the water to be treated which
has passed through the aforesaid gas-liquid mixing structure to
cause the water to be treated to pass through the gas-liquid mixing
structure again, and the circulation structure is constituted by
including the aforesaid pipeline.
[0017] According to the producing apparatus of claim 6, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of any one of
claims 1 to 5, the water to be treated can be circulated by having
the circulation structure, and by the circulation, ozone injection
into the water to be treated can be repeatedly performed. If ozone
injection is repeatedly performed, ozone is injected again into the
water to be treated which has once finished ozone injection, and
thereby, the water to be treated to which ozone is injected again
can be increased in the ozone dissolution degree and ozone
concentration more than the water to be treated to which ozone is
injected once. The number of circulations can be determined by the
user of the apparatus in accordance with the required ozone
dissolution degree and the ozone concentration.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 7)
[0018] In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 7 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 7"), the basic constitution of
the producing apparatus according to claim 6 is included, and in
addition, a storage tank for temporarily storing the water to be
treated which is circulated is provided halfway in the aforesaid
circulation structure.
[0019] According to the producing apparatus of claim 7, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 6,
the water to be treated can be temporarily stored in the storage
tank, and by this storage, the water to be treated can be placed in
a stable state, whereby, the ozone dissolution into the water to be
treated can be accelerated by the action of aging assimilation.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 8)
[0020] In the ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 8 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 8"), the basic constitution of
the producing apparatus of claim 7 is included, and in addition, a
temperature keeping structure for keeping the water to be treated
in the aforesaid storage tank at a temperature in a range of
5.degree. C. to 15.degree. C. is provided.
[0021] According to the producing apparatus of claim 8, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 7,
the temperature of the water to be treated can be kept in the above
described range by having the temperature keeping structure. The
raw water used for producing ozonized water is often conveyed in a
long pipeline, and in such a case, the conveyed raw water is
susceptible to the weather. An increase in water temperature in the
summer season is especially conspicuous. In order to circulate the
water to be treated, energy for circulation is required, and as
such an energy source, for example, a pump is cited. The above
described energy source is generally accompanied by heat
generation, and the heat may increase the temperature of the water
to be treated. Ozone dissolution is susceptible to the temperature
of water, and when the water temperature rises, reduction in
dissolution degree is occurred. Thus, by keeping the temperature of
the water to be treated in the predetermined range, ozone
dissolution is accelerated. On the other hand, for example, when
the water to be treated is likely to be frozen in a cold district,
the producing apparatus may be constituted to heat the water to be
treated by providing a heater. If cooling or heating of the water
to be treated is unnecessary, the temperature keeping structure
itself may be omitted, or the operation of the temperature keeping
structure provided therein may be stopped.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 9)
[0022] In the ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 9 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 9"), the basic constitution of
the producing apparatus of claim 7 or 8 is included, and in
addition, a dissolution accelerating tank for temporarily storing
the water to be treated passing through the circulation structure,
and accelerating ozone dissolution is provided downstream from the
aforesaid gas-liquid mixing structure and upstream from the
aforesaid storage tank halfway in the aforesaid circulation
structure.
[0023] According to the producing apparatus of claim 9, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 7 or
8, ozone dissolution into the water to be treated is accelerated by
the action of the dissolution accelerating tank. The water to be
treated stored in the dissolution accelerating tank is placed in
the stable state by the storage. In the water to be treated placed
in the stable state, ozone dissolution into it is accelerated by
the action of aging assimilation. The ozone which is dynamically
dissolved in the gas-liquid mixing structure is statically
dissolved in the dissolution accelerating tank, and dissolution of
ozone into the water to be treated is dramatically accelerated by
the actions of both of them.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 10)
[0024] In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 10 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 10"), the basic constitution
of the producing apparatus of claim 9 is included, and in addition,
a degassing structure that is capable of discharging ozone which
escapes from the stored water to be treated is provided at a top
portion of the aforesaid dissolution accelerating tank.
[0025] According to the producing apparatus of claim 10, in
addition to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of
claim 9, the ozone which is not dissolved in the water to be
treated in the process of circulating the water to be treated can
be discharged outside the apparatus. By discharging the undissolved
ozone, the ozone contained in the water to be treated has a high
solubility, and the ozone with a low solubility is discharged.
Accordingly, the ozonized water which really has a high ozone
dissolution degree is produced. Here, the dissolution degree of
ozone is high means that the bubble diameter of the ozone bubble
dissolved in the water to be treated is in the unit of nanometer,
preferably, less than 50 nm, for example, and more preferably, 30
nm. This is because the ozone bubbles of the above-described bubble
diameters do not easily escape from the water to be treated.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 11)
[0026] In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 11 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 11"), the basic constitution
of the producing apparatus of claims 6 to 10 is included, and in
addition, the aforesaid circulation structure is constituted by
further including a mixing accelerating structure for accelerating
mixing of ozone into water, and the mixing accelerating structure
is provided with a magnet for exerting a magnetic force on an
inside. "The mixing accelerating structure" means a device, a
member or the like having the function of physically and
mechanically stirring the water to be treated containing ozone.
[0027] According to the producing apparatus of claim 11, in
addition to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of
any one of claims 6 to 10, a magnetic force can be caused to act on
the water to be treated which is physically and mechanically
stirred in the mixing accelerating structure. The water to be
treated in the mixing accelerating structure is in the unstable
state by the stirring, and by causing the magnetic force to act on
the water to be treated in such a state, the ozone dissolution
degree can be more enhanced.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 12)
[0028] An ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 12 (hereinafter, properly called "the
producing apparatus of claim 12") includes the basic constitution
of the producing apparatus of claim 11, and in addition, is
characterized in that the aforesaid mixing accelerating structure
is a static mixer and/or a vortex flow pump in concrete.
[0029] According to the producing apparatus of claim 12, the
operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 11 is
realized by a static mixer, a vortex flow pump or the like. Static
mixers, and vortex pumps are mixing accelerating structures
frequently used in the ozonized water producing apparatuses, and it
is not difficult from its structures to provide magnets in them.
Accordingly, magnets can be placed in the existing static mixers or
the like without adding a large change, and therefore, enhancement
of concentration of ozone can be realized without making a
large-scaled design change or the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 13)
[0030] In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the
invention set forth in claim 13 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing apparatus of claim 13), the basic constitution of
the producing apparatus of claim 11 or 12 is included, and in
addition, the magnetic force of the aforesaid magnet is set at 3000
gausses to 20000 gausses.
[0031] According to the producing apparatus of claim 13, the
operational effect of the production apparatus of claim 11 or 12
can be realized by the magnet having the magnetic force in the
above described set range. The reason of setting the strength of
the magnetic force in the above described range is its
availability. Specifically, as the magnet usable in the present
invention, for example, a neodymium magnet is cited, and when such
a magnet is to be procured from the market, the magnets which are
high in procurability and usable in cost have the magnetic force in
the above described range. If the magnets stronger than the magnets
in the above described magnetic force are available, use of such
magnets are not intended to be hindered.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 14)
[0032] A gas-liquid mixing structure according to the invention set
forth in claim 14 (hereinafter, properly referred to as "the mixing
structure of claim 14") is constituted to be usable for the
producing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
[0033] The mixing structure of claim 14 is incorporated into an
ozonized water producing apparatus to be newly manufactured as a
matter of course, and also can be incorporated in an existing
ozonized water producing apparatus with an existing gas-liquid
mixing structure included in the existing ozonized water producing
apparatus, or in place of this. By incorporating the mixing
structure, the ozone concentration of the ozonized water produced
by the ozonized water producing apparatus in which the mixing
structure is incorporated can be increased.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 15)
[0034] A gas-liquid mixing structure according to the invention set
forth in claim 15 (hereinafter, properly referred to as "the mixing
structure of claim 15") is constituted by including a Venturi tube
having a small-diameter path, an ozone supply pipe having an open
end at a position facing the small-diameter path, and a magnet for
exerting a magnetic force on at least the small-diameter path
and/or a vicinity of the small-diameter path of the Venturi
tube.
[0035] The mixing structure of claim 15 is incorporated into an
ozonized water producing apparatus to be newly manufactured as a
matter of course, and also can be incorporated in an existing
ozonized water producing apparatus with an existing gas-liquid
mixing structure included in the existing ozonized water producing
apparatus, or in place of this. By incorporating the mixing
structure, the ozone concentration of the ozonized water produced
by the ozonized water producing apparatus in which the mixing
structure is incorporated can be increased.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 16)
[0036] An ozonized water producing method according to the
invention set forth in claim 16 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing method of claim 16") is, in an ozonized water
producing method for producing ozonized water by passing water to
be treated through a Venturi tube having a small-diameter path, and
supplying ozone through an ozone supply pipe having an open end
disposed at a position facing the small-diameter path,
characterized in that a magnetic force is caused to act on at least
the small-diameter path and/or a vicinity of the small-diameter
path of the Venturi tube.
[0037] According to the producing method of claim 16, the magnetic
force of the magnet is caused to act in the process of mixing the
water to be treated and ozone. Specifically, the magnetic force
action is exerted on not only the water to be treated, but also
ozone which is not dissolved in the water to be treated. The water
to be treated on the occasion of mixing ozone therein contains
ozone bubbles in various sizes large and small, and its flow is an
extremely irregular turbulent flow. Therefore, the direction of the
magnetic force which acts on the water to be treated and ozone is
extremely irregular and unstable. Whereas it is obvious from the
later-described experimental result that the irregular and unstable
magnetic force action is effective for production of
high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree,
the causal relation is under elucidation at present. The inventor
assumes as follows. Specifically, the water to be treated (ozone),
which is subjected to the action of the magnetic force, is in a
turbulent flow, and in an unstable state. It is conceivable that
the magnetic force acts on the water to be treated in an unstable
state, and thereby, accelerates fragmentation of clusters of the
water to be treated, as a result of which, efficient production of
high-concentration ozonized water with a high dissolution degree is
realized. The pressure of the water to be treated when passing
through the Venturi tube abruptly increases as it is closer to the
small diameter path, and after passing through the small diameter
path, the pressure abruptly decreases. The inside of the Venturi
tube when the pressure decreases is under vacuum or in a negative
pressure state close to a vacuum, and by this negative pressure
state, the ozone supplied by the ozone supply pipe is sucked into
the water to be treated. The sucked ozone is abruptly stirred and
mixed as a result of complicated intertwinement of the above
described pressure change, flow change of the water to be treated
accompanying passage of the small diameter path and the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 17)
[0038] An ozonized water producing method according to the
invention set forth in claim 17 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing method of claim 17") is the producing method of
claim 16, and characterized in that the water to be treated which
has passed the aforesaid Venturi tube is circulated, and is caused
to pass through the aforesaid Venturi tube at least once again
while ozone is being supplied.
[0039] According to the producing method of claim 17, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing method of claim 16,
ozone mixing into the water to be treated can be repeatedly
performed by circulating the water to be treated. If ozone mixing
is repeatedly performed, ozone is mixed again into the water to be
treated which has once finished ozone mixing, and thereby, the
water to be treated to which ozone is mixed again can be more
enhanced in ozone dissolution degree and ozone concentration than
the water to be treated to which ozone is mixed once. The number of
circulations can be determined by the user in accordance with the
required ozone dissolution degree and ozone concentration.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 18)
[0040] An ozonized water producing method according to the
invention set forth in claim 18 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing method of claim 18") is the producing method of
claim 17, and characterized in that the aforesaid circulated water
to be treated is temporarily stored in a storage tank.
[0041] According to the producing method of claim 18, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing method of claim 17, the
water to be treated can be temporarily stored in the storage tank,
and by this storage, the water to be treated can be placed in a
stable state, whereby, the ozone dissolution into the water to be
treated can be accelerated by the action of aging assimilation,
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 19)
[0042] An ozonized water producing method according to the
invention set forth in claim 19 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing method of claim 19") is the producing method of
claim 18, and characterized in that the water to be treated stored
in the aforesaid storage tank is temporarily taken out and kept at
a temperature in a range of 5.degree. C. to 15.degree. C.
[0043] According to the producing method of claim 19, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing method of claim 18, the
temperature of the water to be treated can be kept in the above
described range. Ozone dissolution is susceptible to the
temperature of water, and when the water temperature rises,
reduction in dissolution degree is occurred. Thus, by keeping the
temperature of the water to be treated in the predetermined range,
ozone dissolution is accelerated.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 20)
[0044] An ozonized water producing method according to the
invention set forth in claim 20 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing method of claim 20") is the producing method of
any one of claims 16 to 19, and characterized in that the water to
be treated after ozone is mixed therein is temporarily stored in a
dissolution accelerating tank, and ozone dissolution is
accelerated.
[0045] According to the producing method of claim 20, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing method of any one of
claim 16 to 19, ozone dissolution into the water to be treated is
accelerated by the function of the dissolution accelerating tank.
The water to be treated stored in the dissolution accelerating tank
is placed in the stable state by the storage. In the water to be
treated placed in the stable state, ozone dissolution into it is
accelerated by the action of aging assimilation.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 21)
[0046] An ozonized water producing method according to claim 21
(hereinafter, properly referred to as "the producing method of
claim 21") is the producing method of claim 20, and characterized
in that ozone escaping from the water to be treated which is stored
in the dissolution accelerating tank is discharged to an outside of
the dissolution accelerating tank.
[0047] According to the producing method of claim 21, in addition
to the operational effect of the producing method of claim 20, the
ozone which is not dissolved in the water to be treated in the
process of circulating the water to be treated can be discharged
outside the apparatus. By discharging the undissolved ozone, the
ozone contained in the water to be treated has a high solubility,
and the ozone with a low solubility is discharged. Accordingly, the
ozonized water which really has a high ozone dissolution degree is
produced.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 22)
[0048] An ozonized water producing method according to the
invention set forth in claim 22 (hereinafter, properly referred to
as "the producing method of claim 22") is characterized in that in
a magnetic field, hydraulic pressure of water to be treated is
increased until it reaches a pressure peak, and is reduced
immediately after it reaches the pressure peak, and ozone is
supplied to the water to be treated which reaches the pressure
peak.
[0049] According to the producing method of claim 22, the magnetic
force of the magnet is caused to act in the process of mixing the
water to be treated and ozone. Specifically, the magnetic force
action is exerted on not only the water to be treated, but also
ozone which is not dissolved in the water to be treated. The water
to be treated on the occasion of mixing ozone therein contains
ozone bubbles in various sizes large and small, and its flow is an
extremely irregular turbulent flow. Therefore, the direction of the
magnetic force which acts on the water to be treated and ozone is
extremely irregular and unstable. Whereas it is obvious from the
later-described experimental result that the irregular and unstable
magnetic force action is effective for production of
high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree,
the causal relation is under elucidation at present.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 23)
[0050] The ozonized water according to the invention set forth in
claim 23 (hereinafter, properly referred to as "the ozonized water
of claim 23") is produced by the ozonized water producing method
according to any one of claims 16 to 22, and characterized in that
a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in the ozonized
water satisfies 0<R<50 nm, that is, the particle size is
larger than zero and smaller than 50 nm.
[0051] According to the ozonized water of claim 23, the particle
sizes R of the ozone bubbles are 0<R<50 nm, and therefore,
the ozone bubbles hardly receive buoyancy. Therefore, ozone bubbles
stay in the ozonized water (the water to be treated) stably without
floating. Specifically, ozone does not easily escape from the
ozonized water. Therefore, when one moves one's nose close to the
ozonized water, one never or hardly smells an odor peculiar to
ozone. According to the experiment of the inventor and others, the
ozone concentration can be increased to, for example, about 20 ppm
under an atmospheric pressure. High-concentration ozonized water is
not only effective for sterilization and disinfection, but also can
be applied directly to a human body (for example, cleaning of hands
and faces) due to no ozone escape. The conventional ozonized water
has considerable ozone escape, and it is feared that the escaped
ozone has an adverse effect on respiratory organs of human bodies,
livestock and the like. Therefore, it has been difficult to use the
conventional ozonized water for human bodies, livestock and the
like as described above. Even if the ozonized water is used, the
ozone concentration reduces due to ozone escape, and the effect of
disinfection or the like is hardly expected. Further, unlike the
ozonized water (functional water) which is produced by adding an
additive (electrolysis aid) such as sodium chloride, the above
described ozonized water is produced by the gas-liquid mixing
method that mixes water to be treated and ozone, and therefore, it
contains no additive. In the respect of containing no additive, the
above described ozonized water is suitable for use for human bodies
and the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 24)
[0052] Ozonized water according to the invention set forth in claim
24 (hereinafter, properly referred to as "the ozonized water of
claim 24") is produced by a gas-liquid mixing method, and
characterized in that a particle size R of an ozone bubble
contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<150 nm.
[0053] According to the ozonized water of claim 24, the particle
size R of the ozone bubbles is 0<R<50 nm, and therefore, the
ozone bubbles hardly receive buoyancy. Therefore, ozone bubbles
stay in the ozonized water (the water to be treated) stably without
floating. Specifically, ozone does not easily escape from the
ozonized water. Therefore, when one moves one's nose close to the
ozonized water, one never or hardly smells an odor peculiar to
ozone. According to the experiment of the inventor and others, the
ozone concentration can be increased to, for example, about 20 ppm
under the atmospheric pressure. High-concentration ozonized water
is not only effective for sterilization and disinfection, but also
can be applied directly to a human body (for example, cleaning of
hands and faces) due to no ozone escape. The conventional ozonized
water has considerable ozone escape, and it is feared that the
escaped ozone has an adverse effect on respiratory organs of human
bodies, livestock and the like. Therefore, it has been difficult to
use the conventional ozonized water for human bodies, livestock and
the like as described above. Even if the ozonized water is used,
the ozone concentration reduces due to ozone escape, and the effect
of disinfection or the like is hardly expected. Further, unlike the
ozonized water (functional water) which is produced by adding an
additive (electrolysis aid) such as sodium chloride, the above
described ozonized water is produced by the gas-liquid mixing
method that mixes water to be treated and ozone, and therefore, it
contains no additive. In the respect of containing no additive, the
above described ozonized water is suitable for use for human bodies
and the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 25)
[0054] Ozonized water according to the invention set forth in claim
25 (hereinafter, properly referred to as "the ozonized water of
claim 25") is produced by mixing ozone into water to be treated
while causing a magnetic force to act on the water to be treated,
and characterized in that a particle size R of an ozone bubble
contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm.
[0055] According to the ozonized water of claim 25, the particle
size R of the ozone bubbles is 0<R<50 nm, and therefore, the
ozone bubbles hardly receive buoyancy. Therefore, ozone bubbles
stay in the ozonized water (the water to be treated) stably without
floating. Specifically, ozone does not easily escape from the
ozonized water. Therefore, when one moves one's nose close to the
ozonized water, one never or hardly smells an odor peculiar to
ozone. According to the experiment of the inventor and others, the
ozone concentration can be increased to, for example, about 20 ppm
under the atmospheric pressure. High-concentration ozonized water
is not only effective for sterilization and disinfection, but also
can be applied directly to a human body (for example, cleaning of
hands and faces) due to no ozone escape. The conventional ozonized
water has considerable ozone escape, and it is feared that the
escaped ozone has an adverse effect on respiratory organs of human
bodies, livestock and the like. Therefore, it has been difficult to
use the conventional ozonized water for human bodies, livestock and
the like. Even if the ozonized water is used, the ozone
concentration reduces due to ozone escape, and the effect of
disinfection or the like is hardly expected. Further, unlike the
ozonized water (functional water) which is produced by adding an
additive (electrolysis aid) such as sodium chloride, the above
described ozonized water is produced by the gas-liquid mixing
method that mixes water to be treated and ozone, and therefore, it
contains no additive. In the respect of containing no additive, the
above described ozonized water is suitable for use for human bodies
and the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 26)
[0056] Ozonized water according to the invention set forth in claim
26 (hereinafter, properly referred to as "the ozonized water of
claim 26") is characterized in that a particle size R of an ozone
bubble contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50
nm.
[0057] According to the ozonized water of claim 26, the particle
size R of the ozone bubbles is 0<R<50 nm, and therefore, the
ozone bubbles hardly receive buoyancy. Therefore, ozone bubbles
stay in the ozonized water (the water to be treated) stably without
floating. Specifically, ozone does not easily escape from the
ozonized water. Therefore, when one moves one's nose close to the
ozonized water, one never or hardly smells an odor peculiar to
ozone. According to the experiment of the inventor and others, the
ozone concentration can be increased to, for example, about 20 ppm
under the atmospheric pressure. High-concentration ozonized water
is not only effective for sterilization and disinfection, but also
can be applied directly to a human body (for example, cleaning of
hands and faces) due to no ozone escape. The conventional ozonized
water has considerable ozone escape, and it is feared that the
escaped ozone has an adverse effect on respiratory organs of human
bodies, livestock and the like. Therefore, it has been difficult to
use the conventional ozonized water for human bodies, livestock and
the like as described above. Even if the ozonized water is used,
the ozone concentration reduces due to ozone escape, and the effect
of disinfection or the like is hardly expected. Further, unlike the
ozonized water (functional water) which is produced by adding an
additive (electrolysis aid) such as sodium chloride, the above
described ozonized water is produced by the gas-liquid mixing
method that mixes water to be treated and ozone, and therefore, it
contains no additive. In the respect of containing no additive, the
above described ozonized water is suitable for use for human bodies
and the like.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0058] According to the present invention, an ozonized water
producing apparatus capable of efficiently and easily producing
high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree,
a gas-liquid mixing structure for use in the ozonized water
producing apparatus, and an ozonized water producing method can be
provided. Further, high-concentration ozonized water having a high
dissolution degree can be provided.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0059] Referring to each of the drawings, the best mode for
carrying out the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a
schematic block diagram of a sterilizing system including an
ozonized water producing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a correlation diagram
of members and structures constituting the sterilizing system shown
in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a raw water
fragmenting structure shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a vertical
sectional view of a first vortex flow pump. FIG. 5 is a vertical
sectional view of a second vortex flow pump. FIG. 6 is a vertical
sectional view of an ejector. FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view
of a static mixer. FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a
cyclone. FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing a first
modified example of the ozonized water producing apparatus. FIG. 10
is a vertical sectional view showing a modified example of the
vortex flow pump. FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view showing a
modified example of the ejector. FIG. 12 is a schematic block
diagram showing a second modified example of the ozonized water
producing apparatus. FIG. 13 is a front view of a gas-liquid mixing
structure. FIG. 14 is a left side view of the gas-liquid mixing
structure shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along
the X-X line of the gas-liquid mixing structure shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a plane view of a partially omitted gas-liquid mixing
structure. FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional view of a dissolution
accelerating tank. FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of the
ozonized water producing apparatus for conducting a comparative
experiment.
Examples of Use of the Ozonized Water Producing Apparatus
[0060] Based on FIGS. 1 and 2, examples of the use of the ozonized
water producing apparatus will be described. Reference numeral 1
denotes a sterilizing system including the ozonized water producing
apparatus. Specifically, the sterilizing system 1 is generally
constituted of a water intake valve 3, an ozonized water producing
apparatus 5 for producing ozonized water from raw water (water to
be treated) taken out from the water intake valve, and a pressure
pump 7 and a nozzle 9 for taking out the ozonized water produced by
the ozonized water producing apparatus and spraying it. The water
intake valve 3 is an electromagnetic valve, and is connected to a
supply source of tap water or well water to be raw water. The
ozonized water producing apparatus 5 is for generating ozonized
water of a predetermined concentration by dissolving ozone in water
to be treated, and in this embodiment, it is constituted of a raw
water fragmenting structure 11 and an ozone dissolving structure 13
which will be described later. The pressure pump 7 is a pump which
pressurizes the produced ozonized water to a predetermined
pressure. Spraying of the ozonized water which is pressurized by
the pressure pump 7 is performed via the nozzle 9 (nozzle group 9).
The nozzle 9 is treated as singular for convenience of explanation,
but a plurality of nozzles 9 may be adopted, and in the case of
adoption of a plurality of nozzles 9, their shapes, hole diameters
and the like may differ from one another. The sterilizing system 1
is generally used by being installed in a place or a facility (for
example, a barn such as a pig house and a poultry house) where
spray of the ozonized water is performed, but it may be constituted
to be movable by being loaded on a vehicle, for example.
(Raw Water Fragmenting Structure)
[0061] Explanation will be made based on FIGS. 1 and 3. The raw
water fragmenting structure 11 is for producing fragmented raw
water by fragmenting clusters of the raw water taken in from the
water intake valve 3. The raw water fragmenting structure 11 is
constituted of a metal casing 11a which is fixed to an outer
periphery of a pipeline 4 in which raw water G flows to be
concentric with the pipeline 4, a packing 11b, magnets 11c and 11c
which are sealed in the casing 11a. The magnets 11c and 11c are for
causing a magnetic force to act on the raw water. The magnetic
force of the magnets 11c and 11c is preferably about 1 to 1.5 T
(10000 to 15000 gausses), for example. Water like the raw water G
is known to form clusters Gc, and the raw water fragmenting
structure 11 has the function of fragmenting the clusters Gc of the
raw water into clusters Gs by applying energy to the clusters Gc.
The clusters Gc and Gs shown in FIG. 3 are shown in the schematic
view strictly for the purpose of explanation. They are not
necessarily fragmented as shown in the drawing, and the measuring
method is not established. However, it is phenomenally obvious that
reduction in time to reach the concentration and elongation of the
time for ozone to reduce by one-half are possible as shown in
Tables 1 and 2 by providing the raw water fragmenting structure 11,
and this shows that the speed at which ozone escapes and is
decomposed from the ozonized water at the time of pressurization
and spray is effectively reduced. Instead of the magnet 11c, a
carbon chip group capable of exerting a far infrared radiation
effect, an ultrasonic wave generating device capable of applying
microvibration and the like can be used. The position at which the
raw water fragmenting structure 11 is provided may be at the
upstream side or the downstream side of the water intake valve 3.
Further, it goes without saying that the pipeline 4 should be
constituted of a material which does not interfere with
transmission of far infrared rays, a magnetic force and the like,
for example, vinyl chloride or the like. The raw water fragmenting
structure 11, that is, the magnets can be properly provided at the
upstream side and/or the downstream side of the vortex flow pump,
the ejector and the static mixer as will be described later.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 TIME TO REACH TIME TO REACH CONCENTRATION 2
ppm CONCENTRATION 4 ppm PRODUCE OZONIZED 32 min 50 sec 72 min 10
sec WATER DIRECTLY FROM TAP WATER FRAGMENT CLUSTERS 25 min 20 sec
60 min 20 sec RECORDED BY TIME AT THE TIME POINT WHEN ULTRAVIOLET
RAY ABSORPTION TYPE OZONIZED WATER DENSITOMETER VALUE SHOWS
PREDETERMINED CONCENTRATION CONTINUOUSLY FOR 10 SEC OR MORE
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 TIME TO REDUCE BY ONE HALF FROM 4 ppm
.fwdarw. 2 ppm PRODUCE OZONIZED 44 min WATER DIRECTLY FROM TAP
WATER FRAGMENT CLUSTERS 69 min OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE 18.degree.
C.
(Ozone Dissolving Structure)
[0062] Reference is made to FIGS. 3 and 4. The ozone dissolving
structure 13 is constituted of a storage tank 15, an ozone supply
structure (ozone supply device) 19, and a circulation structure 21.
The storage tank 15 is a tank for storing raw water injected via
the water intake valve 3 and/or ozonized water, and includes a
storage amount of about three tons, for example. The ozone supply
structure 19 is the device for producing and supplying ozone, and
is not limited in its ozone generation principle or the like at all
if only it is capable of supplying a required ozone amount. The
circulation structure 21 is for returning the water to be treated
taken out from the storage tank 15, that is, the fragmented raw
water and/or ozonized water to the storage tank 15 after ozone
dissolution, and is constituted of a plurality of members and
structures which will be described later.
(Circulation Structure)
[0063] Explanation will be made with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4
to 7. The circulation structure 21 is constituted of a first vortex
flow pump 31, an ejector 35, a first static mixer 41, a second
vortex flow pump 31', a second static mixer 51, a cyclone 55, an
ozonized water return pipe 61 and an ozone return pipe 65, and a
pipe group connecting the above described respective members. Of
the above described constitution, the members except for the ozone
return pipe 65 constitute a circulation path which dissolves ozone
in the fragmented raw water and/or ozonized water taken out of the
storage tank 15 and returns them or it to the storage tank 15, and
the ozone return pipe 65 is the circulation path which returns
excess ozone taken out of the cyclone 55 to the second vortex flow
pump 31'. The respective components will be described hereinafter.
It is as described above that fragmenting the clusters of raw water
is preferable from the viewpoint of ozone dissolution. Meanwhile,
the fragmentation of the clusters is effective ozone dissolving
means for not only raw water but also ozonized water. Therefore, it
is preferable to provide the same or similar magnets as or to the
aforementioned magnet 11c at the suitable spots of the respective
members and devices constituting the circulation structure 21 and
cause the magnetic force to act on circulating ozonized water.
(Vortex Flow Pump)
[0064] Based on FIGS. 1 and 4, the first vortex flow pump will be
described. The first vortex flow pump 31 is generally constituted
of a thick disc-shaped pump main body 32, an intake part 32a and a
discharge part 32b which protrude from the pump main body 32 as
part of the pump main body 32, and an impeller 33 which rotates in
the pump main body 32. The intake part 32a is connected to the
storage tank 15 via a pipeline 16, and the discharge part 32b is
connected to the ejector 35 via a check-valve 71 and a pipeline 70.
An annular pressure raising passage 32d is formed in the pump main
body 32, and an intake path 32e in the intake part 32a and a
discharge path 32f in the discharge part 32b are communicated with
the pressure raising passage 32d. The impeller 33 includes an
impeller main body 33a, a plurality of blade pieces 33b, . . .
extending in a radial direction from an outer peripheral portion of
the impeller main body 33a, and blade grooves 33c, . . . which open
between the respective blade pieces 33b and 33b. The impeller 33 is
rotated in the pump main body 32 by a motor (not illustrated)
connected to a rotary shaft 33d provided in a center of the
impeller main body 33a. Rotation of the impeller 33 is carried out
by rotating each of the blade pieces 33b and each of the blade
grooves 33c in the pressure raising passage 32d, and at this time,
the raw water (ozonized water) taken into the pressure raising
passage 32d via the intake path 32e is force-fed while being
stirred and is discharged from the discharge path 32f. Each of the
blade pieces 33b feeds the raw water (ozonized water) in each of
the blade grooves 33c by pressure while accelerating ozone
dissolution by stirring the raw water (ozonized water) in each of
the blade grooves 33c by rotation of each of the glade pieces 33b.
Specifically, the first vortex flow pump 31 includes both the
function as a mixture accelerating structure for accelerating ozone
dissolution and the function as the pressure-feeding structure.
[0065] The second vortex flow pump 31' shown in FIG. 5 has
basically the same structure as the first vortex flow pump 31, and
only differs from it in the respect that the second vortex flow
pump 31' has an ozone return part 34 which the first vortex flow
pump 31 does not have. Specifically, the ozone return part 34 is
provided at the intake part 32a of the second vortex flow pump 31',
and a return path 34a in the ozone return part 34 is communicated
with the intake path 32e. Since the members other than the ozone
return part 34 do not have any different point as described above,
the same reference numerals and characters as those shown in FIG. 4
are used for these members in FIG. 5, and the explanation of them
will be omitted. The intake part 32a of the second vortex flow pump
31' is connected to the first static mixer 41 via a pipeline 42,
and the discharge part 32b of the same is connected to the second
static mixer 51 via a pipeline 46 respectively. One end of the
ozone return pipe 65 is connected to the ozone return part 34
(Ejector)
[0066] Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 6. The ejector 35 is a
gas-liquid mixing structure for dissolving ozone in fragmented raw
water (ozonized water), and is generally constituted of a Venturi
tube 36 having a small-diameter path 38, and an ozone supply pipe
37 for supplying ozone in the vicinity of the small-diameter path
38. Ozone which is sucked from a supply path 37a in the ozone
supply pipe 37 by negative pressure which occurs when the raw water
passes through a narrow path 36c in the small-diameter path 38 is
mixed into the fragmented raw water (ozonized water) fed by
pressure into an inlet path 36a of the Venturi tube 36, and ozone
dissolution is carried out. The ozonized water which passes through
the narrow path 36c in the small-diameter path 38 is fed by
pressure to outside from an outlet path 36b. Ozone is supplied from
the ozone supply structure 19 (see FIG. 1) connected to the ozone
supply pipe 37 via a pipeline 20 and a valve 23 and a check-valve
22 which are provided at the pipeline 20.
(Static Mixer)
[0067] Explanation will be made based on FIGS. 1 and 7. The first
static mixer 41 and the second static mixer 51 are constituted to
have the same structure, and therefore, the structure of the first
static mixer 41 will be described here. The first static mixer 41
is constituted of a cylindrical stream tube 41a, and a baffle board
group 41b installed in the stream tube 41a. This is a mixture
accelerating structure for mechanically shearing the fragmented raw
water (ozonized water) to accelerate dissolution of ozone which is
fed at the same time. Pressure-feed of the ozonized water to the
first static mixer 41 is performed by the first vortex flow pump
31, and pressure-feed of the ozonized water to the second static
mixer 51 is performed by the second vortex flow pump 31'. The
discharge side of the second static mixer 51 is connected to the
cyclone 55 via a pipeline 52.
(Cyclone)
[0068] Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 8. The cyclone 55 is
constituted of a cylindrical enclosed cyclone main body 56, and a
gas-liquid separating device 57 connected to an upper portion of
the cyclone main body 56. The cyclone main body 56 is constituted
to generate a cyclone effect by rotationally flowing the ozonized
water, which is fed by pressure from the static mixer 51 through
the pipeline 52, inside the cyclone main body 56, and to be capable
of accelerating dissolution of ozone. Specifically, the gas-liquid
separating device 57 functions as a degassing structure for
discharging ozone escaping from ozonized water, and the cyclone 55
functions as a dissolution accelerating tank for accelerating ozone
dissolution. The ozone in the ozonized water rises while rotating,
and excess ozone escaping from the ozonized water comes out to an
upper space 56a of the cyclone main body 56 and is fed to the ozone
return pipe 65 via the gas-liquid separating device 57. The ozone
in the ozone return pipe 65 is sucked by the negative pressure of
the second vortex flow pump 31' and is mixed into ozonized water
again.
(Pressure Pump and Nozzle)
[0069] The average particle size of the ozonized water when sprayed
by the pressure pump 7 and the nozzle 9 (nozzle group 9) is
suitably set in the range of 40 to below 200 .mu.m or of 200 to
1000 .mu.m in accordance with the use purpose or the like. This is
for the reason that since the pressure of the ozonized water to be
sprayed needs to be set in the above described range of 0.2 to 0.8
MPa, in order to spray the ozonized water in such a pressure range,
the average particle size has a fixed limit, and this is also for
the reason that the ozonized water of such a particle size sprayed
from the nozzle is efficiently spread to livestock and the barn,
and has less risk of piggy or the like catching a cold. The
ozonized water taken out of the storage tank 15 via a pipeline 17
is sucked into the pressure pump 7 from an intake port, where it is
pressurized to be fed by pressure to a water supply line 103 from a
discharge port, and it is further fed by pressure to a spray line
105 via an electromagnetic valve 104. The ozonized water which is
fed by pressure from one side of the spray line 105 in this way is
partially sprayed from the nozzle 9 as described above, and the
excess ozonized water remaining after the spraying can be returned
to the storage tank 15 via a return line 107 communicating with the
other side of the spray line 105. The electromagnetic valve 104 is
a valve for stopping supply of the ozonized water to the spray line
105, but supply and shutoff of it are controllable by only
operation and stoppage of the pressure pump 7, and therefore, the
electromagnetic valve 104 can be omitted.
(Operation of the Ozonized Water Producing Apparatus)
[0070] Reference is made to FIG. 1. Tap water (raw water, water to
be treated) taken in through the water intake valve 3 is poured
into the storage tank 15 through the raw water fragmenting
structure 11. At this time, the clusters of the poured tap water
are fragmented by the far infrared radiation action of the raw
water fragmenting structure 11, and the tap water becomes
fragmented raw water. The fragmented raw water taken out of the
storage tank 15 by the first vortex flow pump 31 is fed by pressure
to the ejector 35, which functions as the gas-liquid mixing
structure, by the first vortex flow pump. Ozone is supplied into
the ejector 35 by the ozone supply structure 19, and ozone
dissolution into the fragmented raw water (water to be treated) is
performed. The ozonized water which has passed through the ejector
35 is accelerated in ozone dissolution by the first static mixer
41, and is fed by pressure to the second static mixer 51 by the
second vortex flow pump 31'. The ozonized water which is further
accelerated in ozone dissolution by the second static mixer 51 is
poured into the cyclone 55. The ozonized water in the cyclone 55 is
rotationally flown and is further accelerated in ozone dissolution
by the cyclone effect. The ozonized water taken out of the cyclone
55 is returned to the storage tank 15 through the ozonized water
return pipe 61. At this point of time, the fragmented raw water
poured into the storage tank 15 becomes ozonized water. The above
described process is repeatedly carried out until the ozone
concentration of the ozonized water (water to be treated) stored in
the storage tank 15 becomes a desired concentration. The ozonized
water which reaches the desired concentration is taken out of the
storage tank 15 and fed by pressure by the pressure pump 7 and is
sprayed from the nozzle group 9. The ozonized water remaining after
the spraying is returned to the storage tank 15 through a filter
109 and is subjected to reuse as described above.
[0071] In this case, the first vortex flow pump 31 and the second
vortex flow pump 31' mix the water by assisting each other with
pressure. Specifically, the first vortex flow pump 31 and the
second vortex flow pump 31' basically have the same structures and
capacities, but by assisting each other with pressure, the
discharge side of the second vortex flow pump 31' is at a pressure
slightly higher than the discharge side of the first vortex flow
pump 31 (the pressure of the cyclone 55 and that of the ozone
return pipe 65 which returns to the second vortex flow pump 31' via
the gas-liquid separating device 57 are the same), and excess ozone
is returned to the second vortex flow pump 31' by the negative
pressure of the second vortex flow pump 31'. Namely, occurrence of
excess ozone is extremely a little, and thereby, burden on the
ozone supply structure 19 can be made small.
First Modified Example of the Ozonized Water Producing
Apparatus
[0072] A sterilizing system 1A including a first modified example
of the aforementioned ozonized water producing apparatus will be
described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. The sterilizing system
1A basically has a common constitution to the sterilizing system 1,
and they mainly differ from each other in the respect that an
ozonized water producing apparatus 5A (ozone dissolving structure
13A) according to the sterilizing system 1A has a temperature
keeping device (temperature keeping structure) 63 which the
ozonized water producing apparatus 5 (ozone dissolving structure
13) according to the sterilizing system 1 does not have, the
respect that the shapes of the cyclones 55 and dissolution
accelerating tanks 206 which they have differ from each other, the
respect that a second vortex flow pump 31'A has a magnet 32m which
the second vortex flow pump 31' does not have, and the respect that
an ejector 35A has a magnet 36m which the ejector 35 does not have.
Though not illustrated, the static mixer 51 provided with a magnet
can be adopted. The reason of providing a magnet in the static
mixer is to enhance an ozone dissolution degree as will be
described later. The dissolution accelerating tank 206 has the same
structure as the dissolution accelerating tank 206 which will be
described in the explanation of a second modified example that will
be described later. Therefore, the structure of the dissolution
accelerating tank 206 will be described in the explanation of the
second modified example.
[0073] Based on FIG. 10, the respect in which the second vortex
flow pump 31'A according to this modified example differs from the
second vortex flow pump 31' according to this embodiment will be
described. As for the respects common to them, the reference
numerals and characters used for the second vortex flow pump 31'
are used in FIG. 10, and the explanation of the points will be
omitted. Specifically, on an outer side of the pump main body 32
which the second vortex flow pump 31'A has, a plurality of magnets
32m, are mounted at predetermined spaces along the rotational
direction of the impeller 33 as described above. Each of the
magnets 32m is for fragmenting the clusters by causing the magnetic
force to act on the ozonized water in the pump main body 32, and
thereby enhancing the ozone dissolution degree. Accordingly, the
pump main body 32 is formed of a material which can transmit the
magnetic force of each of the magnets 32m (for example, a metal
such as stainless steel and a synthetic resin which are capable of
transmitting a magnetic force). As will be described later, it is
preferable to provide magnets at the first vortex flow pump 31 as
in the second vortex flow pump 31'A in producing a
high-concentration ozonized water having high a dissolution
degree.
[0074] Based on FIG. 11, the respect in which the ejector 35A
according to this modified example differs from the ejector 35
according to this embodiment will be described. As for the respects
common to them, the same reference numerals and characters as those
used in the ejector 35 are used in FIG. 11, and the explanation of
the respects will be omitted. Specifically, on an outer side of the
Venturi tube 36 of the ejector 35A, a plurality of magnets 36m, are
mounted at predetermined spaces from each other along the
longitudinal direction as described above. Each of the magnets 36m
is for fragmenting clusters by causing the magnetic force to act on
the ozonized water in the Venturi tube 36, and thereby, enhancing
the ozone dissolution degree. Therefore, the Venturi tube 36 is
formed of a material which can transmit the magnetic force of each
of the magnets 36m (for example, a metal such as stainless steel
and a synthetic resin capable of transmitting a magnetic force). As
the device for mixing gas and liquid, a device of a dissolving
membrane method (not illustrated) in which hollow fiber type
permeation membranes which ozone gas can pass through are bundled
in a membrane module, and water is passed inside the permeation
membranes and mixed with ozone can be used instead of the ejector.
The clusters of water can be fragmented by providing magnets in the
device of the dissolving membrane method.
Second Modified Example of Ozonized Water Producing Apparatus
[0075] A second modified example of the ozonized water producing
apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 12. An ozonized
water producing apparatus 201 according to the second modified
example is generally constituted of a storage tank 202, an ozone
supply structure 203 for generating and supplying ozone, a
circulation structure 204 for returning water to be treated taken
out of the storage tank 202 to the storage tank 202, a gas-liquid
mixing structure 205 and a dissolution accelerating tank 206 which
are provided halfway in the circulation structure 204, and a
temperature keeping structure 207 annexed to the storage tank 202.
In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the
circulation structure 204 will be finally described after the
storage tank 202, the temperature keeping structure 207, the ozone
supply structure 203, the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 and the
dissolution accelerating tank 206 are described.
(Structure of Storage Tank and its Periphery)
[0076] As shown in FIG. 12, the storage tank 202 is constituted so
that raw water as water to be treated can be poured into the
storage tank 202 through a water intake valve 202v. The storage
tank 202 is for storing the raw water which is taken in, and water
to be treated (ozonized water) which is circulated through the
circulation structure 204 which will be described later. The water
to be treated stored in the storage tank 202 is kept at a
temperature in the range of, for example, 5 to 15.degree. C. by the
temperature keeping structure 207. The reason of setting the
temperature in the above described range is that the temperature in
this range is suitable for efficiently performing ozone dissolution
and preventing the dissolved ozone from easily escaping. The
temperature keeping structure 207 is generally constituted of a
pump 211 for taking out the water to be treated from the storage
tank 202, and a cooler 212 for cooling the water to be treated
which is taken out. Between the storage tank 202 and the pump 211,
the pump 211 and the cooler 212, and the cooler 212 and the storage
tank 202 are connected by a pipeline 213 in which the water to be
treated is passed. According to the above described constitution,
the water to be treated (raw water and/or ozonized water) stored in
the storage tank 202 is taken out of the storage tank 202 by the
action of the pump 211 and is fed to the cooler 212. The cooler 212
cools the water to be treated, which is fed thereto, to a
temperature in a predetermined range and returns the water to the
storage tank 202. The pump 211 operates only when the temperature
of the water to be treated in the storage tank 202 which is
measured by a thermometer outside the drawing exceeds the
predetermined range and cooling is required. The reason of
providing the storage tank 202 is to enable the above described
cooling by temporarily storing the water to be treated, and place
the water to be treated in a stable state, thereby accelerating
ozone dissolution in the water to be treated by the action of aging
assimilation. When the water to be treated has the possibility of
being frozen in a cold district or the like, for example, the water
to be treated can be adapted to be heated by using a heater instead
of the above described cooler, or with the above described
cooler.
(Ozone Supply Structure)
[0077] The ozone supply structure 203 is a device for generating
and supplying ozone. The ozone generation principle or the like on
which the ozone supply structure 203 works is not limited, if only
it can supply a required ozone amount. The ozone generated by the
ozone supply structure 203 is supplied to the gas-liquid mixing
structure 205 through an electromagnetic valve 218 and a
check-valve 219 which are provided halfway in an ozone supply pipe
217.
(Gas-Liquid Mixing Structure)
[0078] The details of the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16. The gas-liquid mixing
structure 205 is generally constituted of a Venturi tube 231, an
ozone supply pipe 239 and a magnetic circuit 243. The Venturi tube
231 has a pipe-shaped appearance (see FIG. 13) for passing the
water to be treated fed from the upstream side (the right side of
FIG. 15 as one faces it) to the downstream side (the left side of
FIG. 15 as one faces it). A hollow part which penetrates through
the Venturi tube 231 in the longitudinal direction communicates
with an upstream side large path 232, a contracting inclined path
233, a small-diameter path 234, an opening inclined path 235 and a
downstream side large path 236 in this sequence from the upstream
side to the downstream side. The upstream side large path 232 is
connected to the small-diameter path 234 via the contracting
inclined path 233 inclined in the contracting direction at a steep
angle of about 50 degrees with respect to the axial direction, and
thereafter, is opened at a gentle angle of about 30 degrees with
respect to the same axial direction by the opening inclined path
235. The opening inclined path 235 is connected to the downstream
side large path 236 having the same outside diameter as the
upstream side large path 232. On the other hand, to the
small-diameter path 234, an open end of the ozone supply pipe 239
is faced. The ozone supply pipe 217 which communicates with the
ozone supply structure 203 is connected to a supply end of the
ozone supply pipe 239. The inside of the small-diameter path 234,
or the vicinity of it is under vacuum or in the state close to a
vacuum due to pressure change of the water to be treated, and
therefore, ozone reaching the open end is sucked and diffused into
the water to be treated being a turbulent flow. Reference numeral
240 denotes a rib for reinforcing the region between the Venturi
tube 231 and the ozone supply pipe 239.
[0079] The magnetic circuit 243 is fixed to the Venturi tube 231
with a screw (not illustrated). The magnetic circuit 243 is
constituted of one magnet piece 245 and the other magnet piece 246
which are opposed to each other with the Venturi tube 231
therebetween, and a connecting member 248 having U-shaped in
section (see FIG. 14) which connects the one magnet piece 245 and
the other magnet piece 246, and has the function of mounting the
magnet pieces to the Venturi tube 231. The magnet piece 245 and the
magnet piece 246 are preferably arranged so that the largest number
of magnetic lines (magnetic field) pass through the small-diameter
path 234 (shown by the broken line in FIG. 14. See FIG. 16 in
combination) and/or its vicinity (especially, the downstream side).
However, concentration of the magnetic lines on only the
small-diameter path 234 is actually accompanied by technical
difficulties, and therefore, the magnetic lines are passed through
both the small-diameter path 234 and the vicinity of the
small-diameter path 234. This is because it is conceivable that
ozone can be dissolved in the water to be treated with the highest
efficiency by causing the magnetic force to act on both the water
to be treated and ozone. The magnet piece 245 and the magnet piece
246 are formed by a neodymium magnet having a magnetic force of
about 7000 gausses. It is conceivable that the stronger the
magnetic force, the higher the ozone dissolving effect, but the
magnet of at least 3000 gausses or more is desired. The reason of
adoption of the magnet of 7000 gausses is its easiness in
acquisition and economical efficiency. This does not intend to
prevent adoption of the magnets having magnetic forces of 7000
gausses or more (natural magnets, electromagnets and the like). The
connecting member 248 is formed of a member (for example, iron)
with a large magnetic permeability (.mu.) so as to suppress
magnetic flux leakage and concentrate the magnetic action on the
water to be treated and the like as much as possible.
(Operational Effect of Gas-Liquid Mixing Structure)
[0080] According to the above constitution, the water to be treated
which passes through the upstream side large path 232 is compressed
when passing through the contracting inclined path 233, the water
pressure abruptly increases, and at the same time, the passing
speed abruptly rises. The peaks of high pressure and high speed
occur when the water to be treated reaches the small-diameter path
234. The water to be treated which has passed through the
small-diameter path 234 abruptly reduces in pressure and speed in
the opening inclined path 235, and receives impact or the like of
the collision with the following water to be treated to be a
turbulent flow. Thereafter, the water to be treated passes through
the downstream side large path 236, and goes out of the gas-liquid
mixing structure 205. The diffused ozone is wrapped into the
turbulent flow of the water to be treated to be bubbles in various
sizes large and small and subjected to a stirring action. The water
to be treated (ozone) flowing in the small-diameter path 234 and at
least downstream of it is subjected to the above described stirring
action and a magnetic action by the function of the magnetic
circuit 243. Specifically, increase of the water pressure of the
water to be treated up to the pressure peak and decrease of the
pressure immediately after it reaches the pressure peak, and supply
of ozone to the water to be treated which reaches the pressure peak
are performed in the magnetic field. The stirring action and the
magnetic force action of the magnetic field generate a synergistic
effect, as a result of which, ozone dissolves in the water to be
treated and high-concentration ozonized water having a high
dissolution degree is produced.
(Dissolution Accelerating Tank)
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 17, the dissolution accelerating
tank 206 will be described. The outside of the dissolution
accelerating tank 206 is constituted of a cylindrical outer wall
255 with its upper and lower ends sealed with a top plate 253 and a
bottom plate 254. At an undersurface of the top plate 253, a
cylindrical inner wall 256 which hangs from the undersurface is
provided. A space surrounded by the inner wall 256 is the storage
chamber 258 for storing the water to be treated. The outside
diameter of the inner wall 256 is set to be smaller than the
outside diameter of the outer wall 255, and thereby, an inter-wall
passage 259 of a predetermined width is formed between the inner
wall 256 and the outer wall 255. On the other hand, a lower end of
the inner wall 256 does not reach the bottom plate 254, and forms a
space of a predetermined width between the bottom plate 254 and
itself. The space functions as a lower end communication path 257.
Specifically, the storage chamber 258 surrounded by the inner wall
256 communicates with the inter-wall passage 259 via the lower end
communication path 257. Meanwhile, a plurality of communication
holes 256h, 256h, . . . are penetrated through the region near the
top plate 253 in the inner wall 256, and the storage chamber 258
and the inter-wall passage 259 also communicate with each other
through each of the communication holes 256h. A slim and long
lifting pipe 261 is raised in a substantially center of the top
surface of the bottom plate 254. A lower end of a hollow part of
the lifting pipe 261 communicates with a water inlet hole 254h
which penetrates through the bottom plate 254, and an upper end of
the hollow part communicates with the storage chamber 258 through a
number of small holes 261h, . . . formed in an upper end of the
lifting pipe 261. The upper end of the lifting pipe 261 is located
slightly below the position of the communication hole 256h which
the inner wall 256 has. A drain port 255h is penetrated through the
outer wall 255 in the vicinity of the position at substantially a
quarter of the height of the outer wall 255 from the top in the
height direction of the outer wall 255. Namely, the inter-wall
passage 259 communicates with the outside via the drain port
255h.
[0082] At a substantially center of the top plate 253, a lifting
hole 253h is penetrated. The lifting hole 253h communicates with an
inside of a gas-liquid separating device 265 arranged outside the
top plate 253. The gas-liquid separating device 265 functions as a
degassing structure for separating and discharging the water to be
treated lifted up from the storage chamber 258 through the lifting
hole 253h, and ozone escaping from the water to be treated. The
ozone separated by the gas-liquid separating device 265 is
decomposed and rendered harmless by an ozone decomposing device
267, and thereafter, released outside the device. The ozone
dissolution degree in the water to be treated is extremely high,
and therefore, the amount of ozone which escapes is extremely
small, but in order to enhance safety, the ozone decomposing device
267 or the like is provided. The water to be treated which is fed
into the storage chamber 258 by the lifting pipe 261 is lowered by
being pressed by the following water to be treated. The water to be
treated which reaches the lower end turns in the lower end
communication passage 257 and rises in the inter-wall passage 259,
and is discharged outside through the drain port 255h. Part of the
water to be treated is lifted up into the gas-liquid separating
device 265. In the meantime, ozone dissolves in the water to be
treated by the action of aging assimilation, and ozonized water
with a high dissolution degree is produced. On the other hand, when
ozone which remains undissolved, or has temporarily dissolved but
escapes is present, such ozone rises into the gas-liquid separating
device 265 and is separated there. Accordingly, most of the ozone
which cannot dissolve completely can be removed from the water to
be treated. As a result, the ozone dissolution degree of the water
to be treated which passes through the dissolution accelerating
tank 206 becomes dramatically high.
(Circulation Structure)
[0083] Referring to FIG. 12, the circulation structure will be
described. The circulation structure 204 has the function of
circulating the water to be treated (which has already become
ozonized water from raw water) which has passed through the
gas-liquid mixing structure 205, and passing it through the
gas-liquid mixing structure 205 again. The reason of passing the
water to be treated through the air-liquid mixing structure 205
again is to further enhance the dissolution degree and
concentration of ozone by injecting ozone again into the water to
be treated in which ozone has been already dissolved. The
circulation structure 204 has a pump 271 as a drive source, and the
storage tank 202 and the dissolution accelerating tank 206 as main
components. Specifically, the pump 271 pressure-feeds the water to
be treated taken out of the storage tank 202 through a pipeline 270
to the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 through a check valve 272
and a pipeline 273. The water to be treated which passes through
the air-gas mixing structure 205 by pressure feeding passes through
a pipeline 274 and the dissolution accelerating tank 206 and is
returned to the storage tank 202 through a pipeline 275. The
circulation structure 204 is constituted to be able to carry out
the above described process repeatedly as necessary. The number of
circulations can be freely set to obtain the ozone dissolution
degree, the ozone concentration and the like of the ozonized water
to be produced. Reference numeral 276 denotes a valve which is
provided halfway in the pipeline 275. The valve 276 is provided
mainly for the purpose of controlling the hydraulic pressure of the
water to be treated which is passed through the small-diameter path
234 (see FIG. 15) of the air-gas mixing structure 205 by the
opening and closing of it.
EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE
[0084] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 18, an experimental example will
be described. The experimental example described here is mainly for
the purpose of showing that a remarkable difference occurs to the
dissolution degree and concentration of ozone due to the difference
between the use method of the magnets described in the Background
Art and the use method of the magnets according to the present
invention. In this experimental example, the ozonized water
producing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as "the present
apparatus") shown in FIG. 12 was used as the apparatus according to
the present invention, and the ozonized water producing apparatus
(hereinafter, referred to as "the comparative apparatus") shown in
FIG. 18 was used as the apparatus to be the comparison target. The
comparative apparatus includes basically the same structure as the
structure of the present apparatus, but is made different in only
the mounting position of the magnetic circuit 243. Therefore, in
FIG. 18, the same reference numerals and characters as those used
in FIG. 12 are used except for the magnetic circuit, and for the
magnetic circuits shown in FIG. 18, the one at the upstream side of
the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 is assigned with reference
numeral and character 243a, and the one at the downstream side of
it is assigned with reference numeral and character 243b,
respectively. In summary, the present apparatus shown in FIG. 12
includes the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 integrated with the
magnetic circuit 243, and the comparative apparatus shown in FIG.
18 is constituted so as to be able to attach and detach the
magnetic circuit 243a to and from the pipeline at the upstream side
of the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 and the magnetic circuit
243b to and from the pipeline at the downstream side of the same
simultaneously or selectively. As the gas-liquid mixing structure
205, Model 384 made by MAZZEI INJECTOR CORPORATION in U.S. A was
used, and the magnetic circuits of 7000 gausses were used.
(Concentration Comparison Experiment)
[0085] Referring to Tables 3 and 4, the concentration comparison
experiment will be described. Table 3 shows the relationship of the
ozone concentration of the ozonized water and concentration rising
time. Table 4 shows the time required for the ozone concentration
of the ozonized water shown in Table 3 to reach zero after stopping
the operation of the producing apparatus. It shows that the longer
the time before the ozone concentration reaches zero, the higher
the ozone dissolution degree. In Tables 3 and 4, mark
".quadrature." represents the ozonized water produced by using the
present apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as "present ozonized
water"), mark "x" represents the ozonized water produced by using
the gas-liquid mixing structure with only the magnetic circuits
removed from the comparative apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as
"ozonized water without magnetism"), mark ".DELTA." represents the
ozonized water produced by the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 and
the magnetic circuit 243a in the comparative apparatus
(hereinafter, referred to as "upstream side magnetism ozonized
water", mark ".smallcircle." represents the ozonized water produced
by the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 and the magnetic circuit
243b in the comparative apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as
"downstream side magnetism ozonized water), and mark ".diamond."
represents the ozonized water produced by the gas-liquid mixing
structure 205 and both the magnetic circuit 243a and the magnetic
circuit 243b in the comparison apparatus (hereinafter, referred to
as "both side magnetism ozonized water"). The temperature of the
water to be treated was 5.degree. C., the ambient humidity was 36
to 43%, and the ambient temperature was 17.degree. C.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 ##STR00001##
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 ##STR00002##
[0086] As shown in Table 3, within 35 minutes of production time
after starting the operation of the producing apparatus, the
present ozonized water reached the ozone concentration of 20 ppm,
whereas under the same conditions, the ozonized water without
magnetism reached the ozone concentration of only about 8 ppm, the
downstream side magnetism ozonized water reached the ozone
concentration of only about 11 ppm, the upstream side magnetism
ozonized water reached to the ozone concentration of only about 12
ppm, and the both side magnetism ozonized water reached the ozone
concentration of only about 13 ppm. From this, it is firstly found
out that the ozone concentration is enhanced by providing the
magnetic circuit as compared with the case where it is not
provided, and it is secondary found out that when comparing the
case where the magnetic circuit is integrated with the gas-liquid
mixing structure and the case where the magnetic circuit is
provided at the spot other than the gas-liquid mixing structure,
with the same magnetic circuits provided in both the cases, the
ozonized water higher in concentration by at least 7 ppm can be
produced in the former case than in the latter case. Specifically,
the result that with respect to the ozone concentration, the
present ozonized water is higher by substantially 54%
((20-13)/13.times.100) as compared with the both side magnetism
ozonized water was obtained.
[0087] As shown in Table 4, while it took not less than 32 hours
for the ozone concentration of the present ozonized water which
reached the ozone concentration of 20 ppm to reduce to zero, it
took only about 3.5 hours for the ozone concentration of the both
side magnetism ozonized water to reduce to zero from 13 ppm, and
this was the longest time of all the comparison target ozonized
waters. Accordingly, the present ozonized water contained ozone for
the time which is nearly ten times as long as that of the both side
magnetism ozonized water. In other words, the present ozonized
water kept the ozone, which was dissolved as a result of injecting
the same amount of ozone and spending the same time period as the
both side magnetism ozone water, for a time period nearly ten times
as long as the time period for which the both side magnetism
ozonized water kept the ozone. This plainly shows the high ozone
dissolution degree of the present ozonized water.
(Ozone Bubble Particle Size Measurement Experiment)
[0088] Referring to Tables 5 and 6, the particle size measurement
experiment of the ozone bubbles contained in the present ozonized
water will be described. Tables 5 and 6 show the particle size
distribution of the ozone bubbles contained in the present ozonized
water (see the left side vertical axis). In this measurement
experiment, four kinds of the present ozonized waters were set as
the measurement target from the relationship of the ozone
concentration and the ozone concentration keeping time. First, two
kinds of ozone concentrations 3 ppm and 14 ppm were set, and next,
the ozonized waters were divided into the ozonized waters
immediately after reaching the respective concentrations
(hereinafter, referred to as "the ozonized water immediately after
3 ppm" and "the ozonized water immediately after 14 ppm"
respectively), and the ozonized waters keeping the concentrations
for 15 minutes after reaching the concentrations (hereinafter,
referred to as "the ozonized water keeping 3 ppm", and "the
ozonized water keeping 14 ppm" respectively). Specifically, four
kinds of ozonized waters, that are "the ozonized water immediately
after 3 ppm", "the ozonized water keeping 3 ppm", "the ozonized
water immediately after 14 ppm", and "the ozonized water keeping 14
ppm" are the measurement targets according to the measurement
experiment. Here, as the raw water of the present ozonized water
used in this measurement experiment, the pure water which was
obtained by filtering tap water with the reverse osmosis membrane
of absolute filtration of fine particle of 0.05 .mu.m (50 nm) was
used. The apparatus used for obtaining the pure water in this
experiment was an ultra pure water device (model name:
Model.cndot.UHP) made by SENA Co., Ltd. Since impurities of not
less than 50 nm (for example, iron and magnesium) are contained in
tap water, if the ozonized water which is produced from the
non-filtered raw water is used as the measurement target, the
impurities contained in it may be measured to cause a measurement
error, and therefore, the impurities are removed by filtration in
advance so that correct measurement of the bubble particle size of
ozone can be made. The same thing can be said of raw water other
than tap water, for example, well water and river water. The
measurement instrument used for the particle size measurement of
ozone bubbles was the dynamic light scattering type particle size
distribution measurement instrument ((HORIBA, Ltd): model LB500).
It goes without saying that if the means capable of correctly
measuring the particle size of ozone bubbles without filtering
impurities from raw water is available, measurement can be made by
using the means.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 ##STR00003##
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 ##STR00004##
[0089] First, based on Table 5, the ozonized water immediately
after 3 ppm and the ozonized water keeping 3 ppm will be discussed.
The graph at the right end of Table 5 shows the ozonized water
immediately after 3 ppm, and the graph at the left end of the same
shows the ozonized water keeping 3 ppm. It is found out that the
ozonized water immediately after 3 ppm contains ozone bubbles each
having a particle size of 1.3 .mu.m (1300 nm) to 6.0 .mu.m (6000
nm). On the other hand, it is found out that the ozonized water
keeping 3 ppm contains ozone bubbles each having a particle size of
0.0034 .mu.m (3.40 nm) to 0.0050 .mu.m (5.00 nm).
[0090] Next, the ozonized water immediately after 14 ppm and the
ozonized water keeping 14 ppm will be discussed based on Table 6.
The graph at the right end of Table 6 shows the ozonized water
immediately after 14 ppm, and the graph at the left end of the same
shows the ozonized water keeping 14 ppm. It is found out that the
ozonized water immediately after 14 ppm contains ozone bubbles each
having a particle size of 2.3 .mu.m (2300 nm) to 6.0 .mu.m (6000
nm). On the other hand, it is found out that the ozonized water
keeping 14 ppm contains ozone bubbles each having a particle size
of 0.0034 nm (3.40 nm) to 0.0058 .mu.m (5.80 nm).
[0091] The first point which has become apparent from the above
described experiment is that even though the ozonized waters have
the same concentration, the ozonized water immediately after
reaching the concentration (immediately-after ozonized water) and
the ozonized water keeping the concentration for a predetermined
time (keeping ozonized water) have different particle sizes of the
ozone bubbles (hereinafter, referred to as "bubble particle size"
contained in them. In the case of ozonized water of 3 ppm, the
minimum value of the particle size of a bubble of the
immediately-after ozonized water has the value which is 260 times
(1300/5.0) as large as the maximum value of the particle size of
the bubble of the keeping ozonized water. Similarly, in the case of
the ozonized water of 14 ppm, the minimum value of the particle
size of a bubble of the immediately-after ozonized water has the
value which is about 400 times (2300/5.8) as large as the maximum
value of the particle size of the bubble of the keeping ozonized
water. Specifically, by keeping the concentration for a
predetermined time, that is, by circulating the ozonized water
which is the water to be treated, the bubble particle size can be
made small. The ozone bubbles with bubble particle sizes of less
than 50 can be stably floated in aqueous solution. It has been
found out that according to the ozonized water producing method
according to the invention of the present application, the ozonized
water containing ozone bubbles with the particle sizes R of less
than 50 nm (0<R<50 nm), that is, the ozonized water with a
high dissolution degree can be obtained. This is the second point
that has become evident from the experiment. According to the
experiment, the lowest actual measured value of the particle size R
of the ozone bubble is 3.4 nm, and the value less than this has not
been measured. The reason why such a value has not been measured is
considered to be due to the limit of the measurement ability of the
measuring device. Since the particle sizes R of the ozone bubbles
become smaller after keeping the concentration as compared with
immediately after reaching the concentration, it is easily
imaginable that the ozone bubbles having the particle sizes R which
are infinitely close to zero can exist in extension of reduction in
particle size.
(pH Measurement Experiment)
[0092] The pH measurement experiment was conducted with respect to
the above described four kinds of ozonized waters, that is, "the
ozonized water immediately after 3 ppm", "the ozonized water
keeping 3 ppm", "the ozonized water immediately after 14 ppm" and
"the ozonized water keeping 14 ppm". The result is shown by the
line graphs in Tables 5 and 6 (see the vertical axes at the right
sides). Each ozonized water showed about pH 7.3 before and after
the ozone dissolution. Specifically, it has been found out that
ozone dissolution hardly changes pH of the raw water. It has been
found out that since well water and tap water substantially show
neutrality (pH 6.5 to 7.5), the present ozonized water produced by
the gas-liquid mixing method shows neutrality even if it is not
doped with an additive for adjusting pH. When the raw water is
alkaline, alkaline ozonized water can be produced since ozone
dissolution does not change the pH of the ozonized water.
[0093] The above described experimental result will be summarized.
The present ozonized water which was the target of the above
described experiment is produced by gas-liquid mixture by mixing
ozone into the raw water without adding any additive. Further,
ozone dissolution degree is so high that ozone does not escape
easily under atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the present ozonized
water is safe if it is sprayed to, for example, livestock and human
bodies in the respect of having no additive and no ozone escape.
Since the ozone concentration can be made extremely high, an
efficient cleaning and sterilizing effect and the like can be
obtained by using the present ozonied water.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0094] [FIG. 1] is a schematic block diagram of a sterilizing
system including an ozonized water producing apparatus.
[0095] [FIG. 2] is a correlation diagram of members and structures
constituting the sterilizing system shown in FIG. 1.
[0096] [FIG. 3] is a vertical sectional view of a raw water
fragmenting structure shown in FIG. 1.
[0097] [FIG. 4] is a vertical sectional view of a first vortex flow
pump.
[0098] [FIG. 5] is a vertical sectional view of a second vortex
flow pump.
[0099] [FIG. 6] is a vertical sectional view of an ejector.
[0100] [FIG. 7] is a vertical sectional view of a static mixer,
[0101] [FIG. 8] is a vertical sectional view of a cyclone.
[0102] [FIG. 9] is a schematic block diagram showing a first
modified example of the ozonized water producing apparatus.
[0103] [FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing a modified
example of the vortex flow pump.
[0104] [FIG. 11] is a vertical sectional view showing a modified
example of the ejector.
[0105] [FIG. 12] is a schematic block diagram showing a second
modified example of the ozonized water producing apparatus.
[0106] [FIG. 13] is a front view of a gas-liquid mixing
structure.
[0107] [FIG. 14] is a left side view of the gas-liquid mixing
structure shown in FIG. 13.
[0108] [FIG. 15] is a sectional view taken along the X-X line of
the gas-liquid mixing structure shown in FIG. 14.
[0109] [FIG. 16] is a plane view of a partially omitted gas-liquid
mixing structure.
[0110] [FIG. 17] is a vertical sectional view of a dissolution
accelerating tank.
[0111] [FIG. 18] is a schematic block diagram of the ozonized water
producing apparatus for conducting a comparative experiment.
EXPLANATION OF CODES
[0112] 1 STERILIZING SYSTEM [0113] 1A STERILIZING SYSTEM [0114] 3
WATER INTAKE VALVE [0115] 4 PIPELINE [0116] 5 OZONIZED WATER
PRODUCING APPARATUS [0117] 7 PRESSURE PUMP [0118] 9 NOZZLE (NOZZLE
GROUP) [0119] 11 RAW WATER FRAGMENTING STRUCTURE [0120] 11a CASING
[0121] 11b PACKING [0122] 11c MAGNET (CARBON CHIP GROUP, ULTRASONIC
WAVE GENERATING DEVICE) [0123] 13 OZONE DISSOLVING STRUCTURE [0124]
15 STORAGE TANK [0125] 16 PIPELINE [0126] 17 PIPELINE [0127] 19
OZONE SUPPLY STRUCTURE (OZONE SUPPLY DEVICE) [0128] 20 PIPELINE
[0129] 21 CIRCULATION STRUCTURE [0130] 22 CHECK-VALVE [0131] 23
VALVE [0132] 31 FIRST VORTEX FLOW PUMP [0133] 31' SECOND VORTEX
FLOW PUMP [0134] 31'A VORTEX FLOW PUMP [0135] 32 PUMP MAIN BODY
[0136] 32a INTAKE PART [0137] 32b DISCHARGE PART [0138] 32d
PRESSURE RAISING PASSAGE [0139] 32e INTAKE PATH [0140] 32f
DISCHARGE PATH [0141] 32m MAGNET [0142] 33 IMPELLER [0143] 33a
IMPELLER MAIN BODY [0144] 33b BLADE PIECE [0145] 33c BLADE GROOVE
[0146] 33d ROTARY SHAFT [0147] 34 OZONE RETURN PART [0148] 34a
RETURN PATH [0149] 35 EJECTOR [0150] 35A EJECTOR [0151] 36 VENTURI
TUBE [0152] 36a INLET PATH [0153] 36b OUTLET PATH [0154] 36c NARROW
PATH [0155] 36m MAGNET [0156] 37 OZONE SUPPLY PIPE [0157] 37a
SUPPLY PATH [0158] 38 SMALL-DIAMETER PATH [0159] 41 STATIC MIXER
[0160] 41a STREAM TUBE [0161] 41b BAFFLE BOARD GROUP [0162] 42
PIPELINE [0163] 46 PIPELINE [0164] 51 STATIC MIXER [0165] 52
PIPELINE [0166] 55 CYCLONE [0167] 56 CYCLONE MAIN BODY [0168] 56a
UPPER SPACE [0169] 57 GAS-LIQUID SEPARATING DEVICE [0170] 61
OZONIZED WATER RETURN PIPE [0171] 63 TEMPERATURE KEEPING DEVICE
[0172] 65 OZONE RETURN PIPE [0173] 70 PIPELINE [0174] 71
CHECK-VALVE [0175] 103 WATER SUPPLY LINE [0176] 104 ELECTROMAGNETIC
VALVE [0177] 105 SPRAY LINE [0178] 107 RETURN LINE [0179] 109
FILTER [0180] 201 OZONE WATER PRODUCING APPARATUS [0181] 202
STORAGE TANK [0182] 203 OZONE SUPPLY STRUCTURE [0183] 204
CIRCULATION STRUCTURE [0184] 205 GAS-LIQUID MIXING STRUCTURE [0185]
206 DISSOLUTION ACCELERATING TANK [0186] 207 TEMPERATURE KEEPING
STRUCTURE [0187] 231 VENTURI TUBE [0188] 232 UPSTREAM SIDE
LARGE-DIAMETER PATH [0189] 233 CONSTRICTING INCLINED PATH [0190]
234 SMALL-DIAMETER PATH [0191] 235 OPENING INCLINED PATH [0192] 236
DOWNSTREAM SIDE LARGE-DIAMETER PATH [0193] 239 OZONE SUPPLY PIPE
[0194] 243 MAGNETIC CIRCUIT [0195] 245 ONE MAGNET PIECE [0196] 246
OTHER MAGNET PIECE [0197] 265 GAS-LIQUID SEPARATING DEVICE [0198]
267 OZONE DECOMPOSING DEVICE
* * * * *