JP7525841B2 - Method and unit for distinguishing non-condensable gas from condensed gas - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and device (unit) for controlling non-condensable gas in condensed gas when condensed gas and non-condensable gas are mixed inside a container, and a method and device (unit) for determining the presence or absence and distribution of non-condensable gas.

In devices such as high-pressure steam sterilizers and accelerated life testers, condensable gases such as water vapor and non-condensable gases such as air may coexist inside the device's container, and the presence and distribution of non-condensable gases at this time can affect the device's performance. However, both condensable and non-condensable gases are invisible, and it is extremely difficult to control the distribution of non-condensable gases within condensable gases, and no effective method has yet been proposed. A visualization system that visualizes air flow in real time and can be applied to the efficient operation of air conditioners has been proposed in the past (see Patent Document 1, for example).

JP 2014-66495 A

Observing fluids that are normally invisible is extremely useful in devices and equipment that use those fluids. For example, a method of sampling noncondensable gases and analyzing them by chromatography has been reported as a method of identifying noncondensable gases. However, this method does not allow real-time confirmation, and it is difficult to sample gas at any location, and it also requires the preparation of chromatography analysis equipment. In addition, because chromatography samples gas, the gas present there must be aspirated, which has the problem of changing the situation. Therefore, there is a need for devices and methods that can control the distribution of noncondensable gases in condensed gases and determine (visualize) the presence or absence of noncondensable gases and their distribution using simpler methods without using chromatography.

The present invention was devised in view of these problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a control method and control unit that controls the distribution of non-condensable gas in condensed gas using a simple method. Another objective is to provide a discrimination method and discrimination unit that discriminates non-condensable gas controlled by the control method and control unit. In addition to these objectives, another objective of the present invention is to achieve effects that cannot be obtained by conventional techniques, which are derived from the configurations shown in the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below.

(1) The method for identifying non-condensable gas in condensed gas disclosed herein comprises partially cooling the inside of a container containing a mixture of condensable gas and non-condensable gas to generate a condensation section in which the condensable gas condenses (generation process), and controlling the distribution of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas by utilizing the flow of the non-condensable gas caused by a pressure drop in the condensation section or by controlling the temperature of the condensation section (control process) , and identifying the non-condensable gas controlled by the control method for the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas.

(2) Furthermore, this determination method generates plasma inside the container and determines in real time the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas by observing at least an emission spectrum of the plasma that is determined for each type of non-condensable gas.

(3) The container is preferably provided with a transparent portion through which the inside of the container can be visually observed from the outside of the container. In this case, in observing the plasma in the above-mentioned determination method, the inside of the container is preferably observed visually through the transparent portion and the emission spectrum is preferably measured using an observation device.
(4) The container is preferably provided with a filter that passes only light having a wavelength corresponding to the non-condensable gas to be identified. In this case, in observing the plasma in the above-described identification method, it is preferable to determine the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas based on the intensity of the light passing through the filter.

(5) It is preferable that a plasma generating unit that generates the plasma, a spectroscope that analyzes light from the plasma generating unit, and an optical fiber that transmits the light from the plasma generating unit to the spectroscope are provided. In this case, it is preferable that in observing the plasma in the above-mentioned determination method, the presence or absence and the type of the non-condensable gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas are determined based on a spectroscopic spectrum determined for each type of non-condensable gas, using a spectroscopic spectrum and spectroscopic results obtained by the spectrometer.

(6 ) It is preferable to determine the presence or absence of non-condensable gas in the condensed gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas in real time by comparing the temperature measured by a temperature sensor arranged in the condensation section with the temperature inside the container other than the condensation section.

(7) The unit for determining non-condensable gas in condensed gas disclosed herein comprises a container in which condensable gas and non-condensable gas are mixed, and a control unit that generates a condensation section in which the condensable gas condenses by partially cooling the inside of the container, and controls the distribution of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas by utilizing the flow of the non-condensable gas caused by a pressure drop in the condensation section or by controlling the temperature of the condensation section.

(8) Furthermore, the discrimination unit includes a plasma generating unit that generates plasma inside the container, and a discrimination unit that discriminates in real time the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas in the condensing gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas based on at least the correspondence between the emission spectrum of the plasma generated by the plasma generating unit and the type of the non-condensable gas .
(9) Furthermore, the unit for determining non-condensable gas in condensed gas disclosed herein includes a control unit that generates a condensation section in which the condensable gas condenses by partially cooling the inside of a container in which condensable gas and non-condensable gas are mixed, and controls the distribution of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas by utilizing the flow of the non-condensable gas caused by a pressure drop in the condensation section or by controlling the temperature of the condensation section, and a determination unit that determines in real time the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas based on at least the correspondence between the emission spectrum of plasma generated inside the container and the type of the non-condensable gas.

( 10 ) It is preferable that the discrimination unit is provided in the container and has a transparent portion that allows the inside of the container to be viewed from the outside, and an observation device for visually checking the inside of the container through the transparent portion, and measures the emission spectrum determined for each type of non-condensable gas, and discriminates the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas and its type or distribution of the non-condensable gas based on the emission spectrum.

(1 1 ) Alternatively, it is preferable that the discrimination unit has a filter attached to the container and allows only light of the wavelength of the non-condensable gas to pass through, and determines the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas based on the intensity of the light passing through the filter.

(1 2 ) Furthermore, it is preferable that the discrimination unit has a spectroscope that analyzes the light from the plasma generating unit and an optical fiber that transmits the light from the plasma generating unit to the spectroscope, and uses the analysis of the spectroscopic spectrum by the spectroscope and the spectroscopic results to discriminate the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas and its type or the distribution of the non-condensable gas based on a spectroscopic spectrum determined for each type of non-condensable gas .

( 13 ) It is also preferable to provide a temperature sensor disposed in the condensation section for measuring the temperature of the condensation section, a temperature acquisition section for acquiring the temperature inside the container other than the condensation section, and a second discrimination section for comparing the temperature of the condensation section with the temperature other than the condensation section to determine in real time the presence or absence of non-condensable gas in the condensed gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas .

The disclosed control method and control unit do not use chromatography, so there is no need to sample gas and the situation does not change, making it possible to control the distribution of non-condensable gases in a simpler manner that was previously impossible.
According to the disclosed discrimination method and discrimination unit, the property that the plasma emission spectrum and temperature in the condensation section differ from those outside the condensation section depending on the presence and type of non-condensable gas in the condensed gas is utilized, and by observing the plasma emission spectrum or temperature, it is possible to discriminate in real time whether or not non-condensable gas is present, which was previously impossible.

FIG. 2 illustrates a control unit for non-condensable gas in a condensed gas according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates a unit for determining non-condensable gas in condensed gas according to an embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a unit for determining non-condensable gas in condensed gas according to another embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling and determining non-condensable gas in condensed gas according to an embodiment. 4A to 4D are sub-flowcharts showing examples of the determination method included in the flow chart of FIG. 3. A figure showing a specific example of a control unit and a discrimination unit for non-condensable gas in condensed gas in one embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view cut along the magnetic tube and viewed from above, and (b) is a cross-sectional view cut along the center line of the container and viewed from the side. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another specific example of the control unit and the determination unit for non-condensable gas in condensed gas according to an embodiment.

The control method and control unit, as well as the discrimination method and discrimination unit, as embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude the application of various modifications or techniques not explicitly stated in the following embodiments. Each configuration of the embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. In addition, they can be selected or combined as necessary.

[1. Device configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 1 for non-condensable gas in condensed gas according to an embodiment is a device for controlling the distribution of non-condensable gas from a state in which condensable gas and non-condensable gas are mixed inside a specified container 2 (hereinafter also referred to as "inside the container 2"). In this embodiment, water vapor is exemplified as the condensable gas, and air (nitrogen, oxygen) is exemplified as the non-condensable gas. Note that the types of each gas are not limited to these. The condensable gas may be "a gas that becomes liquid when cooled" in a commonly used mode, and the non-condensable gas may be "a gas that does not become liquid even when cooled" in a commonly used mode. For example, in a high-pressure steam sterilizer, the condensable gas is water vapor and the non-condensable gas is air, but in a chemical plant, the condensable gas may be nitrogen or oxygen.

The control unit 1 is equipped with a control unit 3 that controls the distribution of non-condensable gas by partially cooling the inside of the container 2 to generate a portion 4 (area, space, hereafter referred to as "condensation portion 4") where the condensable gas condenses. The condensation portion 4 is invisible, but an image of the condensation portion 4 is shown by a dot pattern in FIG. 1 and in FIGS. 2, 3, 6(a), 6(b), and 7 described below. Inside the container 2, the condensable gas condenses in the condensation portion 4 and becomes liquid (condensed water in this case). As a result, the volume of the condensation portion 4 shrinks, creating a space, and the pressure in the condensation portion 4 decreases, causing a flow of gas toward the condensation portion 4.

When the above two types of gas are mixed in the container 2, a gas flow occurs due to the pressure difference, and the condensed gas and non-condensed gas ride this flow and move to the condensation section 4. In the condensation section 4, the condensed gas turns into a liquid, but the non-condensed gas does not change. This causes the distribution of the non-condensed gas in the container 2 to change. Specifically, in the condensation section 4, the condensed gas disappears and only the non-condensed gas remains, and as this situation occurs continuously, the concentration of the non-condensed gas increases, and the concentration of the non-condensed gas decreases outside the condensation section 4. In this way, the control section 3 has the function of controlling the distribution of the non-condensed gas in the condensed gas by utilizing the flow of the non-condensed gas caused by the pressure drop in the condensation section 4.

Even if a condensation gas supply source is connected to the container 2 (if the condensation gas can be continuously supplied into the container 2), a gas flow occurs when condensation occurs in the condensation section 4 and the pressure drops. In other words, regardless of whether there is a condensation gas supply source, a force is applied when a pressure difference occurs in the container 2, creating a gas flow, so that the gas in the container 2 always flows toward the condensation section 4 as condensation continues to occur in the condensation section 4. If the condensation gas is water vapor and the non-condensation gas is air, when air gathers in the condensation section 4, the saturated vapor pressure of the condensation section 4 drops due to the partial pressure of the air. Therefore, a state of low saturated vapor pressure (state of low temperature) is established in the condensation section 4, and a region with a temperature gradient (temperature boundary layer) is formed in the condensation section 4. The non-condensation gas gathered in the condensation section 4 can be uniformly distributed in the container 2 by controlling the temperature of the condensation section 4 so that the temperature of the condensation section 4 approaches the temperature in the container 2.

The control unit 1 is applicable to devices and equipment in which a state in which condensed gas and non-condensed gas are mixed inside one container 2 occurs. Examples include high-pressure steam sterilizers and environmental testing equipment. In the former case, the container 2 is a kettle, and in the latter case, the container 2 is a test tank. Other examples include steam generation tanks and cooling tanks. The control unit 3 includes at least a cooling device (cooling unit) for cooling the condensed gas inside the container 2, and may also include a heating device (heater, heat sink) and an insulating device (insulating material) for controlling (heating or insulating) the temperature of the condensation unit 4. The control unit 3 may be configured to control the temperature inside the container 2 by cooling, heating, or insulating the outside (e.g., the outer surface) of the container 2, or may be configured to directly cool or heat the inside of the container 2. The container 2 may be provided with an outlet 8 or an exhaust pipe (not shown) for discharging condensed water.

As shown in FIG. 2, the non-condensable gas discrimination unit 5 in the condensed gas according to one embodiment is a device that discriminates matters such as the presence or absence, type, and distribution of non-condensable gas controlled by the control unit 1. This discrimination unit 5 includes a plasma generating unit 6 that generates plasma in the transparent container 2, and a discrimination unit 7 that discriminates in real time the presence or absence of non-condensable gas in the condensed gas based on the correspondence between the emission spectrum of the plasma generated by the plasma generating unit 6 and the type of non-condensable gas. If the container 2 is not transparent, it is also possible to provide an observation window through which the inside can be observed from the outside, to check the inside.

The plasma generating unit 6 has, for example, a wire voltage applying electrode 6A connected to a high voltage power supply, a wire grounding electrode 6B connected to earth, and a cylindrical magnetic tube 6C (insulator) in which one of the two electrodes 6A, 6B is built in and the other is attached to the outer surface. The plasma generated by the plasma generating unit 6 has different emission spectrum, emission color, and emission intensity (brightness, luminance) depending on the type of gas present in the surroundings. For example, plasma emits bluish-white light in water vapor, whereas it emits strong purple light in air (nitrogen). The discrimination unit 7 utilizes the nature of plasma in which the emission spectrum, etc. differs depending on the presence or absence of non-condensable gas in the condensed gas and its type, and realizes real-time discrimination by observing at least the emission spectrum of the plasma. Note that the correspondence between the type of non-condensable gas and the emission spectrum of the plasma is acquired in advance.

The form of the discrimination unit 7 is determined by the method for discriminating (observing) the presence or absence of non-condensable gas. The simplest discrimination method is visual inspection. In this case, the discrimination unit 7 has a transparent part (e.g., the transparent part indicated by reference number 71 in Figures 6(a) and (b)) that allows the emission spectrum of the plasma inside the container 2 to be seen from the outside, and an observation device (e.g., the camera indicated by reference number 76 in Figure 6(a)) for checking the inside of the container 2 from the transparent part in addition to visual inspection. The observation device may be, for example, a camera that takes still or video images.

Similarly, in the case of visual observation, instead of visually discriminating the emission spectrum of the plasma, a filter 72 (see FIG. 2) that passes only the light of the wavelength of the noncondensable gas to be discriminated may be attached to the container 2 as the discrimination unit 7. In this case, it is preferable to provide a highly sensitive observation device 76 in preparation for the fact that the light passing through the filter 72 may be weak. When using this discrimination method, the presence or absence of noncondensable gas is discriminated based on the intensity of the light passing through the filter 72, so the variation in discrimination results depending on the operator (discriminator) is reduced. In other words, when the light passing through the filter 72 is strong, noncondensable gas is present, and when the light passing through the filter 72 is weak (almost invisible), noncondensable gas is not present, so the operator only needs to discriminate the presence or absence (intensity) of light.

In addition to or instead of visual discrimination, discrimination may be made using a spectroscope (e.g., reference number 73 in FIG. 7). Specifically, a spectroscope that analyzes the light of the plasma emission unit 6 and an optical fiber (e.g., reference number 74 in FIG. 7) that transmits the light of the plasma generation unit 6 to the spectroscope may be provided, and the spectroscopic spectrum and spectroscopic results (wavelength) from the spectroscope may be displayed on a monitor (e.g., reference number 75 in FIG. 7), and the presence or absence of non-condensable gas and its type may be determined based on these. When this discrimination method is used, the spectroscope and optical fiber are included in the discrimination unit 7.

Figure 3 shows a non-condensable gas discrimination unit 5' in a condensed gas according to another embodiment. This discrimination unit 5' is also a device controlled by the control unit 1 for discriminating matters such as the presence or absence, type, and distribution of non-condensable gas, but differs from the discrimination unit 5 in that it uses temperature instead of plasma. Specifically, this discrimination unit 5' includes a temperature sensor 11 disposed in the condensation section 4 for measuring the temperature T1 of the condensation section 4, a temperature acquisition section 12 for acquiring the temperature T2 inside the container 2 other than the condensation section 4, and a second discrimination section 10 for comparing the temperature T1 of the condensation section 4 with the temperature T2 other than the condensation section to discriminate the presence or absence of non-condensable gas in the condensed gas in real time.

The second determination unit 10 is exemplified as being provided as a function of a program executed by an electronic control device, for example. This function may be realized by hardware (electronic circuitry) or software. Similarly to the temperature sensor 11, the temperature acquisition unit 12 may be a sensor disposed in the container 2 that measures the temperature T2 other than the condensation unit 4, or may be provided as a function of the electronic control device when the temperature of the condensed gas is known (for example, the condensed gas is water vapor (temperature T2 = 100°C)). Figure 3 illustrates an example in which the temperature acquisition unit 12 is a temperature sensor.

As described above, when the condensation gas condenses in the condensation section 4 and the pressure drops, a gas flow occurs due to the pressure drop in the condensation section 4, and therefore a state of low saturated vapor pressure (low temperature state) is established in the condensation section 4. In this case, within the container 2, there are regions whose temperature is approximately the same as that of the condensation gas and regions whose temperature is approximately the same as that of the non-condensation gas. In other words, when non-condensation gas is collected in the condensation section 4, there is a region with a temperature gradient within the condensation section 4. In other words, by comparing the temperature T1 of the condensation section 4 with the temperature T2 outside the condensation section 4, it is possible to determine that non-condensation gas is collected in the condensation section 4 (the concentration of non-condensation gas is increasing).

When the condensable gas is water vapor and the non-condensable gas is air (nitrogen), and the control unit 3 generates the condensation section 4 by cooling the inside of the container 2, a region with a temperature gradient is formed from the cooling surface (the surface to which the condensed water adheres). In addition, by appropriately controlling the cooling capacity with the control unit 3, the amount of condensation is changed and the distribution and concentration of the air concentration are controlled. At this time, by heating or increasing the insulation effect, it is possible to quickly change the temperature of the cooling surface and quickly control it to an appropriate state.

The number and arrangement of the temperature sensors 11 can be set as appropriate. For example, by providing multiple temperature sensors 11 in the direction of gas flow that may occur within the container 2, it becomes easier to identify areas with a temperature gradient, improving the accuracy of identifying non-condensable gas.

2. Control method and determination method
4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling and determining non-condensable gas in condensed gas according to an embodiment. Prior to this control method, a condensable gas and a non-condensable gas are mixed in a given container 2 (step S1). This may be created intentionally, or the mixed state may be inherently created. In the former case, the creating step (step S1) is included in the control method. In addition, the container 2 may be sealed, or may be connected to, for example, an inlet pipe for introducing condensed gas into the container 2, or an outlet pipe for discharging condensed water.

In step S2, the control unit 3 partially cools the inside of the container 2 to generate a condensation section 4 where the condensed gas condenses (generation step), and the flow of non-condensable gas caused by the pressure drop in the condensation section 4 is used to control the distribution of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas (control step, step S3). That is, the concentration of the non-condensable gas in the condensation section 4 is increased, and the concentration of the non-condensable gas outside the condensation section 4 is decreased. Note that after step S3, a step may be provided in which the temperature of the condensation section 4 is controlled to bring the temperature of the condensation section 4 closer to the temperature inside the container 2, thereby distributing the non-condensable gas uniformly, but this is omitted in FIG. 4.

This determination method (step S4) is carried out following steps S1 to S3 above. Examples of the determination method include the four methods shown in Figures 5(a) to 5(d).

The first discrimination method shown in FIG. 5(a) is a method in which plasma is generated in the container 2 (step S10), the inside of the container 2 is visually observed through a transparent portion provided in the container 2, and an observation device is used to measure an emission spectrum determined for each type of non-condensable gas (step S11), and the presence or absence of non-condensable gas and its type are discriminated based on this emission spectrum (step S12). In the first discrimination method, a transparent portion and an observation device that allow the inside of the container 2 to be visually observed from the outside are provided.

The second determination method shown in FIG. 5(b) is a method in which plasma is generated in the container 2 (step S10), a filter attached to the container 2 is visually observed (step S13), and the presence or absence of noncondensable gas is determined based on the intensity of light passing through the filter (step S14). Note that, in the second determination method, it is preferable to provide an observation device (highly sensitive) for observing the light passing through the filter. In the first and second determination methods, instead of or in addition to visual observation, the output (observation result) of the observation device may be input to an electronic control device (not shown), and the presence or absence of noncondensable gas may be determined in the electronic control device based on the emission spectrum or the intensity of light. In the second determination method, a filter that passes only the light of the wavelength of the noncondensable gas to be determined is attached to the container 2.

The third method of determination shown in FIG. 5(c) is a method of generating plasma in the container 2 (step S10), decomposing the light with a spectroscope to analyze the spectrum (step S17), and determining the presence or absence of non-condensable gas and its type based on the analysis and spectrometry results (step S18). In the third method of determination, it is preferable to provide a plasma generating unit 6, a spectroscope, and an optical fiber, as well as a monitor that displays the analysis and spectrometry results by the spectroscope.

The fourth determination method shown in FIG. 5(d) differs from the above three methods in that it obtains the temperature T1 measured by the temperature sensor 11 arranged in the condensation section 4 and the temperature T2 in the container 2 other than the condensation section 4 (step S20), and compares these temperatures T1 and T2 to determine the presence or absence of non-condensable gas in the condensed gas in real time (step S21). The fourth determination method is provided with a sensor that measures and obtains the temperatures T1 and T2, and a second determination section 20 that compares and determines the temperatures T1 and T2.

The first and third discrimination methods may be combined, or the second and third discrimination methods may be combined. In other words, the spectroscopic spectrum and the decomposition results obtained by a spectroscope may be observed while visually observing. The first to third discrimination methods may also be combined with the fourth discrimination method.

3. Specific Example 1
Here, a specific example of the control unit 1 and the discrimination unit 5 of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) and 6(b). This device is a device in which the discrimination unit 5 is integrated with the control unit 1 (in other words, the discrimination unit 5 including the control unit 1). This device includes a cylindrical transparent container 2 (e.g., a glass tube) with both ends open, a control unit 3 (cooling device) provided at one end side (right side in the figure) in the longitudinal direction of the container 2, and a plasma generating unit 6 arranged inside the container 2.

The container 2 is positioned at an angle so that one end where the control unit 3 is provided is higher than the other end, and both openings are sealed with silicone plugs 21. The container 2 in this example is entirely transparent, and therefore also has a transparent section 71 (discrimination section 7). However, in this example, the container 2 has insulation material 22 and a heater 23 arranged along part of its circumference to maintain the internal temperature, and it is the part where the insulation material 22 is not arranged that actually functions as the discrimination section 7.

The control unit 3 includes a cooling passage 31 through which the cooling medium flows, and a ceramic rod 32 with high thermal conductivity. The cooling passage 31 is disposed adjacent to one end of the container 2, and the cooling medium flows (e.g., circulates) inside the cooling passage 31. The type of cooling medium is not particularly limited and may be a liquid (e.g., water) or a gas, but it is maintained at a temperature at which the condensable gas in the container 2 can be condensed. One end of the ceramic rod 32 is disposed in the cooling passage 31, and the other end is disposed in the container 2, penetrating the silicone plug 21 on the one end side. As a result, the heat of the cooling medium is transferred to the one end side of the container 2 through the ceramic rod 32, generating a condensation section 4 in the container 2.

The plasma generating unit 6 extends in the longitudinal direction of the container 2, and is capable of determining the presence or absence of non-condensable gas throughout the container 2. Specifically, the plasma generating unit 6 includes a magnetic tube 6C extending in the longitudinal direction of the container 2, a wire voltage application electrode 6A extending into the magnetic tube 6C, and a wire ground electrode 6B extending along the outer surface of the magnetic tube 6C. Both ends of the magnetic tube 6C are provided penetrating the silicon plugs 21 on one and the other ends. When an AC voltage of, for example, 6 kV is applied to the wire voltage application electrode 6A, plasma can be generated within the container 2.

The silicon plug 21 on the other end of the container 2 is penetrated by an inlet pipe 20 for introducing water vapor as condensed gas into the container 2, and an outlet pipe 24 for discharging condensed water generated within the container 2. The water vapor (condensed gas) present within the container 2 condenses on the outer surface (cooling surface) of the ceramic rod 32, and as shown in black in Figure 6 (b), flows downward (to the other end) of the container 2 as water, and is discharged to the outside from the outlet pipe 24. Note that, since both ends of the container 2 are sealed, only the water vapor equivalent to the amount of condensed water is introduced into the container 2.

As the condensed gas condenses in the condensation section 4, the nitrogen (non-condensable gas) in the container 2 gathers in the condensation section 4. In this way, it is possible to make the nitrogen concentration distribution in the container 2 higher at one end and lower at the other end, and the nitrogen distribution can be controlled. Furthermore, when plasma is generated by the plasma generation section 6 in this state, the condensation section 4 emits a strong purple light, and in areas other than the condensation section 4, the light glows paler as it moves away from the one end. This makes it possible to distinguish (visualize) the distribution of nitrogen (the presence or absence of air), and it is possible to confirm by visual inspection, rather than by theory, that nitrogen is definitely gathering in the condensation section 4.

4. Specific Example 2
7 is a diagram showing another specific example of the control unit 1 and the discrimination unit 5 of non-condensable gas in the condensed gas according to one embodiment. This device also has the discrimination unit 5 integrated with the control unit 1 (in other words, the discrimination unit 5 including the control unit 1), but is different from the above specific example 1 in that the control unit 3 is disposed at approximately the center of the container 2 and the configuration of the discrimination unit 5 is different, but the other configurations are similar.

The discrimination unit 5 is provided with a plasma generating unit 6, a spectroscope 73 that analyzes the light from the plasma generating unit 6, and an optical fiber 74 that transmits the light from the plasma generating unit 6 to the spectroscope 73. The analysis of the spectrum by the spectroscope 73 and the spectroscopic results are displayed on a monitor 75. Note that the analysis of the spectrum refers to the task of investigating what wavelengths of emission line spectrum are present, and the results of this analysis determine what gas is contained in the container 2, and this result is called the spectroscopic result.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the plasma generating unit 6 is configured to emit plasma at one point. The plasma generating unit 6 may be fixed or movable. In the latter case, the position of the plasma generating unit 6 may be freely changeable by an operator, or the plasma generating unit 6 may be attached to a movable device (not shown) and moved.

For example, when nitrogen is contained in the vessel 2, the light of the plasma is analyzed and spectroscopically analyzed, and as a result, a peak indicating the wavelength of nitrogen is displayed on the monitor 75 as shown in FIG. 7. Note that N ₂ SPS in FIG. 7 is an abbreviation for "Second Positive System bands of N ₂ ". In this way, when the discrimination unit 5 in this example is used, the monitor 75 displays a wavelength corresponding to the type of non-condensable gas contained in the vessel 2. Note that when this discrimination method using the spectroscope 73 (third discrimination method) is adopted, the transparent portion 71 and the filter 72 may be omitted, since discrimination is possible without directly viewing the light.

[5. Actions and Effects]
(1) According to the above-mentioned control method and control unit 1, by utilizing the flow of non-condensable gas caused by the pressure drop in the condenser 4, a part of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas moves to the condenser 4, so that the concentration of the non-condensable gas in the condenser 4 can be increased, and conversely, the concentration of the non-condensable gas in parts other than the condenser 4 can be decreased. In addition, by controlling the temperature of the condenser 4 generated to bring the temperature of the condenser 4 closer to the temperature in the vessel 2, the non-condensable gas can be distributed uniformly. Furthermore, with the above-mentioned control method and control unit 1, there is no need to sample the gas as in chromatography, and the situation does not change. Therefore, it is possible to control the distribution of the non-condensable gas, which was previously impossible, with a simpler method.

As a result, for example, if you want to remove non-condensable gas from the condensed gas, you can provide an exhaust port 8 near the condensation section 4 to efficiently exhaust the non-condensable gas. Also, for example, if you want to collect the non-condensable gas present in the condensed gas in one place, you can create an environment with a high concentration of non-condensable gas by generating the condensation section 4 at the desired collection position.

(2) As described above, when plasma is generated in a condensed gas, the emission spectrum of the plasma differs depending on at least the type of noncondensable gas, and the emission color and intensity may also differ. For example, when nitrogen is present in water vapor, when plasma is generated, the area where nitrogen is present will emit a strong purple light, whereas the area where nitrogen is not present (area where there is only water vapor) will emit a pale blue light. The above-described discrimination method and discrimination unit 5 utilize the property that at least the emission spectrum differs depending on the presence or absence and type of noncondensable gas in such a condensed gas, and by observing the emission spectrum of the plasma, it is possible to discriminate the presence or absence of noncondensable gas in real time, which was previously impossible.

Furthermore, by using it in conjunction with the above-mentioned control method and control unit 1, it is possible to control the concentration distribution of non-condensable gases more accurately and in real time. For example, when applied to a high-pressure steam sterilizer, it is possible to efficiently exhaust (discharge) air as a non-condensable gas present in water vapor as a condensable gas. Furthermore, the discharge time, which was previously managed by a timer, can be completed by monitoring the actual discharge status, making it possible to build a system that connects the heating process to the sterilization process. Also, by monitoring the remaining air status, it is possible to efficiently proceed with each process in the same way as above, even when the boiling point changes due to changes in air pressure.

(3) In the first discrimination method shown in FIG. 5(a) and the discrimination unit 5 shown in FIGS. 6(a) and (b), a transparent portion 71 and an observation device 76 (see FIG. 2) are provided, and the emission spectrum of the plasma is observed visually and with the observation device 76, and the presence and type of non-condensable gas is determined from its color and intensity. This does not require complicated equipment, and non-condensable gas can be easily discriminated in real time.

(4) In the second discrimination method shown in FIG. 5(b) and the discrimination unit 5 shown in FIG. 2, a filter 72 that passes only the wavelength of the noncondensable gas to be discriminated is attached to the container 2, and whether or not the noncondensable gas to be discriminated is present in the condensed gas is discriminated based on the intensity of the light passing through the filter 72. This makes it possible to suppress the variation in discrimination results depending on the operator (discriminator), and to visualize the noncondensable gas accurately and in real time.

(5) According to the third discrimination method shown in FIG. 5(c) and the discrimination unit 5 shown in FIG. 7, the plasma light is decomposed by the spectroscope 73, and the presence or absence of non-condensable gas and its type can be discriminated more accurately based on the analysis of the spectroscopic spectrum and the spectroscopic results. The discrimination method using the spectroscope 73 can be used alone, but can also be used in combination with any of the discrimination methods using visual observation through the transparent part 71, the observation device 76, and the filter 72.

[6. Other]
The above-mentioned control method and control unit 1, and the discrimination method and discrimination unit 5 are all examples. For example, the above-mentioned plasma generating unit 6 is configured to generate plasma in a dotted or linear shape, but may be configured to generate plasma in a planar shape. Also, for example, a plurality of configurations that generate plasma at one point may be arranged (including a plurality of plasma generating units 6), and discrimination may be performed simultaneously (or with a time difference) at any position.

The above-mentioned control method and control unit 1, and discrimination method and discrimination unit 5 can be used when condensable gas (e.g., water vapor) and non-condensable gas (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon, etc.) are mixed in the container 2, and can be applied to, for example, high-pressure steam sterilizers and environmental testing equipment (accelerated life testers, etc.).

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Control unit 2 Container 3 Control section 4 Condenser section 5, 5' Discrimination unit 6 Plasma generating section 6A Wire voltage application electrode 6B Wire ground electrode 6C Magnetic tube 7 Discrimination section 8 Exhaust port 10 Second discrimination section 11 Temperature sensor 12 Temperature acquisition section 20 Inlet tube 21 Silicone plug 22 Insulation material 23 Heater 24 Exhaust tube 31 Cooling passage 32 Ceramic rod 71 Transparent section 72 Filter 73 Spectroscope 74 Optical fiber 75 Monitor 76 Observation equipment

Claims (11)

Partially cooling the inside of a container in which a condensable gas and a non-condensable gas are mixed to generate a condensation portion in which the condensable gas is condensed;
A method for identifying non-condensable gas controlled by a method for controlling non-condensable gas in a condensed gas, the method controlling distribution of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas by utilizing a flow of the non-condensable gas caused by a pressure drop in the condensation section or by controlling a temperature of the condensation section ,
generating a plasma within the vessel;
By observing at least an emission spectrum of the plasma determined for each type of the non-condensable gas, the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas is determined in real time.
A method for determining whether a non-condensable gas is present in a condensed gas, comprising: The container is provided with a transparent portion through which the inside of the container can be seen from the outside,
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the observation of the plasma includes visually observing the inside of the container through the transparent portion and measuring the emission spectrum using an observation device. a filter is attached to the container, which passes only light having a wavelength corresponding to the non-condensable gas to be identified;
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein in observing the plasma, the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas is determined based on the intensity of light passing through the filter. a plasma generating unit that generates the plasma, a spectroscope that analyzes light from the plasma generating unit, and an optical fiber that transmits the light from the plasma generating unit to the spectroscope;
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in observing the plasma, the analysis of the spectroscopic spectrum by the spectrometer and the spectroscopic results are used to determine the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas and its type or distribution of the non-condensable gas based on a spectroscopic spectrum determined for each type of non-condensable gas. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the presence or absence of non-condensable gas in the condensed gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas is determined in real time by comparing the temperature measured by a temperature sensor arranged in the condensation section with the temperature inside the container other than the condensation section . A container containing a mixture of condensable and non-condensable gases;
a control unit that generates a condensation section in which the condensable gas is condensed by partially cooling the inside of the container, and controls the distribution of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas by utilizing a flow of the non-condensable gas caused by a pressure drop in the condensation section or by controlling a temperature of the condensation section;
A plasma generating unit that generates plasma inside the container;
A unit for determining whether a non-condensable gas is present in a condensed gas, the unit comprising: a discrimination unit that determines in real time the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas based on the correspondence between the emission spectrum of the plasma generated by the plasma generating unit and the type of the non-condensable gas. a control unit that generates a condensation section in which the condensable gas is condensed by partially cooling the inside of a container in which the condensable gas and the non-condensable gas are mixed, and controls the distribution of the non-condensable gas in the condensable gas by utilizing a flow of the non-condensable gas caused by a pressure drop in the condensation section or by controlling the temperature of the condensation section;
and a discrimination unit that discriminates in real time the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas based on at least a correspondence relationship between an emission spectrum of the plasma generated inside the container and the type of the non-condensable gas.
A unit for discriminating non-condensable gas in condensable gas, The discrimination unit is
A transparent portion provided in the container, through which the inside of the container can be seen from the outside of the container;
and an observation device for visually confirming the inside of the container through the transparent portion,
The discrimination unit according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the emission spectrum determined for each type of non-condensable gas is measured, and the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas and its type or distribution of the non-condensable gas is discriminated based on the emission spectrum. The discrimination unit is
a filter attached to the container for passing only light of the wavelength of the non-condensable gas to be identified;
8. The determination unit according to claim 6, wherein the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas is determined based on the intensity of light passing through the filter. The discrimination unit is
A spectroscope for analyzing light from the plasma generating unit;
an optical fiber that transmits light from the plasma generating unit to the spectroscope;
A discrimination unit as described in any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the discrimination unit uses the analysis of the spectroscopic spectrum by the spectrometer and the spectroscopic results to discriminate the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas and its type or distribution of the non-condensable gas based on the spectroscopic spectrum determined for each type of non-condensable gas. a temperature sensor disposed in the condensation section and configured to measure a temperature of the condensation section;
a temperature acquisition unit that acquires a temperature inside the container other than the condenser unit;
The discrimination unit described in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it is provided with a second discrimination section that compares the temperature of the condensation section with the temperature of the section other than the condensation section to discriminate in real time the presence or absence of the non-condensable gas in the condensed gas or the distribution of the non-condensable gas .

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