JP7677652B2 - Gas-liquid mixing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gas-liquid mixing device.

The applicant has filed a patent application for an invention relating to a gas-liquid mixing device capable of mixing gas and liquid with high efficiency, as seen in the patent document (JP Patent Publication No. 2019-42628).

In recent years, there has been a demand to produce mixed gas and liquid fluids, such as ozone water, at high flow rates using gas-liquid mixing devices.

When a large flow rate of fluid is supplied to a gas-liquid mixing device, there is a risk that uneven flow will occur within the gas-liquid mixing device, reducing the efficiency with which the gas dissolves into the liquid.

The present invention aims to provide a gas-liquid mixing device that can suppress drift.

The first aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device comprising a housing having an inlet for a fluid including gas and liquid formed at one axial end and an outlet for the fluid formed at the other axial end, and a plurality of mesh-like partition members interposed between the inlet and the outlet within the housing, the plurality of partition members being spaced apart in the axial direction of the housing and dividing the interior of the housing in the axial direction, a plurality of support members supporting the plurality of partition members respectively opposite the axial flow of the fluid, the plurality of support members having a mesh that is coarser than the mesh of the partition members or gaps that are larger than the mesh of the partition members and having rigidity that can suppress deflection of the partition members, and a retaining member that is arranged in a space between one partition member and support member and the other partition member and support member adjacent in the axial direction, for maintaining the axial spacing of the space.

The second aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in which, in the first aspect, the support member is a punched metal, a metal lattice plate, a metal mesh, a metal cross metal fitting, a metal well-shaped metal fitting, a metal grater-type metal fitting, or an expanded metal.

The third aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device according to the second aspect, wherein the inner diameter of the housing is 80 mm or more.

A fourth aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any of the first to third aspects, in which a baffle plate is arranged within the housing between the inlet and a partition member among the plurality of partition members that is the most upstream position of the fluid, in a direction perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the axial direction, and which forms a flow of fluid along a radial direction from the inside of the plate surface toward the outer periphery.

The fifth aspect is an air-liquid mixing device in any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which an air vent hole is formed in the housing, connecting the uppermost space within the housing with the external atmosphere.

A sixth aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in which, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the inlet is positioned above and the outlet is positioned below.

The seventh aspect is an air-liquid mixing device according to the sixth aspect, in which an air vent hole is formed in the housing, connecting the uppermost space within the housing with the external atmosphere, and the air vent hole is a hole that penetrates an upper plate member located at the uppermost end of the housing.

The eighth aspect is an air-liquid mixing device according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, in which an air vent hole is formed in the housing, connecting the uppermost space within the housing with the external atmosphere, and an air vent valve is provided for adjusting the opening and closing of the air vent hole.

The ninth aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any one of the first to eighth aspects, in which the inlet is positioned upward and the outlet is positioned downward, and an outlet piping communicating with the outlet is positioned at a position higher than the upper end of the housing.

A tenth aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in which, in any of the first to ninth aspects, a strainer is provided in the inlet piping communicating with the inlet for capturing foreign matter in the inlet piping.

An eleventh aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in which, in any of the first to tenth aspects, the fluid is ozone water containing ozone, and a hydrogen peroxide supply unit for supplying hydrogen peroxide is provided in an outlet piping connected to the flow outlet.

The 12th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device according to the 11th aspect, wherein the hydrogen peroxide supply unit includes a supply passage communicating with the outlet piping, a pump for discharging hydrogen peroxide into the supply passage, and a flow control valve provided in the supply passage for controlling the flow rate of hydrogen peroxide supplied to the outlet piping.

A thirteenth aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, in which the fluid is ozone water containing ozone, the device comprising a photoreaction section connected to the outlet and through which the ozone water passes or is stored, and an ultraviolet light source that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ozone water in the photoreaction section.

A fourteenth aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the ultraviolet light source is a mercury lamp.

The fifteenth aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, comprising an inlet pipe connecting a water supply source to the inlet, and an ozonizer that generates ozone gas containing ozone, discharges the ozone gas from an ozone gas outlet, and connects the ozone gas outlet to the inlet pipe.

A sixteenth aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, in which a viewing window is formed in the housing for observing how the fluid flows into the outlet, or part or all of the housing is configured to be transparent for observing how the fluid flows into the outlet.

The seventeenth aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device comprising a housing in which a first inlet for liquid is formed at one end in the axial direction, a second inlet for gas is formed at one end in the axial direction or in a side wall on the side of the one end in the axial direction separately from the first inlet, and an outlet for a fluid containing the liquid and the gas is formed at the other end in the axial direction, and the device comprises: a plurality of mesh-like partition members interposed within the housing between the first inlet and the second inlet and the outlet, the plurality of partition members being spaced apart in the axial direction of the housing and dividing the interior of the housing in the axial direction; a plurality of support members supporting the plurality of partition members respectively opposite the axial flow of the fluid, the plurality of support members having a mesh that is coarser than the mesh of the partition member or a gap larger than the mesh of the partition member and having rigidity capable of suppressing deflection of the partition member; and a retaining member that is arranged in a space between one partition member and support member and the other partition member and support member adjacent in the axial direction, for maintaining the axial spacing of the space.

The 18th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device according to the 17th aspect, wherein the support member is a punched metal, a metal lattice plate, a metal mesh, a metal cross metal fitting, a metal well-shaped metal fitting, a metal grater-type metal fitting, or an expanded metal.

A 19th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device according to the 18th aspect, wherein the inner diameter of the housing is 80 mm or more.

The 20th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any of the 17th to 19th aspects, in which a baffle plate is arranged within the housing between the first inlet and a partition member that is the most upstream position of the fluid among the multiple partition members, the baffle plate forming a flow of fluid along a radial direction from the inside of the plate surface toward the outer periphery in a direction perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the axial direction.

The 21st aspect is an air-liquid mixing device in any of the 17th to 20th aspects, in which an air vent hole is formed in the housing, connecting the uppermost space within the housing with the external atmosphere.

The 22nd aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any of the 17th to 21st aspects, wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are arranged above and the outlet is arranged below.

The 23rd aspect is an air-liquid mixing device according to the 22nd aspect, in which an air vent hole is formed in the housing, connecting the uppermost space within the housing with the external atmosphere, and the air vent hole is a hole that penetrates an upper plate member located at the uppermost end of the housing.

The 24th aspect is an air-liquid mixing device according to any one of the 21st to 23rd aspects, in which an air vent hole is formed in the housing, connecting the uppermost space within the housing with the outside atmosphere, and an air vent valve is provided for adjusting the opening and closing of the air vent hole.

The 25th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device, in any of the 21st to 24th aspects, wherein the air vent hole is used as the second inlet.

The 26th aspect is an air-liquid mixing device in any one of the 21st, 22nd, 24th, and 25th aspects, in which the air vent hole is used as the second inlet, and the air vent hole is a hole that penetrates the wall of the housing.

The 27th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device, in any of the 17th to 26th aspects, in which an internal piping connected to the second inlet is extended into the housing, and the end opening of the internal piping is positioned at the center or approximately the center of the housing.

The 28th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any of the 17th to 27th aspects, in which the first inlet and the second inlet are arranged upward and the outlet is arranged downward, and an outlet piping communicating with the outlet is arranged at a position higher than the upper end of the housing.

A 29th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any of aspects 17 to 28, in which a strainer is provided in the inlet piping communicating with the first inlet to capture foreign matter in the inlet piping.

A 30th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in which, in any of aspects 17 to 29, the fluid is ozone water containing ozone as the gas, and a hydrogen peroxide supply unit for supplying hydrogen peroxide is provided in an outlet piping connected to the flow outlet.

The 31st aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device according to the 30th aspect, wherein the hydrogen peroxide supply unit includes a supply passage communicating with the outlet piping, a pump for discharging hydrogen peroxide into the supply passage, and a flow control valve provided in the supply passage for controlling the flow rate of hydrogen peroxide supplied to the outlet piping.

The 32nd aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any of the 17th to 31st aspects, in which the fluid is ozone water containing ozone as the gas, and the device is provided with a photoreaction section connected to the outlet and through which the ozone water passes or is stored, and an ultraviolet light source that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ozone water in the photoreaction section.

The 33rd aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device according to the 32nd aspect, wherein the ultraviolet light source is a mercury lamp.

The 34th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any of the 17th to 33rd aspects, comprising an inlet pipe connecting a water supply source to the first inlet, and an ozonizer in which ozone gas containing ozone is generated and discharged from an ozone gas outlet, and the ozone gas outlet is connected to the second inlet.

The 35th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any of the 17th to 34th aspects, in which a viewing window is formed in the housing for observing how the fluid flows into the outlet, or part or all of the housing is configured to be transparent for observing how the fluid flows into the outlet.

The 36th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device that, in any of the first to 35th aspects, is a vortex generation suppression member for suppressing vortexes generated when a fluid flows into the outlet and slowing the flow rate of the fluid within the housing, the vortex generation suppression member being configured to include a plurality of leg members located within the housing and provided on the floor surface surrounding the outlet.

The 37th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any of the first to sixteenth aspects, which is a tilt suppression member for suppressing the partition member, the holding member, or the support member from tilting due to the fluid flowing into the inlet, and the tilt suppression member is fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing between the inlet and the partition member at the most upstream position or the holding member at the most upstream position, and has a pressing member that abuts against the partition member at the most upstream position or the holding member at the most upstream position to press the partition member or the holding member.

The 38th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in any of the 17th to 36th aspects, which is a tilt suppression member for suppressing the partition member, the holding member, or the support member from tilting due to liquid flowing into the first inlet, and the tilt suppression member is fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing between the first inlet and the partition member at the most upstream position or the holding member at the most upstream position, and has a pressing member that abuts against the partition member at the most upstream position or the holding member at the most upstream position to press the partition member or the holding member.

The 39th aspect is an air-liquid mixing device comprising an air-liquid mixer that mixes ozone and water to discharge ozone-containing ozone water from an outlet, a photoreaction section that is connected to the outlet and through which the ozone water passes or is stored, and an ultraviolet light source that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ozone water in the photoreaction section.

The 40th aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in which, in the 39th aspect, the ultraviolet light source is a mercury lamp or an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED).

The 41st aspect is an air-liquid mixing device comprising a air-liquid mixer that mixes ozone and water in a air-liquid mixing section within a housing, and an ultraviolet light source that is provided in the space between the air-liquid mixing section within the housing and an outlet and irradiates the ozone water with ultraviolet light.

The 42nd aspect is a gas-liquid mixing device in which, in the 41st aspect, the ultraviolet light source is a mercury lamp or an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED).

According to aspects 1 to 38, a gas-liquid mixing device can be provided that can suppress drift.

According to aspects 39 to 42, a gas-liquid mixing device can be provided that generates accelerated oxidizing water in which ozone and hydrogen peroxide coexist.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional water production system using a gas-liquid mixer 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a gas-liquid mixer included in the gas-liquid mixing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a light reaction unit for producing accelerated oxidized water. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the flow rate of water supplied to the gas-liquid mixer and the concentration of dissolved ozone in the ozone water generated in the gas-liquid mixer. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the flow rate of water supplied to the gas-liquid mixer and the flow rate ratio between the vicinity of the wall and the center of the housing. FIG. 6 is a graph for explaining an embodiment for producing accelerated oxidizing water, which is a graph showing the absorption spectrum of ozone dissolved in the accelerated oxidizing water. FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 1 and shows a functional water producing system using the gas-liquid mixer 1 of the second embodiment. FIG. 8A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 and is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a gas-liquid mixer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing an example of the configuration of the gas-liquid mixer of the second embodiment. FIG. 8C is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 and is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the gas-liquid mixer of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a vortex suppression member. FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a tilt suppressing member. FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing a modified example of the tilt suppressing member. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the measurement results of the oxygen dissolution efficiency of the gas-liquid mixer of the second embodiment in comparison with a comparative example. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the measurement results of the flow velocity of the fluid inside the housing of the gas-liquid mixer of the second embodiment in comparison with a comparative example. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid mixer according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a cross section of a photoreactive part of Example 6. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the gas-liquid mixing device of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a graph showing the absorption spectrum used for quantifying the dissolved ozone concentration shown in Table 2. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid mixer according to the seventh embodiment.

Below, we will explain an embodiment of the gas-liquid mixing device related to the present invention.

(Functional water production system using gas-liquid mixing device)

Figure 1 shows a functional water production system using a gas-liquid mixing device 1 of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment described below, the functional water is assumed to be ozone water or accelerated oxidation water in which ozone and hydrogen peroxide coexist.

As shown in FIG. 1, the functional water production system is broadly composed of a water supply source 10, an ozonizer 20, an inlet piping 30, a gas-liquid mixer 100, an outlet piping 40, and a hydrogen peroxide supply unit 50.

The gas-liquid mixing device 1 is configured to include a gas-liquid mixer 100.

The water supply source 10 is a supply source that supplies the raw water used to produce ozone water and accelerated oxidation water as functional water, and is, for example, a water faucet. The water supply source 10 is connected to the inlet pipe 30. The inlet pipe 30 is provided with a flow meter 31 that measures the flow rate of the water being supplied.

The ozonizer 20 generates ozone gas containing oxygen and discharges the ozone gas from an ozone gas outlet 21. The ozone gas outlet 21 of the ozonizer 20 is connected to an inlet pipe 30 via an outlet pipe 21A. The ozonizer 20 generates ozone gas by receiving a predetermined flow rate of raw oxygen from an oxygen cylinder 22 via a supply path 23. The supply path 23 is provided with an on-off valve 24 and a flow regulator 25 that adjusts the flow rate of the raw oxygen.

Note that 21A in Figure 1 is provided with a check valve, such as a chuck valve 21B, to prevent water from entering the ozonizer 20.

The gas-liquid mixer 100 mixes ozone as a gas and water as a liquid to generate ozone water. The gas-liquid mixer 100 includes a housing 200.

The inlet pipe 30 connects the water supply source 10 to an inlet 210 formed in the housing 200. A strainer 80 is provided in the inlet pipe 30. The strainer 80 captures foreign matter such as iron rust in the inlet pipe 30. The strainer 80 is composed of a filter, screen, mesh, porous material, etc., and allows the fluid flowing through the inlet pipe 30 to pass through, thereby removing foreign matter such as solid particles such as iron rust from the fluid.

The outlet pipe 40 is connected to an outlet port 220 formed in the housing 200.

The hydrogen peroxide supply unit 50 supplies hydrogen peroxide into the outlet pipe 40. The supply path 51 of the supply unit 50 is connected to the outlet pipe 40.

The outlet pipe 40 is connected to a sample nozzle 90. The sample nozzle 90 dispenses the accelerated oxidation water in the outlet pipe 40 for concentration analysis.

The gas-liquid mixing device 1 of the embodiment is described in further detail below.

(Gas-liquid mixer)

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example configuration of the gas-liquid mixer 100 included in the gas-liquid mixing device 1.

The housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. Note that the shape of the housing 200 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a square, triangular, elliptical, etc.

The housing 200 is configured to include a cylindrical portion 250, an upper plate member 230 as an upper flange provided at an upper end 251 of the cylindrical portion 250 in the figure, and a lower plate member 240 as a lower flange provided at a lower end 252 of the cylindrical portion 250 in the figure. The upper plate member 230 constitutes a wall member located at the uppermost end of the housing 200.

An inlet 210 through which a fluid containing ozone as a gas and water as a liquid flows in is formed in the upper plate member 230 as one end in the axial direction (up and down direction in Figure 2), and a fluid outlet 220 is formed in the lower plate member 240 as the other end in the axial direction.

In the embodiment, the inlet 210 is disposed above the housing 200 and the outlet 220 is disposed below the housing 200. It is also possible to implement the invention in which the inlet 210 is disposed below the housing 200 and the outlet 220 is disposed above the housing 200.

The material of the housing 200 is preferably Teflon (registered trademark), which is ozone resistant. However, when the dissolved ozone concentration is low, the material of the housing 200 may be made of general-purpose resins such as acrylic or polypropylene. In particular, when the housing 200 is made of acrylic resin, it will not deteriorate even if it is exposed to ozone water with a concentration of about 10 mg/L for several years. In addition, acrylic resin does not deform under pressure like Teflon (registered trademark), and has good workability, making it a suitable material for the housing 200. The housing 200 can be made of, for example, transparent acrylic resin.

Joints are connected to the inlet 210 and the outlet 220, and inlet piping 30 and outlet piping 40, each made of a highly rigid tube or a flexible tube, are connected to the joints.

The gas-liquid mixer 100 has a gas-liquid mixing inlet section 101 as the most upstream space in the housing 200, and a gas-liquid mixing outlet section 102 as the most downstream space in the housing 200. The gas-liquid mixing inlet section 101 is connected to the inlet 210. The gas-liquid mixing outlet section 102 is connected to the outlet 220.

The gas-liquid mixing inlet section 101 is located within the housing 200 and is the space between the inlet 210 and the partition member 110 that is the most upstream position of the fluid among the multiple partition members 110.

A baffle plate 140 is disposed in the gas-liquid mixing inlet section 101. The baffle plate 140 is oriented perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 200 (the up-down direction in FIG. 2), and forms a flow of fluid along the radial direction from the inside of the plate surface toward the outer periphery.

An air vent hole 150 is formed in the upper plate member 230. The air vent hole 150 is formed to penetrate the upper plate member 230, which serves as a wall member. The air vent hole 150 connects the gas-liquid mixing inlet portion 101, which is the uppermost space within the housing 200, to the external atmosphere.

The air vent hole 150 is connected to the outside atmosphere via an air vent pipe 151. An air vent valve 160 is provided in the air vent pipe 151 to adjust the opening and closing of the air vent hole 150.

The gas-liquid mixer 100 has a plurality of partition members 110 interposed between the gas-liquid mixing inlet portion 101 and the gas-liquid mixing outlet portion 102. The plurality of partition members 110 have a plurality of openings 110A.

The multiple partition members 110 are composed of multiple mesh-shaped partition members interposed between the inlet 210 and the outlet 220. The multiple partition members 110 are spaced apart in the axial direction of the housing 200, and divide the inside of the housing 200 in the axial direction.

The partition member 110 can be a plain weave or twill weave mesh, expanded metal, a plate-shaped member with multiple through holes, etc. The partition member 110 can be made of, for example, two overlapping titanium (Ti) meshes.

A plurality of support members 120 are provided within the housing 200. The plurality of support members 120 support the plurality of partition members 110, respectively, facing the axial flow of the fluid. The support members 120 are formed with a mesh that is coarser than the mesh of the partition members 110, and have a rigidity that can suppress deflection of the partition members 110.

The support member 120 may be made of expanded metal. The support member 120 may also be made of punched metal.

When the inner diameter of the housing 200 is 80 mm or more, it is desirable for the thickness of the expanded metal as the support member 120 to be 0.5 mm or more.

For example, to correspond to the partition member 110 made of titanium (Ti) mesh, the support member 120 can be made of 0.5 mm thick titanium (Ti) or stainless steel micro-expanded metal.

Here, the support member 120 may be any member having a coarser mesh than the mesh of the partition member 110 or a member having larger gaps than the mesh of the partition member 110, and is not limited to punched metal or expanded metal, but may also be a metal lattice plate, metal mesh, metal cross fittings, metal well fittings, metal grate-type fittings, etc.

The retaining member 130 is disposed in a space 131 between one partition member 110 and support member 120 and the other partition member 110 and support member 120 that are adjacent in the axial direction. The retaining member 130 maintains the axial spacing of the space 131. The retaining member 130 is also provided above the partition member 110, which is located at the most upstream position of the fluid, and below the support member 120, which is located at the most downstream position of the fluid.

An O-ring or packing can be used as the retaining member 130. The retaining member 130 can be made of, for example, an O-ring made of ozone-resistant Teflon (registered trademark).

The cross section of the holding member 130 is, for example, circular. However, the cross section of the holding member 130 may be angular, i.e., square or rectangular.

The ring member 103 supports the filler in the gas-liquid mixer 100, which is composed of a plurality of partition members 110, a plurality of support members 120, and a plurality of holding members 130. The space between the ring member 103 and the outlet 220 forms the gas-liquid mixture outlet section 102. For example, the ring member 103 having a square cross section is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical section 350 of the housing 200 by adhesive or the like. The inner diameter of the ring member 103 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical section 350. The ring member 103 can be made of, for example, acrylic resin. The ring member 103 is abutted against the holding member 130 provided at the bottom of the gas-liquid mixer 200. As a result, the ring member 103 functions as a support member that supports the plurality of partition members 110, the plurality of support members 120, and the plurality of holding members 130 from below.

The diameter of the gas-liquid mixture inlet section 101 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 is equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical section 250 of the housing 200. The diameter of the inlet 210 is smaller than the diameter of the gas-liquid mixture inlet section 101 of the gas-liquid mixer 100. Similarly, the diameter of the gas-liquid mixture outlet section 102 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 is equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical section 250 of the housing 200. The diameter of the outlet 220 is smaller than the diameter of the gas-liquid mixture outlet section 102 of the gas-liquid mixer 100.

When raw water is discharged from the water supply source 10, the raw water is supplied to the inlet pipe 30. When ozone gas is generated in the ozonizer 20, the ozone gas is supplied to the inlet pipe 30 via the ozone gas outlet 21 and the outlet pipe 21A. A fluid containing ozone as a gas and water as a liquid flows into the inlet 210 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the inlet pipe 30.

The fluid flowing into the inlet 210 flows radially from the inside of the plate surface of the baffle plate 140 toward the outer periphery, and falls downward in Figure 2 from the outer periphery of the plate surface.

The fluid flowing into the inlet 210 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 flows through the baffle plate 140 of the gas-liquid mixing inlet section 101 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the partition member 110 (for example, two titanium (Ti) meshes).

For this reason, ozone gas is trapped and a gas reservoir is formed in the space 131 between the partition members 110, 110 adjacent in the axial direction of the gas-liquid mixer 100. When a fluid containing liquid passes through the partition member 110 of the gas-liquid mixer 100, the liquid contained in the fluid is broken down into fine droplets (fractionalized) by the openings 110A (e.g., mesh holes). The fluid containing the liquid that has been broken down into fine droplets (fractionalized) and has a large gas-liquid contact area flows through the gas reservoir, whereby the liquid contained in the fluid absorbs the ozone gas.

Each time the fluid containing liquid passes through each of the plurality of partition members 110, ozone gas is absorbed into the liquid contained in the fluid, the mixing of the ozone gas and water is promoted, and the ozone gas is dissolved in the water with high efficiency.

The ozone water in which ozone gas is dissolved with high efficiency flows out to the outlet pipe 40 via the gas-liquid mixture outlet portion 102 and the outlet port 220 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 .

(Outlet piping)

The outlet pipe 40 communicating with the outlet port 220 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 has all or a part 40A disposed at a position higher than the upper end of the housing 200 .

(Hydrogen peroxide supply section)

The hydrogen peroxide supply unit 50 includes a supply path 51 connected to the outlet piping 40, a pump 52 that discharges hydrogen peroxide into the supply path 51, and a flow control valve 53 provided in the supply path 51 and that controls the flow rate of hydrogen peroxide supplied to the outlet piping 40.

Since hydrogen peroxide is supplied to the outlet pipe 40 at a controlled flow rate, accelerated oxidation water in which ozone and hydrogen peroxide coexist and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is adjusted can be produced within the outlet pipe 40.

Figure 3 shows a photoreaction unit 60 for generating accelerated oxidized water. This photoreaction unit 60 may be provided in place of or in addition to the hydrogen peroxide supply unit 50 shown in Figure 2.

3, a photoreaction section 60 through which ozone water passes is provided in the middle of the outlet pipe 40 that communicates with the outlet 220 of the gas-liquid mixer 100. The photoreaction section 60 may be configured as a storage section for storing ozone water, for example, as a tank for storing ozone water.

The ultraviolet light source 70 irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ozone water in the photoreaction section 60. The ultraviolet light source 70 is, for example, a low-pressure mercury lamp that emits light with a wavelength of 253.7 nm. The ultraviolet light source 70 is, for example, placed in the ozone water in the photoreaction section 60, and emits ultraviolet light using power supplied from a power source 71. The ultraviolet light source 70 may be any light source that can convert a portion of the ozone into hydrogen peroxide by irradiating the ozone water with light, and broadly includes an ultraviolet (UV) light source or a vacuum ultraviolet (UVU) light source. The ultraviolet light source 70 may be any light source suitable for the purpose, such as a high-pressure mercury lamp, a low-pressure mercury lamp, an ultraviolet emitting diode, or an ultraviolet laser diode.

Ozone water generated in the gas-liquid mixer 100 flows into the photoreaction unit 60 from the outlet piping 40 upstream of the photoreaction unit 60. When the ozone water in the photoreaction unit 60 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source 70, some of the ozone is converted to hydrogen peroxide, and accelerated oxidized water in which ozone and hydrogen peroxide coexist is generated in the photoreaction unit 60. The generated accelerated oxidized water flows out to the outlet piping 40 downstream of the photoreaction unit 60.

(Effect of gas-liquid mixer)

According to the gas-liquid mixer 100 of the first embodiment configured as described above, ozone gas can be dissolved in water with high efficiency, and ozone water with high solubility can be produced.

In addition, the flow path cross-sectional area of the gas-liquid mixer 100 is the area obtained by subtracting the area of the holding member 130 from the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 250 of the housing 200, so the flow path cross-sectional area is large and pressure loss can be reduced. Therefore, a large flow rate of ozone water can be generated even though the device is small.

The number of stages (sets) of holding members 130 (e.g., Teflon (registered trademark) O-rings), partition members 110 (e.g., titanium (Ti) mesh), and support members 120 (e.g., 0.5 mm thick micro-expanded metal) can be determined based on the concentration and flow rate of the ozone water to be generated. For example, when generating low-concentration ozone water of about 0.5 mg/L, 12 to 13 stages may be used. When generating medium-concentration ozone water of about 2 mg/L, 20 to 25 stages may be used.

The larger the number of stages and inner diameter of the gas-liquid mixer 100, the better the gas dissolution performance.

A sight window 290 for observing the flow of the fluid to the outlet 220 may be formed in the housing 200. The sight window 290 is provided in the cylindrical portion 250 close to the outlet 220 of the housing 200. The sight window 290 allows visual confirmation of the dissolution of gas within the housing 200. The sight window 290 can be configured by forming an opening in the housing 200 and incorporating a window portion made of transparent glass, resin, a magnifying lens, or the like into the opening. Also, a part or all of the housing 200 may be configured to be transparent in order to observe the flow of the fluid to the outlet 220.

The most reliable way to know that all the gas has been dissolved is to visually confirm that no gas is being drawn into the outlet 220.

Through the sight glass 290, it is possible to confirm the phenomenon that air bubbles of a few mm in diameter are sometimes drawn into the outlet 220, or that gas sometimes forms a tornado-like flow and is drawn into the outlet 220. This makes it easy to know the maximum ozone gas flow rate at which ozone can be completely dissolved at a specified water flow rate.

The sight glass 290 is more useful than other devices and methods in the following respects. That is, when the flow rate is high, other methods may not be able to quantify and grasp the amount of undissolved gas. For example, a dissolved oxygen meter has a large error. When a large flow rate is used, it becomes difficult to separate the gas from the water and quantify it using the water displacement method. This is because, when the flow rate is several L/min, the water displacement method can measure the undissolved gas flow rate, but when the flow rate is several tens of L/min, the flow velocity is so high that it is no longer possible to trap the gas in a measuring cylinder or the like. Another possible method is to install a gas separation tank downstream of the outlet 220 of the gas-liquid mixer 100, extract the gas while controlling the pressure, and install a level gauge to extract the ozone water with a pump. However, this method requires a larger cost than the case where a sight glass 290 is provided.

(Example 1)

The number of stages in the gas-liquid mixer 100 was 50. The housing 200 had an inner diameter of 200 mm and a height of 600 mm.

A support member 120 made of SUS304 micro-expanded metal with a thickness of 0.5 mm was inserted into each stage.

The water supply source 10 was a water faucet, and a flow rate of 50 to 100 L/min was supplied to the gas-liquid mixer 100 at the original water pressure. It is also possible to generate ozone water by supplying a flow rate of 120 L/min to the gas-liquid mixer 100 at the original water pressure.

A discharge-type ozonizer 20 was used to generate a mixed gas of oxygen and ozone (ozone concentration 10%). This mixed gas of oxygen and ozone (called ozone gas) was supplied to the gas-liquid mixer 100 together with tap water at 50 to 100 L/min. The relationship between the flow rate of water supplied to the gas-liquid mixer 100 (water flow rate; L/min) and the dissolved ozone concentration (mg/L) in the ozone water generated by the gas-liquid mixer 100 is shown in Figure 4.

The target dissolved ozone concentration was set at 1.3 mg/L, and the flow rate of ozone gas was adjusted according to the water flow rate using ozonizer 20.

As a result, the dissolved ozone concentration could be adjusted within the error range of the target value of 1.3 mg/L for all water flow rates from 50 to 100 L/min.

It was confirmed that, in the entire water flow rate range of 50 to 100 L/min, oxygen gas and ozone gas are all dissolved in the water, and therefore no harmful gas-phase ozone gas is generated from the gas-liquid mixer 100 or the piping outlet 40.

When the gas-phase ozone concentration was measured while fluid was continuously flowing through the gas-liquid mixer 100, the gas-phase ozone concentration was found to be 0.1 ppmv (below the environmental standard value), indicating that it is safe.

For example, when water was supplied at a flow rate of 100 L/min and ozone gas (ozone concentration 10%) was generated at 0.6 L/min, all of the gas supplied to the gas-liquid mixer 100 dissolved in the water, producing ozone water with a concentration of 1.3 mg/L.

Adjusting the ozone gas flow rate to adjust the ozone dissolved concentration to 1.3 mg/L is one example. According to the embodiment, ozone water of any flow rate and concentration can be generated simply by adjusting the ozone gas flow rate. Since all gas supplied to the gas-liquid mixer 100 dissolves in water, a dissolved concentration sensor for detecting the actual amount of ozone dissolved in the water is not required, and the control device can be simplified. For example, a control device that detects the actual dissolved ozone concentration and adjusts it to eliminate the deviation between the target dissolved ozone concentration and the actual dissolved ozone concentration can be omitted.

In addition, by increasing the supply pressure of tap water using a pump, it is possible to increase the water flow rate to approximately 200 L/min. By adjusting the ozone gas flow rate in the same manner within the range of approximately 200 L/min, it is possible to generate ozone water of any flow rate and concentration.

The performance and features of the gas-liquid mixer 100 shown in Figure 2 are summarized below in 1) to 4).

1) The gas-liquid mixer 100 dissolves gases well

When water was supplied at a flow rate of 100 L/min to a gas-liquid mixer 100 with an inner diameter of 200 mm in the housing 200 and oxygen was supplied at a flow rate of 1.1 L/min, oxygen gas was able to be completely dissolved. In addition, when water was supplied at a flow rate of 50 L/min to a gas-liquid mixer 100 with an inner diameter of 80 mm and oxygen was supplied at a flow rate of 160 mL/min, oxygen gas was able to be completely dissolved.

Furthermore, it was found that the gas-liquid mixer 100 with an inner diameter of 44 mm was able to dissolve twice as much oxygen gas in the low flow rate range compared to a 24-element static mixer (comparison device) from Kenics, Inc. of the United States.

2) The gas-liquid mixer 100 has low pressure loss

Since the pressure loss is small, a large flow rate of fluid can be supplied to the gas-liquid mixer 100 to produce ozone water.

Ozone water can be generated by supplying water at a flow rate of 100 L/min at the original water supply pressure to a gas-liquid mixer 100 with an inner diameter of 200 mm in the housing 200. Even with a gas-liquid mixer 100 with an inner diameter of 44 mm, ozone water can be generated by supplying water at a flow rate of 12 L/min at the original water supply pressure. Water can only be supplied at half that flow rate to the comparative device.

The gas-liquid mixer 100 of Example 1 also provides the following advantages:

3) It can be used to dissolve corrosive gases in acid or alkaline liquids.

The gas-liquid mixer 100, which is configured with the housing 200 and the O-ring holding member 130 made of Teflon (registered trademark), the partition member 120 made of titanium (Ti) mesh, and the inner diameter of the housing 200 being 44 mm, can generate high-concentration ozone water of 160 mg/L. When a durability test was conducted in which the gas-liquid mixer 100 continuously generates high-concentration ozone water, each part of the gas-liquid mixer 100 did not deteriorate at all. In this way, it has been demonstrated that the gas-liquid mixer 100 of Example 1 has high corrosion resistance and excellent durability. Therefore, even if the gas-liquid mixer 100 is used for dissolving corrosive gases in acid or alkaline solutions, it is expected that it will continue to be used for a long period of time without deterioration.

In addition, in applications where a less corrosive fluid is flowed through the gas-liquid mixer 100, it is desirable to construct the housing 200 from acrylic resin, the partition member 120 from a SUS304 mesh, and the O-ring retaining member 130 from silicone rubber, in order to reduce costs.

4) Gas-liquid mixers 100 can be easily manufactured in various sizes depending on the intended use.

The gas-liquid mixer 100 can be manufactured by setting the number of stages (sets) and inner diameter depending on the concentration of ozone water to be generated and the flow rate of the fluid to be flowed, and can be flexibly and easily manufactured according to the required specifications.

If the inner diameter of the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 is 80 mm, ozone water with 0.5 mg/L of dissolved ozone can be generated at a flow rate of 50 L/min. If the inner diameter of the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 is 200 mm, ozone water with 1.5 mg/L of dissolved ozone can be generated at a flow rate of 200 L/min.

Six types of gas-liquid mixers 100 were manufactured with the inner diameter of the housing 200 ranging from 40 mm to 200 mm, and experiments were conducted to dissolve oxygen and ozone gas in water. It was demonstrated that all types of gas-liquid mixers 100 completely dissolved oxygen gas and ozone gas, resulting in almost zero gas-phase ozone.

(Effect of supporting members)

Let us assume that the gas-liquid mixer 100 is not provided with a support member 120. In this case, when a large flow rate of fluid flows inside the housing 200, the water flow may cause the partition member 220 made of titanium (Ti) mesh to become dented, which may result in drift. Drift is more likely to occur when the inner diameter of the housing 200 is large. Drift may reduce the efficiency of dissolving the gas.

Experiments have revealed that in a gas-liquid mixer 100 with an inner diameter of the housing 200 of 80 mm or more, if the support member 120 is not provided, there is a risk of drift. It was observed that the mesh constituting the partition member 110 was deflected in the downstream direction of the fluid due to the pressure of the fluid, and the fluid flowed only in the center of the cylindrical portion 250 of the housing 200.

Below we describe the experimental results which show that the support member 120 suppresses drift.

5 shows the experimental results using a gas-liquid mixer 100 with an inner diameter of the housing 200 of 80 mm and a height of the housing 200 of 240 mm. The horizontal axis of FIG. 5 shows the water flow rate (L/min) supplied into the housing 200, and the vertical axis of FIG. 5 shows the ratio of the average water flow rate flowing at the four peripheral points near the inner wall of the housing 200 to the water flow rate flowing at the center of the housing 200 (flow rate ratio; average flow rate at the four peripheral points near the wall ÷ flow rate at the center). The effect of the support member 120 made of expanded metal was verified for the partition member 110 made of titanium (Ti) mesh and the partition member 110 made of stainless steel (SUS) mesh. The comparative example was a case where the partition member 110 made of titanium (Ti) mesh was not provided with the support member 120. The indication "with metal" in FIG. 4 is data when the support member 120 made of expanded metal is inserted, and the indication "without metal" is data when the support member 120 made of expanded metal is not inserted. The thickness of the expanded metal was 0.5 mm.

5, it can be seen that when the expanded metal support member 120 is not inserted, water flows concentratedly in the center of the housing 200, causing a biased flow, regardless of the water flow rate supplied into the housing 200. On the other hand, when the expanded metal support member 120 is inserted, the flow rate ratio is approximately 1 when a water flow rate of 10 L/min or more is supplied to the housing 200, regardless of the type of mesh of the partition member 110.

These results show that when the expanded metal support member 120 is inserted, drift can be prevented at water flow rates of 10 L/min or more, regardless of the type of mesh of the partition member 110.

In order to prevent drift, it is desirable to install the housing 200 vertically to the ground. For this reason, when installing the housing 200, it is desirable to check that it is vertical using a bubble level.

In addition, in order to suppress drift, it is desirable to set the standard value of the ratio of the inner diameter to the height of the housing 200 (height-to-inner diameter ratio; height/inner diameter) to 3, and to design the housing 200 so that the height-to-inner diameter ratio is close to the standard value.

(Effect of baffle plate)

The baffle plate 140 is installed for the following reasons:

That is, in a large gas-liquid mixer 100 with a large inner diameter of the housing 200, the pressure loss is small even when the fluid flows at a large flow rate, and the dynamic pressure of the fluid cannot be removed. Therefore, the fluid flows to the outlet 220 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 without forming the above-mentioned gas accumulation (gas bubble accumulation), and the dissolution performance of ozone in water decreases. Therefore, even if the gas-liquid mixer 100 has a large inner diameter of the housing 200, the baffle plate 140 is installed to remove the dynamic pressure of the fluid and form a gas accumulation (gas bubble accumulation) to improve the dissolution efficiency. It is desirable to design the outlet part of the baffle plate 140 so that it is a laminar flow. It was confirmed by the experiment that the installation of the baffle plate 140 prevents the fluid from flowing to the outlet 220 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 without forming a gas accumulation (gas bubble accumulation), and prevents a decrease in the dissolution efficiency.

(Effect of air vent hole)

The effect of the air vent hole 150 is explained below.

For example, a large gas-liquid mixer 100 with an inner diameter of 200 mm and a height of 600 mm in the housing 200 has a volume of about 18 L. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to flow ozone gas at about 0.5 L/min into this gas-liquid mixer 100 and replace the air in the housing 200. In a dissolution experiment using oxygen, it was found that the dissolved oxygen concentration did not become constant until about two hours had passed.

Therefore, an air vent hole 150 is installed to shorten the time it takes for the dissolved concentration to reach a certain level, even in a large gas-liquid mixer 100.

When the gas-liquid mixer 100 starts operating, the air vent valve 160 is opened and the gas-liquid mixture inlet 101 is connected to the external atmosphere via the air vent pipe 151. Next, water is supplied from the water supply source 10 into the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the inlet pipe 30 and the inlet 210 to discharge the air from the gas-liquid mixer 100. Since the gas-liquid mixture inlet 101 is connected to the external atmosphere, water is supplied into the housing 200 while the air in the housing 200 is being discharged. Air venting is terminated when a small amount of water is discharged through the air vent pipe 151. Thereafter, water is supplied from the water supply source 10 into the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the inlet pipe 30 and the inlet 210, and ozone gas is supplied from the ozonizer 20 into the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the ozone gas outlet 21, the outlet pipe 21A, the inlet pipe 30, and the inlet 210. As a result, the dissolved ozone concentration becomes constant within a short period of time, within 5 minutes, from the start of supplying the mixed gas of ozone and oxygen at 0.6 L/min and water at 100 L/min.

(Strainer effect)

The effect of strainer 80 is explained below.

When a large flow of tap water, for example tap water at a flow rate of 90 L/min or more, flows through the inlet pipe 30, iron rust may peel off from the pipe wall.

Since the strainer 80 is installed in the inlet pipe 30, even if iron rust peels off from the pipe wall of the inlet pipe 30, the iron rust in the inlet pipe 30 is captured by the strainer 80 and does not enter the gas-liquid mixer 100. This prevents iron rust from clogging the mesh of the partition member 110 and reducing the dissolution efficiency of the gas-liquid mixer 100.

(The effect of placing the outlet piping higher than the housing)

The effect of all or part 40A of the outlet pipe 40 being positioned higher than the upper end of the housing 200 is described below.

If the large gas-liquid mixer 100 is operated to supply a low amount of water with the entire outlet pipe 40 positioned lower than the top end of the housing 200, the water will flow near the wall of the housing 200, causing drift. This will result in a decrease in the ozone dissolution performance.

On the other hand, if all or part of the outlet pipe 40 at point 40A is positioned higher than the top end of the housing 200, even when a low volume of water is supplied to a large gas-liquid mixer 100, the water flows at a uniform flow rate both near the wall and in the center of the housing 200, suppressing drift. As a result, the deterioration of the ozone dissolving performance is suppressed. In addition, the air inside the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 is quickly removed. As a result, the time from the start of operation until the dissolved ozone concentration becomes constant is shortened.

(The effect of placing the inlet of the housing at the top)

In an embodiment, the inlet 210 is positioned above the housing 200 and the outlet 220 is positioned below the housing 200.

As a result of the experiment, it was found that an arrangement in which the inlet 210 is located above the housing 200 and the fluid flows from above to below the housing 200 can dissolve ozone gas in water more efficiently than an arrangement in which the inlet 210 is located below the housing 200 and the fluid flows from below to above the housing 200. This is true regardless of whether or not the baffle plate 140 is installed. The reason is that when the fluid flows from below to above the housing 200, the air bubbles are pushed out of the gas accumulation (air bubble accumulation) together with the water.

(Effect of hydrogen peroxide supply section or photoreaction section)

By adding a hydrogen peroxide supply unit 50 or a photoreaction unit 60 to the system, the system can be made to generate accelerated oxidized water in which ozone and hydrogen peroxide coexist.

(Example 2)

In the gas-liquid mixer 100, 1.05 L/min of ozone gas was dissolved in 100 L/min of tap water to produce ozone water with a dissolved ozone concentration of 2.0 mg/L.

Hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 70 mg/L was added from the hydrogen peroxide supply section 50 at a flow rate of 0.68 L/min to the ozone water flowing out of the outlet 220 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 and flowing through the outlet piping 40.

As a result, accelerated oxidation water containing hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 0.5 mg/L could be discharged into the outlet pipe 40 downstream of the hydrogen peroxide supply section 50.

A graph showing the absorption spectrum of dissolved ozone in advanced oxidation water is shown in Figure 6. The horizontal axis of Figure 6 is wavelength (nm) and the vertical axis is the intensity of the absorption spectrum.

The dissolved ozone concentration was measured from the intensity of the absorption spectrum of dissolved ozone in the accelerated oxidation water, and was found to be 1.39 mg/L. The dissolved ozone concentration had decreased from 2.0 mg/L upstream of the hydrogen peroxide supply section 50 to 1.39 mg/L downstream of the hydrogen peroxide supply section 50, confirming that the reaction of generating OH radicals by the addition of hydrogen peroxide was progressing.

In the embodiments, ozone water or accelerated oxidation water in which ozone and hydrogen peroxide coexist is assumed as the functional water, but the system, gas-liquid mixing device, and gas-liquid mixer of the embodiments can be similarly applied when producing oxygen water or hydrogen water.

Furthermore, the system, gas-liquid mixing device, and gas-liquid mixer of the embodiments are not limited to producing functional water, but can be similarly applied to each of the following applications.

- Use for absorbing and removing exhaust gas

It can be used to absorb and remove gas by mixing exhaust gas with water or an aqueous amine solution.

By absorbing harmful gases contained in exhaust gas, such as ozone (O3 ₎ , hydrogen sulfide ( _H2S ), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and ammonia (NH3 ₎ , into water or an amine aqueous solution, it is possible to remove the harmful gas components and release them into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide ( _CO2) can also be absorbed by using an amine aqueous solution, making it an effective technology for curbing global warming.

-Use for purifying wastewater

It can be used to purify wastewater by mixing it with ozone gas.

By adding ozone gas or ozone and hydrogen peroxide to wastewater from a factory, etc., and flowing it into the gas-liquid mixer 100, the wastewater can be purified through an advanced oxidation process (oxidation process AOP).

For example, hydrogen peroxide is injected into the wastewater in the inlet piping 30 in front of the inlet 210 of the gas-liquid mixer 100, and an accelerated oxidation process is carried out while dissolving ozone gas in the wastewater within the gas-liquid mixer 100 to purify the wastewater.

- Uses for eel farming and aquaculture in aquariums

For example, oxygen gas from an oxygen cylinder or oxygen-enriched gas produced by PSA is dissolved in fresh water or seawater in a gas-liquid mixer 100 to produce oxygen-enriched water. The oxygen-enriched water produced is supplied to aquariums for eel farming or aquaculture.

- Use for dissolving carbon dioxide gas into drinking water

It can be used to mix carbon dioxide gas and drinking water to produce carbonated drinks such as beer and cola. This can be achieved by adding a pressurization function to the gas-liquid mixer 100.

In addition, using the gas-liquid mixer 100 of the embodiment, it is possible to mix gas containing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrated using an amine solution or membrane separation, etc. with water to produce carbonated water, and then send this carbonated water to a water electrolysis device comprising a boron-doped diamond catalyst electrode, and electrolyze the carbonated water to produce a mixed gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen at the cathode, as well as organic compounds such as formic acid and oxalic acid.

(Second embodiment)

Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 1 and shows a functional water production system using the gas-liquid mixing device 1 of the second embodiment.

Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C correspond to Figure 2 and are cross-sectional views showing an example configuration of the gas-liquid mixer 100 of the second embodiment.

The gas-liquid mixer 100 shown in Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C can be incorporated into the second embodiment of the functional water production system shown in Figure 7, which is a partial modification of the first embodiment of the functional water production system shown in Figure 1, in place of the gas-liquid mixer 100 shown in Figure 2.

In the following explanations of Figures 7, 8A, 8B, and 8C, components different from those in Figures 1, 2, and 3 will be explained, and explanations of components that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. In Figures 7, 8A, 8B, and 8C, components that have the same functions as those in Figures 1 and 2 will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be explained as necessary.

7 and 8A, the gas-liquid mixer 100 of the second embodiment has separate inlets for liquid and gas. That is, a first inlet 210A for liquid is formed at one end in the axial direction, and a second inlet 150A for gas is formed at one end in the axial direction separately from the first inlet 210A.

A liquid, such as water, flows into the first inlet 210A. A gas, such as ozone, flows into the second inlet 150A.

2 is used as the second inlet 150A. Therefore, the second inlet 150A functions as an air vent hole for venting air from within the housing 200, and also functions as an inlet for introducing a gas, such as ozone, into the housing 200.

The second inlet 150A is formed in the upper plate member 230 of the housing 200. The second inlet 150A is formed to penetrate the upper plate member 230 as a wall member.

The second inlet 150A is connected to the outside atmosphere via an air vent pipe 151. The air vent pipe 151 is provided with an air vent valve 160 that adjusts the opening and closing of the air vent hole 150.

The air vent pipe 151 is connected to the ozone gas outlet pipe 21A. The outlet pipe 21A is provided with an on-off valve 21C.

(When ozone gas flows in)

When ozone gas flows in, the air vent valve 160 is closed and the on-off valve 21C is opened.

When raw water is discharged from the water supply source 10, the raw water is supplied to the inlet pipe 30. When ozone gas containing oxygen as a gas (hereinafter simply referred to as ozone gas) is generated in the ozonizer 20, the ozone gas is supplied to the air vent pipe 151 via the ozone gas outlet 21 and the outlet pipe 21A. Therefore, a fluid containing water as a liquid flows into the first inlet 210A of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the inlet pipe 30, and the ozone gas flows into the second inlet 150A of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the air vent pipe 151.

Liquid water flowing into the first inlet 210A flows radially from the inside of the plate surface of the baffle plate 140 toward the outer periphery, and falls downward in Figure 8A from the outer periphery of the plate surface. Liquid water flows perpendicular to the surface of the partition member 110 (e.g., two titanium (Ti) meshes).

On the other hand, the ozone gas flowing into the second inlet 150A flows perpendicular to the surface of the partition member 110 (e.g., two titanium (Ti) meshes) while being separated from the water.

As a result, the ozone gas is trapped in the space 131 between the two partition members 110, 110 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the gas-liquid mixer 100, forming a gas reservoir.

On the other hand, when liquid water passes through the partition member 110 of the gas-liquid mixer 100, the liquid water is broken down into fine droplets (fragmented) by the openings 110A (e.g., mesh holes). The liquid water, which has been broken down into fine droplets (fragmented) and has a large gas-liquid contact area, flows through the gas reservoir of ozone gas, and the liquid water efficiently absorbs the ozone gas.

Each time liquid water passes through each of the multiple partition members 110, ozone gas is absorbed into the liquid water, promoting mixing of the ozone gas and water, and dissolving the ozone gas into the water with high efficiency.

The ozone water in which ozone gas is dissolved with high efficiency is discharged into the outlet piping 40 via the gas-liquid mixing outlet portion 102 and the flow outlet 220 of the gas-liquid mixer 100.

(When bleeding air)

When air is bled, such as when the gas-liquid mixer 100 starts operating, the air bleed valve 160 is opened and the opening/closing valve 21C is closed.

As a result, the gas-liquid mixing inlet section 101 is connected to the external atmosphere via the second inlet 150A and the air vent pipe 151. Next, water is supplied from the water supply source 10 into the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the inlet pipe 30 and the first inlet 210A, and the air within the gas-liquid mixer 100 is discharged. Since the gas-liquid mixing inlet section 101 is connected to the external atmosphere, water is supplied into the housing 200 while the air within the housing 200 is being vented. Air venting is terminated when a small amount of water has been discharged via the air vent pipe 151.

Then, the air vent valve 160 is closed and the on-off valve 21C is opened to introduce ozone gas into the gas-liquid mixer 100. Water is supplied from the water supply source 10 into the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the inlet pipe 30 and the first inlet 210A, and ozone gas is supplied from the ozonizer 20 into the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the ozone gas outlet 21, the outlet pipe 21A, the air vent pipe 151, and the second inlet 150A. As a result, the ozone dissolved concentration becomes constant in a short time of within 5 minutes from the start of supplying 0.6 L/min of ozone and oxygen mixed gas and 100 L/min of water.

When it is desired to pressurize the pressure inside the housing 200 to a high pressure, for example, 2 atmospheres or more, for pressurized dissolution, the ozone gas generated by the ozonizer 20 can be pressurized by a compressor and discharged into the air vent pipe 151. In this way, the ozone gas pressurized to, for example, 2 atmospheres or more can be supplied into the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the air vent pipe 151 and the second inlet 150A.

Similarly, in the first embodiment, when it is desired to supply a fluid consisting of high-pressure water and ozone gas, for example, at 2 atmospheres or more, into the housing 200, the suction port of the water pressurizing pump may be configured to communicate with the inlet pipe 30 downstream of the connection point of the outlet pipe 21A. A fluid consisting of high-pressure water and ozone gas is discharged from the discharge port of the water pressurizing pump, and the fluid consisting of high-pressure water and ozone gas can be supplied into the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 via the inlet 210.

In addition, in Figure 8A, it is also possible to have the second inlet 150A function only as an inlet for allowing liquid water to flow in and not function as an air vent hole.

As shown in Figure 8B, the second inlet 150A may be provided in the side wall 253 on one axial end side of the housing 200. The second inlet 150A is provided as a hole penetrating the side wall 253 of the housing 200. Figure 8B shows an embodiment in which the second inlet 150A also functions as an air vent hole, as in the embodiment of Figure 8A, but it is also possible to have the second inlet 150A function as an inlet and provide the air vent hole 150 separately from the second inlet 150A.

8C, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 8B, a second inlet 150A may be provided in a side wall 253 on one axial end side of the housing 200, and an internal housing piping 152 communicating with the second inlet 150A may be extended into the housing 200. The second inlet 150A is provided as a hole penetrating the side wall 253 of the housing 200. A tip opening 152A of the internal housing piping 152 is positioned so as to be located at the center or approximately the center of the housing 200.

Figure 8C shows an embodiment in which the second inlet 150A also functions as an air vent hole, similar to the embodiments in Figures 8A and 8B, but it is also possible to have the second inlet 150A function as an inlet and have the air vent hole 150 provided separately from the second inlet 150A.

(Vortex generation suppression member)

The gas-liquid mixer 100 is provided with a vortex generation suppression member 300. The vortex generation suppression member 300 is provided to suppress vortexes that are generated when the fluid flows into the outlet 220, thereby slowing the flow speed of the fluid within the housing 200 and suppressing drift.

Figure 9 shows an oblique view of the vortex generation suppression member 300.

The vortex generation suppression member 300 is comprised of a plurality of leg members 310 provided on the floor surface 220A around the outlet 220 within the housing 200, and a plate member 320 supported by the plurality of leg members 310. The leg members 310 are comprised of plate-shaped members, and are arranged on the floor surface 220A so that the width direction 310A of the leg members 310 coincides with the radial direction R connecting the outlet center 220C and the outside.

The multiple leg members 310 and plate members 320 form a flow of fluid from the outside toward the outlet 220 by the floor surface 220A and the space 300A partitioned by both leg members 310, 310 and plate members 320 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the outlet 220. As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of vortexes that may occur when the fluid flows into the outlet 220. This makes it possible to slow the flow rate of the fluid inside the housing 200 compared to when the vortex generation suppression member 300 is not provided. This improves the efficiency of gas dissolution compared to when the vortex generation suppression member 300 is not provided. The experimental results will be described later.

The vortex generation suppression member 300 illustrated in FIG. 9 is configured to include a plate member 320 supported by multiple plate-shaped leg members 310. However, the plate member 320 may be omitted and the vortex generation suppression member 300 may be configured by only providing multiple (e.g., four) upright plate-shaped leg members 310. That is, the vortex generation suppression member 300 may be configured to include at least multiple (e.g., four) upright plate-shaped leg members 310. The leg members 310 may be configured to be thin rod-shaped rather than plate-shaped and to support the upper plate member 320. The upper plate member 320 is preferably circular, but may be configured as a square plate as long as it can prevent the vortex from directly reaching the outlet 220.

(Tilt suppression member)

The gas-liquid mixer 100 is provided with a tilt suppression member 400. The tilt suppression member 400 is provided to suppress tilting of the partition member 110, the holding member 130, or the support member 120 due to liquid flowing into the first inlet 210A.

Figure 10A shows an oblique view of the tilt suppression member 400.

The tilt suppression member 400 is composed of an inner wall fixing member 410 and a pressing member 420. The inner wall fixing member 410 and the pressing member 420 are formed integrally.

The inner wall fixing member 410 is fixed to the inner wall surface 200A of the housing 200 between the first inlet 210A and the partition member 110 at the most upstream position or the retaining member 130 at the most upstream position.

The inner wall fixing member 410 is composed of a circular band plate member 411 with a diameter OD approximately the same as the inner diameter of the housing 200. The band plate member 411 has a gap of a distance LE between both circumferential ends 412A, 412B. The band plate member 411 has flexibility that allows it to expand and contract in the diameter OD direction, and is formed from a material and thickness that will not deform due to a large water flow rate.

The outer peripheral surface 411A of the band plate member 411 is abutted against the inner wall surface 200A of the housing 200. One circumferential end 412A and the other circumferential end 412B of the band plate member 411 are formed by folding back each circumferential end surface of the band plate member 411 toward the inner peripheral surface 411B. The folded back portions 413A and 413B are each formed with a through hole 414A, 414B through which a male screw 430 (e.g., M4) is inserted. A gap adjustment nut 431 is interposed between the folded back portions 413A and 413B to expand the space between the folded back portions 413A and 413B, and the folded back portions 413A and 413B are fastened to each other with a male screw 430 and a fixing nut 432, thereby fixing the band plate member 411 to the inner wall surface 200A of the housing 200.

The pressing member 420 is a member that abuts against the partition member 110 at the most upstream position or the holding member 130 at the most upstream position to press the partition member 110 or the holding member 130.

The pressing member 420 is composed of multiple (e.g., six) claws 421. The pressing member 420 is formed by folding back multiple convex surfaces formed on the lower side of the band plate member 411 so that they are horizontal to the inner peripheral surface 411B side. The multiple claws 421 are formed to a size such that their pressing surfaces abut against the partition member 110 at the most upstream position or the retaining member 130 at the most upstream position, and do not obstruct the flow of fluid.

If the tilt suppression member 400 is not provided, the holding member 130 may come off the inner wall surface 200A of the housing 200 and rise up during operation of the gas-liquid mixing device 1, causing the partition member 110 and the support member 120 to tilt. This may cause a drift and reduce the efficiency of dissolving the gas.

According to the second embodiment, a tilt suppression member 400 is provided, so that even if a large flow rate of water is allowed to flow into the first inlet 210A and the water violently collides with the partition member 110 and the support member 120, it is possible to prevent them from vibrating and causing the holding member 130 to come off the inner wall surface 200A of the housing 200 and float up.

(Example 3)

Figure 11 shows the measurement results of the oxygen dissolution efficiency of the gas-liquid mixer 100 of the example of the second embodiment in comparison with a comparative example. The horizontal axis of Figure 11 shows the water flow rate (L/min), and the vertical axis shows the oxygen solubility (%). Figure 11 shows a comparison between an example (shown by a solid line in Figure 11) in which the inlets for liquid and gas are provided independently as the first inlet 210A and the second inlet 150A, respectively, and a comparative example (shown by a dashed line in Figure 11) in which liquid and gas are flowed into the same inlet 210.

In the example, a medium-sized gas-liquid mixer 100 was used, which includes a housing 200 with an inner diameter of 80 mm and a height of 240 mm. Oxygen solubility was measured by directly injecting oxygen gas into the second inlet 150A formed in the upper flange of the housing 200. In this experiment, the flow rate of oxygen gas was set to 1 L/min using a mass flow controller.

For the comparative example, a medium-sized gas-liquid mixer 100 including a housing 200 of the same size was used. Water and oxygen gas were mixed and supplied to the inlet pipe 30 upstream of the inlet 210 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 at the same oxygen gas flow rate of 1 L/min, and the oxygen solubility was measured. The oxygen solubilities of the example and the comparative example are shown in Figure 11.

11, it is clear that the embodiment in which water and oxygen are introduced into the gas-liquid mixer 100 from the first inlet 210A and the second inlet 150A, respectively, has a better gas accumulation state and a higher oxygen dissolution efficiency than the comparative example in which oxygen is supplied upstream of the inlet 210 and introduced into the gas-liquid mixer 100 in a gas-liquid mixed state with water. In particular, when the water flow rate is 20 L/min or more, if oxygen is supplied to the inlet piping 30 and merged with the water, oxygen bubbles may pass through the housing 200 without being separated from the water and reach the outlet 220. In other words, gas-liquid separation does not progress within the housing 200, and oxygen bubbles are discharged from the outlet 220 together with the water without forming a gas accumulation of oxygen within the housing 200, and the dissolution efficiency of oxygen in water does not increase. In particular, when the water flow rate is large (when the flow rate within the housing 200 is large), for example, when the flow rate is large, such as 20 L/min or more, the decrease in dissolution efficiency becomes significant. Therefore, in particular in the case of a large flow rate of 20 L/min or more, it is important to cause water and oxygen to flow into the gas-liquid mixer 100 from the first inlet 210A and the second inlet 150A, respectively, as in the embodiment, in order to improve the efficiency of dissolving the gas into water. When water and oxygen are caused to flow into the gas-liquid mixer 100 from the first inlet 210A and the second inlet 150A, respectively, as in the embodiment, a gas reservoir of oxygen can be easily formed in the housing 200. Therefore, according to the embodiment, even if a large flow rate of water is supplied into the housing 200, the efficiency of dissolving the gas does not decrease compared to the comparative example.

(Example 4)

Figure 12 shows the measurement results of the flow velocity of the fluid inside the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 of the example of the second embodiment in comparison with the comparative example. The horizontal axis of Figure 12 shows the water flow rate (L/min), and the vertical axis shows the flow velocity inside the housing (cm/s).

Figure 12 compares an embodiment in which a vortex generation suppression member 300 is provided in the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 (shown by a dashed line in Figure 12) with a comparative example in which a vortex generation suppression member 300 is not provided in the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 (shown by a solid line in Figure 12).

In the embodiment, a large gas-liquid mixer 100 was used, which includes a housing 200 having an inner diameter of 200 mm. In the embodiment, a vortex generation suppression member 300 called a disk-shaped vortex breaker was used.

When the inner diameter of the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 becomes large, a whirlpool occurs near the outlet 220 due to the Coriolis force. This is the same phenomenon that occurs when the bath water is drained and the remaining water depth drops, causing the water to swirl and be drawn into the drain along with the air. This phenomenon can also occur in large gas-liquid mixers 100, and gas can be drawn into the center of the whirlpool, causing the gas to flow out of the outlet 220 without dissolving in the water, which can reduce the efficiency of gas dissolution.

In the embodiment, in order to minimize this effect, a disk-type vortex breaker with the following specifications was used for the vortex generation suppression member 300.

- The diameter Φ of the circular plate member 320 is about three times the inner diameter of the outlet 220

The height H of the circular plate member 320 is approximately 1 to 3 cm from the floor surface 220A on which the outlet 220 is formed.

9, the vortex generation suppression member 300 was installed and fixed so that the circular plate member 320 with a diameter Φ of 7.5 cm and a thickness of 1 mm was located 2.5 cm (corresponding to the height H of the leg part 310) above the floor surface 220A at the bottom of the housing 200. Four leg members 310 with a width W of 20 mm, a height H of 25 mm, and a thickness of 1 mm were installed at equal intervals around the outlet 220 to support and fix the plate member 320. The material of the leg members 310 and the plate member 320 is, for example, acrylic.

In the experiment, milk was used instead of gas to confirm the residence time of water in the gas-liquid mixer 100, i.e., the time from when water flows into the first inlet 210A to when it is discharged from the outlet 220, using turbidity.

Water was poured into this large gas-liquid mixer 100, and milk was poured in through the second inlet 150A at the top. The discharge time from when the milk was poured in until the milk started to come out of the outlet 220 was measured. If a vortex occurs when the fluid flows into the outlet 220, some of the water will be discharged from the outlet 220 in a short time. However, if the generation of the vortex or the rotation strength of the vortex is suppressed by the vortex generation suppression member 300, the discharge time of the milk considered to be a gas will be longer. By measuring the discharge time, the suppression effect of the Coriolis force can be evaluated. In other words, the longer the discharge time of the milk considered to be a gas, the higher the gas-liquid mixing efficiency of the gas-liquid mixer 100.

The time until the milk, which was considered to be gas, began to be discharged was measured using a turbidity meter (Hanna, Portable Multi-Parameter Water Quality Meter GPS Turbidity Kit, HI9829-11041).

The water flow velocity (cm/s) inside the housing 200 can be calculated from the time required for milk to start to be discharged and the water flow rate. The purpose of the vortex generation suppression member 300 is to reduce the flow velocity of water that may be quickly discharged by being caught in the vortex flow lines, thereby lengthening the residence time of water inside the housing 200. For this reason, it is easier to recognize the effect of the vortex generation suppression member 300 by evaluating it based on the flow velocity rather than the discharge time. For this reason, the effect of the vortex generation suppression member 300 was evaluated by measuring the relationship between the water flow rate and the fluid flow velocity inside the housing 200 in the experimental results.

12 shows that in the embodiment in which the vortex generation suppression member 300 is installed, the flow velocity within the housing is smaller and the water remains in the housing 200 for a longer period of time than in the comparative example in which the vortex generation suppression member 300 is not installed. Therefore, in the embodiment, the gas-liquid contact time is increased compared to the comparative example, and the gas dissolution efficiency is improved.

(Example 5)

The specifications of the embodiment of the tilt suppression member 400 shown in Figure 10A are shown below.

- Diameter OD of inner wall fixing member 410: 200 mm (inner diameter of housing 200: 200 mm)

- Width WA of strip member 411: 15 mm

- Distance LE between folded portions 413A and 413B of strip member 411: 15 mm

- Fold length LA of folded portions 413A, 413B of strip member 411: 15 mm

- Number of claws 421: 6

- Width of claw 421 WT: 10mm

- Length of claw 421 LT: 8 mm

- Male thread 430: M4 thread

- Gap adjustment nut 431, fixing nut 432: M4 nut

- Diameter of through holes 414A and 414B: 4 mm (equivalent to M4)

- Material of inner wall fixing member 410 and pressing member 420: SUS

An experiment was conducted to compare the vibration and floating states of each part by injecting a large amount of water into a gas-liquid mixer 100 (Example) equipped with the tilt suppression member 400 of the above specifications and a gas-liquid mixer 100 (Comparative Example) without the tilt suppression member 400. The vibration state of the partition member 110 and the support member 120 and the floating state of the holding member 130 when a large amount of water was injected were observed. As a result, it was confirmed that the vibration of the cutting member 110 and the support member 120 and the floating of the holding member 130 were suppressed in the Example compared to the Comparative Example. The tilt suppression member 400 is more effective than the Comparative Example regardless of the material of the holding member 130, such as fluororesin such as Teflon (registered trademark), plastic, metal, etc.

Note that the configuration example of the tilt suppression member 400 shown in Fig. 10A and the specifications shown in the embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications are possible. For example, instead of configuring the pressing member 420 with multiple claws 421, it is also possible to form the pressing member 420 with a single ring-shaped member 420A as shown in Fig. 10B.

(Example 6)

Below, we will explain Example 6 of the gas-liquid mixing device 1 equipped with a photoreaction section 60.

Example 6 may be combined with the first embodiment described above, or may be combined with the second embodiment. Below, we will exemplify the case where it is combined with the first embodiment, and explain the experimental results.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing a cross section of the gas-liquid mixer 100 of Example 6. The portion of the gas-liquid mixer 100 consisting of the multiple partition members 110, the multiple support members 120, and the multiple holding members 130 is referred to in this specification as the "gas-liquid mixing section 100A." The number of spaces 131 separated by the multiple partition members 110, i.e., the number of stages of the gas-liquid mixer 100, was set to between 50 and 60 stages. For each stage, a support member 120 consisting of one sheet of expanded metal material made of SUS304 with a thickness of 0.5 mm and a partition member 110 consisting of two sheets of mesh material No. 100 made of SUS were used.

The gas-liquid mixer 100 was constructed by setting the inner diameter 250ID of the housing 200 to 200 mm and the length 250H of the cylindrical portion 250 to 600 mm. The dimensions of each part of the gas-liquid mixer 100 are as follows:

- The thickness 230t of the upper plate member 230 is 15 mm

- The thickness 251t of the upper end 251 of the cylindrical portion 250 is 10 mm

- The length 250H of the cylindrical part 250 is 600 mm

- The inner diameter 250ID of the cylindrical portion 250 is 200 mm

- The outer diameter 250OD of the cylindrical portion 250 is 220 mm

- The wall thickness 250t of the cylindrical portion 250 is 10 mm

- The thickness 252t of the lower end 252 of the cylindrical portion 250 is 10 mm

- The thickness 240t of the lower plate member 240 is 15 mm

- The diameter 240OD of the lower plate member 240 is 280 mm

The gas-liquid mixing outlet portion 102 in the housing 200 is connected to the outlet port 220 via the outflow path 221.

The outflow passage 221 is formed in the lower plate member 240. The outflow passage 221 is formed in an inverted cone shape with the inner diameter 221ID gradually decreasing downstream.

The water supply source 10 was a water faucet, and water was supplied to the gas-liquid mixer 100 at a flow rate of 50 to 100 L/min at the original water pressure. Water was supplied to the gas-liquid mixer 100 at a flow rate of 120 L/min at the original water pressure.

The gas-liquid mixer 100 mixes ozone and water in the gas-liquid mixing section 100A and discharges ozone water containing ozone from the outlet 220.

Figure 14 shows a cross-section of the photoreactive portion 60 of Example 6.

The photoreaction section 60 is provided midway through the outlet pipe 40. The photoreaction section 60 is connected to the outlet 220 and allows the ozone water to pass through or be stored therein.

The housing 61 of the photoreaction unit 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a predetermined volume 61V for passing or storing ozone water. An ultraviolet light source 70 is provided in the housing 61. The ultraviolet light source 70 oscillates ultraviolet light using power supplied from a power source 71 provided outside the housing 61. A low-pressure mercury lamp that oscillates light with a wavelength of 200 nm to 300 nm is used as the ultraviolet light source 70. Note that an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED) may be used instead of the low-pressure mercury lamp. The ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED) includes a deep ultraviolet light emitting diode (DUV-LED).

The specifications of the photoreactive unit 60, including the dimensions of each part, are as follows:

- The inner diameter 61ID of the housing 61 is 14 cm

- The length 61H of the cylindrical part of the housing 61 is 49.5 cm

- The volume 61V of the housing 61 excluding the low pressure mercury lamp is 6.7L

- The length of the low pressure mercury lamp is 70L, which is 72cm

- The surface area of a low pressure mercury lamp 70S is 362 cm2

- The oscillation wavelength of a low pressure mercury lamp is 254 nm.

- The light irradiation intensity of the low pressure mercury lamp is 2-3mW/cm2

- The light output of a low pressure mercury lamp is approximately 1W

Figure 15 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the gas-liquid mixing device 1 of Example 6. The experimental conditions and experimental results are shown below.

(Experimental conditions)

As mentioned above, tap water was used as the raw water, and a discharge-type ozonizer, model number LOG-LC40G, manufactured by Ecodesign was used as the ozonizer 20. As shown in Table 1 below, the flow rate of water supplied to the gas-liquid mixer 100 was 50 L/min, the flow rate of raw oxygen supplied to the ozonizer 20 was 400 mL/min, and the temperature of the water supplied was 16.3°C. Ozone gas containing oxygen and ozone is discharged from the ozonizer 20. The ozone concentration in this ozone gas is about 10 vol%.

(Experimental Results)

As shown in Table 2 below, ozone water with an ozone concentration of 1.65 mg/L was generated in the gas-liquid mixer 100. In other words, the ozone concentration in the ozone water before the photoreaction was 1.65 mg/L. By passing this ozone water through the photoreaction section 60, accelerated oxidized water containing 0.82 mg/L of dissolved ozone and 0.44 mg/L of hydrogen peroxide could be generated. In other words, the ozone concentration in the accelerated oxidized water after the photoreaction was 0.82 mg/L, and the hydrogen peroxide concentration in the accelerated oxidized water after the photoreaction was 0.44 mg/L.

Fig. 16 shows the absorption spectrum used for quantifying the dissolved ozone concentration shown in Table 2. The absorption spectrum was measured using a spectroscopic cell with an optical path length of 10 cm.

Figure 16 compares the absorption spectrum of dissolved ozone in ozone water before the photoreaction with the absorption spectrum of dissolved ozone in the accelerated oxidation water after the photoreaction. The horizontal axis of Figure 16 is wavelength (nm), and the vertical axis is absorbance, i.e., the intensity of the absorption spectrum. The dashed line in Figure 16 is the absorption spectrum of dissolved ozone in ozone water before the photoreaction, and the solid line is the absorption spectrum of dissolved ozone in the accelerated oxidation water after the photoreaction. The intensity of the absorption spectrum is lower after the photoreaction than before the photoreaction. In other words, it was confirmed that the reaction generating OH radicals by the photoreaction in the photoreaction section 60 progresses, and ozone is efficiently converted to hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, it was confirmed that no gas-phase ozone is generated at all.

The performance of the photoreaction unit 60 is determined by the percentage of decomposed ozone that can be converted to hydrogen peroxide, that is, the quantum yield of hydrogen peroxide production, as shown in the following formula: Here, ΔO3 and ΔH2O2 respectively indicate the molar concentrations [mol/L] of the ozone lost and the hydrogen peroxide generated by the photoreaction.

The photon quantum yield of hydrogen peroxide generation calculated from the ozone decomposition rate and hydrogen peroxide concentration shown in Table 2 was 75%. From this example, it can be determined that the photon quantum yield is high and that the photons output from the low-pressure mercury lamp as the ultraviolet light source 70 are effectively used to generate hydrogen peroxide.

Various modifications are possible to the photoreaction unit 60 of Example 6. For example, an aluminum reflector may be attached to the inner wall of the housing 61 of the photoreaction unit 60 to reflect the UV light emitted from the UV light source 70. This allows the UV light emitted from the UV light source 70 to be effectively used for generating hydrogen peroxide, and the light quantum yield can be further increased.

In addition, a stirrer that stirs the ozone water in the housing 61 to create a turbulent flow, or a baffle to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow path may be provided. This allows the ozone water in the housing 61 to be uniformly irradiated with UV light, further increasing the light quantum yield.

When an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED) (including a deep ultraviolet light emitting diode (DUV-LED)) is used instead of a low-pressure mercury lamp as the ultraviolet light source 70, the time until the light intensity stabilizes can be shortened compared to when a low-pressure mercury lamp is used. When an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED) (including a deep ultraviolet light emitting diode (DUV-LED)) is used instead of a low-pressure mercury lamp as the ultraviolet light source 70, the light intensity can be adjusted more easily compared to when a low-pressure mercury lamp is used, and the ozone decomposition rate can be easily adjusted.

(Example 7)

Below, we will explain Example 7 of the gas-liquid mixing device 1 equipped with a photoreaction section 60.

Example 7 may be combined with the first embodiment described above, or may be combined with the second embodiment. Below, we will exemplify the case where it is combined with the first embodiment, and explain the experimental results.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing a cross-section of the gas-liquid mixer 100 of Example 7.

In the gas-liquid mixing device 1 of Example 7, the photoreaction unit 60 is provided within the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100.

Ozone and water are mixed in the gas-liquid mixing section 100A within the housing 200 of the gas-liquid mixer 100.

An ultraviolet light source 70 is provided in the space between the gas-liquid mixing section 100A and the outlet 220 in the housing 200, i.e., the gas-liquid mixing outlet section 102. A deep ultraviolet light emitting diode (DUV-LED) can be used as the ultraviolet light source 70. The light output of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode (DUV-LED) is, for example, 12 W.

The dimensions of each part of the gas-liquid mixer 100 of Example 7 can be the same as the dimensions of each part of the gas-liquid mixer 100 of Example 7, except for the length 250H of the cylindrical portion 250. It is desirable to set the length 250H of the cylindrical portion 250 to a size suitable for placing the ultraviolet light source 70 at the gas-liquid mixture outlet portion 102. For example, the length 250H of the cylindrical portion 250 of the gas-liquid mixer 100 of Example 7 can be set to 700 mm.

In addition, in Example 7, the ultraviolet light source 70 may be a low-pressure mercury lamp instead of a deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode (DUV-LED).

Furthermore, in Examples 6 and 7, the ultraviolet light source 70 may be a high-pressure mercury lamp or an ultraviolet laser diode may be used.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-009087, filed on January 22, 2021, is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this specification.

All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are incorporated by reference into this specification to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Gas-liquid mixing device 100 Gas-liquid mixer 200 Housing 210 Inlet 220 Outlet 110 Partition member 120 Support member 130 Holding member 210A First inlet 150A Second inlet 300 Vortex generation suppression member 400 Tilt suppression member

Claims (42)

A housing is provided with an inlet for a fluid, including gas and liquid, having a flow rate of 10 L/min or more , formed at one end in an axial direction, and an outlet for the fluid is formed at the other end in the axial direction,
a plurality of mesh-like partition members disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the plurality of partition members being provided at intervals in the axial direction of the housing and dividing the interior of the housing in the axial direction;
a plurality of support members that support the plurality of partition members, respectively, facing the axial flow of fluid, the support members having a mesh that is coarser than the mesh of the partition members or gaps that are larger than the mesh of the partition members, the support members having rigidity that can suppress deflection of the partition members, and are made of expanded metal or punching metal ;
at least two spaces between one partition member and support member and the other partition member and support member adjacent to each other in the axial direction, the gas being trapped to form a gas reservoir, and the fluid flowing through the gas reservoir functions as a gas reservoir chamber in which the fluid absorbs the gas, and a retaining member is disposed in the space for retaining the axial distance between the spaces;
A gas-liquid mixing device comprising: The support member is a punched metal, a metal lattice plate, a metal mesh, a metal cross metal fitting, a metal well metal fitting, a metal grate-shaped metal fitting, or an expanded metal fitting.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to claim 1. The inner diameter of the housing is 80 mm or more.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to claim 2. a baffle plate is disposed in the housing between the inlet and a partition member that is located at the most upstream position of the fluid among the plurality of partition members, the baffle plate forming a flow of the fluid along a radial direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axial direction and extends from the inside of the plate surface toward the outer periphery;
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An air vent hole that communicates the uppermost space in the housing with the outside atmosphere is formed in the housing.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The inlet is disposed at an upper portion and the outlet is disposed at a lower portion.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An air vent hole is formed in the housing, the air vent hole communicating the uppermost space in the housing with the outside atmosphere,
The air vent hole is a hole penetrating an upper plate member disposed at the uppermost end of the housing.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to claim 6. An air vent hole is formed in the housing, the air vent hole communicating the uppermost space in the housing with the outside atmosphere,
An air vent valve is provided to adjust the opening and closing of the air vent hole.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 5 to 7. The inlet is disposed at an upper portion and the outlet is disposed at a lower portion,
An outlet pipe communicating with the outlet port is disposed at a position higher than the upper end of the housing.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A strainer for capturing foreign matter in the inlet pipe is provided in the inlet pipe communicating with the inlet port.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The fluid is ozone water containing ozone, and a hydrogen peroxide supply unit that supplies hydrogen peroxide is provided in an outlet pipe that communicates with the outlet.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The hydrogen peroxide supply unit is
A supply passage communicating with the outlet pipe;
A pump that discharges hydrogen peroxide into the supply path;
a flow control valve provided in the supply passage and controlling a flow rate of hydrogen peroxide supplied to the outlet pipe;
12. The gas/liquid mixing device of claim 11, comprising: The fluid is ozone water containing ozone,
A photoreaction section that communicates with the outlet and through which ozone water passes or is stored;
An ultraviolet light source that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ozone water in the photoreaction unit;
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: The ultraviolet light source is a mercury lamp.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to claim 13. an inlet pipe communicating a water source with the inlet;
an ozonizer that generates an ozone gas containing ozone, discharges the ozone gas from an ozone gas outlet, and communicates with the inlet pipe;
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising: The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a viewing window for observing the flow of the fluid into the outlet is formed in the housing, or a part or the whole of the housing is made transparent for observing the flow of the fluid into the outlet. a housing in which a first inlet for liquid is formed at one end in an axial direction, a second inlet for gas is formed at one end in an axial direction or at a side wall on the side of the one end in an axial direction separately from the first inlet, and an outlet for a fluid containing the liquid and the gas and having a flow rate of 10 L/min or more is formed at the other end in the axial direction;
a plurality of mesh-like partition members disposed within the housing between the first inlet and the second inlet and the outlet, the plurality of partition members being provided at intervals in the axial direction of the housing and dividing the interior of the housing in the axial direction;
a plurality of support members that support the plurality of partition members, respectively, facing the axial flow of fluid, the support members having a mesh that is coarser than the mesh of the partition members or gaps that are larger than the mesh of the partition members, the support members having rigidity that can suppress deflection of the partition members, and are made of expanded metal or punching metal ;
at least two spaces between one partition member and support member and the other partition member and support member adjacent to each other in the axial direction, the gas being trapped to form a gas reservoir, and the fluid flowing through the gas reservoir functions as a gas reservoir chamber in which the fluid absorbs the gas, and a retaining member is disposed in the space for retaining the axial distance between the spaces;
A gas-liquid mixing device comprising: The support member is a punched metal, a metal lattice plate, a metal mesh, a metal cross metal fitting, a metal well metal fitting, a metal grate-shaped metal fitting, or an expanded metal fitting.
18. The gas-liquid mixing device according to claim 17. The inner diameter of the housing is 80 mm or more.
20. The gas/liquid mixing device of claim 18. a baffle plate is disposed in the housing between the first inlet and a partition member that is located at the most upstream position of the fluid among the plurality of partition members, the baffle plate forming a flow of the fluid along a radial direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axial direction and extends from an inner side of a plate surface toward an outer periphery;
20. A gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 19. An air vent hole that communicates the uppermost space in the housing with the outside atmosphere is formed in the housing.
21. A gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 20. The first inlet and the second inlet are disposed above, and the outlet is disposed below.
22. A gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 21. An air vent hole is formed in the housing, the air vent hole communicating the uppermost space in the housing with the outside atmosphere,
The air vent hole is a hole penetrating an upper plate member disposed at the uppermost end of the housing.
23. The gas/liquid mixing device of claim 22. An air vent hole is formed in the housing, the air vent hole communicating the uppermost space in the housing with the outside atmosphere,
An air vent valve is provided to adjust the opening and closing of the air vent hole.
24. A gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 21 to 23. The air vent hole is used as the second inlet.
25. A gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 21 to 24. The air vent hole is used as the second inlet,
The air vent hole is a hole penetrating the wall of the housing.
26. The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 21, 22, 24 and 25. A piping in the housing communicates with the second inlet, and the piping is extended into the housing,
The tip opening of the pipe inside the housing is located at the center or approximately the center of the housing.
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 26. The first inlet and the second inlet are disposed above, and the outlet is disposed below,
An outlet pipe communicating with the outlet port is disposed at a position higher than the upper end of the housing.
28. A gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 27. A strainer for capturing foreign matter in an inlet pipe connected to the first inlet is provided in the inlet pipe.
29. A gas/liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 28. The fluid is ozone water containing ozone as the gas, and a hydrogen peroxide supply unit that supplies hydrogen peroxide is provided in an outlet pipe that communicates with the outlet.
30. A gas/liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 29. The hydrogen peroxide supply unit is
A supply passage communicating with the outlet pipe;
A pump that discharges hydrogen peroxide into the supply path;
a flow control valve provided in the supply passage and controlling a flow rate of hydrogen peroxide supplied to the outlet pipe;
31. The gas/liquid mixing device of claim 30, comprising: The fluid is ozone water containing ozone as the gas,
A photoreaction section that communicates with the outlet and through which ozone water passes or is stored;
An ultraviolet light source that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ozone water in the photoreaction unit;
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 31, comprising: The ultraviolet light source is a mercury lamp.
33. The gas/liquid mixing device of claim 32. an inlet pipe communicating a water source with the first inlet;
an ozonizer that generates an ozone gas containing ozone, discharges the ozone gas from an ozone gas outlet, and communicates with the second inlet;
34. The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 33, comprising: The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 34, wherein a viewing window for observing the flow of the fluid into the outlet is formed in the housing, or a part or the whole of the housing is configured to be transparent for observing the flow of the fluid into the outlet. A vortex generation suppression member for suppressing vortexes generated when a fluid flows into the outlet and slowing down a flow velocity of the fluid in the housing,
The vortex generation suppression member is
The gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 35, comprising a plurality of leg members provided on a floor surface within the housing around the outlet. A tilt suppression member for suppressing tilt of the partition member, the holding member, or the support member due to a fluid flowing into the inlet,
The tilt suppression member is
The inlet is fixed to an inner wall surface of the housing between the inlet and the partition member located at the most upstream position or the holding member located at the most upstream position,
a pressing member that abuts against the partition member at the most upstream position or the holding member at the most upstream position to press the partition member or the holding member,
17. A gas-liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16. A tilt suppression member for suppressing tilt of the partition member, the holding member, or the support member due to liquid flowing into the first inlet,
The tilt suppression member is
The first inlet is fixed to an inner wall surface of the housing between the partition member at the most upstream position or the holding member at the most upstream position,
a pressing member that abuts against the partition member at the most upstream position or the holding member at the most upstream position to press the partition member or the holding member,
37. A gas/liquid mixing device according to any one of claims 17 to 36. a gas reservoir chamber in which ozone is trapped to form a gas reservoir, and a fluid containing ozone and water flows through the gas reservoir, whereby the fluid absorbs the ozone;
a gas-liquid mixer for mixing ozone and water in the gas reservoir chamber and discharging ozone water containing ozone from an outlet;
A photoreaction section that communicates with the outlet and through which ozone water passes or is stored;
An ultraviolet light source that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ozone water in the photoreaction unit;
Equipped with
In the light reaction section, accelerated oxidation water in which dissolved ozone and hydrogen peroxide coexist is generated.
Gas-liquid mixing device. The ultraviolet light source is a mercury lamp or an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED);
40. The gas/liquid mixing device of claim 39. a gas reservoir chamber in which ozone is trapped in a gas-liquid mixing section in the housing to form a gas reservoir, and a fluid containing ozone and water flows through the gas reservoir, whereby the fluid absorbs ozone;
a gas-liquid mixer for mixing ozone and water in the gas reservoir;
An ultraviolet light source that is provided in a space between the gas-liquid mixing unit and the outlet in the housing and irradiates ultraviolet light onto the ozone water;
Equipped with
In the space between the gas-liquid mixing section and the outlet in the housing, accelerated oxidized water in which dissolved ozone and hydrogen peroxide coexist is generated.
Gas-liquid mixing device. The ultraviolet light source is a mercury lamp or an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED);
42. The gas/liquid mixing device of claim 41.