JPH082409B2 - Deodorizing filter for air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a deodorizing filter for an air conditioner and an air conditioner including the same, and more specifically, to a filter of this type having a low pressure loss and the same. Regarding air conditioners.

[Prior Art] A conventional air conditioner is generally equipped only with a coarse dust removal filter, and the pressure loss of the filter is 0.1-0.2 mmAq (measured value at an air velocity of 1 m / sec, the same below. ) Was about. On the other hand, in recent years, there has been a strong demand for removing submicron particles such as cigarette smoke and pollen, so that a high-density filter with a pressure loss of about 2 to 3 mmAq has been optionally used. However, since the use of the above-mentioned high-density filter causes a large pressure loss, it causes a problem such as a decrease in air volume or an increase in noise. Therefore, in order to address this problem, electrostatic precipitators and electret fibers (semi-permanently polarized polyolefin fibers, JP-B-56-4729) are used.
The dust removal mechanism with low pressure loss has come to be used, such as a filter using the above (disclosed in 9 etc.).

However, since the dust removal mechanism with low pressure loss is not originally intended for deodorization, its deodorizing ability is low.

On the other hand, various types of filters to which activated carbon is adhered have been conventionally proposed. For example, 1) Japanese Patent Publication Sho 59
-19727, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 53-64675 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-119724,
A filter is disclosed in which finely powdered activated carbon is mixed with paper at the papermaking stage and formed into a honeycomb or a single corrugated cardboard laminate.
2) JP-A-58-175560, JP-A-63-88014, and JP-A-62-7
9522 and the like disclose a filter in which fibrous activated carbon is formed into a honeycomb shape. 3) JP-A-57-48325 and JP-A-59-1
42843, JP-A-59-227704 and the like, a mixture of powdered activated carbon and a binder is extruded into a lattice shape or a honeycomb shape,
A filter is disclosed which is activated by firing it.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above filter 1, the amount of activated carbon used cannot be increased,
In addition, the amount of activated carbon that effectively contributes to deodorization on the surface of paper is small, and the deodorization effect is low. The filter of the above-mentioned 2 has a drawback that fibrous activated carbon is expensive and cannot be used in a large amount, and that fibrous activated carbon has a high adsorption rate but also a quick deodorization, so that an odor immediately leaks from the filter. The above-mentioned filter 3 has a high deodorizing effect, but the filter itself is expensive, and since distortion occurs during molding, it cannot be used in a wide area. Therefore, a deodorizing filter suitable for use in an air conditioner cannot be found.

The present invention has been made based on such a viewpoint,
It is possible to provide a deodorizing filter for an air conditioner which can be used together with the above dust removing mechanism or can be used alone and has a low pressure loss (1.0 mmAq or less, preferably 0.5 mmAq or less) and can deodorize indoor odors such as cigarette odor. To aim.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the deodorizing filter of the present invention is a filter having a lattice-shaped filter substrate and activated carbon particles adhered to the substrate, wherein the activated carbon particles are adhered. It is characterized in that it is attached to the surface of the substrate with an agent, and that the activated carbon particles are used for the purpose of a deodorizing effect in the state where they do not carry a catalyst.

[Operation] According to the deodorizing filter of the present invention having the above configuration,
It is possible to achieve a pressure loss of 1.0 mmAq or less under the above air flow rate conditions. Further, the deodorizing effect of the present deodorizing filter meets the general conditions as a deodorizing filter, and the continuity of the deodorizing effect meets the conditions as a filter used for an air conditioner.

[Embodiment] Structure and Material FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the deodorizing filter 10 according to the present invention. This filter includes a grid-shaped filter base 12 and gas adsorbent particles 14 adhered to the filter base 12.
Consists of

The deodorizing filter 10 according to the present invention has an aperture ratio (in a plane parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 1) of about 50 to about 80%, which is obtained as a result of complying with various conditions described later. The thickness of the filter 10 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) is 15 mm or less, preferably about 3 mm or more.
The present filter 10 is different from the conventional filter in that the size of the gas adsorbent particles 14 is relatively large and the thickness of the filter 10 is small as shown in FIG. These features are key to satisfying conditions such as low pressure loss, appropriate deodorizing ability, and long life as a deodorizing filter for an air conditioner.

The base 12 is made of a thin material such as paper, aluminum or plastic. When paper is used as the material, it can be impregnated with a phenol resin or the like to reinforce the strength. Further, the substrate 12 can be subjected to flame retarding treatment. Since the thickness of the substrate 12 is substantially the same as the thickness of the filter 10, it is about 15 mm or less, preferably 3 mm or more. This thickness is for this filter 1
0 is finally determined because it is stored in the housing of the air conditioner as shown in FIG.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lattice pattern of the base 12 is a hexagonal so-called honeycomb shape, but this pattern can be any shape such as a rectangle and a triangle. However, the plane area of one cell 16 of the grid (in the plane parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 1) is about 0.20-about
It becomes 0.35 cm ² . This numerical value substantially means the density of the partition wall 18 for supporting the gas adsorbent particles 14. The reason for selecting this numerical value will be described later.

The gas adsorbent particles 14 are made of activated carbon, but other types such as impregnated activated carbon can also be used. In addition, in order to deal with CO generation sources such as petroleum stoves, a catalyst capable of catalytically oxidizing CO can be used in combination with a deodorant. As this catalyst, a gold / oxide catalyst (disclosed in JP-A-60-238148, etc.) that does not die and activate even in the presence of water is desirable.

The size of the gas adsorbent particles 14 is about 20 to about 60 mesh, the substrate
The amount of gas adsorbent particles 14 used per unit area of 12 planes is approximately
400-about 2000 g / m ² . The reason for selecting this numerical value will be described later.

As the binder for adhering the gas adsorbent particles 14 to the base 12, it is desirable to use a pressure-sensitive adhesive in order to prevent the particles from falling off. When the filter is manufactured, the binder is dried on the blank substrate and then dried to increase its viscosity.
The odor of the solvent is blown off by the above-mentioned drying operation, and the activated carbon does not adsorb the odor of the solvent.

Desirably, the filter 10 is used by being covered with a breathable cover (not shown) formed of a non-woven fabric, paper or the like having a finer grain size than the gas adsorbent particles 14. It is desirable that the breathable cover is also subjected to a non-combustible treatment, a mildew-proof treatment, and a germ-proof treatment.

Usage mode Fig. 2 shows this filter 10 as an indoor unit of an air conditioner.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where the device is incorporated into a housing 32 of 30. The arrow in the figure indicates the direction of air flow. The filter 10 is provided in the air introduction passage subsequent to the dust filter 34 that is normally used. The air that has passed through the filter 10 and is deodorized is heated or cooled by the heat exchanger 36, and is supplied indoors by the action of the blower 40. The filter 10 can also be arranged in the air discharge passage after the heat exchanger 36, instead of the air introduction passage. Reference numeral 38 in the figure is a dew tray.

Manufacturing Method FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing process of the filter 10. First, a blank substrate having a predetermined thickness is supplied from the substrate feeder 52, and the adhesive is applied to the whole in the binder dipping portion 54. Next, the blank substrate is put on a dryer 56 for about 10 minutes to give a predetermined viscosity to the binder,
The odor of the binder solvent is blown off. After drying, the blank substrate is sent to the adsorbent impregnation section 62.

On the other hand, an adsorbent of a predetermined size is supplied from the adsorbent supplier 58 to the adsorbent impregnating portion 62, and the adsorbent is bonded to the blank substrate surface via a binder. Next, the excess adsorbent that is incompletely attached to the substrate or the adsorbent is removed by the scrubbing section 64. And after the adsorbent has sufficiently adhered to the substrate,
The cutting machine 66 cuts the substrate of the primary product to a desired size, and the final product filter 10 is completed. Further, after that, a breathable cover may be laminated on both surfaces or one surface of the filter 10 in the packaging section 68, if necessary.

Method of functional test of this deodorizing filter The pressure loss of the deodorizing filter was measured by using a square transparent acrylic wind tunnel with an inner size of 10 × 10 cm and a length of 220 cm, and mounting the deodorizing filter in the center. The air velocity passing through the filter was 1.0 m / sec, and the static pressure difference before and after the filter was measured.

The sensory test for confirming the deodorizing effect is as follows. First, two commercially available cigarettes were spontaneously burned in a stainless steel chamber having a volume of 17 m ³ . After 15 minutes, the fan in the chamber was operated to make the inside uniform, and the deodorizing filter was attached to the filter mounting portion of the commercially available air purifier to perform the operation. The opening of the filter
The amount of treated air is 0.065m ² and 3.9m ³ / min. Thirty minutes after the start of the operation of the air purifier, the air in the chamber was collected in an odorless plastic bag of 10 liter capacity and subjected to a sensory test. The sensory test was conducted by 15 people excluding those with abnormal olfaction in advance.

The effect of reducing CO concentration is as follows. First, in the same chamber as the above sensory test, CO concentration is 100ppm.
Was adjusted so that Next, using this deodorizing filter under the same air purifier and conditions as in the above sensory test, CO
The concentration decay was measured. The measuring instrument used is Gastech CM
2510.

Examination of Conditions of the Deodorizing Filter The conditions such as the cell size of the lattice of the substrate 12, the size of the gas adsorbent particles 14 and the usage amount thereof were examined as follows.

a. Lattice cell size Fig. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of activated carbon supported and the pressure loss based on changes in the cell size of the lattice. The filter used in the experiment was manufactured by the process according to the present invention shown in FIG. The base 12 has a honeycomb-shaped lattice structure as shown in FIG. 4 and has a thickness of 5 mm. The term cell size of the lattice here refers to "l" in FIG. In addition, activated carbon called a gas adsorbent was used.

In the graph of FIG. 5, the curve a has an activated carbon particle size of 32-60.
Mesh filter, curve b has activated carbon particle size of 20-42
The result about a filter of a mesh is shown. The curve D shows the pressure loss primary limit line (0.5 mmAq), and the straight line L shows the pressure loss secondary limit line (1.0 mmAq).

In the graph of FIG. 5, the points designated by the plot symbols are as follows.

“×”… cell size 3/8 in (cell flat area approx. 0.8 cm ² ) “△”… cell size 1/4 in (cell flat area approx. 0.35 cm ² ) “○”… cell size 3/16 in (cell Flat area approx. 0.2 cm ² ) “□”… Cell size 1/8 in (cell flat area approx. 0.09 cm ² ) As shown in the figure, the cell size indicated by “□”
With a 1 / 8-inch substrate, the pressure loss exceeds the secondary limit line L. On the other hand, with a substrate having a cell size of 3/8 in, which is indicated by “x”, a sufficient amount of activated carbon cannot be obtained. Therefore, a suitable cell size of the substrate grid is about 1/4 to about 3/16 in. As described above, the shape of the lattice does not have to be limited to the honeycomb shape, and therefore, when the above size is expressed by the cell plane area, this range is about 0.2 to about 0.35 cm ² .

b. Particle size of gas adsorbent and amount used Fig. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of activated carbon carried and the pressure loss based on changes in the particle size of activated carbon. The filter used in the experiment was manufactured by the process according to the present invention shown in FIG. All the substrates 12 have a honeycomb lattice structure as shown in FIG.

In the graph of FIG. 6, a curve c is a filter of a substrate having a cell size of 3/16 in (cell flat area of about 0.2 cm ² ) and a thickness of 5 mm, and a curve d is a cell size of 1/4 in (cell flat area of about 0.35 cm). ² ) with thickness 5
mm substrate filter, curve e is cell size 3/16 in (cell flat area about 0.2 cm ² ) and thickness 10 mm substrate filter, curve f is cell size 1/4 in (cell flat area about 0.35 cm ² ) With thickness 1
Results are shown for a filter on a 0 mm substrate. Straight line D
Shows the pressure loss primary limit line (0.5 mmAq), and the straight line L shows the pressure loss secondary limit line (1.0 mmAq).

In the graph of FIG. 6, the points designated by the plot symbols are as follows.

“×”… Particle size 60-100 mesh “△”… Particle size 32-60 mesh “○”… Particle size 20-42 mesh “□”… Particle size 6-10 mesh As can be seen from the figure, “□” In the case of 6-10 mesh activated carbon represented by, the pressure loss far exceeds the secondary limit line L. On the other hand, a sufficient amount of activated carbon cannot be obtained with the 60-100 mesh activated carbon indicated by "x". Therefore, the particle size of the activated carbon is appropriately in the range of about 20-60 mesh.

Further, FIG. 6 shows the amount of activated carbon supported (that is, the amount used) per unit area of the substrate plane under each condition in a state where the activated carbon is adhered to the entire surface of the substrate. Considering this usage amount range up to the filter thickness of 15 mm, the usage amount in the particle size range of the activated carbon is considered to be about 2000 g / m ² or less. In addition, the same amount, when considering the deodorizing effect,
At least about 400 g / m ^{2 is} required. This value corresponds to the usage on substrates with a thickness of about 3 mm.

Further, from FIG. 6, it can be seen that the pressure loss is not significantly affected by the change in the thickness of the substrate within the range of the particle size of the activated carbon according to the present invention.

The functional evaluation of the deodorizing filter based on the relationship between the size of activated carbon and the cell size is shown in FIG. The shaded area in the figure is the condition range of the filter according to the present invention.

Example and Function Test Results Comparison of deodorizing effect between the case where no air cleaner is installed and the case where an air cleaner equipped with filters A, B, C, D and E within the condition range of the present invention is used. Table 2 shows the results of the sensory test. The values in the table are based on the 6-level odor intensity method (see Table 1). From the following comparison results, a significant difference was observed at a risk rate of 1%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the filters A-E according to the present invention for deodorization.

The filter E was also subjected to the CO concentration reduction test. As a result, as shown in FIG.
The effectiveness of the filter E for reducing the CO concentration was proved.
In FIG. 8, the curve h is the curve i when the filter E is attached.
Shows the result when no filter was attached.

 The manufacturing conditions of the used filter are as follows.

a. Filter A, B Cell size 3/16 in (cell flat area approx. 0.2 cm ² ), thickness 5 mm
The paper-made honeycomb core of No. 1 was spread by hand, and then put in a tank of a commercially available emulsion-based adhesive (SK Dyne E-3008B manufactured by Soken Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) to apply the adhesive. It was placed in a drier and dried at 100 ° C. for 2 hours, and the weight was measured. As a result, the coating amount of the adhesive was 1300 g / m ² . There are two types of particle size (20-42 mesh, 32-mesh) of commercially available activated carbon (Kuraray Chemical GG).
(60 mesh) was attached. Filter A was impregnated with activated carbon having a particle size of 20-42 mesh, and filter B was impregnated with activated carbon having a particle size of 32-60 mesh. The amounts of activated carbon used in filters A and B were 790 and 600 g / m ² , respectively, and the pressure losses were 0.43 and 0.23 mmAq, respectively.

b. Filters C, D Cell size 1/4 in (cell flat area about 0.35 cm ² ), thickness 10 m
The spread aluminum honeycomb core of m was placed in a tank of a commercially available solvent-based adhesive (SK Dyne E-1200 manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd.) to apply the adhesive. It was placed in a drier and dried at 120 ° C. for 3 hours, and the weight was measured. As a result, the coating amount of the adhesive was 500 g / m ² . Two types of particle size (20-42 mesh, 32-
(60 mesh) was attached. Filter C was prepared by impregnating activated carbon having a particle size of 20-42 mesh, and filter D was prepared by impregnating activated carbon having a particle size of 32-60 mesh. The amounts of activated carbon used in filters C and D were 1300 and 1000 g / m ² , respectively, and the pressure loss was 0.32 and 0.13 mmAq, respectively.

c. Filter E Cell size 3/16 in (cell flat area 0.2 cm ² ), thickness 10 m
The spread aluminum honeycomb core of m was placed in a tank of a commercially available solvent-based adhesive (SK Dyne E-1200 manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd.) to apply the adhesive. It was placed in a drier and dried at 100 ° C. for 2 hours, and the weight was measured. As a result, the coating amount of the adhesive was 600 g / m ² . Commercially available activated carbon (GG manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.) having a particle size of 20-42 mesh and a gold / oxide catalyst (manufactured by Toyo CCI) were impregnated at a volume ratio of 8: 2. Activated carbon usage is about 1200g / m ² , pressure loss is 0.59mmAq
Met.

Table 1 6-level odor intensity 0-Not felt 1-Feeling 2-Feeling clearly 3-Feeling strongly 4-Feeling extremely 5-Table 2 Conditions Odor intensity Without air purifier Average 2.50 Fluctuation 0.37 Filter A Average 1.53 Fluctuation 0.44 Filter B Average 1.52 Fluctuation 0.27 Filter C Average 1.70 Fluctuation 0.44 Filter D Average 1.75 Fluctuation 0.48 Filter E Average 1.45 Fluctuation 0.41 [Effect of the Invention] According to the present invention, general deodorization as a deodorizing filter It is possible to provide a deodorizing filter for an air conditioner, which is appropriately provided with the effect and low pressure loss as a filter used for the air conditioner and continuity of the deodorizing effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the deodorizing filter according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which the filter according to the present invention is incorporated in the housing of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing process of the filter according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the honeycomb lattice. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of activated carbon carried and the pressure loss based on the change in the cell size of the lattice. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of activated carbon carried and the pressure loss based on changes in the particle size of activated carbon. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the functional evaluation of the deodorizing filter based on the relationship between the size of activated carbon and the cell size. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the experimental results regarding the reduction of the CO concentration of the filter. 10 …… deodorizing filter, 12 …… substrate, 14 …… gas adsorbent,
16 …… cell, 30 …… air conditioner indoor unit, 34…
… Dust filter, 36 …… Heat exchanger

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location B01D 53/94 (56) References JP-A 61-28422 (JP, A) JP-A 50- 79475 (JP, A) JP 50-81959 (JP, A) JP 54-17311 (JP, B2)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A deodorizing filter having a lattice-shaped filter base and activated carbon particles adhered to the base, which is disposed in an air passage of an air conditioner, wherein the thickness of the base is 3-. 15 mm, the size of the activated carbon particles = 20-60 mesh, the aperture ratio of the filter = 50-80%, and the activated carbon particles are attached to the surface of the substrate by an adhesive. A deodorizing filter for an air conditioner, characterized in that the activated carbon particles are used for the purpose of deodorizing without supporting a catalyst. 2. A plane area of one cell of the substrate lattice = 0.20-
0.35 cm ² , the amount of the activated carbon particles used per unit area of the substrate plane =
The deodorizing filter for an air conditioner according to claim 1, which satisfies all the conditions of 400-2000 g / m ² . 3. The deodorizing filter for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is an emulsion adhesive or a solvent adhesive. 4. The deodorizing filter for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a catalyst for CO catalytic oxidation treatment is attached to the surface of the substrate together with the activated carbon particles.