OZONIZED WATER PRODUCING APPARATUS, GAS/LIQUID MIXING STRUCTURE FOR USE IN THE OZONIZED WATER PRODUCING APPARATUS, OZONIZED WATER PRODUCING METHOD AND OZONIZED WATER
To provide an ozonized water producing apparatus capable of efficiently and easily producing ozonized water with a high dissolution degree and a high concentration. In an ozonized water producing apparatus constituted by including a pipeline for passing water to be treated through, a gas-liquid mixing structure provided halfway in the pipeline, and an ozone supply structure for supplying ozone into the gas-liquid mixing structure, the gas-liquid mixing structure is provided with a magnet for exerting a magnetic force onto an inside. By causing the magnetic force to act on both the water to be treated and ozone, ozonized water with a high dissolution degree and a high concentration can be efficiently and easily produced.
The invention relates to an ozonized water producing apparatus, a gas-liquid mixing structure for use in the ozonized water producing apparatus, an ozonized water producing method and ozonized water.
BACKGROUND ARTAs an ozonized water producing apparatus, there is the one disclosed in Patent Document 1. The ozonized water producing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “a conventional producing apparatus”) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a pipeline for passing water to be treated through, an ozone injector which is provided halfway in the pipeline, and a permanent magnet provided at a pipeline outer wall upstream of the ozone injector. The ozone injector is for diffusing ozone into the passing water, and the above described ozone is supplied from the outside of the ozone injector. The permanent magnet is disposed so as to exert a magnetic force onto the water to be treated which flows in the pipeline from a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the pipeline. Patent Document 1 describes that the reason of providing the permanent magnet is to enhance ozone solubility by fragmenting clusters as well as ionizing the water to be treated by using the magnetic force of the permanent magnet. Also Patent Document 1 cites acceleration of ionization of the water to be treated and fragmentation of clusters by passing the water to be treated (tap water) to penetrate through the magnetic field (magnetic force) of the permanent magnet as the reason of making the direction of the magnetic force of the permanent magnet orthogonal to the axial direction of the pipeline. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses the provision of the permanent magnet, which is provided upstream of the ozone injector, downstream of it instead of upstream of it, and provision of the permanent magnets both upstream and downstream of it, and in any case, the magnet in use is strictly for the purpose of exerting a magnetic force onto the water to be treated flowing in the pipeline, that is, the water to be treated in a stable state.
[Patent Documents] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-19486 (refer to paragraphs 0006, 0009, 0010, 0019, 0020, 0024, 0026 and FIG. 1)
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the InventionHowever, the conventional producing apparatus which causes the magnetic force of the permanent magnet to act on the water to be treated flowing in the pipeline cannot easily produce high-concentration ozonized water having a high degree of dissolution (high dissolution degree) even if the acting direction of the magnetic force is aligned with the direction orthogonal to the flowing water to be treated. This point will be proved by the later-described results of the experiments conducted by the inventor and others. A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ozonized water producing apparatus, a gas-liquid mixing structure for use in the ozonized water producing apparatus, and an ozonized water producing method which are capable of efficiently and easily producing high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree, and ozonized water.
Means for Solving the ProblemsThe inventor, who conducted earnest researches to achieve the above described problem, obtained the views concerning the action target, action spot and acting direction of the magnetic force, which are totally different from those of the conventional producing apparatus. Specifically, the inventor has acquired the knowledge that the magnetic force should be exerted on the ozone before dissolving into the water to be treated and for that purpose the magnet should be provided at the ozone injector itself instead of upstream of the ozone injector, and by providing the magnet at the ozone injector itself, the acting direction of the magnetic force on the water to be treated cannot be made constant. The present invention is made based on the above acquired knowledge. The detailed constitution of the invention will be described in the later paragraph. The definition or the like of the terms which is made in explaining the invention set forth in any claim shall be also applied to the invention described in other claims in the possible range in its characteristic and irrespective of the difference in invention category, sequence of the description of the invention and the like. In this application, “water to be treated” is the concept including both raw water before ozone dissolution (ground water, tap water, river water, rain water and the like), and ozonized water produced by dissolving ozone in the raw water, and the raw water and the ozonized water shall be properly used in accordance with each ozonized water producing process.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 1)An ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 1 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 1”) is constituted by including a pipeline for passing water to be treated through, a gas-liquid mixing structure provided halfway in the pipeline, and an ozone supply structure for supplying ozone into the gas-liquid mixing structure. The gas-liquid mixing structure is provided with a magnet for exerting a magnetic force onto an inside. The magnet is provided at the gas-liquid mixing device, and magnets may be provided upstream and/or downstream from it in combination. As the magnet, use of a natural magnet is preferable in simplifying the structure and facilitating maintenance, but an electromagnet and the like can be used as long as a suitable magnetic force can be obtained from them.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 1, the gas-liquid mixing structure is provided with a magnet, and therefore, the magnetic force of the magnet is exerted in the process of mixing the water to be treated and ozone. Specifically, the magnetic force action is exerted on not only the water to be treated, but also ozone which is not dissolved in the water to be treated. The water to be treated on the occasion of mixing ozone therein contains ozone bubbles in various sizes large and small, and its flow is an extremely irregular turbulent flow. Therefore, the direction of the magnetic force which acts on the water to be treated and ozone is extremely irregular and unstable. Whereas it is obvious from the later-described experimental result that the irregular and unstable magnetic force action is effective for production of high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree, the causal relation is under elucidation at present. The inventor assumes as follows. Specifically, a fact that the water to be treated (ozone), which is subjected to the action of the magnetic force, is in the turbulent flow means that the water to be treated is under the action of the magnetic force for a long time as compared with the water to be treated being in a laminar flow. Further, in the water to be treated (ozone) being in the turbulent flow, the distance from the magnet changes in rapid succession. Specifically, the magnetic force can be uniformly exerted onto the water to be treated flowing per unit time with much expenditure of time. It is conceivable that this accelerates cluster fragmentation of the water to be treated, and as a result, realizes efficient production of high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 2)In the ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 2 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 2”), the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of claim 1 is included, in addition to which, the aforesaid gas-liquid mixing structure is constituted by including a Venturi tube having a small-diameter path, and an ozone supply pipe having an open end at a position facing the small-diameter path, and the aforesaid ozone supply structure is connected to a connecting end of the ozone supply pipe.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 2, basically the same operational effect as the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 1 is taken, and the operational effect in the gas-liquid mixing structure is as follows. Specifically, the pressure of the water to be treated when flowing into the Venturi tube from the pipeline abruptly increases as it is closer to the small diameter path, and after passing through the small diameter path, the pressure abruptly decreases. The inside of the Venturi tube when the pressure decreases is under vacuum or in a negative pressure state close to a vacuum, and by this negative pressure state, the ozone supplied by the ozone supply pipe is sucked into the water to be treated. The sucked ozone is abruptly stirred and mixed as a result of complicated intertwinement of the above described pressure change, flow change of the water to be treated accompanying passage through the small diameter path and the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 3)In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 3 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus according to claim 3”), the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of claim 2 is included, and the aforesaid magnet is constituted to be able to exert a magnetic force on at least the small-diameter path and/or a vicinity of the small-diameter path of the aforesaid Venturi tube.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 3, in addition to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 2, the magnetic force can be the most efficiently exerted on the water to be treated when passing through and/or before and after passing through the Venturi tube. According to the experiment of the inventor and others, when the magnetic force is exerted as described above, high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree was able to be produced the most efficiently. The reason is assumed as follows. Specifically, when the same magnet is provided at the same Venturi tube, by providing the magnet so that the above described action occurs, a great change occurs to the state of the water to be treated such as occurrence of pressure change to the water to be treated, suction of ozone into the water and the like when or before and after the passage of the water through the small-diameter path of the Venturi tube. It seems to be the factor that realizes the high dissolution degree and high concentration to cause the magnetic force to act on the water to be treated to correspond to the change. Further, it is also assumed to contribute to realization of the high dissolution degree and high concentration to cause the magnetic force to act on ozone bubbles which are paramagnetic substances.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 4)In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 4 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 4”), in addition to the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of claim 2 or 3, the aforesaid magnet is constituted of a magnetic circuit including one magnet piece and the other magnet piece, and the one magnet piece and the other magnet piece are opposed to each other with the aforesaid Venturi tube put therebetween.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 4, in addition to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 2 or 3, the magnetic force can be caused to act intensively on a required spot inside the Venturi tube by constituting the magnetic circuit.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 5)In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 5 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 5”), the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4 is included, and in addition, the magnetic force of the aforesaid magnet is set at 3000 gausses to 20000 gausses.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 5, constitution of the magnet can be simply and economically carried out. Specifically, the magnets having the above described magnetic force are easily available on the market, and therefore, special magnets do not have to be prepared. The magnets are inexpensive because they are not special magnets. It goes without saying that this does not intend to inhibit adoption of the magnets having the magnetic force exceeding the above described range.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 6)An ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 6 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 6”) includes the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, and in addition, is constituted by further including a circulation structure for circulating the water to be treated which has passed through the aforesaid gas-liquid mixing structure to cause the water to be treated to pass through the gas-liquid mixing structure again, and the circulation structure is constituted by including the aforesaid pipeline.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 6, in addition to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, the water to be treated can be circulated by having the circulation structure, and by the circulation, ozone injection into the water to be treated can be repeatedly performed. If ozone injection is repeatedly performed, ozone is injected again into the water to be treated which has once finished ozone injection, and thereby, the water to be treated to which ozone is injected again can be increased in the ozone dissolution degree and ozone concentration more than the water to be treated to which ozone is injected once. The number of circulations can be determined by the user of the apparatus in accordance with the required ozone dissolution degree and the ozone concentration.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 7)In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 7 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 7”), the basic constitution of the producing apparatus according to claim 6 is included, and in addition, a storage tank for temporarily storing the water to be treated which is circulated is provided halfway in the aforesaid circulation structure.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 7, in addition to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 6, the water to be treated can be temporarily stored in the storage tank, and by this storage, the water to be treated can be placed in a stable state, whereby, the ozone dissolution into the water to be treated can be accelerated by the action of aging assimilation.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 8)In the ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 8 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 8”), the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of claim 7 is included, and in addition, a temperature keeping structure for keeping the water to be treated in the aforesaid storage tank at a temperature in a range of 5° C. to 15° C. is provided.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 8, in addition to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 7, the temperature of the water to be treated can be kept in the above described range by having the temperature keeping structure. The raw water used for producing ozonized water is often conveyed in a long pipeline, and in such a case, the conveyed raw water is susceptible to the weather. An increase in water temperature in the summer season is especially conspicuous. In order to circulate the water to be treated, energy for circulation is required, and as such an energy source, for example, a pump is cited. The above described energy source is generally accompanied by heat generation, and the heat may increase the temperature of the water to be treated. Ozone dissolution is susceptible to the temperature of water, and when the water temperature rises, reduction in dissolution degree is occurred. Thus, by keeping the temperature of the water to be treated in the predetermined range, ozone dissolution is accelerated. On the other hand, for example, when the water to be treated is likely to be frozen in a cold district, the producing apparatus may be constituted to heat the water to be treated by providing a heater. If cooling or heating of the water to be treated is unnecessary, the temperature keeping structure itself may be omitted, or the operation of the temperature keeping structure provided therein may be stopped.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 9)In the ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 9 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 9”), the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of claim 7 or 8 is included, and in addition, a dissolution accelerating tank for temporarily storing the water to be treated passing through the circulation structure, and accelerating ozone dissolution is provided downstream from the aforesaid gas-liquid mixing structure and upstream from the aforesaid storage tank halfway in the aforesaid circulation structure.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 9, in addition to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 7 or 8, ozone dissolution into the water to be treated is accelerated by the action of the dissolution accelerating tank. The water to be treated stored in the dissolution accelerating tank is placed in the stable state by the storage. In the water to be treated placed in the stable state, ozone dissolution into it is accelerated by the action of aging assimilation. The ozone which is dynamically dissolved in the gas-liquid mixing structure is statically dissolved in the dissolution accelerating tank, and dissolution of ozone into the water to be treated is dramatically accelerated by the actions of both of them.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 10)In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 10 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 10”), the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of claim 9 is included, and in addition, a degassing structure that is capable of discharging ozone which escapes from the stored water to be treated is provided at a top portion of the aforesaid dissolution accelerating tank.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 10, in addition to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 9, the ozone which is not dissolved in the water to be treated in the process of circulating the water to be treated can be discharged outside the apparatus. By discharging the undissolved ozone, the ozone contained in the water to be treated has a high solubility, and the ozone with a low solubility is discharged. Accordingly, the ozonized water which really has a high ozone dissolution degree is produced. Here, the dissolution degree of ozone is high means that the bubble diameter of the ozone bubble dissolved in the water to be treated is in the unit of nanometer, preferably, less than 50 nm, for example, and more preferably, 30 nm. This is because the ozone bubbles of the above-described bubble diameters do not easily escape from the water to be treated.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 11)In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 11 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 11”), the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of claims 6 to 10 is included, and in addition, the aforesaid circulation structure is constituted by further including a mixing accelerating structure for accelerating mixing of ozone into water, and the mixing accelerating structure is provided with a magnet for exerting a magnetic force on an inside. “The mixing accelerating structure” means a device, a member or the like having the function of physically and mechanically stirring the water to be treated containing ozone.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 11, in addition to the operational effect of the producing apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 10, a magnetic force can be caused to act on the water to be treated which is physically and mechanically stirred in the mixing accelerating structure. The water to be treated in the mixing accelerating structure is in the unstable state by the stirring, and by causing the magnetic force to act on the water to be treated in such a state, the ozone dissolution degree can be more enhanced.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 12)An ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 12 (hereinafter, properly called “the producing apparatus of claim 12”) includes the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of claim 11, and in addition, is characterized in that the aforesaid mixing accelerating structure is a static mixer and/or a vortex flow pump in concrete.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 12, the operational effect of the producing apparatus of claim 11 is realized by a static mixer, a vortex flow pump or the like. Static mixers, and vortex pumps are mixing accelerating structures frequently used in the ozonized water producing apparatuses, and it is not difficult from its structures to provide magnets in them. Accordingly, magnets can be placed in the existing static mixers or the like without adding a large change, and therefore, enhancement of concentration of ozone can be realized without making a large-scaled design change or the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 13)In an ozonized water producing apparatus according to the invention set forth in claim 13 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing apparatus of claim 13), the basic constitution of the producing apparatus of claim 11 or 12 is included, and in addition, the magnetic force of the aforesaid magnet is set at 3000 gausses to 20000 gausses.
According to the producing apparatus of claim 13, the operational effect of the production apparatus of claim 11 or 12 can be realized by the magnet having the magnetic force in the above described set range. The reason of setting the strength of the magnetic force in the above described range is its availability. Specifically, as the magnet usable in the present invention, for example, a neodymium magnet is cited, and when such a magnet is to be procured from the market, the magnets which are high in procurability and usable in cost have the magnetic force in the above described range. If the magnets stronger than the magnets in the above described magnetic force are available, use of such magnets are not intended to be hindered.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 14)A gas-liquid mixing structure according to the invention set forth in claim 14 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the mixing structure of claim 14”) is constituted to be usable for the producing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The mixing structure of claim 14 is incorporated into an ozonized water producing apparatus to be newly manufactured as a matter of course, and also can be incorporated in an existing ozonized water producing apparatus with an existing gas-liquid mixing structure included in the existing ozonized water producing apparatus, or in place of this. By incorporating the mixing structure, the ozone concentration of the ozonized water produced by the ozonized water producing apparatus in which the mixing structure is incorporated can be increased.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 15)A gas-liquid mixing structure according to the invention set forth in claim 15 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the mixing structure of claim 15”) is constituted by including a Venturi tube having a small-diameter path, an ozone supply pipe having an open end at a position facing the small-diameter path, and a magnet for exerting a magnetic force on at least the small-diameter path and/or a vicinity of the small-diameter path of the Venturi tube.
The mixing structure of claim 15 is incorporated into an ozonized water producing apparatus to be newly manufactured as a matter of course, and also can be incorporated in an existing ozonized water producing apparatus with an existing gas-liquid mixing structure included in the existing ozonized water producing apparatus, or in place of this. By incorporating the mixing structure, the ozone concentration of the ozonized water produced by the ozonized water producing apparatus in which the mixing structure is incorporated can be increased.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 16)An ozonized water producing method according to the invention set forth in claim 16 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing method of claim 16”) is, in an ozonized water producing method for producing ozonized water by passing water to be treated through a Venturi tube having a small-diameter path, and supplying ozone through an ozone supply pipe having an open end disposed at a position facing the small-diameter path, characterized in that a magnetic force is caused to act on at least the small-diameter path and/or a vicinity of the small-diameter path of the Venturi tube.
According to the producing method of claim 16, the magnetic force of the magnet is caused to act in the process of mixing the water to be treated and ozone. Specifically, the magnetic force action is exerted on not only the water to be treated, but also ozone which is not dissolved in the water to be treated. The water to be treated on the occasion of mixing ozone therein contains ozone bubbles in various sizes large and small, and its flow is an extremely irregular turbulent flow. Therefore, the direction of the magnetic force which acts on the water to be treated and ozone is extremely irregular and unstable. Whereas it is obvious from the later-described experimental result that the irregular and unstable magnetic force action is effective for production of high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree, the causal relation is under elucidation at present. The inventor assumes as follows. Specifically, the water to be treated (ozone), which is subjected to the action of the magnetic force, is in a turbulent flow, and in an unstable state. It is conceivable that the magnetic force acts on the water to be treated in an unstable state, and thereby, accelerates fragmentation of clusters of the water to be treated, as a result of which, efficient production of high-concentration ozonized water with a high dissolution degree is realized. The pressure of the water to be treated when passing through the Venturi tube abruptly increases as it is closer to the small diameter path, and after passing through the small diameter path, the pressure abruptly decreases. The inside of the Venturi tube when the pressure decreases is under vacuum or in a negative pressure state close to a vacuum, and by this negative pressure state, the ozone supplied by the ozone supply pipe is sucked into the water to be treated. The sucked ozone is abruptly stirred and mixed as a result of complicated intertwinement of the above described pressure change, flow change of the water to be treated accompanying passage of the small diameter path and the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 17)An ozonized water producing method according to the invention set forth in claim 17 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing method of claim 17”) is the producing method of claim 16, and characterized in that the water to be treated which has passed the aforesaid Venturi tube is circulated, and is caused to pass through the aforesaid Venturi tube at least once again while ozone is being supplied.
According to the producing method of claim 17, in addition to the operational effect of the producing method of claim 16, ozone mixing into the water to be treated can be repeatedly performed by circulating the water to be treated. If ozone mixing is repeatedly performed, ozone is mixed again into the water to be treated which has once finished ozone mixing, and thereby, the water to be treated to which ozone is mixed again can be more enhanced in ozone dissolution degree and ozone concentration than the water to be treated to which ozone is mixed once. The number of circulations can be determined by the user in accordance with the required ozone dissolution degree and ozone concentration.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 18)An ozonized water producing method according to the invention set forth in claim 18 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing method of claim 18”) is the producing method of claim 17, and characterized in that the aforesaid circulated water to be treated is temporarily stored in a storage tank.
According to the producing method of claim 18, in addition to the operational effect of the producing method of claim 17, the water to be treated can be temporarily stored in the storage tank, and by this storage, the water to be treated can be placed in a stable state, whereby, the ozone dissolution into the water to be treated can be accelerated by the action of aging assimilation,
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 19)An ozonized water producing method according to the invention set forth in claim 19 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing method of claim 19”) is the producing method of claim 18, and characterized in that the water to be treated stored in the aforesaid storage tank is temporarily taken out and kept at a temperature in a range of 5° C. to 15° C.
According to the producing method of claim 19, in addition to the operational effect of the producing method of claim 18, the temperature of the water to be treated can be kept in the above described range. Ozone dissolution is susceptible to the temperature of water, and when the water temperature rises, reduction in dissolution degree is occurred. Thus, by keeping the temperature of the water to be treated in the predetermined range, ozone dissolution is accelerated.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 20)An ozonized water producing method according to the invention set forth in claim 20 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing method of claim 20”) is the producing method of any one of claims 16 to 19, and characterized in that the water to be treated after ozone is mixed therein is temporarily stored in a dissolution accelerating tank, and ozone dissolution is accelerated.
According to the producing method of claim 20, in addition to the operational effect of the producing method of any one of claim 16 to 19, ozone dissolution into the water to be treated is accelerated by the function of the dissolution accelerating tank. The water to be treated stored in the dissolution accelerating tank is placed in the stable state by the storage. In the water to be treated placed in the stable state, ozone dissolution into it is accelerated by the action of aging assimilation.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 21)An ozonized water producing method according to claim 21 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing method of claim 21”) is the producing method of claim 20, and characterized in that ozone escaping from the water to be treated which is stored in the dissolution accelerating tank is discharged to an outside of the dissolution accelerating tank.
According to the producing method of claim 21, in addition to the operational effect of the producing method of claim 20, the ozone which is not dissolved in the water to be treated in the process of circulating the water to be treated can be discharged outside the apparatus. By discharging the undissolved ozone, the ozone contained in the water to be treated has a high solubility, and the ozone with a low solubility is discharged. Accordingly, the ozonized water which really has a high ozone dissolution degree is produced.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 22)An ozonized water producing method according to the invention set forth in claim 22 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the producing method of claim 22”) is characterized in that in a magnetic field, hydraulic pressure of water to be treated is increased until it reaches a pressure peak, and is reduced immediately after it reaches the pressure peak, and ozone is supplied to the water to be treated which reaches the pressure peak.
According to the producing method of claim 22, the magnetic force of the magnet is caused to act in the process of mixing the water to be treated and ozone. Specifically, the magnetic force action is exerted on not only the water to be treated, but also ozone which is not dissolved in the water to be treated. The water to be treated on the occasion of mixing ozone therein contains ozone bubbles in various sizes large and small, and its flow is an extremely irregular turbulent flow. Therefore, the direction of the magnetic force which acts on the water to be treated and ozone is extremely irregular and unstable. Whereas it is obvious from the later-described experimental result that the irregular and unstable magnetic force action is effective for production of high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree, the causal relation is under elucidation at present.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 23)The ozonized water according to the invention set forth in claim 23 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the ozonized water of claim 23”) is produced by the ozonized water producing method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, and characterized in that a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm, that is, the particle size is larger than zero and smaller than 50 nm.
According to the ozonized water of claim 23, the particle sizes R of the ozone bubbles are 0<R<50 nm, and therefore, the ozone bubbles hardly receive buoyancy. Therefore, ozone bubbles stay in the ozonized water (the water to be treated) stably without floating. Specifically, ozone does not easily escape from the ozonized water. Therefore, when one moves one's nose close to the ozonized water, one never or hardly smells an odor peculiar to ozone. According to the experiment of the inventor and others, the ozone concentration can be increased to, for example, about 20 ppm under an atmospheric pressure. High-concentration ozonized water is not only effective for sterilization and disinfection, but also can be applied directly to a human body (for example, cleaning of hands and faces) due to no ozone escape. The conventional ozonized water has considerable ozone escape, and it is feared that the escaped ozone has an adverse effect on respiratory organs of human bodies, livestock and the like. Therefore, it has been difficult to use the conventional ozonized water for human bodies, livestock and the like as described above. Even if the ozonized water is used, the ozone concentration reduces due to ozone escape, and the effect of disinfection or the like is hardly expected. Further, unlike the ozonized water (functional water) which is produced by adding an additive (electrolysis aid) such as sodium chloride, the above described ozonized water is produced by the gas-liquid mixing method that mixes water to be treated and ozone, and therefore, it contains no additive. In the respect of containing no additive, the above described ozonized water is suitable for use for human bodies and the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 24)Ozonized water according to the invention set forth in claim 24 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the ozonized water of claim 24”) is produced by a gas-liquid mixing method, and characterized in that a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<150 nm.
According to the ozonized water of claim 24, the particle size R of the ozone bubbles is 0<R<50 nm, and therefore, the ozone bubbles hardly receive buoyancy. Therefore, ozone bubbles stay in the ozonized water (the water to be treated) stably without floating. Specifically, ozone does not easily escape from the ozonized water. Therefore, when one moves one's nose close to the ozonized water, one never or hardly smells an odor peculiar to ozone. According to the experiment of the inventor and others, the ozone concentration can be increased to, for example, about 20 ppm under the atmospheric pressure. High-concentration ozonized water is not only effective for sterilization and disinfection, but also can be applied directly to a human body (for example, cleaning of hands and faces) due to no ozone escape. The conventional ozonized water has considerable ozone escape, and it is feared that the escaped ozone has an adverse effect on respiratory organs of human bodies, livestock and the like. Therefore, it has been difficult to use the conventional ozonized water for human bodies, livestock and the like as described above. Even if the ozonized water is used, the ozone concentration reduces due to ozone escape, and the effect of disinfection or the like is hardly expected. Further, unlike the ozonized water (functional water) which is produced by adding an additive (electrolysis aid) such as sodium chloride, the above described ozonized water is produced by the gas-liquid mixing method that mixes water to be treated and ozone, and therefore, it contains no additive. In the respect of containing no additive, the above described ozonized water is suitable for use for human bodies and the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 25)Ozonized water according to the invention set forth in claim 25 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the ozonized water of claim 25”) is produced by mixing ozone into water to be treated while causing a magnetic force to act on the water to be treated, and characterized in that a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm.
According to the ozonized water of claim 25, the particle size R of the ozone bubbles is 0<R<50 nm, and therefore, the ozone bubbles hardly receive buoyancy. Therefore, ozone bubbles stay in the ozonized water (the water to be treated) stably without floating. Specifically, ozone does not easily escape from the ozonized water. Therefore, when one moves one's nose close to the ozonized water, one never or hardly smells an odor peculiar to ozone. According to the experiment of the inventor and others, the ozone concentration can be increased to, for example, about 20 ppm under the atmospheric pressure. High-concentration ozonized water is not only effective for sterilization and disinfection, but also can be applied directly to a human body (for example, cleaning of hands and faces) due to no ozone escape. The conventional ozonized water has considerable ozone escape, and it is feared that the escaped ozone has an adverse effect on respiratory organs of human bodies, livestock and the like. Therefore, it has been difficult to use the conventional ozonized water for human bodies, livestock and the like. Even if the ozonized water is used, the ozone concentration reduces due to ozone escape, and the effect of disinfection or the like is hardly expected. Further, unlike the ozonized water (functional water) which is produced by adding an additive (electrolysis aid) such as sodium chloride, the above described ozonized water is produced by the gas-liquid mixing method that mixes water to be treated and ozone, and therefore, it contains no additive. In the respect of containing no additive, the above described ozonized water is suitable for use for human bodies and the like.
(Characteristic of the Invention According to Claim 26)Ozonized water according to the invention set forth in claim 26 (hereinafter, properly referred to as “the ozonized water of claim 26”) is characterized in that a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm.
According to the ozonized water of claim 26, the particle size R of the ozone bubbles is 0<R<50 nm, and therefore, the ozone bubbles hardly receive buoyancy. Therefore, ozone bubbles stay in the ozonized water (the water to be treated) stably without floating. Specifically, ozone does not easily escape from the ozonized water. Therefore, when one moves one's nose close to the ozonized water, one never or hardly smells an odor peculiar to ozone. According to the experiment of the inventor and others, the ozone concentration can be increased to, for example, about 20 ppm under the atmospheric pressure. High-concentration ozonized water is not only effective for sterilization and disinfection, but also can be applied directly to a human body (for example, cleaning of hands and faces) due to no ozone escape. The conventional ozonized water has considerable ozone escape, and it is feared that the escaped ozone has an adverse effect on respiratory organs of human bodies, livestock and the like. Therefore, it has been difficult to use the conventional ozonized water for human bodies, livestock and the like as described above. Even if the ozonized water is used, the ozone concentration reduces due to ozone escape, and the effect of disinfection or the like is hardly expected. Further, unlike the ozonized water (functional water) which is produced by adding an additive (electrolysis aid) such as sodium chloride, the above described ozonized water is produced by the gas-liquid mixing method that mixes water to be treated and ozone, and therefore, it contains no additive. In the respect of containing no additive, the above described ozonized water is suitable for use for human bodies and the like.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTIONAccording to the present invention, an ozonized water producing apparatus capable of efficiently and easily producing high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree, a gas-liquid mixing structure for use in the ozonized water producing apparatus, and an ozonized water producing method can be provided. Further, high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree can be provided.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTIONReferring to each of the drawings, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.
Based on
Explanation will be made based on
Reference is made to
Explanation will be made with reference to
Based on
The second vortex flow pump 31′ shown in
Reference is made to
Explanation will be made based on
Reference is made to
The average particle size of the ozonized water when sprayed by the pressure pump 7 and the nozzle 9 (nozzle group 9) is suitably set in the range of 40 to below 200 μm or of 200 to 1000 μm in accordance with the use purpose or the like. This is for the reason that since the pressure of the ozonized water to be sprayed needs to be set in the above described range of 0.2 to 0.8 MPa, in order to spray the ozonized water in such a pressure range, the average particle size has a fixed limit, and this is also for the reason that the ozonized water of such a particle size sprayed from the nozzle is efficiently spread to livestock and the barn, and has less risk of piggy or the like catching a cold. The ozonized water taken out of the storage tank 15 via a pipeline 17 is sucked into the pressure pump 7 from an intake port, where it is pressurized to be fed by pressure to a water supply line 103 from a discharge port, and it is further fed by pressure to a spray line 105 via an electromagnetic valve 104. The ozonized water which is fed by pressure from one side of the spray line 105 in this way is partially sprayed from the nozzle 9 as described above, and the excess ozonized water remaining after the spraying can be returned to the storage tank 15 via a return line 107 communicating with the other side of the spray line 105. The electromagnetic valve 104 is a valve for stopping supply of the ozonized water to the spray line 105, but supply and shutoff of it are controllable by only operation and stoppage of the pressure pump 7, and therefore, the electromagnetic valve 104 can be omitted.
(Operation of the Ozonized Water Producing Apparatus)Reference is made to
In this case, the first vortex flow pump 31 and the second vortex flow pump 31′ mix the water by assisting each other with pressure. Specifically, the first vortex flow pump 31 and the second vortex flow pump 31′ basically have the same structures and capacities, but by assisting each other with pressure, the discharge side of the second vortex flow pump 31′ is at a pressure slightly higher than the discharge side of the first vortex flow pump 31 (the pressure of the cyclone 55 and that of the ozone return pipe 65 which returns to the second vortex flow pump 31′ via the gas-liquid separating device 57 are the same), and excess ozone is returned to the second vortex flow pump 31′ by the negative pressure of the second vortex flow pump 31′. Namely, occurrence of excess ozone is extremely a little, and thereby, burden on the ozone supply structure 19 can be made small.
First Modified Example of the Ozonized Water Producing ApparatusA sterilizing system 1A including a first modified example of the aforementioned ozonized water producing apparatus will be described with reference to
Based on
Based on
A second modified example of the ozonized water producing apparatus will be described with reference to
As shown in
The ozone supply structure 203 is a device for generating and supplying ozone. The ozone generation principle or the like on which the ozone supply structure 203 works is not limited, if only it can supply a required ozone amount. The ozone generated by the ozone supply structure 203 is supplied to the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 through an electromagnetic valve 218 and a check-valve 219 which are provided halfway in an ozone supply pipe 217.
(Gas-Liquid Mixing Structure)The details of the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 will be described with reference to
The magnetic circuit 243 is fixed to the Venturi tube 231 with a screw (not illustrated). The magnetic circuit 243 is constituted of one magnet piece 245 and the other magnet piece 246 which are opposed to each other with the Venturi tube 231 therebetween, and a connecting member 248 having U-shaped in section (see
According to the above constitution, the water to be treated which passes through the upstream side large path 232 is compressed when passing through the contracting inclined path 233, the water pressure abruptly increases, and at the same time, the passing speed abruptly rises. The peaks of high pressure and high speed occur when the water to be treated reaches the small-diameter path 234. The water to be treated which has passed through the small-diameter path 234 abruptly reduces in pressure and speed in the opening inclined path 235, and receives impact or the like of the collision with the following water to be treated to be a turbulent flow. Thereafter, the water to be treated passes through the downstream side large path 236, and goes out of the gas-liquid mixing structure 205. The diffused ozone is wrapped into the turbulent flow of the water to be treated to be bubbles in various sizes large and small and subjected to a stirring action. The water to be treated (ozone) flowing in the small-diameter path 234 and at least downstream of it is subjected to the above described stirring action and a magnetic action by the function of the magnetic circuit 243. Specifically, increase of the water pressure of the water to be treated up to the pressure peak and decrease of the pressure immediately after it reaches the pressure peak, and supply of ozone to the water to be treated which reaches the pressure peak are performed in the magnetic field. The stirring action and the magnetic force action of the magnetic field generate a synergistic effect, as a result of which, ozone dissolves in the water to be treated and high-concentration ozonized water having a high dissolution degree is produced.
(Dissolution Accelerating Tank)Referring to
At a substantially center of the top plate 253, a lifting hole 253h is penetrated. The lifting hole 253h communicates with an inside of a gas-liquid separating device 265 arranged outside the top plate 253. The gas-liquid separating device 265 functions as a degassing structure for separating and discharging the water to be treated lifted up from the storage chamber 258 through the lifting hole 253h, and ozone escaping from the water to be treated. The ozone separated by the gas-liquid separating device 265 is decomposed and rendered harmless by an ozone decomposing device 267, and thereafter, released outside the device. The ozone dissolution degree in the water to be treated is extremely high, and therefore, the amount of ozone which escapes is extremely small, but in order to enhance safety, the ozone decomposing device 267 or the like is provided. The water to be treated which is fed into the storage chamber 258 by the lifting pipe 261 is lowered by being pressed by the following water to be treated. The water to be treated which reaches the lower end turns in the lower end communication passage 257 and rises in the inter-wall passage 259, and is discharged outside through the drain port 255h. Part of the water to be treated is lifted up into the gas-liquid separating device 265. In the meantime, ozone dissolves in the water to be treated by the action of aging assimilation, and ozonized water with a high dissolution degree is produced. On the other hand, when ozone which remains undissolved, or has temporarily dissolved but escapes is present, such ozone rises into the gas-liquid separating device 265 and is separated there. Accordingly, most of the ozone which cannot dissolve completely can be removed from the water to be treated. As a result, the ozone dissolution degree of the water to be treated which passes through the dissolution accelerating tank 206 becomes dramatically high.
(Circulation Structure)Referring to
Referring to
Referring to Tables 3 and 4, the concentration comparison experiment will be described. Table 3 shows the relationship of the ozone concentration of the ozonized water and concentration rising time. Table 4 shows the time required for the ozone concentration of the ozonized water shown in Table 3 to reach zero after stopping the operation of the producing apparatus. It shows that the longer the time before the ozone concentration reaches zero, the higher the ozone dissolution degree. In Tables 3 and 4, mark “□” represents the ozonized water produced by using the present apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “present ozonized water”), mark “x” represents the ozonized water produced by using the gas-liquid mixing structure with only the magnetic circuits removed from the comparative apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “ozonized water without magnetism”), mark “Δ” represents the ozonized water produced by the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 and the magnetic circuit 243a in the comparative apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “upstream side magnetism ozonized water”, mark “∘” represents the ozonized water produced by the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 and the magnetic circuit 243b in the comparative apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “downstream side magnetism ozonized water), and mark “⋄” represents the ozonized water produced by the gas-liquid mixing structure 205 and both the magnetic circuit 243a and the magnetic circuit 243b in the comparison apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “both side magnetism ozonized water”). The temperature of the water to be treated was 5° C., the ambient humidity was 36 to 43%, and the ambient temperature was 17° C.
As shown in Table 3, within 35 minutes of production time after starting the operation of the producing apparatus, the present ozonized water reached the ozone concentration of 20 ppm, whereas under the same conditions, the ozonized water without magnetism reached the ozone concentration of only about 8 ppm, the downstream side magnetism ozonized water reached the ozone concentration of only about 11 ppm, the upstream side magnetism ozonized water reached to the ozone concentration of only about 12 ppm, and the both side magnetism ozonized water reached the ozone concentration of only about 13 ppm. From this, it is firstly found out that the ozone concentration is enhanced by providing the magnetic circuit as compared with the case where it is not provided, and it is secondary found out that when comparing the case where the magnetic circuit is integrated with the gas-liquid mixing structure and the case where the magnetic circuit is provided at the spot other than the gas-liquid mixing structure, with the same magnetic circuits provided in both the cases, the ozonized water higher in concentration by at least 7 ppm can be produced in the former case than in the latter case. Specifically, the result that with respect to the ozone concentration, the present ozonized water is higher by substantially 54% ((20−13)/13×100) as compared with the both side magnetism ozonized water was obtained.
As shown in Table 4, while it took not less than 32 hours for the ozone concentration of the present ozonized water which reached the ozone concentration of 20 ppm to reduce to zero, it took only about 3.5 hours for the ozone concentration of the both side magnetism ozonized water to reduce to zero from 13 ppm, and this was the longest time of all the comparison target ozonized waters. Accordingly, the present ozonized water contained ozone for the time which is nearly ten times as long as that of the both side magnetism ozonized water. In other words, the present ozonized water kept the ozone, which was dissolved as a result of injecting the same amount of ozone and spending the same time period as the both side magnetism ozone water, for a time period nearly ten times as long as the time period for which the both side magnetism ozonized water kept the ozone. This plainly shows the high ozone dissolution degree of the present ozonized water.
(Ozone Bubble Particle Size Measurement Experiment)Referring to Tables 5 and 6, the particle size measurement experiment of the ozone bubbles contained in the present ozonized water will be described. Tables 5 and 6 show the particle size distribution of the ozone bubbles contained in the present ozonized water (see the left side vertical axis). In this measurement experiment, four kinds of the present ozonized waters were set as the measurement target from the relationship of the ozone concentration and the ozone concentration keeping time. First, two kinds of ozone concentrations 3 ppm and 14 ppm were set, and next, the ozonized waters were divided into the ozonized waters immediately after reaching the respective concentrations (hereinafter, referred to as “the ozonized water immediately after 3 ppm” and “the ozonized water immediately after 14 ppm” respectively), and the ozonized waters keeping the concentrations for 15 minutes after reaching the concentrations (hereinafter, referred to as “the ozonized water keeping 3 ppm”, and “the ozonized water keeping 14 ppm” respectively). Specifically, four kinds of ozonized waters, that are “the ozonized water immediately after 3 ppm”, “the ozonized water keeping 3 ppm”, “the ozonized water immediately after 14 ppm”, and “the ozonized water keeping 14 ppm” are the measurement targets according to the measurement experiment. Here, as the raw water of the present ozonized water used in this measurement experiment, the pure water which was obtained by filtering tap water with the reverse osmosis membrane of absolute filtration of fine particle of 0.05 μm (50 nm) was used. The apparatus used for obtaining the pure water in this experiment was an ultra pure water device (model name: Model•UHP) made by SENA Co., Ltd. Since impurities of not less than 50 nm (for example, iron and magnesium) are contained in tap water, if the ozonized water which is produced from the non-filtered raw water is used as the measurement target, the impurities contained in it may be measured to cause a measurement error, and therefore, the impurities are removed by filtration in advance so that correct measurement of the bubble particle size of ozone can be made. The same thing can be said of raw water other than tap water, for example, well water and river water. The measurement instrument used for the particle size measurement of ozone bubbles was the dynamic light scattering type particle size distribution measurement instrument ((HORIBA, Ltd): model LB500). It goes without saying that if the means capable of correctly measuring the particle size of ozone bubbles without filtering impurities from raw water is available, measurement can be made by using the means.
First, based on Table 5, the ozonized water immediately after 3 ppm and the ozonized water keeping 3 ppm will be discussed. The graph at the right end of Table 5 shows the ozonized water immediately after 3 ppm, and the graph at the left end of the same shows the ozonized water keeping 3 ppm. It is found out that the ozonized water immediately after 3 ppm contains ozone bubbles each having a particle size of 1.3 μm (1300 nm) to 6.0 μm (6000 nm). On the other hand, it is found out that the ozonized water keeping 3 ppm contains ozone bubbles each having a particle size of 0.0034 μm (3.40 nm) to 0.0050 μm (5.00 nm).
Next, the ozonized water immediately after 14 ppm and the ozonized water keeping 14 ppm will be discussed based on Table 6. The graph at the right end of Table 6 shows the ozonized water immediately after 14 ppm, and the graph at the left end of the same shows the ozonized water keeping 14 ppm. It is found out that the ozonized water immediately after 14 ppm contains ozone bubbles each having a particle size of 2.3 μm (2300 nm) to 6.0 μm (6000 nm). On the other hand, it is found out that the ozonized water keeping 14 ppm contains ozone bubbles each having a particle size of 0.0034 nm (3.40 nm) to 0.0058 μm (5.80 nm).
The first point which has become apparent from the above described experiment is that even though the ozonized waters have the same concentration, the ozonized water immediately after reaching the concentration (immediately-after ozonized water) and the ozonized water keeping the concentration for a predetermined time (keeping ozonized water) have different particle sizes of the ozone bubbles (hereinafter, referred to as “bubble particle size” contained in them. In the case of ozonized water of 3 ppm, the minimum value of the particle size of a bubble of the immediately-after ozonized water has the value which is 260 times (1300/5.0) as large as the maximum value of the particle size of the bubble of the keeping ozonized water. Similarly, in the case of the ozonized water of 14 ppm, the minimum value of the particle size of a bubble of the immediately-after ozonized water has the value which is about 400 times (2300/5.8) as large as the maximum value of the particle size of the bubble of the keeping ozonized water. Specifically, by keeping the concentration for a predetermined time, that is, by circulating the ozonized water which is the water to be treated, the bubble particle size can be made small. The ozone bubbles with bubble particle sizes of less than 50 can be stably floated in aqueous solution. It has been found out that according to the ozonized water producing method according to the invention of the present application, the ozonized water containing ozone bubbles with the particle sizes R of less than 50 nm (0<R<50 nm), that is, the ozonized water with a high dissolution degree can be obtained. This is the second point that has become evident from the experiment. According to the experiment, the lowest actual measured value of the particle size R of the ozone bubble is 3.4 nm, and the value less than this has not been measured. The reason why such a value has not been measured is considered to be due to the limit of the measurement ability of the measuring device. Since the particle sizes R of the ozone bubbles become smaller after keeping the concentration as compared with immediately after reaching the concentration, it is easily imaginable that the ozone bubbles having the particle sizes R which are infinitely close to zero can exist in extension of reduction in particle size.
(pH Measurement Experiment)The pH measurement experiment was conducted with respect to the above described four kinds of ozonized waters, that is, “the ozonized water immediately after 3 ppm”, “the ozonized water keeping 3 ppm”, “the ozonized water immediately after 14 ppm” and “the ozonized water keeping 14 ppm”. The result is shown by the line graphs in Tables 5 and 6 (see the vertical axes at the right sides). Each ozonized water showed about pH 7.3 before and after the ozone dissolution. Specifically, it has been found out that ozone dissolution hardly changes pH of the raw water. It has been found out that since well water and tap water substantially show neutrality (pH 6.5 to 7.5), the present ozonized water produced by the gas-liquid mixing method shows neutrality even if it is not doped with an additive for adjusting pH. When the raw water is alkaline, alkaline ozonized water can be produced since ozone dissolution does not change the pH of the ozonized water.
The above described experimental result will be summarized. The present ozonized water which was the target of the above described experiment is produced by gas-liquid mixture by mixing ozone into the raw water without adding any additive. Further, ozone dissolution degree is so high that ozone does not escape easily under atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the present ozonized water is safe if it is sprayed to, for example, livestock and human bodies in the respect of having no additive and no ozone escape. Since the ozone concentration can be made extremely high, an efficient cleaning and sterilizing effect and the like can be obtained by using the present ozonied water.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS[
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- 1 STERILIZING SYSTEM
- 1A STERILIZING SYSTEM
- 3 WATER INTAKE VALVE
- 4 PIPELINE
- 5 OZONIZED WATER PRODUCING APPARATUS
- 7 PRESSURE PUMP
- 9 NOZZLE (NOZZLE GROUP)
- 11 RAW WATER FRAGMENTING STRUCTURE
- 11a CASING
- 11b PACKING
- 11c MAGNET (CARBON CHIP GROUP, ULTRASONIC WAVE GENERATING DEVICE)
- 13 OZONE DISSOLVING STRUCTURE
- 15 STORAGE TANK
- 16 PIPELINE
- 17 PIPELINE
- 19 OZONE SUPPLY STRUCTURE (OZONE SUPPLY DEVICE)
- 20 PIPELINE
- 21 CIRCULATION STRUCTURE
- 22 CHECK-VALVE
- 23 VALVE
- 31 FIRST VORTEX FLOW PUMP
- 31′ SECOND VORTEX FLOW PUMP
- 31′A VORTEX FLOW PUMP
- 32 PUMP MAIN BODY
- 32a INTAKE PART
- 32b DISCHARGE PART
- 32d PRESSURE RAISING PASSAGE
- 32e INTAKE PATH
- 32f DISCHARGE PATH
- 32m MAGNET
- 33 IMPELLER
- 33a IMPELLER MAIN BODY
- 33b BLADE PIECE
- 33c BLADE GROOVE
- 33d ROTARY SHAFT
- 34 OZONE RETURN PART
- 34a RETURN PATH
- 35 EJECTOR
- 35A EJECTOR
- 36 VENTURI TUBE
- 36a INLET PATH
- 36b OUTLET PATH
- 36c NARROW PATH
- 36m MAGNET
- 37 OZONE SUPPLY PIPE
- 37a SUPPLY PATH
- 38 SMALL-DIAMETER PATH
- 41 STATIC MIXER
- 41a STREAM TUBE
- 41b BAFFLE BOARD GROUP
- 42 PIPELINE
- 46 PIPELINE
- 51 STATIC MIXER
- 52 PIPELINE
- 55 CYCLONE
- 56 CYCLONE MAIN BODY
- 56a UPPER SPACE
- 57 GAS-LIQUID SEPARATING DEVICE
- 61 OZONIZED WATER RETURN PIPE
- 63 TEMPERATURE KEEPING DEVICE
- 65 OZONE RETURN PIPE
- 70 PIPELINE
- 71 CHECK-VALVE
- 103 WATER SUPPLY LINE
- 104 ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE
- 105 SPRAY LINE
- 107 RETURN LINE
- 109 FILTER
- 201 OZONE WATER PRODUCING APPARATUS
- 202 STORAGE TANK
- 203 OZONE SUPPLY STRUCTURE
- 204 CIRCULATION STRUCTURE
- 205 GAS-LIQUID MIXING STRUCTURE
- 206 DISSOLUTION ACCELERATING TANK
- 207 TEMPERATURE KEEPING STRUCTURE
- 231 VENTURI TUBE
- 232 UPSTREAM SIDE LARGE-DIAMETER PATH
- 233 CONSTRICTING INCLINED PATH
- 234 SMALL-DIAMETER PATH
- 235 OPENING INCLINED PATH
- 236 DOWNSTREAM SIDE LARGE-DIAMETER PATH
- 239 OZONE SUPPLY PIPE
- 243 MAGNETIC CIRCUIT
- 245 ONE MAGNET PIECE
- 246 OTHER MAGNET PIECE
- 265 GAS-LIQUID SEPARATING DEVICE
- 267 OZONE DECOMPOSING DEVICE
Claims
1. An ozonized water producing apparatus, comprising:
- a pipeline for passing water to be treated through;
- a gas-liquid mixing structure provided halfway in the pipeline; and
- an ozone supply structure for supplying ozone into the gas-liquid mixing structure,
- wherein the gas-liquid mixing structure is provided with a magnet for exerting a magnetic force onto an inside.
2. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 1,
- wherein said gas-liquid mixing structure comprises a Venturi tube having a small-diameter path, and an ozone supply pipe having an open end at a position facing the small-diameter path, and
- said ozone supply structure is connected to a connecting end of the ozone supply pipe.
3. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 2,
- wherein said magnet is constituted to be able to exert a magnetic force on at least the small-diameter path and/or a vicinity of the small-diameter path of said Venturi tube.
4. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 2,
- wherein said magnet is constituted of a magnetic circuit including one magnet piece and the other magnet piece, and
- the one magnet piece and the other magnet piece are opposed to each other with said Venturi tube therebetween.
5. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 1,
- wherein the magnetic force of said magnet is set at 3000 gausses to 20000 gausses.
6. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a circulation structure for circulating the water to be treated which has passed through said gas-liquid mixing structure to cause the water to be treated to pass through the gas-liquid mixing structure again,
- wherein the circulation structure comprises said pipeline.
7. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 6,
- wherein a storage tank for temporarily storing the water to be treated which is circulated is provided halfway in said circulation structure.
8. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:
- a temperature keeping structure for keeping the water to be treated in said storage tank at a temperature in a range of 5° C. to 15° C.
9. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a dissolution accelerating tank for temporarily storing the water to be treated passing through the circulation structure to accelerate ozone dissolution is provided downstream from said gas-liquid mixing structure and upstream from said storage tank halfway in said circulation structure.
10. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 9,
- wherein a degassing structure that is capable of discharging ozone which escapes from the stored water to be treated is provided at a top portion of said dissolution accelerating tank.
11. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 6,
- wherein said circulation structure further comprises a mixing accelerating structure for accelerating mixing of ozone into water, and
- the mixing accelerating structure is provided with a magnet for exerting a magnetic force on an inside.
12. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 11,
- wherein said mixing accelerating structure is a static mixer and/or a vortex flow pump.
13. The ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 11,
- wherein the magnetic force of said magnet is set at 3000 gausses to 20000 gausses.
14. A gas-liquid mixing structure used for an ozonized water producing apparatus,
- said gas-liquid mixing structure is constituted to be usable for the ozonized water producing apparatus according to claim 2.
15. A gas-liquid mixing structure used for an ozonized water producing apparatus, comprising:
- a Venturi tube having a small-diameter path, an ozone supply pipe having an open end at a position facing the small-diameter path, and a magnet for exerting a magnetic force on at least the small-diameter path and/or a vicinity of the small-diameter path of the Venturi tube.
16. An ozonized water producing method for producing ozonized water by passing water to be treated through a Venturi tube having a small-diameter path, and supplying ozone through an ozone supply pipe having an open end disposed at a position facing the small-diameter path,
- wherein a magnetic force is caused to act on at least the small-diameter path and/or a vicinity of the small-diameter path of the Venturi tube.
17. The ozonized water producing method according to claim 16,
- wherein the water to be treated which has passed said Venturi tube is circulated, and is caused to pass through said Venturi tube at least once again while ozone is being supplied.
18. The ozonized water producing method according to claim 17,
- wherein said circulated water to be treated is temporarily stored in a storage tank.
19. The ozonized water producing method according to claim 18,
- wherein the water to be treated stored in said storage tank is temporarily taken out and kept at a temperature in a range of 5° C. to 15° C.
20. The ozonized water producing method according to claim 16,
- wherein the water to be treated after ozone is mixed therein is temporarily stored in a dissolution accelerating tank to accelerate ozone dissolution.
21. The ozonized water producing method according to claim 20,
- wherein ozone escaping from the water to be treated which is stored in said dissolution accelerating tank is discharged to an outside of the dissolution accelerating tank.
22. An ozonized water producing method,
- wherein in a magnetic field, hydraulic pressure of water to be treated is increased until it reaches a pressure peak, and is reduced immediately after it reaches the pressure peak, and ozone is supplied to the water to be treated which reaches the pressure peak.
23. The ozonized water which is produced by the ozonized water producing method according to claim 16,
- wherein a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm.
24. Ozonized water which is produced by a gas-liquid mixing method,
- wherein a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm.
25. Ozonized water which is produced by mixing ozone into water to be treated while causing a magnetic force to act on the water to be treated,
- wherein a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm.
26. Ozonized water,
- wherein a particle size R of an ozone bubble contained in the ozonized water satisfies 0<R<50 nm.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 21, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 29, 2009
Inventors: Eiji Matsumura (Kanagawa-Prefecture), Nobuko Hagiwara (Tokyo)
Application Number: 11/816,189
International Classification: C02F 1/78 (20060101); C02F 1/48 (20060101); C02F 103/02 (20060101); C02F 103/04 (20060101);