KR20090027908A

KR20090027908A - Tap water discharge terminal having a built-in disinfection unit for disinfecting germs in a tap water

Info

Publication number: KR20090027908A
Application number: KR1020070093095A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 윤제용; 조민
Original assignee: 재단법인서울대학교산학협력재단
Priority date: 2007-09-13
Filing date: 2007-09-13
Publication date: 2009-03-18

Abstract

A tap water discharge device equipped with a disinfection member is provided, which disinfects pathogenic microorganism contained in the tap water before water is supplied to a user. A tap water discharge device comprises: a disinfection source member(100) supplying the disinfectant for disinfecting the pathogenic microorganism; a protection member(200) for protecting the disinfection source member from the flow of the tap water; and a fixing member(300) for fixing the disinfection source member and protection member on the inner wall of the tap water discharge device. The disinfection source member includes an ultra-violet ray lamp for emitting the ultraviolet ray and a power supply member for supplying the power to the ultra-violet ray lamp.

Description

TAP WATER DISCHARGE TERMINAL HAVING A BUILT-IN DISINFECTION UNIT FOR DISINFECTING GERMS IN A TAP WATER}

The present invention relates to a tap water discharge mechanism, and more particularly to a tap water discharge mechanism having a disinfection unit capable of disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms contained in tap water.

Frequent tap water-related events and debates on stability since the 1990s have increased public distrust in drinking water. In particular, the issue of the importance of controlling pathogenic microorganisms in tap water has become an important issue worldwide. In the United States, 60.7% of all 89 cases of waterborne outbreaks were reported from 1971 to 1998. have. In 1993, more than 400,000 people were infected by a protozoan called Cryptosporidium parvum in Milwaukee, USA, which greatly increased interest in disinfection in water treatment to produce tap water. Since then, many cases of Cryptosporidium infection have been reported in many countries such as Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In Korea, the detection of pathogenic microorganisms including Cryptosporidium in drinking water has been reported continuously. Since Cryptosporidium exists in the form of a cyst surrounded by a thick cell wall, there is a problem in that chlorine used in most water purification processes in Korea is almost impossible to disinfect.

The introduction of powerful disinfection and sterilization processes using ozone or ultraviolet light to remove protozoa such as Cryptosporidium is being considered, but it is not yet in practical use. In particular, ozone facilities are already widely used but are not operated for the purpose of disinfecting tap water.

In order to sterilize and disinfect pathogenic microorganisms (Germ), methods such as ozone contact, ultraviolet ray irradiation, and membrane filtering have been proposed. Among these disinfection methods, the ultraviolet irradiation method is the most widely used in terms of economy and ease of installation because it can be simply installed without the need for complicated equipment. In particular, since the residual characteristics of tap water is lower than that of ozone, even when used in tap water discharge devices such as taps and showers, the possibility of harming the human body is low. Disinfection of the virus is relatively difficult, but the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms present in the tap water discharge mechanism is significantly lower than the raw water or water purification process does not substantially cause a big problem due to lack of disinfection of the virus.

1 is a view schematically showing a conventional tap water supply path in the related art.

Referring to FIG. 1, in a general tap water supply system, a certain level of pathogenic microorganisms is filtered through a sand filtration process, and the pathogenic microorganisms are inactivated through a disinfection process. However, in the case of microorganisms that are small in size, such as viruses, or that have a hard surface, such as protozoa or spore microorganisms, such a water purification process may not be sufficient. In addition, there may be secondary pollution such as contamination by water pipes or indoor water supply pipes or contamination by biofilms.

In general, tap water is not directly used as drinking water, but is purified or boiled. However, the risk of pathogenic microorganisms is not only present when drinking water directly. Infections can occur when you rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth, or when you use a dish or cutlery that has been cleaned with unsafe microbiological tap water. If the disinfection device is installed in the middle of the reservoir or pipeline to prevent the risk caused by pathogenic microorganisms, there is a need for a separate site or space, the cost is increased and there is a difficulty in maintenance. In addition, the risk of contamination at intermediate stages, such as faucets or showers, which are disinfection and discharge devices, continues to exist.

Therefore, in order to fundamentally prevent the risk caused by pathogenic microorganisms, there is an increasing need for a tap water discharge device capable of disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms immediately before tap water is supplied to a user.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disinfecting member for incorporating a tap water discharge device, which is capable of disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms contained in tap water immediately before being supplied to a user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tap water discharge mechanism having the internal disinfection member.

In order to achieve the above object, an internal disinfection member for tap water discharge apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a disinfection source unit for supplying disinfectant for disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms, and a protection member for protecting the disinfection source unit from the flow of tap water. And a fixing part for fixing the disinfection source part and the protection member to an inner wall of the tap water discharge mechanism.

In one embodiment, the disinfection source unit includes an ultraviolet lamp for discharging ultraviolet rays and a power supply for supplying power to the ultraviolet lamp, and the fixing unit is integrally disposed with the power supply unit. In another embodiment, the disinfection source unit may include an ozone generator for generating ozone and a power supply unit for supplying power to the ozone generator, and the fixing unit may be integrated with the power supply unit.

In one embodiment, the tap water flowing into the tap water discharge mechanism by adjusting the amount of the first guide and the tap water is discharged to the tap water discharge mechanism without direct contact with the protection member the tap water introduced into the tap water discharge mechanism. A second guide may be further included to sufficiently expose the disinfecting member.

Tap water discharge mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object has a body having an inlet connected to the supply pipe for supplying the tap water and the outlet for discharging the tap water for use by the user, the inlet and outlet Is disposed between the control valve for controlling the flow of tap water from the inlet to the outlet and the disinfecting portion for fixing the pathogenic microorganisms (germs) contained in the tap water fixed to the inner wall of the body between the outlet and the control valve Include.

In an embodiment, the disinfecting unit includes a disinfection source unit supplying a disinfectant for disinfecting the pathogenic microorganism, a protection member for protecting the disinfection source unit from the flow of tap water, and the disinfection source unit and the protection member of the body. It includes a fixing portion for fixing to a part. In this case, the disinfection source unit includes an ultraviolet lamp for discharging ultraviolet rays and a power supply for supplying power to the ultraviolet lamp. The power supply unit is disposed integrally with the fixing member, and the ultraviolet light has a short wavelength of 200 nm to 280 nm. The ultraviolet lamp is a 9W lamp having a 'U' shape and generates ultraviolet light having a short wavelength of 253 nm.

In one embodiment, the protection member includes a cylindrical shape having an inner space in which the ultraviolet lamp is located and an opening blocked by the power supply. The protective member is formed of quartz, and ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet lamp disposed in the inner space may sufficiently penetrate the protective member.

In one embodiment, the disinfecting portion further includes a first guide for guiding the tap water supplied through the inlet to the disinfecting portion and a second guide for guiding the tap water sterilized with pathogenic bacteria by the disinfecting portion to the outlet.

The body is the body of the faucet for supplying tap water to the home from the external water pipe, the body of the faucet for water purifying the water discharged from the faucet and the shower for discharging the tap water discharged from the faucet into a plurality of fine holes It may include any one of the discharge faucet.

According to the present invention, since the pathogenic microorganisms contained in the tap water are disinfected just before being supplied to the user, the microbiologically safe tap water is supplied to the user. In addition, it is possible to improve the economics and ease of use by embedding the disinfection unit in the tap water discharge mechanism without a separate space or equipment for the disinfection device.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and those skilled in the art may implement the present invention in various other forms without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of the structure or attachments are shown to be larger than actual for clarity of the invention. In the present invention, when referred to as being formed "on", "top" or "bottom" of each element, region, or structure, is formed or located directly on or below each element, region, or structure. Mean, or a concept including additionally formed on other elements, other regions, or other structures.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing a disinfecting member capable of disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms contained in tap water which is built in a tap water discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 2, the internal tap water disinfection member 500 disposed inside the tap water discharge mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is a disinfection source unit 100 to supply a disinfectant for disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms, the disinfection A protective member 200 for protecting the source unit 100 from the flow of tap water, and a high for fixing the disinfection source unit 100 and the protective member 200 to the inner wall of the tap water discharge mechanism (not shown) Government 300.

In one embodiment, the disinfection source unit 100 is an ultraviolet lamp 110 for emitting ultraviolet light (Ultra Violet light, UV light) and a power supply unit 120 for supplying external power to the ultraviolet lamp 110. It includes.

3 is a graph showing ultraviolet irradiation and inactivation degree of microorganisms. Figure 3 shows the inactivation degree of microorganisms according to the irradiation dose by irradiating ultraviolet rays to collies (E, Colli), spores (Bacillus subtilis spore) and MS-2 phage, respectively known as indicator microorganisms of bacteria, protozoa and virus. It is measured. The x-axis of FIG. 3 represents the intensity of light, which is the product of ultraviolet light intensity (I) and irradiation time (T), and the y-axis shows the inactivation of each microorganism in log scale. Thus, on the y axis, -1 means that 90% of the microorganisms are inactivated, and -2 means 99% of the microorganisms are inactivated.

Referring to FIG. 3, the light intensity (IT × T) required for inactivating 90% (1 log) of E. coli is 4.8 mJ / cm ^2. (= mW / cm ² × sec), which means that 90% of E. coli is inactivated at 0.48 sec when 10 mW / cm ² UV radiation is applied. For protozoa, which has been of great interest in the recent water treatment process, it can be seen that the IT value of 99% inactivation is very weak to ultraviolet rays of 10 mJ / cm ² or less.

Based on the experimental results, the ultraviolet lamp 110 is used as the disinfection source unit 100 of the disinfection member 500. The ultraviolet lamp 110 includes a low pressure / low power lamp, a low pressure / high power lamp, a medium pressure / high power lamp, and a pulsed UV light. In the case of this embodiment, a low pressure / low power lamp is used, which is a lamp that emits ultraviolet light with a relatively short energy wavelength (about 15 W to about 70 W) but economical, simple to maintain, and about 253.7 nm. In this case, the UV lamp 500 may be appropriately used in the U-shape and straight tube in consideration of the output and efficiency of the disinfecting member 500.

However, it is obvious that the disinfection source portion of the present invention is not limited to the ultraviolet lamp by the experimental results, and the same effect can be achieved by a mechanism for using another disinfectant that can replace the ultraviolet lamp. Self-explanatory For example, it is apparent that an ozone generator capable of generating ozone by replacing the ultraviolet lamp may be used as the disinfection source unit 100. In this case, the disinfection source unit 100 may include an ozone generator for generating ozone and a power supply unit for supplying power to the ozone generator.

The protection member 200 is to prevent the ultraviolet lamp 110 from being destroyed by direct contact between the ultraviolet lamp 110 and the tap water, and is disposed to surround the ultraviolet lamp 110. In one embodiment, the protection member 200 has an internal space (S) that may include the disinfection source portion 100 therein and an opening 210 for opening the internal space (S). Thus, the ultraviolet lamp 110 is disposed in the internal space (S) to prevent direct contact with the tap water. The opening 210 is closed by the fixing part 300 to form the internal space S as a closed space. In this case, the power supply unit 120 is integrally formed with the fixing unit 300 to supply power to the ultraviolet lamp located in the closed space through the opening 210. In one embodiment, the protection member 200 is formed of a quartz (quartz) having excellent transmittance to ultraviolet light so that the ultraviolet light generated in the internal space sufficiently passes through the protection member 200 to flow along the protection member Can be disinfected

The fixing part 300 fixes the disinfection source part 100 and the protection member 200 to the inner wall of the tap water discharge mechanism. In one embodiment, the fixing part 300 formed integrally with the disinfection source 100 and the protection member 200 may be mechanically coupled to the inner wall of the tap water discharge mechanism. For example, the mechanical coupling includes screwing or interference fitting.

The disinfecting member 500 adjusts the amount of the first guide 410 and the tap water discharged to the tap water discharge mechanism to prevent the tap water introduced into the tap water discharge mechanism is in direct contact with the protection member 300 The tap water may further include a second guide 420 to sufficiently expose the disinfecting material (500).

In one embodiment, the first guide 410 is disposed on the upper portion of the protective member 200 to have the same width as the width of the protective member 200 is the tap water flowing toward the disinfecting member 500 1 It scatters from the upper surface of the guide 410. Accordingly, the tap water and the protection member 200 is prevented from directly contacting, and the tap water is supplied to the disinfecting member 500 while maintaining the scattering state. Accordingly, when the water pressure of the tap water is strong, the protection member 200 may be prevented from being destroyed by the direct contact with the tap water.

In one embodiment, the second guide 420 is disposed in the lower portion of the protective member 200 to adjust the flow rate of the tap water is disinfecting is discharged from the tap water discharge mechanism. For example, the second guide 420 is formed in the shape of a flat plate having the drain port 422 to form a space in which the inner wall of the tap water discharge mechanism and the tap water can be stored. Therefore, when a flow rate greater than the flow rate of the water inlet 422 flows into the disinfection member 500, the tap water is stored in the periphery of the disinfection member 500. Therefore, the pathogenic microorganisms contained in the tap water are sufficiently inactivated by the ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet lamp 110 while the tap water is stored in the periphery of the disinfection member 500. The sufficiently sterilized tap water is discharged through the outlet of the discharge mechanism connected to the drain port 422 so that the user can drink. At this time, it is apparent that the size of the drain 422 may be formed differently depending on the pipe size of the tap water discharge device and the use of the tap water discharged.

In this case, the tap water discharge device may include a faucet for supplying the tap water in a state in which the tap water can be finally used, or a tap of a water purifier connected to the faucet. In addition, it may include a shower for discharging the tap water discharged from the tap to a plurality of holes. Although the present embodiment refers to the disinfection of tap water, it is obvious that the disinfection source unit 100 of the disinfecting member 500 may vary according to the type of the drinking water when the drinking water is not tap water according to a specific situation. .

Built-in disinfection member 500 as described above is formed integrally inside the tap water discharge device, such as faucet has the advantage that the user can further disinfect the tap water without the need to install the disinfection member on the outside of the faucet.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the tap water discharge mechanism having a built-in disinfection member shown in FIG.

Referring to Figure 4, the tap water discharge mechanism 900 according to an embodiment of the present invention is the inlet 610 connected to the supply pipe (not shown) for supplying the tap water (W) and the tap water (so that the user can use) W is disposed between the body 600 having an outlet 620, the inlet 610 and the outlet 620 to discharge the control valve for controlling the flow of the tap water (W) in the body 600 The disinfection unit 500 is fixed to the inner wall of the body 600 between the outlet 700 and the outlet 620 and the control valve 700 to disinfect pathogenic microorganisms (germs) included in the tap water (W). Include.

As an embodiment, the body 600 forms an external shape of the tap water discharge device and receives purified water through the inlet 610 to discharge the water through the outlet 620 according to the user's convenience. In addition, the body 600 may have various applications according to the purpose of use of the tap water discharge mechanism. When the tap water is used as drinking water, the body 600 may be a body of a general household faucet. When the tap water is connected to a water purifier for purifying tap water discharged from a household faucet, it may include a discharge faucet of the water purifier. . In addition, when the tap water discharged from the domestic faucet is connected to the shower to use for the shower, the body may include a tap water discharge mechanism portion of the shower.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the body 600 having a single inlet 610 and the outlet 620 is disclosed, but the number of the only part 610 and the outlet 620 is formed in various ways depending on the conditions of use. It can be obvious. For example, when a hot water supply pipe for supplying hot water and a cold water supply pipe for supplying cold water are simultaneously connected to a household faucet, the inlets may be arranged in pairs, but the outlets may be formed in a single unit.

In one embodiment, the control valve 700 is disposed between the inlet 610 and the outlet 620 of the body 600 to block the flow of tap water flowing through the body. For example, the control valve 700 is configured to be screwed in a direction perpendicular to the tap water (W) flow inside the body 600 by the interval between the body 600 and the control valve 700. The flow rate of the tap water is controlled.

In one embodiment, the disinfection unit 500 is located between the outlet 620 and the control valve 700 and is fixed to the inner wall of the body 600 is disposed in parallel with the control valve 700. . Therefore, the tap water W introduced into the body 600 through the inlet 610 is disinfected by the disinfecting unit 500 before being discharged to the outlet 620. Therefore, pathogenic microorganisms contained in the tap water discharged to the outlet 620 may be sufficiently inactivated to receive microbiologically safe tap water.

Since the structure and function of the disinfection unit 500 is the same as the built-in disinfection member 500 shown in Figure 2, further detailed description of the disinfection unit is omitted. Also, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as the interior disinfecting member shown in FIG. 2.

In one embodiment, the tap water (W) is disinfected by ultraviolet light having a short wavelength of 200nm to 280nm. For example, the ultraviolet lamp is a 9W lamp having a 'U' shape and generates ultraviolet light having a short wavelength of 253 nm.

The process of removing the pathogenic microorganisms contained in the tap water by the tap water discharge mechanism 900 provided with the internal disinfection member is as follows.

When the control valve 700 is opened and the tap water (W) is supplied into the body 600, the tap water having a relaxed pressure is scattered by the surface of the first guide 410 and the protection member 200. Flows along the surface of the. At this time, using the disinfectant generated in the disinfection source unit 110 to inactivate the pathogenic microorganisms contained in the tap water. For example, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 253 nm are irradiated to disinfect pathogenic microorganisms. Tap water that has been disinfected is discharged to the outlet 620 according to the discharge flow rate of the drain 422. At this time, if the discharge flow rate of the water inlet 422 is adjusted to be smaller than the supply flow rate of the inlet 610, the tap water supplied to the body 600 is stagnated near the disinfection unit 500 and exposed to ultraviolet rays. Can be increased. Accordingly, there is an advantage that can fully disinfect the tap water supplied to the body 600.

Disinfection experiments on pathogenic microorganisms were performed on faucets using U-shaped low pressure / low power 9W ultraviolet lamps according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to the results measured using a UV radiometer (UV radiometer), the intensity of ultraviolet light generated from the interior disinfection member was about 15 ~ 18 mW / cm ² and the irradiation time was 0.8 seconds. Therefore, the average intensity of ultraviolet rays is 16.5 x 0.8 = 13.2 mJ / cm ² . As a result of measuring the inactivation of the three indicator microorganisms shown in Figure 3, 99.9% of E. coli was inactivated, and Bacillus subtilis 94% of spores were inactivated and 75% of MS-2 phage was inactivated. Microbial inactivation can be improved by changing the type of lamp or the residence time in the device. These experimental results show that UV-intestinal disinfection member is effective for disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms, and the above results are expected to inactivate 99.9% of protozoa. Considering 99.9% control of protozoa Giardia under domestic water treatment standards, it can be confirmed that the performance of the disinfection member in the tap water discharge device is excellent.

Tap water discharge mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention can adjust the treatment efficiency by adjusting the output, shape of the lamp, the body size of the faucet or shower, the tap water residence time. Regardless of the type of microorganism, the inactivation ability is excellent, and it is more effective because there is little effect by water temperature.

As described above, according to the present invention, a UV lamp for inactivating pathogenic microorganisms is installed inside a tap water discharge device such as a water tap, a faucet, or a shower, and the water tap, the faucet, or the shower is replaced while using an existing system. Just supplying microbiologically safe water. The disinfecting member according to the present invention is very economical due to the economical efficiency of the low power ultraviolet lamp and is effective regardless of external factors due to microorganism type, water quality characteristics, temperature, and the like.

As described above, although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be variously modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below. And can be changed.

3 is a graph showing ultraviolet irradiation and inactivation degree of microorganisms.

Claims

Disinfection source unit for supplying disinfectant for disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms;

A protection member for protecting the disinfection source part from the flow of tap water; And

And a fixing part for fixing the disinfection source part and the protection member to an inner wall of the tap water discharge device.

The tap water discharge of claim 1, wherein the disinfection source unit comprises an ultraviolet lamp for discharging ultraviolet rays and a power supply for supplying power to the ultraviolet lamp, and the fixing unit is disposed integrally with the power supply unit. Disinfectant for interior of instruments.

The tap water discharge of claim 1, wherein the disinfection source unit comprises an ozone generator for generating ozone and a power supply for supplying power to the ozone generator, and the fixing unit is disposed integrally with the power supply unit. Disinfectant for interior of instruments.

The tap water of claim 1, wherein the tap water is introduced into the tap water discharge mechanism by adjusting the amount of the first guide and the tap water discharged to the disinfecting member without directly contacting the tap water introduced into the tap water discharge mechanism. Disinfecting member for tap water discharge mechanism built-in, further comprising a second guide to be sufficiently exposed to the disinfecting member.

A body having an inlet connected to a supply pipe for supplying tap water and an outlet for discharging the tap water for use by a user;

A control valve disposed between the inlet and the outlet to control the flow of tap water from the inlet to the outlet; And

Tap water discharge mechanism is fixed to the inner wall of the body between the outlet and the control valve for disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms (germs) contained in the tap water.

The body of claim 5, wherein the disinfecting unit includes a disinfecting source unit supplying a disinfectant for disinfecting the pathogenic microorganism, a protective member for protecting the disinfecting source unit from the flow of tap water, and the disinfecting source unit and the protective member. Tap water discharge mechanism comprising a fixing portion for fixing to a portion of the.

The tap water discharging device of claim 6, wherein the disinfection source unit comprises an ultraviolet lamp for discharging ultraviolet rays and a power supply for supplying power to the ultraviolet lamp.

The tap water discharge mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the power supply unit is disposed integrally with the fixing member.

The tap water discharge mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the ultraviolet rays have a short wavelength of 200 nm to 280 nm.

10. The tap water discharge mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the ultraviolet lamp is a 9W lamp having a 'U' shape and generates ultraviolet light having a short wavelength of 253 nm.

8. The tap water discharge mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the protection member has a cylindrical shape having an inner space in which the ultraviolet lamp is located and an opening blocked by the power supply.

The tap water discharge mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the protection member is formed of quartz and ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet lamp disposed in the inner space sufficiently pass through the protection member.

The method of claim 6, wherein the disinfecting unit further comprises a first guide for guiding the tap water supplied through the inlet to the disinfecting unit and a second guide for guiding the tap water sterilized by the disinfecting unit to the outlet. Tap water discharge mechanism characterized in that.

According to claim 5, The body is a body of the faucet for supplying tap water to the home from the external water pipe, the body of the water purifier for purifying the tap water discharged from the faucet and a plurality of tap water discharged from the faucet Tap water discharge mechanism comprising any one of the discharge faucet for the shower to discharge to the fine holes.