WO2008069395A1

WO2008069395A1 - Air cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO2008069395A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003619
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin Yeong Lim; Cheol Nam; Eui Bung Jeoung; Jae Hyeon Park; Kyong Hwan Lee; Seung Young Lee
Original assignee: Sane Tech Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-12-07
Filing date: 2007-07-27
Publication date: 2008-06-12
Also published as: KR100793405B1

Abstract

Disclosed is an air cleaner. The air cleaner comprises a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port communicating with the intake port, a blower connected airtightly to the exhaust port of the housing and forcibly introducing external air into the intake port, at least one vortex generator installed in the housing and causing the external air introduced by the blower to thereby form a vortex, and at least one cleaning solution sprayer spraying a cleaning solution into the vortex generated by the vortex generator and forming a water curtain whirling together with the vortex.

Description

Description AIR CLEANER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an air cleaner, in which the efficiency with which external air is cleaned can be further improved due to a water curtain, in which a cleaning solution is separated from the external air by a cleaning solution separator, so that the cleaning solution can be more easily separated from the external air, in which the blades of at least one vortex generator are installed at an acute angle at regular intervals, so that the external air can more easily move in a vortex, and in which moisture and harmful organisms such as germs, which are contained in the external air, can be more easily eliminated and sterilized by a dehumidifier and a sterilizer. Background Art

[2] In general, an air cleaner serves to convert polluted air into clean air, and thus is installed in places where the level of air pollution is relatively high.

[3] Meanwhile, the air cleaner that is typically used in livestock barns such as pig barns includes a spray air cleaner.

[4] Here, the spray air cleaner generally comprises a housing having an intake port through which the air is introduced as well as an exhaust port, through which the air introduced from the intake port is exhausted, a cleaning solution sprayer spraying a cleaning solution into the air introduced through the intake port of the housing, and an outflow port installed on the housing and causing the cleaning solution to be discharged to the outside.

[5] First, in the case of the livestock barns such as pig barns, the air is introduced into the housing though the intake port of the housing.

[6] Here, the cleaning solution sprayer sprays the cleaning solution into the air introduced through the intake port of the housing. At this time, fine particles such as dust and materials such as ammonia, which are contained in the air, are eliminated by the cleaning solution.

[7] In this manner, the air, from which the fine particles such as dust and the materials such as ammonia are eliminated by the cleaning solution, is exhausted to the outside through the exhaust port of the housing, and simultaneously the cleaning solution falls down due to its weight and is discharged to the outside through the outflow port.

[8] Thus, the air can be supplied to the livestock barns such as pig barns in a clean state without odors.

[9] However, the contact area between the cleaning solution particles sprayed by the cleaning solution sprayer and the air is small, and thus it is difficult to clean the air ef- fectively.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[10] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air cleaner, capable of further improving the efficiency with which external air is cleaned using a water curtain, more easily separating a cleaning solution from the external air by separating the cleaning solution from the external air using a cleaning solution separator, causing the external air to more easily move in a vortex by installing blades of at least one vortex generator at an acute angle at regular intervals, and more easily eliminating and sterilizing moisture and harmful organisms such as germs, which are contained in the external air, using a dehumidifier and a sterilizer. Technical Solution

[11] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air cleaner, which comprises a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port communicating with the intake port, a blower connected airtightly to the exhaust port of the housing and forcibly introducing external air into the intake port, at least one vortex generator installed in the housing and causing the external air introduced by the blower to thereby generate a vortex, and at least one cleaning solution sprayer spraying a cleaning solution into the vortex generated by the vortex generator and forming a water curtain whirling together with the vortex.

[12] According to another aspect of the present invention, the air cleaner further comprises a cleaning solution separator causing the external air going through the vortex generator to whirl to thus separate the cleaning solution present in the external air, after which the external air, from which the cleaning solution has been separated by the cleaning solution separator, is exhausted outside by the blower.

[13] According to another aspect of the present invention, the vortex generator comprises a pair of annular rims defining a through-hole, and a plurality of blades that are installed between the annular rims at an acute angle at regular intervals and cause the external air, which is forcibly introduced by the blower, to whirl.

[14] According to another aspect of the present invention, the housing is provided therein with a vertical pipe, which is airtightly coupled with an intake formed at the blower, and the vortex generator has: a first vortex generator, which comprises an upper annular rim in which the inner diameter of the through-hole is greater than the outer diameter of the vertical pipe, a lower annular rim, in which the inner diameter of the through-hole is equal to or slightly less than the outer diameter of the vertical pipe, and a plurality of blades, which are installed between the upper annular rim and the lower annular rim; and a second vortex generator, which comprises an upper annular rim, a lower annular rim, and a plurality of blades, and is spaced apart and upwards from the first vortex generator by a predetermined distance. [15] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air cleaning system, which comprises a dehumidifier communicating with an exhaust port formed at the blower of the air cleaner and eliminating moisture from the external air exhausted through the exhaust port of the blower; and a sterilizer, communicating with the dehumidifier and sterilizing harmful organisms in the external air from which the moisture has been eliminated.

Advantageous Effects

[16] According to the air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning solution sprayed by the cleaning solution sprayer whirls together with the vortex to thereby form the water curtain, and this water curtain allows the contact area between the cleaning solution and the external air to be further increased, so that fine particles, such as dust, and materials, such as ammonia, which are present in the external air, can be more effectively eliminated than in the related art, and thus the efficiency with which the external air is cleaned can be improved.

[17] The cleaning solution separator causes the external air going through the vortex generator to whirl to separate the cleaning solution mixed with the external air, so that the cleaning solution can be more easily separated from the external air.

[18] Further, the blades are installed between the annular rims of the vortex generator at an acute angle at regular intervals, so that the external air, which is forcibly introduced through the intake port of the housing, can more easily move in a vortex.

[19] In addition, the dehumidifier communicates with the exhaust port formed at the blower and eliminates the moisture from the external air exhausted through the exhaust port of the blower, and the sterilizer sterilizes the harmful organisms in the external air from which the moisture has been eliminated, so that the moisture and the harmful organisms, such as germs, which are contained in the external air, can be more easily eliminated and sterilized. Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a housing when viewed in the direction of the arrow A of FIG. 1;

[22] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a vortex generator installed in the housing;

[23] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first vortex generator;

[24] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 4; [25] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating how each vortex generator installed in a housing generates a vortex; [26] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating how a cleaning solution sprayer of the present invention sprays a cleaning solution upon a vortex to thereby form a water curtain whirling together with the vortex. [27] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaning solution separator according to the present invention;

[28] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 8; and

[29] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the flow of external air that is forcibly introduced into a housing.

[30] <Description of symbols of the main parts in the drawings>

[31] 10: housing 10a: intake port

[32] 10b, 30a: exhaust port

[33] 10c: cleaning solution inflow pipe

[34] 1Od: cleaning solution outflow pipe

[35] 13: cover 17: pump

[36] 19: vertical pipe 30: blower

[37] 50: vortex generator 50a: through-hole

[38] 50b: annular rim 50c, 57c, 90c: blade

[39] 57: first vortex generator

[40] 57a: upper annular rim

[41] 57b, 90b: lower annular rim

[42] 59: second vortex generator

[43] 70: cleaning solution sprayer

[44] 73: cleaning solution 75: water curtain

[45] 90: cleaning solution separator

[46] 90a: upper plate 9Od: boss

[47] α: acute angle

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [48] Reference will now be made in greater detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Of course, the invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and thus it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, and that these will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. [49] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the housing 10 when viewed in the direction of the arrow A of FIG.

1. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the vortex generator 50 installed in the housing 10.

[50] First, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an air cleaner, in an embodiment of the present invention, generally comprises a housing 10, a blower 30, at least one vortex generator 50, at least one cleaning solution sprayer 70, and a cleaning solution separator 90.

[51] More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 is provided with an intake port 10a, through which external air is introduced, and an exhaust port 10b, communicating with the intake port 10a.

[52] Further, the housing 10 is provided, at the top thereof, with a cover 13 having a grip. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 is provided, on an outer circumference thereof, with a cleaning solution inflow pipe 10c through which a cleaning solution 73, which will be described below, flows to the cleaning solution sprayer 70, and a cleaning solution outflow pipe 1Od through which the cleaning solution 73 is discharged.

[53] Here, the cleaning solution 73 is introduced into the cleaning solution sprayer 70 through the cleaning solution inflow pipe 10c by means of the operation of a pump 17. However, the introduction of the cleaning solution 73 into the cleaning solution sprayer 70 is not limited to the use of the pump 17.

[54] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the housing 10 is provided therein with the vortex generator 50, which causes the external air, which is introduced into the housing 10 through the intake port 10a, to whirl to thus generate a vortex.

[55] In addition, the housing 10 is provided, on an inner wall thereof, with the cleaning solution sprayer 70, which sprays the cleaning solution 73 upon the vortex generated by the vortex generator 50.

[56] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the housing 10 is provided therein with a vertical pipe 19 having a predetermined length. The lower end of the vertical pipe 19 is airtightly coupled to an intake of the blower 30, which will be described below.

[57] The shape and structure of the housing 10 are merely illustrative in FIGS. 1, 2 and

3. Thus, any shape and structure of the housing 10 will do as long as the intake port 10a, the exhaust port 10b, the cleaning solution inflow pipe 10c, and the cleaning solution outflow pipe 1Od can be provided and the vortex generator 50 and the cleaning solution sprayer 70 can be installed thereon.

[58] Next, the blower 30 functions to forcibly introduce the external air into the intake port 10a of the housing 10, and is airtightly connected to the exhaust port 10b of the housing as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[59] Although not illustrated in the figures, the blower 30 is provided with the intake, which forces the external air to flow into the intake port 10a of the housing 10, and to which the vertical pipe 19, installed in the housing 10, is airtightly coupled. [60] The blower 30 is further provided with an exhaust port 30a, through which the external air forcibly introduced into the intake port 10a of the housing 10 is exhausted.

[61] In other words, after the external air is forcibly introduced into the housing 10 by the intake of the blower 30, it moves to the exhaust port 10b of the housing 10, and is exhausted through the exhaust port 30a of the blower 30.

[62] The shape and structure of the blower 30 are merely illustrative in the figures. Thus, any shape and structure of the blower 30 will do as long as the blower is airtightly connected to the exhaust port 10b of the housing 10 so as to allow the external air to be forcibly introduced into the intake port 10a.

[63] Subsequently, the vortex generator 50 functions to cause the external air, which has been forcibly introduced into the intake port 10a of the housing 10 by the blower 30, to whirl to generate the vortex. To this end, two vortex generators 50 are installed in the housing 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[64] However, the number of vortex generators 50 installed in the housing 10 is not limited to two. It should be noted that, if necessary, more than two vortex generators 50 can be installed in the housing 10.

[65] More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, each vortex generator 50 generally comprises a pair of annular rims 50b defining a through-hole, and a plurality of blades 50c that are installed between the annular rims 50b at an acute angle ? at regular intervals and causes the external air, which is forcibly introduced into the intake port 10a of the housing 10 by the blower 30, to whirl.

[66] Here, the vertical pipe 19 installed in the housing 10 is disposed in the through- hole.

[67] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the annular rims 50b are adapted to be seated in the housing

10, so that each vortex generator 50 can be more easily installed in the housing 10.

[68] The shape and structure of each vortex generator 50 are not limited to those of FIG.

3. Thus, any shape and structure of each vortex generator 50 will suffice as long as the vortex generator allows the external air, which has been forcibly introduced into the intake port 10a of the housing 10 by the blower 30, to whirl to generate the vortex.

[69] Meanwhile, the two vortex generators 50 installed in the housing 10 consist of a first vortex generator 57 and a second vortex generator 59, a detailed description of which will be made as follows.

[70] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the first vortex generator 57. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating how each vortex generator 50, installed in the housing 10, generates the vortex. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating how the cleaning solution sprayer 70 of the present invention sprays the cleaning solution 73 upon the vortex to thereby form a water curtain 75 whirling together with the vortex. [71] First, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first vortex generator 57 comprises an upper annular rim 57a, in which the inner diameter of the through-hole 50a is greater than the outer diameter of the vertical pipe 19, a lower annular rim 57b, in which the inner diameter of the through-hole 50a is equal to or slightly less than the outer diameter of the vertical pipe 19, and a plurality of blades 57c, which are installed between the upper annular rim 57a and the lower annular rim 57b.

[72] As illustrated in FIG. 5, each blade 57c is disposed at an acute angle ?, so that it allows the external air, which is forcibly introduced into the intake port 10a of the housing 10 by the blower 30, to whirl in an easier manner.

[73] In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the external air, which is forcibly introduced into the housing 10 through the intake port 10a by the blower 30, is guided between the blades 57c disposed at an acute angle ?, thereby makes a whirling motion.

[74] Thereby, the vortex can be generated inside the blades 57c.

[75] The first vortex generator 57, constructed in this way, is installed in the housing 10, and is located below the second vortex generator, which will be described below.

[76] Meanwhile, the second vortex generator has the same construction as the first vortex generator 57, and so a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

[77] However, the second vortex generator is spaced apart from the first vortex generator

57 in an upward direction by a predetermined distance.

[78] The reason why the second vortex generator 59 is spaced apart upward from the first vortex generator 57 by a predetermined distance in this way is to allow the external air to more easily go through the first vortex generator 57, be raised by the vortex, and move to the second vortex generator.

[79] In other words, if the second vortex generator were in contact with the first vortex generator 57, the external air raised by the vortex would be blocked by the second vortex generator 59, and thus would fail to move to the second vortex generator 59.

[80] Meanwhile, the external air, which is raised by the vortex generated by the first vortex generator 57 and then moves to the second vortex generator, also whirls inside the second vortex generator 59.

[81] Next, the cleaning solution sprayer 70 functions to spray the cleaning solution 73 into the vortex to thereby form the water curtain 75 whirling together with the vortex. To this end, a plurality of cleaning solution sprayers 70 is disposed on the inner wall of the housing 10 at regular intervals.

[82] Here, each cleaning solution sprayer 70 sprays the cleaning solution 73 toward the first vortex generator 57 and the second vortex generator 59.

[83] At this time, the cleaning solution 73, which is sprayed by each cleaning solution sprayer 70, whirls together with the vortex rotated at the first vortex generator 57 and the second vortex generator 59, thereby forming the water curtain 75. [84] The shape and structure of each cleaning solution sprayer 70 are not limited to those of FIG. 7. Thus, any shape and structure of each cleaning solution sprayer 70 will do as long as each cleaning solution sprayer sprays the cleaning solution 73 toward the first vortex generator 57 and the second vortex generator 59 to thereby form the water curtain 75.

[85] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the cleaning solution separator 90 according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 8.

[86] The cleaning solution separator 90 functions to cause the external air, which goes through the vortex generator 50, i.e. the first and second vortex generators 57 and 59, to whirl to separate the cleaning solution 73 mixed with the external air. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cleaning solution separator 90 comprises an upper plate 90a, a plurality of blades 90c that is installed under the upper plate 90a at an acute angle ? at regular intervals, a lower annular rim 90b, which is coupled with ends of the blades 90c and in which the inner diameter of a through-hole 50a thereof is equal to or slightly less than the outer diameter of the vertical pipe 19, and a boss 9Od that is installed under the lower annular rim 90b and is selectively fitted into the upper end of the vertical pipe 19.

[87] The cleaning solution 73, which is mixed with the external air going through the first and second vortex generators 57 and 59, is separated by this cleaning solution separator 90. This separation will be described below for the convenience of description.

[88] The shape and structure of the cleaning solution separator 90 are not limited to those of FIGS. 8 and 9. Thus, any shape and structure of the cleaning solution separator 90 will do as long as the cleaning solution separator causes the external air to whirl to thus separate the cleaning solution 73 mixed with the external air.

[89] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the flow of the external air that is forcibly introduced into the housing 10.

[90] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the external air, which is forcibly introduced into the housing 10 by the blower 30, moves to the first vortex generator 57, the second vortex generator 59, and the cleaning solution separator 90, in that order.

[91] However, it should be noted that the flow, i.e. the moving path, of the external air introduced into the housing 10 is indicated by symbols ® through © in FIG. 10.

[92] The moving path of the external air introduced into the housing 10 will be described below in detail with reference to the symbols ® through © indicated in FIG. 10.

[93] First, the external air is forcibly introduced into the housing 10 by the blower 30. At this time, the external air introduced into the housing 10 moves to the first vortex generator 57, as indicated by ®. [94] Here, the external air moving to the first vortex generator 57 is guided between the blades 57c constituting the first vortex generator 57, indicated by ©, and makes a whirling motion. Thereby, the vortex is generated inside the blades 57c of the first vortex generator 57.

[95] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 10, each cleaning solution sprayer 70 sprays the cleaning solution 73 toward the first vortex generator 57. At this time, the cleaning solution 73 functions to encounter the external air whirling inside the blades 57c of the first vortex generator 57 to thereby eliminate fine particles such as dust as well as materials such as ammonia, which are present in the external air.

[96] Meanwhile, the cleaning solution 73, sprayed toward the first vortex generator 57, whirls together with the vortex rotating inside the blades 57c of the first vortex generator 57 to thereby form the water curtain 75. This water curtain 75 allows the contact area between the cleaning solution 73 and the external air to be further increased.

[97] In other words, the cleaning solution 73 can effectively eliminate fine particles, such as dust, and materials, such as ammonia, which are present in the external air, so that the efficiency with which the external air is cleaned can be more improved compared to the related art.

[98] Here, the cleaning solution 73 can employ water and sulfuric acid. On one hand, in the case in which the water curtain 75 is formed using the water as the cleaning solution 73, the fine particles, such as dust, present in the external air, are adsorbed by the water curtain 75, so that they can be easily eliminated.

[99] On the other hand, in the case in which the water curtain 75 is formed using sulfuric acid as the cleaning solution 73, the sulfuric acid causes a chemical reaction with the water curtain 75 to eliminate the materials such as ammonia present in the external air, so that the external air can be easily deodorized.

[100] However, water and sulfuric acid need not necessarily be used as the cleaning solution 73. Any material can be used as long as it can eliminate the fine particles such as dust and the materials such as ammonia, which are present in the external air.

[101] Meanwhile, the external air whirling at the first vortex generator 57 comes into contact with the cleaning solution 73 forming the water curtain 75, and thus is cleaned primarily. Then, as indicated by ©, the cleaned external air is raised by the vortex, and then moves to the second vortex generator 59. At this time, the external air moving to the second vortex generator 59 is in the state in which the cleaning solution 73, which primarily cleans the external air, is contained therewith.

[102] Here, the external air, which is raised by the vortex generated by the first vortex generator 57 and moves to the second vortex generator 59, comes into contact with the inner wall of the housing 10 during the movement. [103] In this manner, when the external air, which moves to the second vortex generator

59, comes into contact with the inner wall of the housing 10, part of the cleaning solution 73 that primarily cleans the external air flows downward along the inner wall of the housing 10, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

[104] At this time, the cleaning solution 73, which flows downward along the inner wall of the housing 10, is discharged to the outside through the cleaning solution outflow pipe 1Od formed on the outer circumference of the housing 10.

[105] Although not illustrated in FIG. 10, the lower annular rim 90b of the cleaning solution separator 90 is provided with a sealing member on the bottom surface thereof.

[106] Here, the sealing member is airtightly brought into close contact with the vertical pipe 19, thereby serving to prevent some of the external air, which moves to the second vortex generator 59, from being introduced into the cleaning solution separator 90.

[107] Next, as indicated by ®, the external air, which moves to the second vortex generator 59, is guided between the blades of the second vortex generator 59, and begins whirling. Thereby, the vortex can be generated inside the blades of the second vortex generator 59.

[108] Here, as illustrated in FIG. 10, each cleaning solution sprayer 70 sprays the cleaning solution 73 toward the second vortex generator 59, so that the water curtain 75, described above, can be formed inside the blades of the second vortex generator 59.

[109] In other words, fine particles, such as dust, and materials, such as ammonia, which are present in the external air, can be secondarily eliminated.

[110] Meanwhile, after the external air whirling at the second vortex generator 59 is secondarily cleaned by contact with the cleaning solution 73, forming the water curtain 75, it is raised by the vortex, and moves to the cleaning solution separator 90, as indicated by ©. At this time, the external air, which moves to the cleaning solution separator 90, is in the state in which the cleaning solution 73, which secondarily cleans the external air, is contained therewith.

[I l l] Here, the external air, which is raised by the vortex generated by the first vortex generator 57 and moves to the cleaning solution separator 90, comes into contact with the inner wall of the housing 10 during the movement.

[112] Then, part of the cleaning solution 73 that secondarily cleans the external air flows downward along the inner wall of the housing 10, and then is discharged to the outside through the cleaning solution outflow pipe 1Od.

[113] Next, the external air, which moves to the cleaning solution separator 90, is guided between the blades 90c of the cleaning solution separator 90, and begins whirling. At this time, the cleaning solution 73, which secondarily cleans the external air, is separated from the external air by a centrifugal force.

[114] Here, because the upper plate 90a of the cleaning solution separator 90 is sealed, the external air, whirling in the cleaning solution separator 90, is blocked by the upper plate 90a, and thereby is no longer raised. [115] In this manner, the external air, which is separated by the cleaning solution separator 90, flows into the vertical pipe 19, as indicated by © and ©, and simultaneously moves to the exhaust port 10b of the housing 10. [116] In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the cleaning solution 73, which is separated by the cleaning solution separator 90, flows downward along the inner wall of the vertical pipe 19, and is simultaneously discharged to the outside through the cleaning solution outflow pipe 1Od, formed in the lower portion of the outer circumference of the housing 10. [117] The cleaning solution 73 mixed with the external air can be easily separated by the cleaning solution separator 90, as described above. [118] Meanwhile, the external air, which flows into the vertical pipe 10 and moves to the exhaust port 10b of the housing 10, is exhausted to a dehumidifier through the exhaust port 30a of the blower 30. [119] Although not illustrated, the dehumidifier communicates with the exhaust port 30a of the blower 30, and functions to eliminate moisture from the external air exhausted through the exhaust port 30a of the blower 30. [120] Here, in order to eliminate the moisture present in the external air, the dehumidifier is provided therein with a dehumidifying agent, which can be silica gel but is not limited thereto. Any material can be used as long as it can eliminate the moisture present in the external air.

[121] Next, the external air, from which the moisture has been eliminated by the dehumidifier, moves to a sterilizer. Although this is not illustrated in the figures, the sterilizer communicates with the dehumidifier. [122] More specifically, the sterilizer functions to sterilize harmful organisms, such as germs, contained in the external air from which the moisture has been eliminated. [123] Here, the sterilizer can sterilize the harmful organisms, such as germs, contained in the external air using a well-known photocatalyst and ultraviolet lamp, but is not limited thereto. Anything will do as long as it can sterilize the harmful organisms such as germs contained in the external air. [124] Thereby, the moisture and the harmful organisms, such as germs, which are contained in the external air, can be more easily eliminated and sterilized. [125] In addition, although this is not illustrated in the figures, the external air, from which the moisture and the harmful organisms such as germs have been eliminated, is exhausted outside through an exhaust port of the sterilizer. [126] At this time, the external air exhausted to the outside through the exhaust port of the sterilizer is in the state in which the fine particles such as dust and the materials such as ammonia have been eliminated therefrom.

[127] The air cleaner, constructed as described above, can be broadly used at livestock barns such as pig barns, fertilizer plants, and so on.

[128] Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Industrial Applicability

[129] According to the air cleaner of the present invention, the efficiency with which external air is cleaned can be improved thanks to the water curtain, and the cleaning solution is separated from the external air by the cleaning solution separator, so that the cleaning solution can be more easily separated from the external air. Further, the blades of the vortex generator are installed at an acute angle at regular intervals, so that the external air can more easily form a vortex. In addition, the moisture and the harmful organisms, such as germs, which are contained in the external air, can be more easily eliminated and sterilized by the dehumidifier and the sterilizer.

Claims

[1] An air cleaner, comprising: a housing, having an intake port and an exhaust port communicating with the intake port; a blower, connected airtightly to the exhaust port of the housing and forcibly introducing external air into the intake port; at least one vortex generator installed in the housing and causing the external air introduced by the blower to thereby generate a vortex; and at least one cleaning solution sprayer spraying a cleaning solution upon the vortex generated by the vortex generator and forming a water curtain that whirls together with the vortex.

[2] The air cleaner as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a cleaning solution separator that causes the external air going through the vortex generator to whirl to separate the cleaning solution present in the external air, wherein the external air, from which the cleaning solution has been separated by the cleaning solution separator, is exhausted outside by the blower.

[3] The air cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein the vortex generator comprises: a pair of annular rims defining a through-hole; and a plurality of blades that are installed between the annular rims at an acute angle at regular intervals and cause the external air, which is forcibly introduced by the blower, to whirl.

[4] The air cleaner as set forth in claim 2, wherein: the housing is provided therein with a vertical pipe, which is airtightly coupled with an intake formed at the blower; and the vortex generator has: a first vortex generator that comprises an upper annular rim in which an inner diameter of the through-hole is greater than an outer diameter of the vertical pipe, a lower annular rim in which the inner diameter of the through-hole is equal to or slightly less than the outer diameter of the vertical pipe, and a plurality of blades that are installed between the upper annular rim and the lower annular rim; and a second vortex generator that comprises an upper annular rim, a lower annular rim, and a plurality of blades, and is spaced apart from the first vortex generator by a predetermined distance in an upward direction.

[5] An air cleaning system comprising: the air cleaner as set forth in any one of claims 1 through 4; a dehumidifier communicating with an exhaust port formed at the blower of the air cleaner and eliminating moisture from the external air exhausted through the exhaust port of the blower; and a sterilizer communicating with the dehumidifier and sterilizing harmful organisms of the external air from which the moisture is eliminated.