Method, nozzle and device for atomizing active substances contained in a fiquid

Abstract

A method for atomizing active substances contained in a liquid, where: the method uses electrohydrodynamic means with at least one nozzle and at least one electrode, the nozzle and the electrode being formed and/or arranged in such a way and a voltage that is applied to the electrode being selected in such a way that a molecularization of the active substances contained in the liquid takes place and parasitic effects and/or disturbing influences that occur during the atomization, and in particular production of ozone, are reduced to the greatest extent. A nozzle for use in the method, where: an outer capillary tube of nonconducting material and an electrode in wire form arranged in the capillary tube, wherein the capillary tube and/or the electrode are formed and/or arranged in such a way that, during operation of the nozzle and atomization of the active substances contained in the liquid, the electrode is constantly wetted and no oxygen from the ambient air has contact with the surface of the electrode. A device for atomizing active substances contained in a liquid, where: a first, outer nozzle, inside which a second, inner nozzle is arranged, and means for producing an air stream in the first, outer nozzle, so that a liquid atomized by the inner nozzle is discharged into the ambience from the outer nozzle, it being possible for the device to interact with a device for separating a space into an active-substance area.

1 . Method for atomizing active substances contained in a liquid (F), where:
 the method uses electrohydrodynamic means with at least one electrically nonconducting nozzle ( 1 ) and at least one electrode ( 11 ) arranged in the nozzle ( 1 ), the nozzle and the electrode ( 11 ) being formed and/or arranged in such a way and a flow rate of the liquid (F) to be atomized in the nozzle ( 1 ) being selected in such a way, and   a voltage that is applied to the electrode ( 11 ) being selected in such a way that a molecularization of the active substances contained in the liquid (F) takes place, and parasitic effects and/or disturbing influences that occur during the atomization, and in particular production of ozone, are reduced to the greatest extent.   
   
   
       2 . Method according to  claim 1 , where:
 a flow rate of the liquid (F) to be atomized in the nozzle ( 1 ) in the range of 0.001 to 0.010 μl per second, and advantageously in the range of 0.002 to 0.005 μl per second, is used.   
   
   
       3 . Method according to  claim 1 , where:
 a voltage of at most 3.5 kV is used.   
   
   
       4 . Method according to  claim 3 , where:
 a voltage in the range of approximately 1 to 2.5 kV is used.   
   
   
       5 . Nozzle ( 1 ) for use in the method according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 an outer capillary tube ( 10 ) of nonconducting material and an electrode ( 11 ) in wire form arranged in the capillary tube ( 10 ), wherein the capillary tube ( 10 ) and/or the electrode ( 11 ) are formed and/or arranged in such a way that,   during operation of the nozzle ( 1 ) and atomization of the active substances contained in the liquid (F), the electrode ( 11 ) is constantly wetted and no oxygen from the ambient air has contact with the surface of the electrode ( 11 ).   
   
   
       6 . Nozzle ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , where:
 the capillary tube ( 10 ) and/or the electrode ( 11 ) are formed and/or arranged in such a way that a liquid (F) from a liquid reservoir which is in communication with the capillary tube ( 10 ) constantly wets the interior of the tube ( 10 ) and the electrode ( 11 ) on account of the capillary properties of the capillary tube ( 10 ), and/or at least constantly wets them during the operation of the nozzle ( 1 ), so that in each case no oxygen from the air comes into contact with the electrode ( 11 ).   
   
   
       7 . Nozzle ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , where:
 the end (E 0 ) of the capillary tube ( 10 ) and   the end (E 1 ) of the electrode ( 11 ) lie approximately on one level.   
   
   
       8 . Nozzle ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , where:
 the end (E 0 ) of the capillary tube ( 10 ) protrudes beyond the end (E 1 ) of the electrode ( 11 ).   
   
   
       9 . Nozzle ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , where:
 the end (E 1 ) of the electrode ( 11 ) protrudes from the capillary tube ( 10 ) by a predetermined amount:   the predetermined amount being selected in such a way that, during the operation of the nozzle ( 1 ), by using the electrospray effect and applying a predetermined voltage to the electrode ( 11 ), the end (E 1 ) of the electrode ( 11 ) is completely wetted and is arranged within a Taylor cone that forms.   
   
   
       10 . Nozzle ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , where:
 the capillary tube ( 10 ) has an inside diameter ( 100 ) of 50 μm to 1000 μm and advantageously of 100 μm to 500 μm and still more advantageously of approximately 150 μm, and the capillary tube ( 10 ) has a wall thickness ( 101 ) of 1 μm to 20 μm and advantageously of approximately 10 μm, and   the electrode ( 11 ) has a diameter ( 110 ) of 1 μm to 100 μm and advantageously of approximately 50 μm.   
   
   
       11 . Nozzle ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , where:
 the capillary tube ( 10 ) is made of an electrically nonconducting material and the electrode ( 11 ) is made of an electrically conductive material, in each case also with resistance on contact with aggressive media.   
   
   
       12 . Device ( 3 ) for atomizing active substances contained in a liquid (F), comprising:
 an outer nozzle ( 2 ), inside which an inner nozzle ( 1 ) according to  claim 5  is arranged, and   means for producing an air stream in the first, outer nozzle ( 2 ), so that a liquid (F) atomized by the inner nozzle ( 1 ) is discharged into the ambience from the outer nozzle ( 2 ).   
   
   
       13 . Device ( 3 ) according to  claim 12 , comprising a second electrode ( 21 ), which interacts with the first electrode ( 11 ) arranged in the first nozzle ( 1 ), arranged on the outer nozzle ( 2 ). 
   
   
       14 . Device ( 3 ) according to  claim 12 , comprising:
 a pump ( 24 ) for transporting the liquid (F) to be atomized into the nozzle ( 1 ), the pump operating with a pumping rate such that the liquid (F) is transported with a flow rate in the range of 0.001 to 0.010 μl per second and advantageously in the range of 0.002 to 0.005 μl per second, and comprising a voltage generator ( 23 ), which generates a voltage of at most 3.5 kV and advantageously a voltage in the range of 1 to 2.5 kV.   
   
   
       15 . Device ( 3 ) according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 the pump ( 24 ) is formed in such a way and the capillary tube ( 10 ) is formed in such a way that the pump ( 24 ) transports the liquid (F) in the nozzle ( 1 ), the capillary tube ( 10 ) acting as a throttle of the pumping rate.   
   
   
       16 . Use of the method according to  claim 1  for atomizing fragrances, odour removers, pharmaceutical agents, biologically active agents and disinfectants. 
   
   
       17 . Use of the device ( 3 ) according to  claim 12  together with a device ( 4 ) for separating a space ( 40 ) into an interior area ( 401 ) with active substances contained in the air and an exterior area ( 402 ). 
   
   
       18 . Device ( 4 ) according to  claim 17 , the device ( 4 ) being permeable or semipermeable or gastight in one or both directions.