Deodorization module and food waste treatment apparatus having the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a deodorization module and a food waste treatment apparatus having the same. The deodorization module includes a heat exchanger and an electrolytic cell. The heat exchanger conducts heat exchange between exhaust gas discharged from a drying furnace and cooling air drawn into the heat exchanger from the outside of the drying furnace. The electrolytic cell electrolyzes condensate water, formed by the heat exchange process of the heat exchanger, using bipolar packed bed electrolysis to remove offensive odors from the condensate water. The heat exchanger has flow channels therein so that the exhaust gas discharged from the drying furnace and the cooling air drawn from the outside flows along the flow channels in directions that cross each other. The food waste treatment apparatus includes the deodorization module, an intake and exhaust module and a heat exchanger having a stacked structure.

1 . A deodorization module, comprising:
 a heat exchanger conducting heat exchange between an exhaust gas discharged from a drying furnace and cooling air drawn into the heat exchanger from an outside of the drying furnace; and   an electrolytic cell electrolyzing condensate water, formed by the heat exchange process of the heat exchanger, using bipolar packed bed electrolysis to remove offensive odors from the condensate water, wherein   the heat exchanger has a plurality of flow channels therein so that the exhaust gas discharged from the drying furnace and the cooling air drawn from the outside flow along the flow channels in directions that cross each other.   
     
     
         2 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the electrolytic cell comprises:
 a cell housing;   an electrode casing installed in the cell housing; and   a conductive porous filler charged into the electrode casing, the conductive porous filler being bipolarized by electricity applied to an interior of the electrode casing.   
     
     
         3 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the electrolytic cell further comprises:
 cell electrodes comprising an anode cell and a cathode cell which are disposed in the electrode casing and face each other, with the conductive porous filler provided between the cell electrodes.   
     
     
         4 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of unit heat exchange panels, wherein the flow channels are formed by stacking the unit heat exchange panels one on top of another. 
     
     
         5 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein each of the unit heat exchange panels comprises first heat transfer fins extending from a first surface of the unit heat exchange panel, and second heat transfer fins extending from a second surface of the unit heat exchange panel, wherein the first heat transfer fins and the second heat transfer fins are oriented in directions that cross each other. 
     
     
         6 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein when the unit heat exchange panels are coupled to each other, heat transfer fins of each of the unit heat exchange panels are inserted between heat transfer fins of the adjacent unit heat exchange panel such that the heat transfer fins of one heat exchange panel alternate with the heat transfer fins of the other unit heat exchange panel. 
     
     
         7 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises:
 a main body having a plurality of flow channels formed through the main body in a first direction; and   a pair of cover plates coupled to respective opposite ends of the main body with respect to the first direction, wherein   the flow channels comprise a plurality of first flow channels through which a first fluid flows in the first direction, the first fluid passing through the cover plates, and a plurality of second flow channels being open through opposite sidewalls of the main body.   
     
     
         8 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the first flow channels and the second flow channels are alternately formed through the main body. 
     
     
         9 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the first and second flow channels are formed through the main body in the first direction by extruding. 
     
     
         10 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein heat exchange fins having predetermined shapes are provided in the first and second flow channels. 
     
     
         11 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the heat exchange fins are alternately disposed on opposite sides in each of the first and second flow channels. 
     
     
         12 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the electrolytic cell comprises a water level sensor attached to the cell housing below the electrode casing, and a discharge pump connected to an outlet formed in a lower end of the cell housing, wherein operation of the discharge pump is controlled depending on a water level detected by the water level sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the water level sensor comprises a first water level sensor and a second water level sensor disposed below the first water level sensor, wherein the operation of the discharge pump begins when the water level is detected by the first water level sensor, and the operation of the discharge pump is stopped when the water level is detected by the second water level sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The deodorization module as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust gas condensed in the heat exchanger is re-supplied into the drying furnace. 
     
     
         15 . A food waste treatment apparatus, comprising:
 a deodorization module according to any one of  claims 1  through  14 .