A method and apparatus for electrolytically producing
oxidation reduction potential water from aqueous salt solutions for use in disinfection, sterilization, decontamination, wound cleansing. The apparatus includes an
electrolysis unit having a three-compartment
cell (22) comprising a
cathode chamber (18), an
anode chamber (16), and a
saline solution chamber (20) interposed between the
anode and cathod chambers. Two communicating (24, 26) membranes separate the three chambers. The center chamber includes a fluid flow inlet (21a) and outlet (21b) and contains insulative material that ensures direct
voltage potential does not travel through the chamber. A supply of water flows through the
cathode and
anode chambers at the respective sides of the
saline chamber.
Saline solution flows through the center chamber, either by circulating a pre-prepared
aqueous solution containing ionic species, or, alternatively, by circulating pure water or an
aqueous solution of, e.g., aqueous
hydrogen chloride and
ammonium hydroxide, over particulate insulative material coated with a
solid electrolyte.
Electrical current is provided to the communicating membranes separating the chambers, thus causing an electrolytic reaction that produces both oxidative (positive) and reductive (negative) ORP water.