Method for operating a portable immersion electrolysis cell and immersion electrolysis cell

Abstract

Method for operating a portable immersion electrolysis cell (1) for sterilizing and disinfecting a water container, with a cathode and anode (3) in the form of an Archimedean screw and a sensor for detecting the conductivity of the liquid and optical display elements for displaying the functional sequences and a microprocessor as a central element, comprising at least the following functions of the microprocessor: - Monitoring of the operating voltage - Monitoring of the anode voltage and current (3) - Monitoring of the electrolysis time depending on the conductivity - Monitoring of maximum operating voltage and maximum current flow - Display of operating voltage, conductance, currents and voltage at the anode (3) - Use of a Bluetooth interface, via which the operating voltage, the minimum conductance, the operating current and the voltage at the anode (3) can be adjusted - Logging of the electrolysis processes and creation of an error report, whereby the microprocessor automatically applies a defined voltage to the electrodes when a defined conductivity is reached and the current flow during the electrolysis process is displayed via an LED.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a portable immersion electrolysis cell for a water tank, comprising a cathode and an anode as well as a microprocessor and an immersion electrolysis cell.

[0002] Such electrolysis cells are designed for treating untreated water in small quantities of 1 to 4 liters, for example, stored in a non-pressurized storage tank. In the past, disinfection was often carried out using chlorine preparations in the form of tablets or powders. A disadvantage has proven to be that the tablet or powder supply has a limited shelf life and is not widely available abroad.

[0003] The following invention avoids the use of chlorine preparations and provides a portable immersion electrolysis cell with which water can be disinfected.

[0004] For example, DE 20 2012 012 463 U1 discloses an electrolysis cell for disinfecting water with an anode and cathode package. This prior art features a special electrode shape that interlocks in a comb-like manner. A measuring device is provided for control, which switches the electrolysis cell on and off based on a predetermined sodium hypoplorite threshold.

[0005] From DE 34 10 489 A1 a device for disinfecting water is known in which a hypochlorite solution is produced electrochemically by means of an electrolysis cell and is used to disinfect the water.

[0006] US Pat. No. 5,795,459 A also discloses a process in which a diaphragm electrolysis cell is immersed in the water to be treated as an immersion electrode. A disadvantage of this type of electrolysis cell is that bleaching liquor (NaOH) is produced in the separate chambers and, in the described arrangement, enters the drinking water to be treated directly. This increases the natural pH value, requiring three to five times the amount of oxidizing agent to effectively disinfect the drinking water at, for example, an elevated pH of 7.8 or more.

[0007] DE 10 2016 014 435 A1 discloses an add-on module for a drinking water tank. The add-on module comprises a power supply unit and a water treatment system, using measuring probes and a microprocessor to determine the water quality so that the drinking water can be treated.

[0008] From DE 20 2006 015 623 U1 a comparable portable immersion electrolysis cell is known, which is equipped with a microprocessor, without disclosing any setting options.

[0009] The US application US 2004 / 0 213 698 A1 discloses a method and a device for the electrochemical treatment of water, wherein the sterilization of the water is provided for an oral hygiene station.

[0010] Alternatively, it is known to disinfect the water by irradiating it with UV light, which effectively kills microorganisms. However, in this case, no disinfectant with sufficient storage capacity to prevent recontamination is used, so the desired disinfection cannot be fully achieved.

[0011] The present invention is based on the object of demonstrating a method for the operation of a portable immersion electrolysis cell which ensures optimized disinfection by utilizing a control unit, as well as an immersion electrolysis cell with a significantly improved electrolysis effect.

[0012] According to the invention, in order to achieve the method task, the transportable immersion electrolysis cell is equipped with a cathode and anode in the form of an Archimedean screw and a sensor for detecting the conductivity of the liquid and optical display elements for displaying the functional sequences and a microprocessor as the central element, which comprises the following functions: - Monitoring of the operating voltage - A sensor to measure the conductivity of the liquid - Monitoring of the anode voltage and current (3) - Monitoring of the electrolysis time depending on the conductivity - Monitoring of maximum operating voltage and maximum current flow - Optical display elements to show the functional processes - Display of operating voltage, conductance, currents and voltage at the anode (3) - Use of a Bluetooth interface, via which the operating voltage, the minimum conductance, the operating current and the voltage at the anode (3) can be adjusted - Logging of the electrolysis processes and setting of an error report, whereby the microprocessor automatically applies a defined voltage to the electrodes when a defined conductivity is reached and the current flow during the electrolysis process is displayed via an LED.

[0013] To solve the device task, an immersion electrolysis cell is proposed which has a spiral anode in the form of an Archimedean screw.

[0014] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims

[0015] A key advantage of the regulated electrolysis cell over other conventional immersion electrolysis cells is that no unnecessary dissolved table salt enters the drinking water, which could impair its quality and taste. Energy savings are also possible, with the microprocessor in particular enabling monitoring of all functions of the portable immersion electrolysis cell. For example, the operating voltage and the conductivity of the liquid are monitored by a sensor. Furthermore, the anode voltage and current are monitored, as well as the electrolysis duration depending on the conductivity. Furthermore, the maximum operating voltage and the maximum current flow can be monitored, with all functional sequences being visualized by visual displays.The operating voltage, minimum conductance, operating current, and anode voltage can be preset via a Bluetooth interface, and the operating voltage, conductance, currents, and anode voltage can be displayed. Furthermore, it is possible to log the electrolysis processes and record any errors in an error report. This provides comprehensive functional monitoring of the immersion electrolysis cell, leading to optimization of the electrolysis process.

[0016] A storage tank for NaCl is not required because the natural salt contained in the water is used for electrolysis. The preselected and adjusted electrolysis current in the electrolysis cell converts the sodium chloride (NaCl) into sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), which is required for sterilization and disinfection. The natural pH value of the drinking water being disinfected is not changed.

[0017] Due to the simultaneous formation of hydrogen gas (H 2 ), a swirling effect under positive pressure is created in the electrolysis cell, allowing the produced oxidant, NaClO, to escape from the upper part of the electrolysis cell. At the same time, a negative pressure is created at the bottom of the electrolysis cell, which supports the controlled flow of water into the electrolysis cell.

[0018] Biologically contaminated water is rendered completely germ-free through the disinfection process. The atomic oxygen (O) in the necendi state, together with the resulting chlorine (Cl), enables a highly efficient oxidation of carbon chains (Cn). The microprocessor is designed in such a way that, upon reaching a defined conductivity, a defined voltage can be automatically applied to the electrodes, and the current flow during the electrolysis process can be displayed via an LED. The cathode and anode are arranged approximately parallel to each other at a defined distance and lead to the efficient conversion of sodium chloride (NaCl) to sodium hypochlorite (NaClO).

[0019] In a further special embodiment of the invention, the rod-shaped anode is made of titanium grade II with a modified coating, and the anode is spiral-shaped in the form of an Archimedean screw. The use of titanium grade II results in a particularly durable anode, and the shape of the spiral anode, similar to an Archimedean screw, also ensures that an upward flow is created during the electrolysis process, thereby achieving better turbulence.

[0020] The helical anode offers several advantages. The enlarged anode surface with horizontal and vertical surface alignment enables significantly improved current efficiency. Furthermore, the shape of the anode results in more efficient turbulence, with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and chlorine Cl being used in the first electrolysis stage. 2 is formed and when the hydrogen H 2due to the turbulence, they suddenly react to form the new substance sodium hypochloride (NaClO).

[0021] The spiral shape of the anode in particular ensures that the substances are swirled upwards more quickly and efficiently due to the existing chimney effect. The fact that energy flows not only into the electrochemical process, but also into thermal conversion, has the advantage that in very hard water, the heating occurring in the anode chamber accelerates the precipitation of calcium in the form of scale. This scale deposits on the electrodes in the form of a constantly growing limescale layer, which grows horizontally in the case of a round rod anode, but increases vertically in the case of the spiral anode surface. During descaling, whether by reversing the polarity or by acidifying with citric acid or similar, the coating slides off more easily due to the downward-sloping spiral shape, which is a significant advantage for maintenance work.

[0022] A Bluetooth connection also allows current / voltage measurements and their conversion to conductivity (W=1 / R) to be displayed on a handheld transmitter or mobile phone. The anode can serve as an antenna. Alternatively, the electrolysis cell can be remotely controlled via mobile phone programming, and all operating data can be queried and, if necessary, modified, such as time intervals and disinfection periods.

[0023] The unique feature of this invention is that all functions for operating the immersion electrolysis cell are controlled by a microprocessor, thus achieving effective sterilization and disinfection of the contaminated water. At the same time, the microprocessor's control ensures the lowest possible energy consumption while minimizing energy consumption and achieving maximum yield.

[0024] The invention is explained again below with reference to the figures.

[0025] It shows Fig. 1 a sectional view of the immersion electrolysis cell according to the invention and Fig. 2 a side view of a single anode.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an immersion electrolysis cell 1, which consists of a preferably round housing shell 2, which serves as the cathode. An anode 3 is attached to the housing shell 2 and is held in the housing shell 2 by an insulator 4 with sealing elements 5, 6. The required voltage of 6 to 12 volts is supplied via a supply line 7 and a cable gland 8.

[0027] The anode 3 in the form of an Archimedean spiral is accommodated in the tubular housing shell 2 via the insulator 4 with sealing O-rings as sealing elements 5, 6. The housing shell 2 is open at the bottom so that water can penetrate into the anode chamber 9. The housing shell 2 also has several bores 16 distributed around the circumference through which the NaCl and the hydrogen H 2can escape from the anode chamber 9. The tubular housing shell 2 forms the cathode, so that the electrolysis process can take place in the anode chamber 9. The applied operating voltage is monitored by an electrical unit 11 with a microprocessor, and the conductivity of the liquid is also determined by a sensor. The voltage and current at the anode are also monitored, and the electrolysis duration is determined depending on the conductivity, whereby a maximum operating voltage and a maximum current flow are maintained. Furthermore, the various functional sequences can be represented by optical display elements of a control device 12. The operating voltage, the minimum conductivity, the operating current, and the voltage at the anode are set via a Bluetooth interface, whereby the operating voltage, the conductivity, the currents, and the voltage at the anode 3 can also be displayed.Furthermore, the electrolysis processes are logged, and an error report is created if necessary. If sufficient conductivity exists in the electrolysis chamber or in the anode compartment 9, an electric field is created between the cathode and anode 3 by applying a voltage. The resulting electrolysis current leads to the electrolysis of table salt (NaCl) to sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). The resulting hydrogen H. 2During the first chemical reaction, the turbulence that occurs in the anode chamber 9 simultaneously mixes it with the chlorine that is being produced, creating the desired sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). The hydrogen gas that rises at the same time creates a slight overpressure in the anode chamber 9, which ensures that the resulting disinfectant, sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), can escape through the side openings 10 and enter the drinking water to be disinfected and sterilized. The electrolysis process is initiated via the microprocessor, so that after a total exposure time of approximately 15 to 20 minutes, the electrolysis process ends and the sterilization and disinfection of the water can be completed. The water is then hygienically perfect and can, if necessary, be poured through a separate activated carbon filter, making the water subsequently safe for humans.

[0028] The microprocessor can be programmed via an operating device 12, which can be, for example, a smartphone or the like.

[0029] Fig.Figure 2 shows a side view of the anode 3, which has a cylindrical shaft 15 in the upper area, with a bore 16 in which, for example, an electrical connection for the supply lines can be accommodated. In the embodiment shown, the anode 3 has six coils 17, which merge into a rounded end piece 18 at the end. The anode 3 is placed in the housing shell 2 with the aid of the insulator 4 in such a way that there is sufficient distance from the housing wall 2 to prevent a short circuit. If the immersion electrolysis cell 1 is immersed in a container containing water, the water can penetrate into the anode chamber 9, in which the anode 3 is located. The electrolysis process is carried out by applying a supply voltage between the cathode and the anode. The container containing contaminated water can be designed to be relatively small, for 1 to 4 liters.However, it is also possible to provide a larger container while simultaneously adapting the size of the immersion electrolysis cell. Smaller containers can also be designed in the form of a portable backpack. List of reference symbols 1 immersion electrolysis cell 2 Housing shell 3 Anode 4 Insulator 5 Sealing element 6 Sealing element 7 Supply line 8 cable gland 9 Anode compartment 10 Opening 11 Electronics unit 12 Control device 15 shaft 16 Hole 17 spirals 18 End piece

Claims

[1] Method for operating a portable immersion electrolysis cell (1) for sterilizing and disinfecting a water container, with a cathode and anode (3) in the form of an Archimedean screw and a sensor for detecting the conductivity of the liquid and optical display elements for displaying the functional sequences and a microprocessor as a central element, comprising at least the following functions of the microprocessor: - Monitoring of the operating voltage - Monitoring of the anode voltage and current (3) - Monitoring of the electrolysis time depending on the conductivity - Monitoring of maximum operating voltage and maximum current flow - Display of operating voltage, conductance, currents and voltage at the anode (3) - Use of a Bluetooth interface, via which the operating voltage, the minimum conductance, the operating current and the voltage at the anode (3) can be adjusted - Logging of the electrolysis processes and creation of an error report, whereby the microprocessor automatically applies a defined voltage to the electrodes when a defined conductivity is reached and the current flow during the electrolysis process is displayed via an LED. [2] Portable immersion electrolysis cell (1) for a water tank with a cathode and anode (3) and a microprocessor, characterized by that the electrolysis cell (1) has an Archimedean screw as anode (3). [3] Immersion electrolysis cell (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the cathode and anode (3) are arranged parallel to each other at a defined distance. [4] Immersion electrolysis cell (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by that the spiral anode (3) is made of titanium grade 2 with coating.

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