Electrolysis cell for water disinfection, particularly in a salt-treated swimming pool, and filtration unit equipped with such a cell

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrolysis cell (1) for water disinfection, particularly in a salt-treated swimming pool. The cell comprises electrodes (2) positioned at a relative distance from each other and connected to opposite poles of a direct current source. It includes a mounting base (3) for mounting in a water filtration unit (30), such that the electrolysis cell (1) is immersed in the water passing through the filtration unit. The electrodes (2) are fixed to the mounting base (3) by one of their ends (2a) and extend cantilevered from the mounting base (3) to be in contact with the water passing through the filtration unit. In addition, the mounting base (3) has one or more gas exhaust vents (12) intended to communicate with the water passing through said filtration group (30) allowing any gases from electrolysis to be automatically evacuated into the water.Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Electrolysis cell for disinfecting water, particularly in a swimming pool treated with salt, and filtration unit equipped with such a cell Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolysis cell for disinfecting water, in particular in a swimming pool treated with salt, said cell comprising electrodes positioned at a relative distance from each other and connected to the opposite poles of a direct current source.

[0002] The invention also relates to a filtration group for water treatment, equipped with such an electrolysis cell, said filtration group comprising at least one suction inlet, a water supply passage, a hydraulic pump, a filtration column, a suction column and a discharge orifice. Prior art

[0003] Salt treatment of a swimming pool requires the installation of a salt chlorinator, the main part of which is an electrolysis cell connected to a direct current source. The function of the electrolysis cell is to ensure electrolytic production, which is the origin of the transformation of salt molecules (NaCl) into natural chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) in the swimming pool water. It thus ensures the disinfection of the swimming pool water. It generally consists of titanium plates or grids coated with ruthenium. The correct treatment of the swimming pool water depends on the operating condition of the cell. Once worn, it must be replaced. Its lifespan is on average 4 to 7 years.

[0004] The electrolysis cell for swimming pools is currently integrated in series or in parallel (by-pass) with the discharge pipe of the swimming pool filtration system, which involves enclosing the cell in a watertight sleeve, L-shaped or T-shaped. The control box of the electrolysis cell is positioned near the electrical box which supplies the swimming pool and is generally controlled by the filtration pump. The control box and the electrolysis cell therefore only operate when the filtration pump is running. However, manufacturers add either a gas detection system (lack of water) installed in the cell, or a flow controller (flow switch) installed on the filtration to condition the start-up of the electrolysis cell, which increases its cost and complicates its installation.

[0005] An electrolysis cell, being a consumable product, must be accessible to allow various maintenance operations and / or its possible replacement. To access this cell, the piping on which it is mounted must also be accessible. This constraint limits the use of electrolysis cells only with traditional filtration, which are located in technical rooms large enough to accommodate the entire system.

[0006] In addition, the chemical reaction produced by electrolysis to disinfect the pool water produces two gaseous components: dihydrogen H2 and dichlorine C12. These two components can be dangerous for various reasons: H2 is explosive and C12 is toxic. The disadvantage of current electrolysis cells comes from the fact that they are hermetically enclosed in a sleeve, and in the event of a pump malfunction, gas can accumulate in said sleeve, creating a danger for the installation and for users. Finally, to carry out maintenance operations and / or the replacement of the cell, it must be possible to isolate it by closing the water circulation valves so as not to empty the water from the pool, which is restrictive and a source of incidents if a valve is not correctly closed.

[0007] Current solutions are therefore not satisfactory. Statement of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a new design of electrolysis cell, which is no longer enclosed in a sealed sleeve, but is specifically designed to be inserted directly into a water filtration unit, so that it is fully open and immersed in the pool water, is easily accessible for maintenance and replacement, and is mounted in the filtration unit so that any gases resulting from the electrolysis of the water can escape automatically and safely both into the air and into the pool water. Furthermore, the invention also aims at an electrolysis cell capable of supporting different control accessories making this cell multifunctional.

[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to an electrolysis cell of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that it comprises a mounting base intended to be mounted in a water filtration group, so that said electrolysis cell is immersed in the water passing through said filtration group, and in that said electrodes are fixed to said mounting base by one of their ends, and extend cantilevered from said mounting base to be in contact with the water passing through said filtration group, when said electrolysis cell is mounted in said filtration group.

[0010] Thanks to this new design, the electrolysis cell is directly integrated into the filtration group, does not require special piping to be installed, nor a valve to isolate it, making maintenance and replacement operations of this cell simpler and faster.

[0011] In a preferred form of the invention, said mounting base comprises fixing means intended to cooperate with complementary receiving means provided in said filtration group so that said electrolysis cell is mounted in said filtration group in a removable manner.

[0012] These fixing means may comprise at least one spring tab provided with a stop notch, arranged to allow assembly by clipping in said filtration group.

[0013] Said electrolysis cell advantageously comprises at least one gas exhaust vent intended to communicate with the water passing through said filtration group, and in particular several gas exhaust vents delimited between said at least one spring tab and a support collar provided on the mounting base opposite said at least one electrode.

[0014] Preferably, said electrodes are connected to each other by at least one spacer guaranteeing said relative distance between them.

[0015] The mounting base of said electrolysis cell comprises a central core surrounded by an envelope, said central core being electrically insulating, and the corresponding ends of said electrodes being embedded in said central core and connected to said poles by an electrical cable emerging from said central core and connected to a remote control box.

[0016] Said electrical cable advantageously comprises a waterproof connector arranged to easily connect and disconnect the electrolysis cell from said cable connecting it to said remote control box in a technical room which may be located at a distance of between 2m and 20m.

[0017] According to the variant embodiments of the invention, said electrodes may comprise a number of plates between two and N, N being an even or odd number, said plates being positioned between them to form one or more pairs comprising a cathode and an anode.

[0018] Said mounting base may further comprise at least one through conduit intended to receive a control and / or treatment accessory chosen from the group comprising a clogging indicator, a pH corrector, or the like.

[0019] For this purpose also, the invention relates to a filtration group of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that it further comprises at least one electrolysis cell for the disinfection of water as defined above, immersed in said filtration group between said suction mouth and said discharge orifice.

[0020] In a preferred form of the invention, said electrolysis cell is positioned downstream of said filtration column, so that the electrodes of said electrolysis cell are not subjected to impurities carried by the water passing through said filtration group.

[0021] Advantageously, said water supply corridor comprises at least one receiving orifice through which said electrolysis cell is positioned and to which said mounting base is fixed, allowing easy access to said cell.

[0022] Furthermore, said receiving orifice and the mounting base delimit between them passages which communicate with the gas exhaust vents.

[0023] Thus, the leaks created specifically in the mounting area of ​​the electrolysis cell make this cell non-watertight and allow H2 to escape in small quantities into the open air and C12 to always dissolve in the water of the pool.

[0024] Advantageously, said at least one through conduit provided in the mounting base is accessible from said water supply corridor and may comprise a control and / or treatment accessory chosen from the group comprising a clogging indicator, a pH corrector, or the like. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The present invention and its advantages will appear better in the following description of several embodiments given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0026] [Fig.l] is a front view of an electrolysis cell according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig.2] is a side view of the cell of [Fig.l],

[0028] [Fig.3] is a top view of the cell of [Fig.l],

[0029] [Fig.4] is an axial sectional view of the cell of [Fig.2],

[0030] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a filtration unit mounted on a wall of a basin, equipped with an electrolysis cell according to [Fig.l],

[0031] [Fig.6] is an enlarged top view of [Fig.5], showing the gas leaks around of the electrolysis cell, and

[0032] [Fig.7] is an axial sectional view of the filtration group according to the section plane VILVII of [Fig.5], showing the circulation of water and gas leaks. Description of the embodiments

[0033] In the illustrated embodiments, identical elements or parts bear the same reference numbers. Furthermore, terms which have a relative meaning, such as vertical, horizontal, right, left, front, rear, above, below, etc., must be interpreted under normal conditions of use of the invention, and as shown in the figures. The X, Y and Z axes are defined by an orthonormal reference system illustrated in [Fig. 1]. Furthermore, the geometric positions indicated in the description and the claims, such as “perpendicular”, “parallel”, “symmetrical” are not limited to the strict sense defined in geometry, but extend to geometric positions which are close, that is to say which accept a certain tolerance in the technical field considered, without influence on the result obtained. This tolerance is notably introduced by the adverb "substantially", without this term necessarily being repeated before each adjective.

[0034] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the electrolysis cell 1 according to the invention is made up of the following main elements: electrodes 2, a mounting base 3, and an electric cable 4 for connecting the electrodes 2 to a direct current source (not shown) via a remote control box (not shown).

[0035] The mounting base 3 has, in the example shown, a cylindrical shape with axis A, without this shape being limiting, the essential thing being that it is complementary to that of the receiving means provided in the filtration group and described later. It could have an ovoid, polygonal, or even any shape. The mounting base 3 comprises an envelope 5, a central core 6, a support collar 7 in the upper part, and at least one lateral spring tab 8, and for example two lateral spring tabs 8, without this number being limiting.

[0036] The casing 5 constitutes the support for all the components and all the functionalities of the electrolysis cell 1, and allows it to be mounted and fixed in the filtration group. It is preferably made of an electrically insulating thermoplastic polymer material, such as a natural, artificial or synthetic resin, or any other technically equivalent material, and is obtained by molding, injection, additive manufacturing or the like.

[0037] The central core 6 is preferably made of a material that can be overmolded around the corresponding ends 2a of the electrodes 2 and an electrical cable 4 to ensure both an intimate mechanical connection of these parts to each other and electrical insulation between the electrodes 2. The end of the cable 4 is provided with a sealed connector (not shown) allowing the electrolysis cell 1 to be easily connected and disconnected from the cable 4 connecting it to the remote control box (not shown). The control box is preferably located in a technical room, separate and remote from the basin and the filtration group 30, to protect the control electronics of the electrolysis cell 1. The technical room can be at least 2m to 20m away, without these values ​​being limiting.

[0038] The central core 6 may be attached by gluing or directly molded inside the casing 5. For this purpose, the casing 5 may include an intermediate partition 9 to facilitate the manufacture of the core in two parts. The central core 6 may be made of a thermosetting, electrically insulating polymer material, such as a natural, artificial or synthetic resin, or any other technically equivalent material. Of course, any other compatible means of mechanical support and electrical insulation may be suitable in place of the central core 6.

[0039] The spring tabs 8 are preferably produced during the manufacture of the casing 5. In the example shown, they extend parallel to the axis A, are diametrically opposed, and start substantially after the first lower third of the height of the base. They each have a stop notch 10 facing outwards, to achieve an assembly by clipping in the filtration group. This type of assembly has the advantage of being quick, of requiring no tools, and of being reversible allowing the assembly and disassembly of the electrolysis cell 1 to facilitate its maintenance and / or its replacement. Of course, any other compatible means of fixing may be suitable.

[0040] The support collar 7 extends perpendicular to the axis A of the mounting base 3, and projects radially from the casing 3 to determine an axial mounting position of the cell in the filtration group. The support collar 7 is annular and may have a circular, ovoid, polygonal, or even any shape. In the example illustrated, it has a circular shape, truncated by four flats, delimiting a square. The flats may constitute indexing means defining four angular mounting positions of the electrolysis cell 1 in the receiving orifice 31 relative to the side wall of the water supply passage 32. The support collar 7 further comprises two notches 11 in line with the spring tabs 8, of a width greater than that of the tabs to create passages forming gas exhaust vents 12, intended to communicate with the water passing through the filtration group, as described below.

[0041] The electrodes 2, being fixed to the mounting base 3 by one of their ends 2a, extend cantilevered from said base to the other of their ends 2b which is free. In the example shown, they are made up of three plates 20, 21 forming for example two anodes 20, and a cathode 21 located between the two anodes 20 to create two “anode-cathode” pairs. The plates 20, 21 are preferably made of titanium and covered with ruthenium, or any other compatible material or combination of materials. They are positioned parallel to each other by their largest faces, thus determining the treatment surface of the electrolysis cell 1 with the water passing through it. They are maintained at a determined distance from each other by spacers 13.The spacers 13 may consist of washers or the like, held together by fixing members 14 passing right through the plates 2a, 2b, such as screws locked by nuts or any other equivalent solution. The spacers 13 and the fixing members 14 are made of electrically insulating materials, such as nylon, Bakelite®, or any other compatible material.

[0042] The number of plates 20, 21, forming the electrodes 2, is not limited to three. It can be equal to two to form at least one “anode-cathode” pair, or equal to N, N being able to be an even or odd number, the essential thing being that they are positioned relative to each other to form one or more “cathode-anode” pairs. The number of plates 20, 21, and the size of each of the plates are variables which are determined according to the volume of water to be treated.

[0043] The mounting base 3 further comprises one, two or more through conduits 15, arranged between the casing 5 and the central core 6 or through the central core 6. These through conduits 15 are provided to receive an accessory for controlling and / or treating the water in the pool, such as a clogging indicator, a pH corrector, or the like. For example, a clogging indicator may comprise a tube 16 provided with a pressure sensor 17, fitted into one of the through conduits 15, on the side of the outer base, opposite the electrodes 2. The pH corrector (not shown) may comprise a tube allowing the injection of a suitable product such as hydrochloric acid. These through conduits 15 ensure communication between the water circulating in the filtration unit and the accessories carried by the electrolysis cell 1.

[0044] Referring now to Figures 5 to 7, the electrolysis cell 1 according to the invention is mounted directly in a filtration group 30, and more particularly in a receiving orifice 31 provided for this purpose. Preferably, the receiving orifice 31 is arranged in a water supply corridor 32, to communicate with a suction column 33. In this way, the electrodes 2 of the electrolysis cell 1 extend inside the suction column 33 and are immersed in the water passing through the filtration group 30. The mounting base 3 is secured to the receiving orifice 31. It rests in the bottom of the water supply corridor 32 by its support collar 7, and is locked in the mounted position by the two stop notches 10 in abutment under the wall of the receiving orifice 31. In this position, the electrolysis cell 1 is accessible.It is sufficient to remove a cover (not shown) which closes the upper part of the filtration group 30, and to bring together with two fingers the two spring tabs 8 to disengage the stop notches 10 releasing the electrolysis cell 1 from the receiving orifice 31. Similarly, accessories can be added to the mounting base 3 at the level of the through conduits 10, also easily accessible and removable.

[0045] The filtration group 30 may be new equipment equipped with said electrolysis cell 1, or existing equipment, modifiable via a slight intervention to create said receiving orifice 31. The filtration group 30 as illustrated is known and will only be described briefly. It is assembled at the rear of a wall 34 of a basin (not shown). The term "basin" refers to any container of water intended for leisure, recreation, well-being, or therapy, such as a swimming pool, a whirlpool, a diving pool, or the like, without these examples being limiting.

[0046] In the example shown, the filtration group 30 is adjacent to the rear face of the wall 34 of the basin, but could be moved away and housed in a technical room for example. The advantage of mounting the filtration unit 30 adjacent to the basin lies in the reduction of the length of the pipes of the hydraulic circuit, having the effect of limiting pressure losses and the risk of leakage. To allow hydraulic communication between the basin and the filtration unit 30, the wall 34 of the basin comprises a suction inlet 35 located in the upper part, preferably at least partly submerged below the water level contained in the basin, and a discharge orifice 36 located near the suction inlet 35, preferably completely submerged below the water level.In this variant embodiment, the filtration group 30 also comprises a hydraulic pump 37, positioned in the water supply corridor 32 and communicating with the suction column 33 to create a depression causing forced circulation of the water, a filtration column 38, positioned between the water supply corridor 32 and the suction column 33, and a discharge conduit 39 connecting the suction column 33 to the discharge orifice 36.

[0047] The circulation of water in the filtration group 30 is shown diagrammatically by the arrows F in [Fig.7]: the water enters the filtration group 30 through the suction inlet 35 via a skimmer neck (not shown), passes over the hydraulic pump 37, descends into the filtration column 38 through filter media (not shown), rises in the suction column 33 where the electrolysis cell 1 is located, passes into the volute of the hydraulic pump 37 and is discharged into the discharge conduit 39 then into the basin through the discharge orifice 36.

[0048] The electrolysis cell 1 is preferably arranged in the suction column 33, that is to say after the filtration column 38, to treat the water already freed from its impurities, thus protecting the cell from any fouling harmful to its operation.

[0049] Furthermore, the receiving orifice 31 and the mounting base 3 of the electrolysis cell 1 delimit between them passages which communicate with the gas exhaust vents 12. These passages thus form leaks located at the level of the spring tabs 8 and allow the H2 and C12 gas bubbles (represented by dots) to be evacuated into the volume of water of the filtration group 30 in the event of failure of the hydraulic pump 37. The H2 gas bubbles can rise to the surface of the water circulating in the water supply corridor 32 to escape into the air. In normal operation, these H2 and C12 gas bubbles are sucked in by the pump and diffused into the basin via the discharge conduit 39 and the discharge orifice 36.

[0050] It is clear from this description that the positioning of the electrolysis cell 1 according to the invention within the filtration group 30 allows the user to remove it and change it easily, without having to close the slightest valve. The control box (not shown) of the electrolysis cell 1 can be located at a distance of between 2m and 20m from the pool, without these values ​​being limiting.

[0051] The present invention is of course not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art within the limits of the appended claims. Furthermore, the technical characteristics of the different embodiments and variants mentioned above may be, in whole or in some cases, combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Electrolysis cell (1) for disinfecting water, in particular in a salt-treated swimming pool, said cell comprising electrodes (2) positioned at a relative distance from each other and connected to opposite poles of a direct current source, characterized in that it comprises a mounting base (3) intended to be mounted in a water filtration group (30), so that said electrolysis cell (1) is immersed in the water passing through said filtration group, and in that said electrodes (2) are fixed to said mounting base (3) by one of their ends (2a), and extend cantilevered from said mounting base (3) to be in contact with the water passing through said filtration group, when said electrolysis cell (1) is mounted in said filtration group (30),said electrolysis cell comprising at least one gas exhaust vent (12) intended to communicate with the water passing through said filtration group (30).,

2. Electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that said mounting base (3) comprises fixing means (8) intended to cooperate with complementary receiving means (31) provided in said filtration group (30), so that said electrolysis cell (1) is mounted in said filtration group (30) in a removable manner.

3. Electrolysis cell according to claim 2, characterized in that said fixing means comprise at least one spring tab (8) provided with a stop notch (10), arranged to allow assembly by clipping in said filtration group (30).

4. Electrolysis cell according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises several gas exhaust vents (12) delimited between said at least one spring tab (8) and a support collar (7) provided on the mounting base (3) opposite said electrodes (2).

5. Electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that said electrodes (2) are linked to each other by at least one spacer (13) guaranteeing said relative distance between them.

6. Electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that said mounting base (3) comprises a central core (6) surrounded by an envelope (5), said central core being electrically insulating, in that the corresponding ends (2a) of said electrodes (2) are embedded in said central core (6), and connected to said poles by an electric cable (4) emerging from said central core (6) and connected to a remote control box.

7. Electrolysis cell according to claim 6, characterized in that said electrical cable (4) comprises a sealed connector arranged to easily connect and disconnect the electrolysis cell (1) from said cable connecting it to said remote control box in a technical room located at a distance of between 2m and 20m.

8. Electrolysis cell according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electrodes (2) comprise a number of plates (20, 21) between two and N, N being an even or odd number, and in that said plates (20, 21) are positioned between them to form one or more pairs comprising a cathode and an anode.

9. Electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that said mounting base (3) comprises at least one through conduit (15) intended to receive a control and / or treatment accessory (16, 17) chosen from the group comprising a clogging indicator, a pH corrector.

10. Filtration group (30) for the treatment of water, in particular in a swimming pool treated with salt, said filtration group comprising at least one suction inlet (35), a water supply passage (32), a hydraulic pump (37), a filtration column (38), a suction column (33) and a discharge orifice (36), characterized in that it further comprises at least one electrolysis cell (1) for the disinfection of water according to any one of claims 1 to 9, immersed in said filtration group (30) between said suction inlet (35) and said discharge orifice (36).

11. Filtration group according to claim 10, characterized in that said electrolysis cell (1) is positioned downstream of said filtration column (38), so that the electrodes (2) of said electrolysis cell (1) are not subjected to impurities carried by the water passing through said filtration group (30).

12. Filtration group according to any one of claims 10 and 12, characterized in that said water supply corridor (32) comprises at least one receiving orifice (31) through which said electrolysis cell (1) is positioned and to which said mounting base (3) is fixed.

13. Filtration group according to claim 12, characterized in that said receiving orifice (31) and the mounting base (3) delimit between them passages which communicate with the gas exhaust vents (12).

14. Filtration group according to claim 10, characterized in that said at least one through conduit (15) provided in the mounting base (3) is accessible from said water supply corridor (32) and comprises a control and / or treatment accessory (16, 17) chosen from the group comprising a clogging indicator, a pH corrector.

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