Water quality alkalization device

Abstract

To increase the generation efficiency of basic liquid with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A water quality alkalization device comprises a storage part for storing an electrolyte, a first anode immersed in the electrolyte, a second anode immersed in the electrolyte, and a cathode immersed in the electrolyte and arranged between the first and second anodes. It generates basic liquid by applying a voltage between the first and second anodes and the cathode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water alkalizer. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a water alkalizing device that generates a basic liquid by applying a voltage between a pair of electrodes immersed in an electrolyte. In this type of water alkalizing device, when the pH of the electrolyte between the pair of electrodes increases due to hydroxide ions generated by electrolysis remaining near the electrodes, passive substances such as magnesium hydroxide are deposited on the electrodes as scale. Such scale inhibits the electrolytic reaction. Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a reverse current is applied between the pair of electrodes to remove the scale deposited on the electrodes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-160521 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, frequent removal of the scale deposited on the electrodes reduces the efficiency of generating the basic liquid.

[0005] In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a water alkalizing device that can increase the efficiency of producing a basic liquid with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a water alkalizing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a storage section for storing an electrolyte, a first anode immersed in the electrolyte, a second anode immersed in the electrolyte, and a cathode disposed between the first anode and the second anode and immersed in the electrolyte, and generates a basic liquid by applying a voltage between the cathode and each of the first anode and the second anode. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a water alkalizing device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] This is a potential-pH diagram of magnesium. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the dimensions and scale of each part in the drawings may differ from the actual ones, and some parts are shown diagrammatically to facilitate understanding. In addition, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these forms unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present disclosure is limited.

[0009] 1. Embodiment Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a water alkalizing device 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. The water alkalizing device 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a device for alkalizing an electrolyte solution ES. The electrolyte solution ES is, for example, tap water. Note that the electrolyte solution ES is not limited to tap water, and may be, for example, an aqueous solution such as an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.

[0010] The water alkaline device 1 includes a storage section 10, a cathode 21, a first anode 22-1, a second anode 22-2, and a DC power source 30. Each part of the water alkaline device 1 will be described in order below.

[0011] For convenience, the following description will be given using the mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis as appropriate. In the following description, one direction along the X-axis is the X1 direction, and the opposite direction to the X1 direction is the X2 direction. One direction along the Y-axis is the Y1 direction, and the opposite direction to the Y1 direction is the Y2 direction. One direction along the Z-axis is the Z1 direction, and the opposite direction to the Z1 direction is the Z2 direction. Typically, the Z-axis is the vertical axis, the Z1 direction is vertically upward, and the Z2 direction is vertically downward. In addition, the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2 may be referred to as the anode 22 without distinction.

[0012] The storage unit 10 is a container such as a polyethylene tank having a space S for storing the electrolyte solution ES. The shape of the storage unit 10 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 and may be any shape. The constituent material of the storage unit 10 is not limited to resin and may be, for example, metal. A pipe for supplying the electrolyte solution ES to the storage unit 10 may be connected to the storage unit 10, and a pipe for discharging the electrolyte solution ES from the storage unit 10 may be connected to the storage unit 10.

[0013] In the space S of the storage section 10, the first anode 22-1, the second anode 22-2, and the cathode 21 are arranged in a state of configuring an electrolytic cell. Here, the first anode 22-1, the second anode 22-2, and the cathode 21 are each immersed in the electrolytic solution ES. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first anode 22-1, the second anode 22-2, and the cathode 21 are each entirely immersed in the electrolytic solution ES. Note that each of the first anode 22-1, the second anode 22-2, and the cathode 21 may be partially exposed to the outside from the electrolytic solution ES.

[0014] The cathode 21 is disposed between the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2, and is a plate-shaped electrode having a first face F1 and a second face F2. The first face F1 is one of the plate faces of the cathode 21 and faces in the X1 direction. The second face F2 is the other plate face of the cathode 21 and faces in the X2 direction opposite to the first face F1.

[0015] The cathode 21 is made of a material containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, copper, cobalt, manganese, nickel, silver, and zinc. In particular, the cathode 21 is preferably made of the same material as the anode 22, that is, a material containing a metal of the second element. In this case, there is an advantage that costs can be reduced more easily than in a case where the anode 22 and the cathode 21 are made of different materials.

[0016] The first anode 22-1 is a plate-shaped electrode having a third surface F3 facing the first surface F1 of the cathode 21. The third surface F3 is one of the plate surfaces of the first anode 22-1 and faces the X2 direction. On the other hand, the second anode 22-2 is a plate-shaped electrode having a fourth surface F4 facing the second surface F2 of the cathode 21. The fourth surface F4 is one of the plate surfaces of the second anode 22-2 and faces the X1 direction.

[0017] Each of the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2 is made of a material containing a metal of the second element. In particular, each of the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2 is preferably made of a material containing magnesium, in particular, a magnesium alloy such as AZ31B. In this case, an electrolytic reaction of magnesium can be suitably caused in each of the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2.

[0018] The sum of the electrode area of ​​the first anode 22-1 and the electrode area of ​​the second anode 22-2 is larger than the electrode area of ​​the cathode 21. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cathode 21, the first anode 22-1, and the second anode 22-2 have the same shape and size. Therefore, the sum of the electrode area of ​​the first anode 22-1 and the electrode area of ​​the second anode 22-2 is twice the electrode area of ​​the cathode 21.

[0019] It is preferable that the distance D1 between the first anode 22-1 and the cathode 21 is equal to the distance D2 between the second anode 22-2 and the cathode 21. In this case, there is an advantage that the current density between the first anode 22-1 and the cathode 21 and the current density between the second anode 22-2 and the cathode 21 can be easily equalized. This equalization reduces the occurrence of scale deposition biased on only one of the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2. Here, "equal" includes not only a strictly equal state, but also a state having a difference of the order of a manufacturing error.

[0020] The cathode 21 , the first anode 22 - 1 and the second anode 22 - 2 are electrically connected to a DC power supply 30 .

[0021] The DC power supply 30 is a device that applies a DC voltage between the cathode 21 and each of the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2 are electrically connected to the DC power supply 30 in parallel.

[0022] The DC power supply 30 may temporarily invert the polarity of the voltage applied between the cathode 21 and the anode 22 and between the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2. The power supply that applies a voltage between the first anode 22-1 and the cathode 21 and the power supply that applies a voltage between the second anode 22-2 and the cathode 21 may be separate power supplies. However, from the viewpoint of simplifying the device configuration, it is preferable that the power supply that applies a voltage between the first anode 22-1 and the cathode 21 and the power supply that applies a voltage between the second anode 22-2 and the cathode 21 are a common power supply.

[0023] The water alkalizing device 1 configured as described above generates a basic liquid by applying a voltage between the cathode 21 and each of the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2 from the DC power supply 30. At this time, if the anode 22 is made of a material containing magnesium, an electrolytic reaction of magnesium occurs at each of the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2 as shown in the following formula (1). Meanwhile, at this time, a reaction that generates hydroxide ions occurs at the cathode 21 as shown in the following formula (2). As a result, the electrolyte ES is alkalized, and a basic liquid is generated. Mg → Mg 2+ +2e - Formula (1) 2H2O+2e - →H2+2OH - Formula (2)

[0024] Here, hydroxide ions generated by the above-mentioned electrolytic reaction tend to remain between the cathode 21 and the anode 22. For this reason, the hydroxide ion concentration in the electrolyte solution ES between the cathode 21 and the anode 22 tends to become high.

[0025] Figure 3 is a potential-pH diagram for magnesium. As shown in Figure 3 and the following formula (3), when the pH of the electrolyte ES reaches a certain level, magnesium ions combine with hydroxide ions to produce passive magnesium hydroxide. Mg 2+ +2OH - →Mg(OH)2 formula (3)

[0026] Here, when the pH of the electrolyte between the cathode 21 and the anode 22 becomes high, magnesium hydroxide precipitates as scale on the anode 22. Such scale is passive and inhibits the electrolytic reaction.

[0027] Therefore, in the water quality alkalizing device 1, as described above, one cathode 21 is disposed between two anodes 22, so that the electrode area of ​​the anode 22 can be made larger than that of the embodiment in which the number of anodes 22 is one. In this embodiment, the electrode area of ​​the two anodes 22 is the same size as described above, so that it is twice as large as that of the embodiment in which the number of anodes 22 is one. Therefore, the current density between the cathode 21 and each anode 22 can be halved. As a result, the concentration of magnesium ions released from the anode 22 can be halved, so that the generation of magnesium hydroxide can be significantly suppressed. In addition, by effectively using both the first surface F1 and the second surface F2 of the cathode 21, it is possible to reduce costs compared to the embodiment in which the set of one cathode 21 and one anode 22 is made large.

[0028] As described above, in the water alkalizing device 1, with a simple configuration in which one cathode 21 is disposed between two anodes 22, the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2, the electrode area of ​​the anode 22 can be made larger than in an embodiment in which the number of anodes 22 is one. Therefore, by reducing the current density between the anode 22 and the cathode 21, the generation density of magnesium from the anode 22 can be reduced. As a result, the deposition of passivation such as magnesium hydroxide can be suppressed, and the water can be stably alkalized. In other words, since the deposition of passivation such as magnesium hydroxide is suppressed, the generation efficiency of the basic liquid can be increased without frequently removing the scale deposited on the electrodes.

[0029] As described above, the first anode 22-1 has a third surface F3 facing the first surface F1. Therefore, a voltage can be suitably applied between the first surface F1 of the cathode 21 and the third surface F3 of the first anode 22-1. Similarly, the second anode 22-2 has a fourth surface F4 facing the second surface F2. Therefore, a voltage can be suitably applied between the second surface F2 of the cathode 21 and the fourth surface F4 of the second anode 22-2.

[0030] Furthermore, as described above, when the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2 are each made of a magnesium alloy, an electrolytic reaction of magnesium can be suitably caused in each of the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2.

[0031] In addition, as described above, when the cathode 21 is made of a magnesium alloy, by making the anode 22 and the cathode 21 out of the same material, there is an advantage in that costs can be reduced more easily than in a case where the anode 22 and the cathode 21 are made of different materials.

[0032] Furthermore, as described above, the sum of the electrode area of ​​the first anode 22-1 and the electrode area of ​​the second anode 22-2 is larger than the electrode area of ​​the cathode 21. Therefore, compared to the embodiment in which the number of anodes 22 is one, the current density between the anode 22 and the cathode 21 can be reduced, thereby reducing the density of magnesium generation from the anode 22.

[0033] As described above, the cathode 21, the first anode 22-1, and the second anode 22-2 constitute an electrolytic cell, so that a basic liquid can be produced by applying a voltage between the cathode 21 and each of the first anode 22-1 and the second anode 22-2.

[0034] 2. Variations The above-mentioned embodiments can be modified in various ways. Specific modified embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined as long as they are not inconsistent.

[0035] 2-1. Variation 1 In the above embodiment, the first anode, the second anode, and the cathode are exemplified as having the same shape and size, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the first anode, the second anode, and the cathode may have different shapes and sizes. However, from the viewpoint of equalizing the current density between the first anode and the cathode and the current density between the second anode and the cathode, it is preferable that the first anode and the second anode have the same shape and size. In addition, the shapes of the first anode, the second anode, and the cathode are not limited to a plate shape, and may be, for example, a block shape.

[0036] 2-2. Variation 2 In the above embodiment, the number of sets of the first anode, the second anode and the cathode is one set, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of sets may be two or more sets.

[0037] 3. Notes For example, the following aspects can be understood from the above embodiment and modified examples.

[0038] A water alkalinization device of a first embodiment which is a preferred example of the present disclosure comprises a storage section for storing an electrolyte solution, a first anode immersed in the electrolyte solution, a second anode immersed in the electrolyte solution, and a cathode disposed between the first anode and the second anode and immersed in the electrolyte solution, and generates a basic liquid by applying a voltage between the cathode and each of the first anode and the second anode.

[0039] In the above first embodiment, the electrode area of ​​the anode can be made larger than that of the embodiment in which there is only one anode, with a simple configuration in which one cathode is disposed between two anodes, the first anode and the second anode. Therefore, the current density between the anode and the cathode can be reduced, thereby decreasing the density of magnesium generation from the anode. As a result, the deposition of passivation such as magnesium hydroxide can be suppressed, and the water quality can be stably alkalized.

[0040] In a second aspect which is a preferred example of the first aspect, the cathode has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first anode has a third surface facing the first surface, and the second anode has a fourth surface facing the second surface. In the second aspect, a voltage can be suitably applied between the first surface of the cathode and the third surface of the first anode, and a voltage can be suitably applied between the second surface of the cathode and the fourth surface of the second anode.

[0041] In a third embodiment, which is a preferred example of the first or second embodiment, the first anode and the second anode are each made of a magnesium alloy. In the third embodiment, an electrolytic reaction of magnesium can be favorably caused in each of the first anode and the second anode.

[0042] In a fourth embodiment, which is a preferred example of the third embodiment, the cathode is made of a magnesium alloy. In the fourth embodiment, the anode and the cathode are made of the same material, which has the advantage that costs can be reduced more easily than in an embodiment in which the anode and the cathode are made of different materials.

[0043] In a fifth aspect, which is a preferred example of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the sum of the electrode area of ​​the first anode and the electrode area of ​​the second anode is larger than the electrode area of ​​the cathode. In the fifth aspect, the current density between the anode and the cathode is reduced, and thus the density of magnesium generation from the anode can be reduced, compared to the aspect in which there is one anode.

[0044] In a sixth embodiment, which is a preferred example of any one of the first to fifth embodiments, the cathode, the first anode, and the second anode constitute an electrolytic cell. In the sixth embodiment, a basic liquid can be produced by applying a voltage between the cathode and each of the first anode and the second anode. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1…water quality alkalinization device, 10…storage unit, 21…cathode, 22…anode, 22-1…first anode, 22-2…second anode, 30…DC power supply, D1…distance, D2…distance, ES…electrolyte, F1…first surface, F2…second surface, F3…third surface, F4…fourth surface, S…space.

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores an electrolyte; A first anode immersed in the electrolyte; A second anode immersed in the electrolyte; a cathode disposed between the first anode and the second anode and immersed in the electrolyte; A basic liquid is generated by applying a voltage between each of the first anode and the second anode and the cathode. Water alkalizer.

2. The cathode has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first anode has a third surface facing the first surface, The second anode has a fourth surface facing the second surface. The water alkalizing device according to claim 1.

3. Each of the first anode and the second anode is made of a magnesium alloy. The water alkalizing device according to claim 1.

4. The cathode is made of a magnesium alloy. The water alkalizing device according to claim 3.

5. The sum of the electrode area of ​​the first anode and the electrode area of ​​the second anode is greater than the electrode area of ​​the cathode. The water alkalizing device according to claim 1.

6. The cathode, the first anode, and the second anode constitute an electrolytic cell. The water alkalizing device according to claim 1.

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