Electrolytic water generator

Abstract

To provide an electrolytic water generator capable of prolonging a service life of an electrolytic tank.SOLUTION: An electrolytic water generator (1) includes: a three-chamber electrolytic tank (2); an electrolyte supply part (4); an electrolyte circulation part (5) through which an electrolyte solution is supplied from the electrolyte supply part (4) and is circulated to an intermediate chamber (23) via a first circulation route (50); a second circulation route (60) through which an electrolyte solution is circulated to the electrolyte circulation part (5) via a route different from the first circulation route (50); a one-chamber electrolytic tank (3) to which the electrolyte solution is supplied from a branch route (70) connecting to a second circulation route (60); and a fine bubble generator (7) which is provided in the branch route (70).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolytic water generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrolytic water generating device 100 (Patent Document 1) developed by the applicant of the present application. The electrolytic aqueous solution discharged from the three-compartment electrolytic cell 2 after electrolysis is returned to the three-compartment electrolytic cell 2 again through the first circulation path 50, while an electrolyte aqueous solution of a predetermined concentration is supplied downstream of the three-compartment electrolytic cell 2 to replenish the consumed electrolyte. Conventionally, the surplus electrolyte aqueous solution resulting from this replenishment was discharged from the first circulation path 50 to the outside of the electrolytic water generating device 100.

[0003] Therefore, in the electrolytic water generating device 100, an electrolyte circulation unit 5 is provided in the first circulation path 50. An electrolyte aqueous solution of a predetermined concentration is supplied to the electrolyte circulation unit 5 from the electrolyte supply unit 4. Excess electrolyte aqueous solution is sent from the electrolyte circulation unit 5 to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. This makes it possible to suppress the generation of waste electrolyte aqueous solution in the electrolytic water generating device 100. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6139809 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In electrolytic water generating devices, if the electrolyte solution contains cations such as calcium ions and magnesium ions as hardness components, these cations gather at the cathode and deposit as scale. This scale can reduce the current density, shorten the life of the electrodes, and ultimately shorten the life of the electrolytic cell.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic water generating apparatus capable of extending the life of an electrolytic cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention is, for example, as follows: In the following, the reference numbers of the figures are used for reference. [1] A three-chamber electrolytic cell (2) having an intermediate chamber (23) for electrolyzing a supplied aqueous electrolyte solution and discharging the aqueous electrolyte solution from which a portion of the electrolyte has been consumed, and an anode chamber (22) and a cathode chamber (21) to which ionized electrolyte is supplied from the intermediate chamber (23); an electrolyte supply (4); an electrolyte circulation section (5) in which an aqueous electrolyte solution is supplied from the electrolyte supply section (4) and circulated between the electrolyte supply section (5) and the intermediate chamber (23) via a first circulation path (50); a second circulation path (60) that circulates the electrolyte aqueous solution to the electrolyte circulation unit (5) via a path different from the first circulation path (50); a single-chamber electrolytic cell (3) to which an aqueous electrolyte solution is supplied from a branch path (70) connected to the second circulation path (60); a fine bubble generator (7) provided in the branch path (70) upstream of the single-chamber electrolytic cell (3) for causing fine bubbles generated to be contained in the aqueous electrolyte solution flowing through the branch path (70); The electrolytic water generating device (1, 1A, 1B) comprises: [2] In the electrolytic water generating device (1, 1A) according to [1], a first reservoir tank (64) is provided in the second circulation path (60), and a first pump (62) is provided downstream of the first reservoir tank (64) and upstream of the electrolyte circulation unit (5); The electrolytic water generating apparatus (1, 1A) is characterized in that the branch path (70) is connected to the first reservoir tank (64). [3] In the electrolytic water generating device (1, 1A) according to [2], The electrolyzed water generating apparatus (1, 1A) is characterized in that a second reservoir tank (39) is provided in the branch path (70), and a second pump (34) is provided downstream of the second reservoir tank (39) and upstream of the fine bubble generator (7). [4] In the electrolytic water generating device (1A) according to [3], The electrolytic water generating device (1A) is characterized in that a third pump (92) is provided in the branch path (70) upstream of the second reservoir tank (39) for sucking the electrolyte aqueous solution from the first reservoir tank (64) and sending it to the second reservoir tank (39). [5] In the electrolytic water generating device (1B) according to [1], a first reservoir tank (64) is provided in the second circulation path (60), and a first pump (62) and a first opening / closing mechanism (93) are provided in this order from upstream to downstream of the first reservoir tank (64) and upstream of the electrolyte circulation unit (5); the branch path (70) is connected to the second circulation path (60) downstream of the first pump (62) and upstream of the first opening / closing mechanism (93); The branch path (70) is provided with a second reservoir tank (39) to which the aqueous electrolyte solution is sent from the second circulation path (60) by the first pump (62), a second opening / closing mechanism (94) is provided upstream of the second reservoir tank (39), and a second pump (34) is provided downstream of the second reservoir tank (39) and upstream of the fine bubble generator (7). The electrolytic water generating device (1B) is characterized by the above. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional electrolytic water generating device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrolytic water generating device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an electrolyte circulating unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a first reservoir tank. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fine bubble generator. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of another electrolyzed water generating device. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of another electrolyzed water generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electrolyzed water generating device 1. The electrolytic water generator 1 comprises a three-chamber electrolytic cell 2, a single-chamber electrolytic cell 3, an electrolyte supply unit 4, an electrolyte circulation unit 5, a second circulation path 60, and a fine bubble generator 7.

[0010] The three-chamber electrolytic cell 2 is divided inside into a cathode chamber 21, an anode chamber 22, and an intermediate chamber 23 between the cathode chamber 21 and the anode chamber 22. An electrolyte aqueous solution is supplied to the intermediate chamber 23 from the electrolyte circulation unit 5 via a pipe 53. As the electrolyte aqueous solution, for example, salt water in which NaCl is dissolved at a high concentration is used. The high concentration salt water may be saturated saline. As the electrolyte aqueous solution, an electrolyte such as sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, or a mixture thereof may be used.

[0011] The cathode chamber 21 and the intermediate chamber 23 are separated by a cation exchange membrane 211. The cation exchange membrane 211 contains Na + The cation exchange membrane 211 selectively allows the passage of cations such as cations, etc. The cathode electrode 24 is located on the rear side of the cation exchange membrane 211.

[0012] The anode chamber 22 and the intermediate chamber 23 are separated by an anion exchange membrane 221. The anion exchange membrane 221 is - The anion exchange membrane 221 selectively allows the passage of anions such as ions, etc. An anode electrode 25 is provided on the rear side of the anion exchange membrane 221.

[0013] The raw water supply unit 81 supplies raw water to the cathode chamber 21 via a pipe 82 and a pipe 83 branching off from the pipe 82. The raw water supply unit 81 supplies raw water to the anode chamber 22 via a pipe 82 and a pipe 84 branching off from the pipe 82. Tap water, RO (Reverse Osmosis) water, etc. may be used as the raw water. The raw water may contain a small amount of dissolved electrolyte, such as an electrolyte concentration of 15 ppm or less. The pipe 82 is provided with an opening / closing mechanism 85 that opens and closes the inside of the pipe 82. The opening / closing mechanism 85 may be an electromagnetic valve. The same applies to the opening / closing mechanisms 38, 91, and 93 described below.

[0014] The electrolytic water generating device 1 includes a processor (not shown) for controlling the entire device, a memory (not shown) for storing programs and the like to be loaded into the processor, a display (not shown) for displaying a setting screen and the like, and an input unit (not shown) such as a button for receiving input of settings and the like from a user. The opening and closing mechanism 85 is controlled by the processor.

[0015] When electrolysis is performed in the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2, a DC voltage is applied to the cathode electrode 24 and the anode electrode 25. Then, the Na + The cations move to the cathode chamber 21, and alkaline electrolyzed water is generated in the cathode chamber 21 by a known reaction. The alkaline electrolyzed water is sent from the cathode chamber 21 to an alkaline electrolyzed water outlet 87 via a pipe 86.

[0016] Also, Cl in the intermediate chamber 23 -Anions such as ions 1, 2, and 3 move to the anode chamber 22, and acidic electrolyzed water (e.g., hypochlorous acid water) is generated in the anode chamber 22 by a known reaction. The acidic electrolyzed water is sent from the anode chamber 22 to an acidic electrolyzed water outlet 89 through a pipe 88. The pipe 88 and the raw water supply unit 81 are connected through a pipe 90. The pipe 90 is provided with an opening / closing mechanism 91 under the control of a processor. The acidic electrolyzed water generated in the anode chamber 22 can be diluted by opening the opening / closing mechanism 91 and sending raw water from the raw water supply unit 81 through the pipe 90 to the pipe 88. This allows, for example, the hypochlorous acid water generated in the anode chamber 22 to be diluted to weakly acidic hypochlorous acid water or slightly acidic hypochlorous acid water. In this way, a part of the electrolyte in the electrolyte aqueous solution is consumed in the intermediate chamber 23 by the action of electrolysis in the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2. The intermediate chamber 23 sends the electrolyte aqueous solution from which a part of the electrolyte has been consumed to the electrolyte circulation unit 5 through a pipe 51.

[0017] The electrolyte supply unit 4 stores an aqueous electrolyte solution, such as saturated saline, in which the electrolyte is dissolved at a high concentration (a predetermined concentration). The electrolyte supply unit 4 is connected to the electrolyte circulation unit 5 via a pipe 42 provided with a pump 41 under the control of a processor. The processor drives the pump 41 in accordance with the operating time of the three-compartment electrolytic cell 2, for example, so that the electrolyte supply unit 4 sends a required amount of aqueous electrolyte solution to the electrolyte circulation unit 5.

[0018] The electrolyte circulation unit 5 receives the electrolyte aqueous solution from the electrolyte supply unit 4, and the electrolyte aqueous solution circulates between the electrolyte circulation unit 5 and the intermediate chamber 23 via a first circulation path 50. The electrolyte aqueous solution circulates between the electrolyte circulation unit 5 and the intermediate chamber 23 via pipes 51, 53, and the first circulation path 50, which circulates the electrolyte aqueous solution between the electrolyte circulation unit 5 and the intermediate chamber 23, is configured to include pipes 53, 51. The pipe 53 is provided with a pump 52 under the control of a processor. The electrolyte aqueous solution circulates through the first circulation path 50 by driving the pump 52.

[0019] The electrolyte aqueous solution supplied from the electrolyte circulation unit 5 to the intermediate chamber 23 has a lowered salt concentration and a lowered pH (higher acidity) due to the action of electrolysis in the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2. The cause of the lowered pH is, for example, Na + Ions and H + Among the cations of ions, the ionization tendency is Na + Since the ions are larger, they preferentially permeate the cation exchange membrane 211 and move to the cathode chamber 21. Therefore, in the intermediate chamber 23, the H + It is known that, due to the remaining ions, the acidity of the aqueous electrolyte solution in the intermediate chamber 23 becomes higher, and the pH becomes lower.

[0020] Therefore, the electrolyte circulation unit 5 recovers the electrolyte aqueous solution used in the electrolysis from the intermediate chamber 23, and adds and mixes the electrolyte aqueous solution with a high electrolyte concentration supplied from the electrolyte supply unit 4 to the electrolyte aqueous solution. This mixed electrolyte aqueous solution is sent from the electrolyte circulation unit 5 to the intermediate chamber 23. In this manner, the electrolyte aqueous solution circulates between the intermediate chamber 23 and the electrolyte circulation unit 5.

[0021] An aqueous electrolyte solution having a high concentration of electrolyte is replenished to the first circulation path 50 via the electrolyte circulation unit 5, and the resulting surplus aqueous electrolyte solution in the first circulation path 50 is supplied to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 via the second circulation path 60 and a branch path 70 connected to the second circulation path 60.

[0022] In the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3, the cathode 31 and the anode 32 are not separated by a diaphragm. The single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 electrolyzes the supplied acidic aqueous electrolyte solution with the cathode 31 and the anode 32 to generate acidic electrolyzed water (e.g., slightly acidic electrolyzed water). The acidic electrolyzed water generated in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 is sent to the acidic electrolyzed water outlet 36 via a pipe 35. The pipe 35 and a raw water supply unit 81 are connected via a pipe 37. The pipe 37 is provided with an opening / closing mechanism 38 under the control of a processor. The acidic electrolyzed water generated in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 can be diluted by opening the opening / closing mechanism 38 and sending raw water from the raw water supply unit 81 to the pipe 35 via the pipe 37.

[0023] In this embodiment, alkaline electrolyzed water and acidic electrolyzed water are produced while circulating the electrolyte aqueous solution in the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2. In this embodiment, the electrolyte aqueous solution circulated in the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2 is reused in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 to produce acidic electrolyzed water. This makes it possible to continuously produce a large volume of acidic electrolyzed water while suppressing waste of the electrolyte aqueous solution.

[0024] In the electrolytic water generating device 1, from the viewpoint of continuously generating acidic electrolytic water of a predetermined quality in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3, it is desirable that the electrolyte aqueous solution of a predetermined concentration supplied is sufficiently mixed with the electrolyte aqueous solution after electrolysis in the electrolyte circulation unit 5. If the electrolyte aqueous solution is mixed, the electrolyte aqueous solution having a salinity and acidity suitable for electrolysis in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3, that is, the electrolyte aqueous solution of stable quality, can be sent to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 via the electrolyte circulation unit 5, and acidic electrolytic water of a predetermined quality can be continuously generated in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. Therefore, it is considered that the electrolyte aqueous solution flowing through the first circulation path 50 is sufficiently stirred and the quality is stabilized by repeating the circulation of the electrolyte aqueous solution to the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2 for a predetermined time before starting the generation of electrolytic water in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. However, in this method, it is necessary to wait for a predetermined time until the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 starts generating electrolytic water.

[0025] As described above, it is desirable that the electrolyte aqueous solution sent to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 has a salinity and acidity suitable for generating slightly acidic electrolytic water by the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, after starting electrolysis by the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2, the sending of the electrolyte aqueous solution to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 and the electrolysis by the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 are on hold until the electrolyte aqueous solution in the first circulation path 50 becomes suitable for use in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3, and when the electrolyte aqueous solution in the first circulation path 50 becomes suitable for use in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3, the sending of the electrolyte aqueous solution to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 and the electrolysis by the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 are started. Note that the electrolysis by the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2 and the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 may be performed together from the beginning. For example, the acidic electrolytic water generated in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 may be used for an appropriate purpose until the electrolyte aqueous solution in the first circulation path 50 becomes suitable for use in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3.

[0026] In the electrolyte circulation unit 5, a high-concentration electrolyte aqueous solution is mixed with an electrolyte aqueous solution with a high acidity, and if sufficient mixing can be performed in a short time, the standby time of the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 from the start of electrolysis in the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2 to the start of electrolysis in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 can be reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, a second circulation path 60 is provided that circulates the electrolyte aqueous solution to the electrolyte circulation unit 5 via a path different from the first circulation path 50, and the electrolyte aqueous solution is circulated to the electrolyte circulation unit 5 via this second circulation path 60, thereby enabling rapid stirring of the electrolyte aqueous solution in the electrolyte circulation unit 5.

[0027] The second circulation path 60 is provided with a first reservoir tank 64 (surplus circulation section) and a pump 62 (first pump). The electrolyte circulation section 5 and the first reservoir tank 64 are connected by a pipe 63, and the first reservoir tank 64 and the electrolyte circulation section 5 are connected by a pipe 61. The pump 62 is provided in the pipe 61, in other words, downstream of the first reservoir tank 64 and upstream of the electrolyte circulation section 5. The pump 62 is under the control of a processor, and circulates the electrolyte aqueous solution between the first reservoir tank 64 and the electrolyte circulation section 5.

[0028] The second circulation path 60 is formed between the first reservoir tank 64 and the electrolyte circulation unit 5. In the electrolyte circulation unit 5, the amount of electrolyte aqueous solution supplied from the electrolyte supply unit 5 and the intermediate chamber 23 is greater than the amount of electrolyte aqueous solution supplied to the intermediate chamber 23 and the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. The excess electrolyte aqueous solution is circulated between the first reservoir tank 64 and the electrolyte circulation unit 5 through the second circulation path 60 by driving the pump 62. As a result, in this embodiment, the electrolyte aqueous solution in the electrolyte circulation unit 5 is stirred, so that the concentration of the electrolyte aqueous solution circulating through the first circulation path 50 can be uniformed in a short time, and the electrolyte aqueous solution can be made to have a salinity and acidity suitable for generating slightly acidic electrolytic water in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 in a short time. Therefore, in this embodiment, the electrolyte aqueous solution suitable for electrolysis can be sent from the electrolyte circulation unit 5 to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 through the second circulation path 60 and the branch path 70 in a short time.

[0029] The branch path 70 is connected to the second circulation path 60 and means a path for sending the aqueous electrolyte solution to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. In this embodiment, the branch path 70 is connected to the first reservoir tank 64 in the second circulation path 60. The branch path 70 includes a pipe 73 connecting the first reservoir tank 64 and the second reservoir tank 39, and a pipe 74 connecting the second reservoir tank 39 and the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. The second reservoir tank 39 is provided in the branch path 70, and a pump 34 (second pump) is provided downstream of the second reservoir tank 39 and upstream of the fine bubble generator 7. The pump 34 is under the control of the processor. By driving the pump 34, the aqueous electrolyte solution is supplied from the second circulation path 60 (first reservoir tank 64) to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 via the branch path 70.

[0030] In this embodiment, the fine bubble generator 7 is provided in the branch path 70 downstream of the pump 34 and upstream of the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. The fine bubble generator 7 generates fine bubbles and causes the electrolyte aqueous solution flowing through the branch path 70 to contain the fine bubbles. Fine bubbles refer to bubbles with a diameter of less than 100 μm, and are a concept that includes microbubbles, which are bubbles with a diameter of less than 100 μm and 1 μm (=0.001 mm) or more, and ultrafine bubbles, which are bubbles with a diameter of less than 1 μm. The fine bubble generator 7 may mainly generate microbubbles or may mainly generate ultrafine bubbles, and in this embodiment, it is assumed to generate both.

[0031] Fine bubbles have the property of remaining in the electrolyte solution for a long period of time (especially ultra-fine bubbles). For example, when generating fine bubbles, the flow path is suddenly contracted and expanded to cause a cavitation phenomenon in the electrolyte solution, which causes the gas dissolved in the electrolyte solution to precipitate in the electrolyte solution as fine bubbles. The electrolyte solution containing these fine bubbles is discharged from the cavitation nozzle and sent to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3.

[0032] In this embodiment, the electrolyte solution containing fine bubbles can prevent scale from adhering to the cathode 31 of the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3, thereby extending the life of the cathode 31 and, in turn, the life of the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. In this embodiment, the fine bubble generator 7 is disposed immediately upstream of the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3, so that the electrolyte solution containing fine bubbles can be sent only to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 without being sent to the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2.

[0033] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electrolyte circulating unit 5. In Fig. 3, the flow of the aqueous electrolyte solution is depicted as being in the horizontal direction. The electrolyte circulation unit 5 has a first inlet 59 for the electrolyte aqueous solution from the electrolyte supply unit 4, and a first outlet 55 for the electrolyte aqueous solution to the first reservoir tank 64 (second circulation path 60). The first outlet 55 is located downstream of the first inlet 59 in the direction X in which the electrolyte aqueous solution flows.

[0034] In the electrolyte circulation unit 5, a second inlet 56 for the electrolyte aqueous solution from the intermediate chamber 23 is located downstream of the first inlet 59 and upstream of the first outlet 55 in the direction X. In the electrolyte circulation unit 5, a second outlet 57 for the electrolyte aqueous solution to the intermediate chamber 23 is located upstream of the second inlet 56 in the direction X, and in this embodiment, upstream of the first inlet 59. In the electrolyte circulation unit 5, a third inlet 58 for the electrolyte aqueous solution from the first reservoir tank 64 is located upstream of the first outlet 55 in the direction X.

[0035] In this embodiment, the aqueous electrolyte solution can be well stirred and mixed in the electrolyte circulation unit 5 due to the positional relationship of the outlets and inlets 55-59, and the quality of the aqueous electrolyte solution sent to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 can be stabilized to a quality suitable for the production of acidic electrolyzed water in the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. Note that there may be a plurality of each of the outlets and inlets 55-59. The above-mentioned positions of the outlets and inlets 55-59 are merely examples and can be set appropriately.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the first reservoir tank 64. As shown in FIG. The first reservoir tank 64 is, for example, an overflow tank, and when the water level reaches a set value, it discharges excess electrolyte aqueous solution from an outlet 611. In the first reservoir tank 64, there is a supply port (not shown) for the electrolyte aqueous solution from the electrolyte circulation unit 5 at a position higher than the outlet 611. In the first reservoir tank 64, for example, a tube constituting a part of the piping 61 is inserted. By driving the pump 62, the electrolyte aqueous solution in the first reservoir tank 64 is sucked up into the tube, and is sent to the electrolyte circulation unit 5 by the piping 61. Similarly, in the first reservoir tank 64, for example, a tube constituting a part of the piping 73 connecting the first reservoir tank 64 and the second reservoir tank 39 is inserted. By driving the pump 34 downstream of the second reservoir tank 39, the electrolyte aqueous solution in the first reservoir tank 64 is sucked up into the tube, and is sent to the second reservoir tank 39 by the piping 73.

[0037] The second reservoir tank 39 is also, for example, an overflow tank, and may have a configuration similar to that of the first reservoir tank 64. In this case, a tube constituting a part of the piping 74 that sends the electrolyte aqueous solution to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3 is inserted into the second reservoir tank 39. The electrolyte aqueous solution in the second reservoir tank 39 is sucked up into the tube by driving the pump 34, and is sent to the fine bubble generator 7 through the piping 74.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the fine bubble generator 7. In the fine bubble generator 7, the electrolyte aqueous solution pumped from the pump 34 is sent to the cavitation nozzle 71. The cavitation nozzle 71 generates a cavitation phenomenon in the electrolyte aqueous solution by the action of the sudden contraction and expansion of the flow path, and causes gas dissolved in the electrolyte aqueous solution to precipitate in the electrolyte aqueous solution as fine bubbles. The electrolyte aqueous solution containing fine bubbles is discharged from the cavitation nozzle 71 through the discharge port 72 and sent to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3. The fine bubble generator 7 may generate fine bubbles by any of the following appropriate methods (1) to (4). For example, there are (1) a method in which outside air or other gas is sucked into an electrolyte aqueous solution or the dissolved gas is precipitated and the gas is pulverized by a high-speed mechanical rotor; (2) a method in which outside air or other gas is sucked into an electrolyte aqueous solution or the dissolved gas is precipitated and the gas is spun and chopped by a high-speed rotating water flow; (3) a method in which outside air or other gas is sucked into an electrolyte aqueous solution or the dissolved gas is precipitated and the gas bubbles are broken up by ultrasonic waves; and (4) a pressurized dissolution method in which the electrolyte aqueous solution is pressurized to dissolve the gas until it is saturated and the saturated solution is suddenly depressurized.

[0039] The supply of the electrolyte aqueous solution from the first reservoir tank 64 to the second reservoir tank 39 may be configured as follows. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electrolyzed water generating device 1A. In the electrolytic water generator 1A, a pump 92 (third pump) is provided downstream of the first reservoir tank 64 and upstream of the second reservoir tank 39 (piping 73). The pump 92 is under the control of a processor. In the electrolytic water generator 1A, the pump 92 located immediately downstream of the first reservoir tank 64 sucks the electrolyte aqueous solution from the first reservoir tank 64 and sends it to the second reservoir tank 39, making it easy to supply the electrolyte aqueous solution to the second reservoir tank 39. The other configurations of the electrolytic water generator 1A are similar to those of the electrolytic water generator 1.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrolyzed water generating device 1B. In the second circulation path 60, an opening / closing mechanism 93 (first opening / closing mechanism) is provided downstream of the pump 62 and upstream of the electrolyte circulation unit 5. The opening / closing mechanism 93 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and is under the control of a processor, and allows the electrolyte aqueous solution to flow or blocks the electrolyte aqueous solution. One end of a pipe 75 of the branch path 70 is connected downstream of the pump 62 in the second circulation path 60 and upstream of the opening / closing mechanism 93. The second circulation path 60 and the second reservoir tank 39 are connected by this pipe 75. In the branch path 70, an opening / closing mechanism 94 (second opening / closing mechanism) is provided upstream of the second reservoir tank 39. The opening / closing mechanism 94 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and is under the control of a processor, and allows the electrolyte aqueous solution to flow or blocks the electrolyte aqueous solution. The other configurations of the electrolytic water generating device 1B are similar to those of the electrolytic water generating device 1.

[0041] Before sending the electrolyte aqueous solution to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3, the electrolytic water generator 1B opens the opening / closing mechanism 93 of the second circulation path 60 and closes the opening / closing mechanism 93 of the branch path 70 to prevent the electrolyte aqueous solution circulating through the first and second circulation paths 50, 60 from flowing into the branch path 70. The electrolytic water generator 1B repeats the circulation of the electrolyte aqueous solution to the three-chamber electrolytic cell 2 for a predetermined time in this manner, thereby sufficiently stirring the electrolyte aqueous solution flowing through the first circulation path 50 to stabilize the quality. The electrolytic water generator 1B then sends the electrolyte aqueous solution to the single-chamber electrolytic cell 3, but at this time, the second circulation path 60 is blocked by the opening / closing mechanism 93 and the branch path 70 is opened by the opening / closing mechanism 94, so that the electrolyte aqueous solution sucked out from the first reservoir tank 64 by the pump 62 is sent to the second reservoir tank 39 via the second circulation path 60 and the branch path 70. In the electrolytic water generator 1B, the pump 62 located immediately downstream of the first reservoir tank 64 is used to suck out the electrolyte aqueous solution from the first reservoir tank 64, making it easy to supply the electrolyte aqueous solution to the second reservoir tank 39. In the electrolytic water generator 1B, the pump 62 for the second circulation path 60 is also used to send the electrolyte aqueous solution to the second reservoir tank 39, making it easy to supply the electrolyte aqueous solution to the second reservoir tank 39 while reducing the number of pumps installed.

[0042] The present invention can be implemented in the embodiments without departing from its features. The embodiments, modifications, and effects are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. The features and structures of the embodiments and modifications can be added and combined in various ways to obtain alternative configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] Reference Signs List 1, 1A, 1B...electrolyzed water generator, 3...single-chamber electrolytic cell, 4...electrolyte supply section, 5...electrolyte circulation section, 7...fine bubble generator, 21...cathode chamber, 22...anode chamber, 23...intermediate chamber, 50...first circulation path, 60...second circulation path.

Claims

1. a three-chamber electrolytic cell having an intermediate chamber for electrolyzing a supplied aqueous electrolyte solution and discharging the aqueous electrolyte solution from which a portion of the electrolyte has been consumed, and an anode chamber and a cathode chamber to which ionized electrolyte is supplied from the intermediate chamber; An electrolyte supply; an electrolyte circulation unit in which an aqueous electrolyte solution is supplied from the electrolyte supply unit and circulates between the electrolyte supply unit and the intermediate chamber via a first circulation path; a second circulation path that circulates the electrolyte aqueous solution to the electrolyte circulation unit through a path different from the first circulation path; a single-chamber electrolytic cell to which an aqueous electrolyte solution is supplied from a branch passage connected to the second circulation passage; A fine bubble generator is provided in the branch path upstream of the single-chamber electrolytic cell, and generates fine bubbles and causes them to be contained in the electrolyte aqueous solution flowing through the branch path. An electrolytic water generating device comprising:

2. The electrolytic water generating device according to claim 1, a first reservoir tank is provided in the second circulation path, and a first pump is provided downstream of the first reservoir tank and upstream of the electrolyte circulation unit; The electrolytic water generating apparatus is characterized in that the branch path is connected to the first reservoir tank.

3. The electrolytic water generating device according to claim 2, An electrolytic water generating device characterized in that a second reservoir tank is provided in the branch path, and a second pump is provided downstream of the second reservoir tank and upstream of the fine bubble generator.

4. The electrolytic water generating device according to claim 3, An electrolytic water generating device characterized in that a third pump is provided upstream of the second reservoir tank in the branched path, for sucking the electrolyte aqueous solution from the first reservoir tank and sending it to the second reservoir tank.

5. The electrolytic water generating device according to claim 1, a first reservoir tank is provided in the second circulation path, and a first pump and a first opening / closing mechanism are provided downstream of the first reservoir tank and upstream of the electrolyte circulation unit in this order from upstream; the branch path is connected to the second circulation path downstream of the first pump and upstream of the first opening / closing mechanism, The branch path is provided with a second reservoir tank to which the electrolyte aqueous solution is sent from the second circulation path by the first pump, a second opening / closing mechanism is provided upstream of the second reservoir tank, and a second pump is provided downstream of the second reservoir tank and upstream of the fine bubble generator. An electrolytic water generating device characterized by:

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