Operation assist apparatus, operation assist system, operation assist method, and operation assist program

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for monitoring parameters in an electrolytic device for early identification of causes of performance degradation of ion exchange membranes and the like, and for taking early measures for performance recovery.SOLUTION: The operation assist apparatus comprises: a production efficiency acquisition unit that acquires production efficiency of an electrolytic cell; a determination unit that determines whether the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell acquired by the production efficiency acquisition unit is below a predetermined production efficiency threshold; and a specification unit that, when it is determined that the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell is below the production efficiency threshold, identifies a first cause for falling below the production efficiency threshold. The production efficiency of the electrolytic cell may be the current efficiency of the electrolytic cell. The production efficiency acquisition unit may acquire the current efficiency of the electrolytic cell. The determination unit may determine whether the current efficiency of the electrolytic cell is below a predetermined current efficiency threshold. When the determination unit determines that the current efficiency of the electrolytic cell is below the current efficiency threshold, the specification unit may identify, as the first cause, the cause of the current efficiency of the electrolytic cell falling below the current efficiency threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving assistance device, a driving assistance system, a driving assistance method, and a driving assistance program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 states that "the method for renewing an ion exchange membrane of the present embodiment includes a step of sandwiching the ion exchange membrane between an anode side gasket and a cathode side gasket..." (paragraph 0052). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-19408 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In the case of an electrolysis device equipped with an ion exchange membrane or the like, the production efficiency of the product produced by the electrolysis device is likely to decrease when the performance of the ion exchange membrane or the like deteriorates. For this reason, it is preferable to quickly recover the performance of the ion exchange membrane or the like. In order to quickly recover the performance of the ion exchange membrane or the like, it is preferable to quickly identify the cause of the performance deterioration of the ion exchange membrane or the like and take measures for performance recovery. In order to quickly identify the cause of the performance deterioration of the ion exchange membrane or the like and take measures for performance recovery, it is preferable to monitor parameters such as the current efficiency in the electrolysis device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] A first aspect of the present invention provides a driving assistance device comprising: a production efficiency acquisition unit that acquires a production efficiency of an electrolytic cell, a determination unit that determines whether the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell acquired by the production efficiency acquisition unit is less than a predetermined production efficiency threshold, and an identification unit that, when the determination unit determines that the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell is less than the production efficiency threshold, identifies a first cause why the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell is less than the production efficiency threshold.

[0005] The production efficiency acquisition unit may acquire the production efficiency of the electrolytic bath in real time. The determination unit may determine in real time whether the production efficiency of the electrolytic bath is less than a production efficiency threshold value. The identification unit may identify the first cause in real time.

[0006] The identification unit may identify a first impurity in the electrolytic cell that corresponds to a first cause, and may identify a first countermeasure that corresponds to the first cause and is intended to suppress a decrease in production efficiency of the electrolytic cell and restore the production efficiency.

[0007] The identification unit may identify the first cause, the first impurity, and the first countermeasure in real time.

[0008] The production efficiency may be a current efficiency. The determining unit may determine whether the current efficiency is less than a predetermined current efficiency threshold value.

[0009] The driving assistance device may further include a voltage acquisition unit that acquires a voltage supplied to the electrolytic cell. When the determination unit determines that the current efficiency is equal to or greater than the current efficiency threshold, the determination unit may further determine whether the voltage acquired by the voltage acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold. When the determination unit determines that the voltage exceeds the voltage threshold, the identification unit may identify a second cause why the voltage exceeded the voltage threshold.

[0010] The determination unit may calculate the power consumption rate of the electrolytic cell based on at least one of the current efficiency and the voltage. The production efficiency may be the current efficiency or the power consumption rate calculated by the determination unit.

[0011] When the production efficiency is expressed as a power consumption rate, the determination unit may determine whether the power consumption rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined power consumption rate threshold. When the determination unit determines that the power consumption rate of the electrolytic cell is equal to or greater than the power consumption rate threshold, the identification unit may identify a first cause or a second cause.

[0012] The voltage acquisition unit may acquire the voltage supplied to the electrolytic bath in real time. The determination unit may determine in real time whether the voltage supplied to the electrolytic bath exceeds a voltage threshold. The identification unit may identify the second cause in real time.

[0013] The identification unit may identify a second impurity in the electrolytic cell that corresponds to the second cause, and may identify a second measure that corresponds to the second cause and is for suppressing the voltage rise and restoring the voltage.

[0014] The identification unit may identify the second cause, the second impurity, and the second countermeasure in real time.

[0015] The operation assistance device may assist in the operation of the electrolysis device. The electrolysis device may be provided with a raw salt dissolution tank, a sedimentation tank, a chemical supply unit, a filter, a reaction tank, a resin tower, a pure water supply unit, a chemical supply unit, an image sensor, and a detection unit.

[0016] The raw salt dissolver dissolves raw salt. The raw salt may be an alkali metal chloride. The raw salt may include at least one of Ca (calcium), Sr (strontium), Ba (barium), and Mg (magnesium).

[0017] The chemical feed unit feeds a chemical into the reaction tank. The chemical may include Mg(OH)2 (magnesium hydroxide) or CaCO3 (calcium carbonate). In the reaction tank, a first impurity or a second impurity that may deteriorate the ion exchange performance of the ion exchange membrane may be solidified by the chemical.

[0018] The settling tank may precipitate the first impurity or the second impurity solidified in the reaction tank.

[0019] The filter may remove at least a portion of the first impurity or the second impurity contained in the liquid.

[0020] The resin tower may be provided with an ion exchange resin, an impurity sensor, and a flow rate sensor. The ion exchange resin removes alkaline earth metal ions. The impurity sensor detects alkaline earth metal ions, aluminum ions (Al 3+ ), nickel ion (Ni 2+ ), iron ion (Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ ), iodine ion (I - ), silicon (Si), sulfate ion (SO4 2- At least one of suspended solids (SS), suspended matter, and organic matter is detected. The suspended matter and organic matter may be suspended solids (SS) and total organic carbon (TOC).

[0021] The pure water supplying section may supply pure water to the resin tower. The chemical supplying section may supply a chemical to the resin tower. The chemical may be HCl (hydrochloric acid) or NaOH (sodium hydroxide).

[0022] The image sensor may measure the resin height in the resin tower.

[0023] The electrolytic cell may be provided with a detection unit. The detection unit may be provided in the anode chamber. The detection unit detects a detection target. The detection target may include ions of alkaline earth metals and aluminum ions (Al 3+ ), nickel ion (Ni 2+ ), iron ion (Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ ), iodine ion (I - ), silicon (Si), sulfate ion (SO4 2- ), suspended solids, and / or organic matter.

[0024] The driving assistance device may further include an instruction unit that instructs the electrolytic cell to take at least one of the first measure and the second measure.

[0025] When the detection unit detects a detection target substance in the liquid, the instruction unit may instruct the chemical supply unit to supply a chemical to the reaction tank.

[0026] When an alkaline earth metal ion is detected by the impurity sensor, the instruction unit may instruct the pure water introduction unit to introduce pure water into the resin tower.

[0027] The alkaline earth metal ions include calcium ions (Ca 2+ ), magnesium ion (Mg 2+ ), strontium ion (Sr 2+ ) and barium ion (Ba 2+ ) may be included.

[0028] The instruction unit may instruct the pure water input unit to input the pure water so that the pure water flows in a direction opposite to the direction in which the liquid flows.

[0029] The determination unit may determine whether or not the backwashing rate of the ion exchange resin exceeds a predetermined backwashing rate threshold value.

[0030] The flow rate sensor may measure the flow rate of the pure water. The determination unit may calculate a backwash rate of the ion exchange resin based on the flow rate of the pure water measured by the flow rate sensor. The determination unit may determine whether the calculated backwash rate exceeds a predetermined backwash rate threshold. When the determination unit determines that the backwash rate exceeds the predetermined backwash rate threshold, the instruction unit may instruct the pure water input unit to input pure water.

[0031] The image sensor may measure the resin height in the resin tower. The determination unit may determine whether the resin height measured by the image sensor exceeds a predetermined resin height threshold. When the determination unit determines that the resin height exceeds the resin height threshold, the instruction unit may instruct the chemical solution input unit to input the chemical solution into the resin tower.

[0032] The driving assistance device may further include a storage unit that stores the first cause, a first impurity corresponding to the first cause, and a first countermeasure corresponding to the first cause.

[0033] The driving assistance device may further include a storage unit that stores a second cause, a second impurity corresponding to the second cause, and a second measure corresponding to the second cause.

[0034] At least one of the production efficiency threshold and the voltage threshold may vary over the operational time of the electrolyser.

[0035] The operation assistance device may further include a pH acquisition unit and a production efficiency calculation unit that calculates the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may have an ion exchange membrane, and an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by the ion exchange membrane. An aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride may be introduced into the anode chamber. The pH acquisition unit may acquire the pH of the aqueous solution of the alkali metal chloride introduced into the anode chamber. The production efficiency calculation unit may calculate the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell based on the pH of the aqueous solution of the alkali metal chloride acquired by the pH acquisition unit. The production efficiency acquisition unit may acquire the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell calculated by the production efficiency calculation unit.

[0036] The aqueous solution of the chloride of the alkali metal may be an aqueous sodium chloride solution or an aqueous potassium chloride solution. When an aqueous sodium chloride solution is introduced into the anode chamber, an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution may be introduced into the cathode chamber. When an aqueous potassium chloride solution is introduced into the anode chamber, an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution may be introduced into the cathode chamber. The operation support device may further include a concentration calculation unit that calculates the oxygen concentration, the hypochlorous acid concentration, and the sodium chlorate concentration in the anode chamber, and the hydrogen ion concentration and the hydroxide ion concentration of the aqueous sodium chloride solution or the aqueous potassium chloride solution introduced into the anode chamber, based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit. The production efficiency calculation unit may calculate the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell based on the oxygen concentration, the hypochlorous acid concentration, the sodium chlorate concentration in the anode chamber, the hydroxide ion concentration of the aqueous sodium chloride solution or the aqueous potassium chloride solution introduced into the anode chamber, and the hydrogen ion concentration of the aqueous sodium chloride solution or the aqueous potassium chloride solution led out from the anode chamber, which are calculated by the concentration calculation unit.

[0037] The concentration calculation unit may calculate a first relationship between the pH of the sodium chloride or potassium chloride aqueous solution and the oxygen concentration, calculate a second relationship between the pH of the sodium chloride or potassium chloride aqueous solution and the hypochlorous acid concentration, calculate a third relationship between the pH of the sodium chloride or potassium chloride aqueous solution and the sodium chlorate concentration, calculate a fourth relationship between the pH of the sodium chloride or potassium chloride aqueous solution and the hydrogen ion concentration, and calculate a fifth relationship between the pH of the sodium chloride or potassium chloride aqueous solution and the hydroxide ion concentration. The concentration calculation unit may calculate the oxygen concentration based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit and the first relationship, calculate the hypochlorous acid concentration based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit and the second relationship, calculate the sodium chlorate concentration based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit and the third relationship, calculate the hydrogen ion concentration based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit and the fourth relationship, and calculate the hydroxide ion concentration based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit and the fifth relationship.

[0038] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving assistance system comprising a driving assistance device and an electrolytic cell.

[0039] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation support method comprising: a production efficiency acquisition step in which a production efficiency acquisition unit acquires the production efficiency of an electrolytic cell, a first determination step in which a determination unit determines whether the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell acquired in the production efficiency acquisition step is less than a predetermined production efficiency threshold, and a first identification step in which an identification unit identifies a first cause why the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell has fallen below the production efficiency threshold when it is determined in the first determination step that the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell is less than the production efficiency threshold.

[0040] The production efficiency acquisition step may be a step in which the production efficiency acquisition unit acquires the production efficiency of the electrolytic bath in real time. The first determination step may be a step in which the determination unit determines in real time whether the production efficiency of the electrolytic bath is less than a production efficiency threshold value. The first identification step may be a step in which the identification unit identifies the first cause in real time.

[0041] The production efficiency may be a current efficiency. The first determination step may be a step in which the determination unit determines whether the current efficiency is less than a predetermined current efficiency threshold value.

[0042] The driving assistance method may further include a voltage acquisition step in which a voltage acquisition unit acquires a voltage supplied to the electrolytic cell, a second judgment step in which, if it is determined in the first judgment step that the current efficiency of the electrolytic cell is equal to or greater than a predetermined current efficiency threshold, the judgment step in which the judgment unit judges whether the voltage acquired in the voltage acquisition step exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold, and a second identification step in which, if it is determined in the second judgment step that the voltage exceeds the voltage threshold, the identification step in which the identification unit identifies a second cause for the voltage exceeding the voltage threshold.

[0043] The operation assistance method may further include a power consumption rate calculation step in which the determination unit calculates the power consumption rate of the electrolytic cell based on at least one of the current efficiency and the voltage. The production efficiency may be the current efficiency or the power consumption rate calculated in the power consumption rate calculation step.

[0044] The operation support method may further include a third determination step in which, when the production efficiency is a power consumption rate, the determination unit determines whether the power consumption rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined power consumption rate threshold. When it is determined in the third determination step that the power consumption rate of the electrolytic cell is equal to or greater than the power consumption rate threshold, the first identification step may be a step in which the identification unit identifies a first cause, and the second identification step may be a step in which the identification unit identifies a second cause.

[0045] The voltage acquiring step may be a step in which the voltage acquiring unit acquires the voltage supplied to the electrolytic cell in real time. The second determining step may be a step in which the determining unit determines in real time whether the voltage exceeds a voltage threshold. The second identifying step may be a step in which the identifying unit identifies the second cause in real time.

[0046] The first identification step may be a step in which the identification unit identifies a first impurity in the electrolytic bath that corresponds to the first cause, and identifies a first measure corresponding to the first cause, which is a first measure for suppressing a decrease in production efficiency of the electrolytic bath and restoring production efficiency. The second identification step may be a step in which the identification unit identifies a second impurity in the electrolytic bath that corresponds to the second cause, and identifies a second measure corresponding to the second cause, which is a second measure for suppressing a voltage increase and restoring voltage. The operation assistance method may further include a first instruction step in which the instruction unit instructs the electrolytic bath to take the first measure, or a second instruction step in which the instruction unit instructs the electrolytic bath to take the second measure.

[0047] The operation assistance method may assist the operation of an electrolysis device. The electrolysis device may be provided with a raw salt dissolution tank, a sedimentation tank, a chemical supply unit, a filter, a reaction tank, a resin tower, an ion exchange resin, a pure water supply unit, a chemical supply unit, an impurity sensor, an image sensor, and a detection unit.

[0048] The first identification step or the second identification step may include a first detection step in which the detection unit detects the detection target. The first instruction step may be a step in which the instruction unit instructs the drug introduction unit to introduce a drug into the reaction tank when the detection target is detected in the first identification step. The second instruction step may be a step in which the instruction unit instructs the drug introduction unit to introduce a drug into the reaction tank when the detection target is detected in the second identification step.

[0049] The first or second specifying step may be a step in which an impurity sensor detects an alkaline earth metal ion. The first instruction step may be a step in which, if an alkaline earth metal ion is detected in the first specifying step, the instruction unit instructs the pure water input unit to input pure water into the resin tower. The second instruction step may be a step in which, if an alkaline earth metal ion is detected in the second specifying step, the instruction unit instructs the pure water input unit to input pure water into the resin tower.

[0050] The first specifying step or the second specifying step may include a measuring step in which the flow sensor measures the flow rate of the pure water, a calculating step in which the determining unit calculates the backwash rate of the ion exchange resin based on the flow rate of the pure water measured by the flow sensor, and a fourth determining step in which the determining unit determines whether the backwash rate of the ion exchange resin exceeds a predetermined backwash rate threshold. If it is determined in the fourth determining step that the backwash rate exceeds the predetermined backwash rate threshold, the first instructing step may be a step in which the instructing unit instructs the pure water supplying unit to supply pure water. If it is determined in the fourth determining step that the backwash rate exceeds the predetermined backwash rate threshold, the second instructing step may be a step in which the instructing unit instructs the pure water supplying unit to supply pure water.

[0051] The first or second identification step may include a measurement step in which the image sensor measures the resin height of the resin tower, and a fifth determination step in which the determination unit determines whether the resin height measured by the image sensor 120 exceeds a predetermined resin height threshold. If it is determined in the fifth determination step that the resin height exceeds the resin height threshold, the first instruction step may be a step in which the instruction unit instructs the chemical solution input unit to input the chemical solution into the resin tower. If it is determined in the fifth determination step that the resin height exceeds the resin height threshold, the second instruction step may be a step in which the instruction unit instructs the chemical solution input unit to input the chemical solution into the resin tower.

[0052] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving assistance program for causing a computer to execute a driving assistance method.

[0053] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the features of the present invention. Also, subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0054] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an electrolysis device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an electrolysis device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of details of one electrolysis cell 91 in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of an ion exchange membrane 84 in the electrolysis cell 91 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode on a display unit 62. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing another example of a display mode on the display unit 62. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another example of the driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing another example of a display mode on the display unit 62. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing another example of a display mode on the display unit 62. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another example of the driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a first impurity Im1 and a second impurity Im2 attached to an ion exchange membrane 84. FIG. [Figure 13]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another example of the driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a chemical reaction of OH − (hydroxide ion) that has passed through an ion exchange membrane 84 in an anode chamber 79. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a driving assistance system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 2 is an example of a first flowchart including a driving assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 5 is an example of a second flowchart including a driving assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 6 is another example of the second flowchart including the driving assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 18 is a diagram showing an example of details of the first specifying step S112 or the second specifying step S212 shown in FIG. 17. FIG. [Figure 20] 18 is a diagram showing another example of details of the first specifying step S112 or the second specifying step S212 shown in FIG. 17. FIG. [Figure 21] 18 is a diagram showing another example of details of the first specifying step S112 or the second specifying step S212 shown in FIG. 17. FIG. [Figure 22] 18 is a diagram showing another example of details of the first specifying step S112 or the second specifying step S212 shown in FIG. 17. FIG. [Diagram 23] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer 2200 in which the driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0056] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an electrolysis apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrolysis apparatus 200 of this example includes an electrolysis tank 90. ​​The electrolysis apparatus 200 of this example includes a raw salt dissolution tank 113, a sedimentation tank 112, a chemical feed section 160, a filter 114, a reaction tank 115, a resin tower 116, a pure water feed section 162, a chemical feed section 164, an image sensor 120, an introduction pipe 92, and a detection section 99.

[0057] In the raw salt dissolving tank 113, raw salt 110 is dissolved. The raw salt 110 is an alkali metal chloride. The raw salt 110 is, for example, NaCl (sodium chloride) or KCl (potassium chloride). The aqueous solution of the raw salt 110 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride. This aqueous solution is referred to as liquid 70.

[0058] An alkaline earth metal element may be included in the raw salt 110. The alkaline earth metal element that may be included in the raw salt 110 is, for example, Ca (calcium), Sr (strontium), Ba (barium), or Mg (magnesium).

[0059] The chemical feed section 160 feeds the chemical 111 into the reaction tank 115. By feeding the chemical 111 into the aqueous solution of the raw salt 110, impurities that may deteriorate the ion exchange performance of the ion exchange membrane 84 (described later) are solidified in the reaction tank 115. The impurities may be contained in a first impurity Im1 or a second impurity Im2 (described later). The chemical 111 is, for example, Mg(OH)2 (magnesium hydroxide) or CaCO3 (calcium carbonate). The introduction pipe 92 is connected to the electrolytic tank 90.

[0060] The settling tank 112 precipitates the impurities solidified in the reaction tank 115. The settling tank 112 separates the aqueous solution of the raw salt 110 from the first impurity Im1 (described later) or the second impurity Im2 (described later) by precipitating the first impurity Im1 (described later) or the second impurity Im2 (described later) that may deteriorate the ion exchange performance of the ion exchange membrane 84 (described later). The first impurity Im1 (described later) or the second impurity Im2 (described later) includes so-called suspended solids (SS) and the like. The settling tank 112 is, for example, a clarifier. In this example, the liquid 70 from which the first impurity Im1 (described later) or the second impurity Im2 (described later) has been separated is introduced into a filter 114.

[0061] The liquid 70 passes through the filter 114. At least a portion of the first impurity Im1 (described later) or the second impurity Im2 (described later) remaining in the liquid 70 is removed from the liquid 70 by passing through the filter 114. The filter 114 is, for example, a ceramic filter, a precoated pleated filter, or the like. In this example, the liquid 70 that has passed through the filter 114 is introduced into the resin tower 116.

[0062] In this example, the resin tower 116 is provided with an ion exchange resin 118, an impurity sensor 117, and a flow rate sensor 119. The ion exchange resin 118 removes alkaline earth metal ions. The pure water feed unit 162 feeds pure water 163 into the resin tower 116. The chemical feed unit 164 feeds a chemical 165 into the resin tower 116. The chemical 165 is, for example, HCl (hydrochloric acid) or NaOH (sodium hydroxide).

[0063] The impurity sensor 117 detects alkaline earth metal ions, aluminum ions (Al 3+ ), nickel ion (Ni 2+ ), iron ion (Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ ), iodine ion (I - ), silicon (Si), sulfate ion (SO4 2- ), suspended solids, and / or organic matter. The alkaline earth metal ions include, for example, calcium ions (Ca2+ ), magnesium ion (Mg 2+ ), strontium ion (Sr 2+ ) and barium ion (Ba 2+ The suspended matter and organic matter are, for example, suspended solids (SS) and TOC (total organic carbon). The above-mentioned impurities Im may refer to at least one of suspended solids (SS) and TOC (total organic carbon).

[0064] The liquid 70 from which at least a portion of the first impurity Im1 (described later) or the second impurity Im2 (described later) has been removed by the filter 114 passes through the ion exchange resin 118. The ion exchange resin 118 removes at least a portion of the first impurity Im1 (described later) or the second impurity Im2 (described later) contained in the liquid 70. In this example, the first impurity Im1 (described later) or the second impurity Im2 (described later) contained in the liquid 70 is removed by the filter 114 and is further removed by the ion exchange resin 118.

[0065] The image sensor 120 may be provided in a resin window in the resin tower 116. The image sensor 120 measures the resin height in the resin tower 116.

[0066] The electrolytic bath 90 is provided with a detection unit 99. The detection unit 99 will be described later.

[0067] 2 is a diagram showing an example of an electrolysis apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrolysis apparatus 200 of this example includes an electrolysis cell 90, an inlet pipe 92, an inlet pipe 93, an outlet pipe 94, and an outlet pipe 95.

[0068] The electrolysis device 200 is a device that electrolyzes an electrolytic solution. In this example, the electrolysis device 200 is a device that generates Cl2 (chlorine), NaOH (sodium hydroxide), and H2 (hydrogen) by electrolyzing a NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution, or generates Cl2 (chlorine), KOH (potassium hydroxide), and H2 (hydrogen) by electrolyzing a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution.

[0069] The electrolytic cell 90 is a cell that electrolyzes an electrolytic solution. In this example, the electrolytic cell 90 is a cell that electrolyzes an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride) or an aqueous solution of KCl (potassium chloride). The electrolytic cell 90 may include a plurality of electrolytic cells 91 (electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N, where N is an integer of 2 or more). N is, for example, 50.

[0070] In this example, the introduction pipe 92 and the introduction pipe 93 are connected to each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. A liquid 70 is introduced into each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. The liquid 70 may pass through the introduction pipe 92 and then be introduced into each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. The liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride. An alkali metal is an element belonging to Group 1 of the periodic table. The liquid 70 may be an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride) or KCl (potassium chloride).

[0071] Liquid 72 is introduced into each of electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. Liquid 72 may pass through introduction pipe 93 and then be introduced into each of electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. Liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide. When liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride), liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide). When liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of KCl (potassium chloride), liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of KOH (potassium hydroxide).

[0072] In this example, the outlet pipe 94 and the outlet pipe 95 are connected to each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. A liquid 76 and a gas 78 (described later) are discharged from each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. The liquid 76 and the gas 78 (described later) may be discharged to the outside of the electrolysis device 200 after passing through the outlet pipe 95. The liquid 76 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide. When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride), the liquid 76 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide). When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of KCl (potassium chloride), the liquid 76 is an aqueous solution of KOH (potassium hydroxide). The gas 78 (described later) may be H2 (hydrogen).

[0073] A liquid 74 and a gas 77 (described later) are discharged from each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. The liquid 74 and the gas 77 (described later) may be discharged to the outside of the electrolysis device 200 after passing through the discharge pipe 94. The liquid 74 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride. When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride), the liquid 74 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride). When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of KCl (potassium chloride), the liquid 74 is an aqueous solution of KCl (potassium chloride). The gas 77 (described later) may be Cl2 (chlorine).

[0074] 3 is a diagram showing an example of details of one electrolytic cell 91 in FIG. 2. The electrolytic cell 90 has an anode chamber 79, an anode 80, a cathode chamber 98, a cathode 82, and an ion exchange membrane 84. In this example, one electrolytic cell 91 has an anode chamber 79, an anode 80, a cathode chamber 98, a cathode 82, and an ion exchange membrane 84. The anode chamber 79 and the cathode chamber 98 are provided inside the electrolytic cell 91. The anode chamber 79 and the cathode chamber 98 are separated by the ion exchange membrane 84. The anode 80 is disposed in the anode chamber 79. The cathode chamber 98 is disposed in the cathode chamber 98.

[0075] An inlet pipe 92 and an outlet pipe 94 are connected to the anode chamber 79. An inlet pipe 93 and an outlet pipe 95 are connected to the cathode chamber 98. A liquid 70 is introduced into the anode chamber 79. A liquid 72 is introduced into the cathode chamber 98.

[0076] The detection unit 99 (see this figure and FIG. 1) may be provided in the anode chamber 79. The detection unit 99 detects ions of alkaline earth metals and aluminum ions (Al 3+ ), nickel ion (Ni 2+ ), iron ion (Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ ), iodine ion (I - ), silicon (Si), sulfate ion (SO4 2- ), suspended solids, and / or organic matter are detected. These detection targets by the detection unit 99 are referred to as detection targets Db.

[0077] The ion exchange membrane 84 is a membranous substance that blocks the passage of ions of the same sign as the ions arranged in the ion exchange membrane 84, and allows only ions of the opposite sign to pass through. In this example, the ion exchange membrane 84 is a cation exchange membrane that blocks the passage of ions of the same sign (i.e., anions) as the anions arranged in the ion exchange membrane 84 (anion groups 86 described below), and allows only ions of the opposite sign (i.e., cations) to pass through. When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride) and the liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, the ion exchange membrane 84 blocks the passage of Na + (sodium ion) or K + (potassium ions) and Cl - It is a membrane that prevents the passage of chloride ions.

[0078] The anode 80 and the cathode 82 may be maintained at a predetermined positive and negative potential, respectively. The liquid 70 introduced into the anode chamber 79 and the liquid 72 introduced into the cathode chamber 98 are electrolyzed by the potential difference between the anode 80 and the cathode 82. The following chemical reaction occurs at the anode 80: [Chemical formula 1] 2Cl - →Cl2+2e -

[0079] When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride), NaCl (sodium chloride) is+ (sodium ion) and Cl - (chlorine ion). At the anode 80, Cl2 (chlorine) gas is generated by the chemical reaction shown in Chemical Formula 1. The gas 77 (Cl2 (chlorine) gas) and the liquid 74 may be led out of the anode chamber 79. Na + (Sodium ions) move from the anode chamber 79 through the ion exchange membrane 84 due to the attractive force from the cathode 82 and then move to the cathode chamber 98 .

[0080] In the anode chamber 79, the liquid 73 may remain. The liquid 73 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride. In this example, the liquid 73 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride). + (Sodium ion) concentration and Cl - (Chloride ion) concentration is Na in liquid 70 + (Sodium ion) concentration and Cl - (chloride ion) concentration may be smaller.

[0081] At the cathode 82, the following chemical reactions take place: [Chemical formula 2] 2H2O+2e - →H2+2OH -

[0082] When the liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide), NaOH (sodium hydroxide) is + (sodium ion) and OH - (hydroxide ions). A liquid 75 may be retained in the cathode chamber 98. The liquid 75 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide. In this example, the liquid 75 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide). In this example, at the cathode 82, H2 (hydrogen) gas and OH - (hydroxide ions) are produced. The gas 78 (the H2 (hydrogen) gas) and the liquid 76 may be led out of the cathode chamber 98.

[0083] In this example, the cathode chamber 98 contains OH produced by the chemical reaction shown in Chemical Formula 2. - (hydroxide ion) and Na that migrated from the anode chamber 79 + A liquid 75 containing dissolved sodium ions (sodium ions) is retained.

[0084] When an NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution is introduced into the anode chamber 79, an NaOH (sodium hydroxide) aqueous solution may be introduced into the cathode chamber 98. When a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution is introduced into the anode chamber 79, an KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution may be introduced into the cathode chamber 98.

[0085] 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ion exchange membrane 84 in the electrolysis cell 91 shown in FIG. 3. In this example, an anion group 86 is fixed to the ion exchange membrane 84. Anions are repelled by the anion group 86 and therefore do not easily pass through the ion exchange membrane 84. In this example, the anion is Cl. - (chloride ions). The cations 71 are not repelled by the anion groups 86 and can therefore pass through the ion exchange membrane 84. When the liquid 70 (see FIG. 3) is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride), the cations 71 are Na + (sodium ion).

[0086] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a block diagram of a driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving assistance device 100 assists in the operation of an electrolytic bath 90 (see FIG. 2). The driving assistance device 100 includes a production efficiency acquisition unit 10, a determination unit 12, an identification unit 14, an instruction unit 19, and a control unit 20. The driving assistance device 100 may include an input unit 60 and a display unit 62.

[0087] The driving assistance device 100 is, for example, a computer including a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like. The control unit 20 may be the CPU. When the driving assistance device 100 is a computer, a driving assistance program for executing a driving assistance method described later may be installed in the computer, and a driving assistance program for causing the computer to function as the driving assistance device 100 may be installed in the computer.

[0088] The input unit 60 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The display unit 62 is, for example, a display, a monitor, etc.

[0089] The production efficiency acquisition unit 10 acquires the production efficiency of the electrolytic bath 90. This production efficiency is defined as the production efficiency PE. The product produced by the electrolytic bath 90 is defined as the product P. The theoretical production volume of the product P is defined as the production volume Pa. The actual production volume of the product P is defined as the production volume Pr. The production efficiency PE refers to the ratio of the production volume Pr to the production volume Pa per unit time and unit power amount.

[0090] The production efficiency acquisition unit 10 may acquire the current efficiency of the electrolytic cell 90. This current efficiency is referred to as the current efficiency CE.

[0091] The production efficiency acquisition unit 10 may acquire the production efficiency PE for each of the multiple electrolytic cells 91 (see FIG. 2). The production amount Pa is calculated based on the maximum current flowing through the electrolytic cell 90. The production efficiency acquisition unit 10 may acquire the production efficiency PE for each of the multiple electrolytic cells 91. When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride) and the liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide), the product P is NaOH (sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda).

[0092] The judgment unit 12 judges whether the production efficiency PE is less than a predetermined production efficiency threshold. The production efficiency threshold is set as a threshold Tp. The production efficiency PE at the time when the use of the ion exchange membrane 84 (see FIG. 3) starts is set as a production efficiency PEs. The production efficiency PE after a predetermined time T has elapsed from the time when the use of the ion exchange membrane 84 starts is set as a production efficiency PEe.

[0093] During operation of the electrolytic bath 90 (see FIG. 2), substances contained in the liquid 73 and the liquid 75 (see FIG. 3) tend to come into contact with the ion exchange membrane 84 (see FIG. 3). Some of these substances may accumulate in the ion exchange membrane 84, causing a deterioration in the ion exchange performance of the ion exchange membrane 84. For this reason, the production efficiency PE tends to decrease as the operation time of the electrolytic bath 90 passes. For this reason, the production efficiency PEe tends to be smaller than the production efficiency PEs.

[0094] The production efficiency PE being less than the threshold value Tp may mean that the ratio of the production efficiency PEe to the production efficiency PEs is less than a predetermined ratio. The predetermined ratio is, for example, 1%. The time T is, for example, one year. The point in time when the ion exchange membrane 84 starts to be used may be the point in time when the use of an unused ion exchange membrane 84 starts.

[0095] The production efficiency PE may be continuously obtained during operation of the electrolytic cell 90. The production efficiency PE may be an average value or a median value of the production efficiency PE obtained over a predetermined time t. The time t may be smaller than the time T. The time t is, for example, 12 hours.

[0096] The threshold value Tp may change with the operating time of the electrolytic cell 90 (see FIG. 2). For example, the ratio of the production efficiency PE after two years to the production efficiency PE after one year from the start of use of the ion exchange membrane 84 (see FIG. 3) may be different from the ratio of the production efficiency PEe to the production efficiency PEs, and may be smaller than the ratio of the production efficiency PEe to the production efficiency PEs. The threshold value Tp may be set based on the ion exchange characteristics of the ion exchange membrane 84. The ion exchange characteristics of the ion exchange membrane 84 may refer to the ion exchange performance of the ion exchange membrane 84.

[0097] When the determination unit 12 determines that the production efficiency PE is less than the threshold value Tp, the identification unit 14 identifies a first cause that caused the production efficiency PE to be less than the threshold value Tp. The first cause is defined as a first cause F1. The identification unit 14 may identify one or more first causes F1 that are highly likely to have caused the production efficiency PE to be less than the threshold value Tp from a plurality of predetermined first causes F1. The one or more first causes F1 may be candidates for the first cause F1. The one or more first causes F1 identified by the identification unit 14 may be displayed on the display unit 62.

[0098] The production efficiency acquisition unit 10 may continuously acquire the production efficiency PE. The production efficiency acquisition unit 10 may acquire the production efficiency PE in real time while the electrolytic bath 90 is operating. Acquiring the production efficiency PE in real time refers to acquiring the production efficiency PE while the electrolytic bath 90 is operating in less than a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be 0.5 seconds, 1 second, or 5 seconds. In this specification, real time refers to the predetermined time.

[0099] Determination unit 12 may continuously determine whether production efficiency PE is less than threshold value Tp. Determination unit 12 may determine in real time whether production efficiency PE is less than threshold value Tp while electrolytic bath 90 is operating. Identification unit 14 may continuously identify a first cause F1 that caused production efficiency PE to become less than threshold value Tp. Identification unit 14 may identify first cause F1 in real time while electrolytic bath 90 is operating. Display unit 62 may display first cause F1 in real time.

[0100] As described above, in driving assistance device 100, identification unit 14 identifies first cause F1 that caused production efficiency PE of electrolytic cell 90 to fall below threshold value Tp. This allows the user of driving assistance device 100 to recognize first cause F1.

[0101] The identifying unit 14 may identify a first impurity in the electrolytic bath 90 (see FIG. 2). The first impurity is referred to as a first impurity Im1. The first impurity Im1 is an impurity corresponding to a first cause F1. The first impurity Im1 is an impurity that may cause the production efficiency PE to be less than a threshold value Tp. The identifying unit 14 may identify the type of the first impurity Im1. The type of the first impurity Im1 may be the type of substance of the first impurity Im1, or may be the type of element.

[0102] The identifying unit 14 may identify one or more first impurities Im1 that are highly likely to have caused the production efficiency PE to be less than the threshold value Tp from among a plurality of predetermined first impurities Im1. The first impurities Im1 may be candidates for the first impurities Im1. The identifying unit 14 may identify a plurality of first impurities Im1 that correspond to the respective first causes F1.

[0103] The identification unit 14 may identify a first measure for suppressing the decrease in the production efficiency PE and recovering the production efficiency PE. The first measure is defined as the first measure Cm1. The first measure Cm1 may be a measure corresponding to the first cause. The identification unit 14 may identify one or more first measures Cm1 corresponding to one or more first causes F1 from a plurality of predetermined first measures Cm1. The first measure Cm1 may be a candidate for the first measure Cm1. The identification unit 14 may identify the first impurity Im1 and identify the first measure Cm1. The identification unit 14 may identify the first cause F1, the first impurity Im1, and the first measure Cm1 in real time. This allows the user of the driving assistance device 100 to take the first measure Cm1 without stopping the electrolytic cell 90 in operation.

[0104] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode on the display unit 62. The display unit 62 may display a determination result as to whether the production efficiency PE is less than the threshold value Tp. The display unit 62 may also display a first measure Cm1. If it is determined that the production efficiency PE is equal to or greater than the threshold value Tp (if it is determined as Yes), the display unit 62 may display a determination result as to whether the voltage CV (described later) is equal to or less than a threshold value Tv (described later). The display unit 62 may display a second measure Cm2 (described later) corresponding to each of the determination results as to whether the voltage CV (described later) is equal to or less than the threshold value Tv (described later).

[0105] 7 is a diagram showing another example of a display mode on the display unit 62. The display unit 62 may display a first cause F1, a first impurity Im1, and a first countermeasure Cm1. The display unit 62 may display a plurality of first impurities Im1 and a plurality of first countermeasures Cm1 corresponding to each of a plurality of first causes F1. The display unit 62 may display, for each first cause F1, the first impurity Im1 and the first countermeasure Cm1 corresponding to the first cause F1.

[0106] A predetermined first cause F1 may be displayed on the display unit 62. A plurality of first causes F1 may be displayed on the display unit 62. In the example of FIG. 7, 16 first causes F1 numbered No. 1 to No. 19 are displayed. Among the predetermined first causes F1, first impurities Im1, and first measures Cm1, the first causes F1, first impurities Im1, and first measures Cm1 may be highlighted on the display unit 62, and the first causes F1, first impurities Im1, and first measures Cm1 identified by the identifying unit 14 may be highlighted. For example, the first causes F1, etc. identified by the identifying unit 14 may be displayed in a color different from other first causes F1.

[0107] The "raw salt" shown in Fig. 7 refers to the raw salt 110 shown in Fig. 1. The "salt water" shown in Fig. 7 refers to an aqueous NaCl (sodium chloride) solution or an aqueous KCl (potassium chloride) solution in this example.

[0108] The "clarifier" shown in Fig. 7 refers to the settling tank 112 shown in Fig. 1. The "filter" shown in Fig. 7 refers to the filter 114 shown in Fig. 1. The saltwater that has passed through the clarifier is introduced into the filter 114. The filter 114 removes suspended solids (SS) contained in the saltwater. The "primary saltwater" shown in Fig. 7 refers to the saltwater that has passed through the filter 114.

[0109] The "resin tower" shown in Fig. 7 refers to the resin tower 116 shown in Fig. 1. The "secondary salt water" shown in Fig. 7 refers to the salt water that has passed through the resin tower 116. The "tower cross-sectional area" shown in Fig. 7 is the cross-sectional area of ​​the resin tower 116 in a direction intersecting the passing direction of the primary salt water passing through the resin tower 116.

[0110] The "flocculant" shown in FIG. 7 is a substance that flocculates organic matter that can be oxidized in water. The "salt water purge" shown in FIG. 7 is a process in which Cl2 (chlorine) contained in the salt water (liquid 74 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3)) drawn out from the anode chamber 79 is removed, and then sulfate ions (SO4 2-This refers to disposing of the saltwater to reduce the Cl2 (chlorine) concentration in the saltwater. The removal of Cl2 (chlorine) contained in the saltwater may be carried out using a dechlorination tower.

[0111] The identification unit 14 (see FIG. 5) may identify one or more candidates for the first cause F1 that caused the production efficiency PE to fall below the threshold value Tp from a plurality of predetermined first causes F1. The identification unit 14 may identify one or more candidates for the first cause F1 by determining whether each of the plurality of predetermined first causes F1 is a cause that caused the production efficiency PE to fall below the threshold value Tp. In the example of FIG. 7, the first cause F1 No. 4 is determined to be No, and thus "Is the pH of the electrolyzed water within a predetermined range?" is identified as a candidate for the first cause F1.

[0112] A predetermined first impurity Im1 may be displayed on the display unit 62. A plurality of first impurities Im1 may be displayed on the display unit 62. In the example of Fig. 7, ten first impurities Im1 numbered from No. 1 to No. 19 are displayed.

[0113] SS in Fig. 7 refers to suspended solids. Suspended solids are insoluble solid particles with a particle size of 2 mm or less that are suspended in water. Suspended solids may be compounds of Mg (magnesium), Ca (calcium), Sr (strontium), or Ba (barium).

[0114] The "CO3 concentration in the primary brine" shown in Figure 7 is the CO3 2- (carbonate ion) concentration. The primary brine contains Ca 2+ In order to remove calcium ions, Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate) may be added. When Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate) is added to the primary saltwater, the Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate) + (sodium ion) and CO3 2- (carbonate ion). Therefore, the primary saltwater contains CO32- (carbonate ions) are likely to be included.

[0115] TOC in Figure 7 stands for Total Organic Carbon. Total organic carbon is an index of the total amount of organic matter that can be oxidized in water, expressed as the amount of carbon.

[0116] The identification unit 14 (see FIG. 5) may identify one or more candidates of the first impurity Im1 that caused the production efficiency PE to be less than the threshold value Tp from among a plurality of predetermined first impurities Im1. The identification unit 14 may identify the first impurity Im1 for each of a plurality of first causes F1. The identification unit 14 may identify one or more candidates of the first impurity Im1 by determining whether each of a plurality of predetermined first impurities Im1 is an impurity that caused the production efficiency PE to be less than the threshold value Tp. In the example of FIG. 7, the first impurity Im1 No. 4 is determined to be No, and thus Mg (magnesium), Si (silicon), and Al (aluminum) are identified as candidates of the first impurity Im1. The display unit 62 may display the candidates of the first impurity Im1 in real time.

[0117] The measurement value related to the first cause F1 may be acquired automatically or may be manually input by the input unit 60 (see FIG. 5). For example, when the first cause F1 is No. 5 "Is the Ba concentration less than a predetermined value?", the measurement value related to the first cause F1 is the measurement value of the Ba concentration. The identification unit 14 (see FIG. 5) may identify candidates for the first cause F1 based on the measurement value related to the first cause F1 that is acquired automatically or manually input.

[0118] A common first impurity Im1 may correspond to a plurality of different first causes F1. In Fig. 7, for example, Ca (calcium), Sr (strontium), Ba (barium), and Mg (magnesium) which are common first impurities Im1 correspond to four first causes F1 Nos. 8 to 11. When the flow rate of at least one of the liquid 70 introduced into the anode chamber 79 (see Fig. 3), the liquid 74 discharged from the anode chamber (see Fig. 3), the liquid 72 introduced into the cathode chamber 98 (see Fig. 3), and the liquid 76 discharged from the cathode chamber 98 (see Fig. 3) changes, the same first impurity Im1 may correspond to different first causes F1.

[0119] The liquid 70 (see FIG. 3) flowing through the inlet pipe 92 before being introduced into the anode chamber 79 may contain any of the first impurities F1 shown in FIG. 7. The inlet pipe 92 may be provided with an ion exchange resin that removes the first impurities F1. The liquid 70 from which the first impurities F1 have been removed by the ion exchange membrane resin may be introduced into the anode chamber 79.

[0120] A predetermined first measure Cm1 may be displayed on the display unit 62. A plurality of first measures Cm1 may be displayed on the display unit 62. In the example of Fig. 7, 20 first measures Cm1 numbered from No. 1 to No. 19 are displayed.

[0121] 7 indicates the frequency with which the user of the driving assistance device 100 cleans the ion exchange membrane 84. By cleaning the ion exchange membrane 84, the current efficiency CE of the ion exchange membrane 84 when it is used is easily restored.

[0122] The identification unit 14 (see FIG. 5) may identify one or more candidates for the first measure Cm1 for suppressing the decrease in the production efficiency PE and recovering the production efficiency CE from a plurality of predetermined first measures Cm1. The identification unit 14 may identify the first measure Cm1 for each of a plurality of first causes F1. The identification unit 14 may identify one or more candidates for the first measure Cm1 by determining whether each of a plurality of predetermined first measures Cm1 is a measure for suppressing the decrease in the production efficiency PE and recovering the production efficiency PE. In the example of FIG. 7, the first measure Cm1 of No. 4 is determined to be No, so that "adjust the pH of the electrolytic water to a predetermined range" is identified as a candidate for the first measure Cm1. The display unit 62 may display the candidates for the first measure Cm1 in real time.

[0123] A plurality of first countermeasures Cm1 may correspond to one first cause F1. In Fig. 7, for example, three first countermeasures Cm1 correspond to one first cause F1 No. 12 to 14 “Is the Ca concentration less than a predetermined value?”

[0124] As described above, in this example, the identifying unit 14 identifies the first impurity Im1 corresponding to the first cause F1, and identifies the first countermeasure Cm1 corresponding to the first cause F1. Therefore, the user of the driving support device 100 can recognize the first cause F1, as well as the first impurity Im1 and the first countermeasure Cm1. When the production efficiency acquisition unit 10 acquires the production efficiency PE in real time, the determination unit 12 determines in real time whether the production efficiency PE is less than the threshold value Tp, and the identifying unit 14 identifies the first cause F1, the first impurity Im1, and the first countermeasure Cm1 in real time, the user of the driving support device 100 can quickly take the first countermeasure Cm1 to suppress the decrease in the production efficiency PE and recover the production efficiency PE. As a result, the life of the ion exchange membrane 84 (see FIG. 3) is likely to be longer than when the user of the driving support device 100 does not take the first countermeasure Cm1.

[0125] The production efficiency PE may be the current efficiency of the electrolytic cell 90. This current efficiency is referred to as the current efficiency CE. The current efficiency CE refers to the ratio of the production amount Pr (actual production amount) to the production amount Pa (theoretical production amount). When the production efficiency PE is the current efficiency CE, the threshold Tp of the production efficiency PE may be the threshold of the current efficiency CE. This threshold is referred to as the threshold Te. The determination unit 12 may determine whether the current efficiency CE is less than the threshold Te.

[0126] The production efficiency acquisition unit 10 may acquire the current efficiency CE in real time. The determination unit 12 may determine in real time whether the current efficiency CE is less than the threshold value Te. The identification unit 14 may identify, as a first cause F1, a cause of the current efficiency CE becoming less than the threshold value Te. The identification unit 14 may identify, as a first measure Cm1, a measure for suppressing a decrease in the current efficiency CE and recovering the current efficiency CE.

[0127] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a block diagram of the driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving assistance device 100 of this example differs from the driving assistance device 100 shown in Fig. 5 in that it further includes a voltage acquisition unit 16. The voltage acquisition unit 16 acquires a voltage supplied to the electrolytic cell 90 (see Fig. 2). This voltage is referred to as a voltage CV.

[0128] When the determination unit 12 determines that the current efficiency CE is equal to or greater than the threshold Te, the determination unit 12 may further determine whether the voltage CV exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold. The voltage threshold is defined as a threshold Tv. The voltage CV at the time when the use of the ion exchange membrane 84 starts is defined as a voltage CVs. The voltage CV after a time T has elapsed from the time when the use of the ion exchange membrane 84 starts is defined as a voltage CVe.

[0129] As described above, during operation of the electrolytic cell 90 (see FIG. 2), substances contained in the liquid 73 and the liquid 75 (see FIG. 3) may accumulate in the ion exchange membrane 84 (see FIG. 3), thereby deteriorating the ion exchange performance of the ion exchange membrane 84. For this reason, when maintaining a predetermined production amount of the product P, the voltage CVe is likely to be higher than the voltage CVs.

[0130] The voltage CV exceeding the threshold value Tv may refer to the ratio of the voltage CVe to the voltage CVs exceeding a predetermined ratio. The predetermined ratio is, for example, 50 mV. The time T is, for example, one year.

[0131] The voltage CV may be continuously acquired during operation of the electrolytic cell 90. The voltage CV may be an average value or a median value of the voltage CV acquired over a predetermined time t. The time t is, for example, 12 hours as described above.

[0132] The threshold value Tv may change with the operating time of the electrolytic cell 90 (see FIG. 2). For example, the ratio of the voltage CV after two years to the voltage CV after one year from the start of use of the ion exchange membrane 84 (see FIG. 3) may be different from the ratio of the voltage CVe to the voltage CVs, and may be greater than the ratio of the voltage CVe to the voltage CVs. The threshold value Te may be set based on the ion exchange characteristics of the ion exchange membrane 84. The ion exchange characteristics of the ion exchange membrane 84 may refer to the ion exchange performance of the ion exchange membrane 84.

[0133] When the determination unit 12 determines that the voltage CV exceeds the threshold Tv, the determination unit 14 may determine a second cause for the voltage CV exceeding the threshold Tv. The second cause is defined as a second cause F2. The determination unit 14 may determine one or more second causes F2 that are highly likely to have caused the voltage CV to exceed the threshold Tv from a plurality of predetermined second causes F2. The one or more second causes F2 may be candidates for the second cause F2. The one or more second causes F2 determined by the determination unit 14 may be displayed on the display unit 62. At least a portion of the second cause F2 may be common to at least a portion of the first cause F1.

[0134] The voltage acquisition unit 16 may continuously acquire the voltage CV. The voltage acquisition unit 16 may acquire the voltage CV in real time while the electrolytic bath 90 is operating. The determination unit 12 may continuously determine whether the voltage CV exceeds the threshold value Tv. The determination unit 12 may determine in real time whether the voltage CV exceeds the threshold value Tv while the electrolytic bath 90 is operating. The identification unit 14 may continuously identify a second cause F2 for which the voltage CV has exceeded the threshold value Tv. The identification unit 14 may identify the second cause F2 in real time while the electrolytic bath 90 is operating. The second cause F2 may be displayed in real time on the display unit 62.

[0135] As described above, in the driving assistance device 100 of this example, the identification unit 14 identifies the second cause F2, which is that the voltage CV of the electrolytic cell 90 has exceeded the threshold value Tv. This allows the user of the driving assistance device 100 to recognize the second cause F2.

[0136] The identifying unit 14 may identify a second impurity in the electrolytic bath 90 (see FIG. 2). The second impurity is referred to as a second impurity Im2. The second impurity Im2 is an impurity corresponding to a second cause F2. The second impurity Im2 is an impurity that may cause the voltage CV to exceed a threshold value Tv. The identifying unit 14 may identify the type of the second impurity Im2. The type of the second impurity Im2 may be the type of substance of the second impurity Im2 or the type of element.

[0137] The identifying unit 14 may identify one or more second impurities Im2 that are highly likely to have caused the voltage CV to exceed the threshold Tv from among a plurality of predetermined second impurities Im2. The second impurities Im2 may be candidates for the second impurities Im2. The identifying unit 14 may identify a plurality of second impurities Im2 that respectively correspond to a plurality of second causes F2.

[0138] The identification unit 14 may identify a second measure for suppressing the rise of the voltage CV and recovering the voltage CV. The second measure is referred to as the second measure Cm2. Incidentally, recovering the voltage CV refers to lowering the voltage CV. The second measure Cm2 may be a measure corresponding to the second cause. The identification unit 14 may identify one or more second measures Cm2 corresponding to one or more second causes F2 from a plurality of predetermined second measures Cm2. The second measure Cm2 may be a candidate for the second measure Cm2. The identification unit 14 may identify the second impurity Im2 and may identify the second measure Cm2. The identification unit 14 may identify the second cause F2, the second impurity Im2, and the second measure Cm2 in real time. This allows the user of the driving assistance device 100 to take the second measure Cm2 without stopping the electrolytic cell 90 in operation.

[0139] The determination unit 12 may calculate the power consumption rate of the electrolytic cell 90 based on at least one of the current efficiency CE and the voltage CV. This power consumption rate is referred to as the power consumption rate Pu. The power consumption rate Pu refers to the power required for the electrolytic cell 90 to produce a unit amount of product P. The power consumption rate may be calculated using a predetermined converted voltage. The converted voltage may be predetermined based on the current that flows when the voltage CV is supplied and the temperatures of the liquid 73 and the liquid 75 (see FIG. 3). The converted voltage may be, for example, 6 kA / m when the temperature is 90° C. 2 The production efficiency PE may be expressed as the power consumption rate Pu.

[0140] The determination unit 12 may determine whether the power consumption unit Pu is equal to or greater than a predetermined power consumption unit threshold. The power consumption unit threshold is set as a threshold Tpu. The threshold Tpu may be set based on the ion exchange characteristics of the ion exchange membrane 84. The power consumption unit Pu at the time when the use of the ion exchange membrane 84 is started is set as the power consumption unit Pus. The power consumption unit Pu after a time T has elapsed from the time when the use of the ion exchange membrane 84 is started is set as the power consumption unit Pue.

[0141] As the ion exchange performance of the ion exchange membrane 84 decreases, the power consumption rate Pue tends to be higher than the power consumption rate Pus. The power consumption rate Pu being equal to or higher than the threshold value Tpu may mean that the ratio of the power consumption rate Pue to the power consumption rate Pus exceeds a predetermined ratio. The predetermined ratio is, for example, 1%. The time T is, for example, one year.

[0142] The unit power consumption Pu may be calculated continuously during operation of the electrolytic cell 90. The unit power consumption Pu may be an average value or a median value of the unit power consumption Pu obtained over a predetermined time t. The time t is, for example, 12 hours as described above.

[0143] When the determination unit 12 determines that the power consumption rate Pu of the electrolytic cell 90 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Tpu, the identification unit 14 may identify the first cause F1 or the second cause F2.

[0144] The instructing unit 19 may instruct at least one of the first measure Cm1 and the second measure Cm2 to the electrolytic bath 90. At least one of the first measure Cm1 and the second measure Cm2 may be instructed by a user of the driving assistance device 100 or may be instructed by the instructing unit 19.

[0145] When the detection unit 99 (see FIG. 3) detects the detection target Db in the liquid 70, the instruction unit 19 may instruct the drug introduction unit 160 (see FIG. 1) to introduce the drug 111 into the reaction tank 115. As a result, the first impurity Im1 or the second impurity Im2 is solidified in the reaction tank 115. As a result, the solidified first impurity Im1 or the second impurity Im2 is precipitated in the sedimentation tank 112.

[0146] When the detection unit 99 detects the detection target Db in the liquid 70 (see FIG. 3), there is a high probability that the first impurity Im1 or the second impurity Im2 has passed through the filter 114 and the resin tower 116 and then been introduced into the electrolytic bath 90. That is, there is a high probability that the equivalent of the chemical 111 is less than the equivalent of the alkaline earth metal contained in the raw salt 110. By introducing the chemical 111 into the reaction tank 115, the equivalent of the chemical 111 can be made close to the equivalent of the alkaline earth metal contained in the raw salt 110.

[0147] When an alkaline earth metal ion is detected by the impurity sensor 117 (see FIG. 1), the instruction unit 19 may instruct the pure water input unit 162 (see FIG. 1) to input pure water 163 into the resin tower 116. When an alkaline earth metal ion is detected by the impurity sensor 117, there is a high probability that the alkaline earth metal ion has been introduced into the electrolytic cell 90. The alkaline earth metal ion is, for example, a calcium ion (Ca 2+ ), magnesium ion (Mg 2+ ), strontium ion (Sr 2+ ) and barium ion (Ba 2+ ) is at least one of the following.

[0148] When an alkaline earth metal ion is detected by the impurity sensor 117 (see FIG. 1), the instruction unit 19 may instruct the electrolysis device 200 (see FIG. 2) to stop the operation of the electrolysis cell 90. This makes the electrolysis cell 90 less susceptible to the effects of the alkaline earth metal ions. After instructing the electrolysis cell 90 to stop operating, the instruction unit 19 may instruct the electrolysis device 200 to flow water or the like into at least one of the anode chamber 79 and the cathode chamber 98 in order to remove the first impurity Im1 or the second impurity Im2 adhering to the ion exchange membrane 84.

[0149] The instruction unit 19 may instruct the pure water input unit 162 to input the pure water 163 so that the pure water 163 flows in the opposite direction to the flow direction of the liquid 70. This instruction indicates so-called backwashing of the resin tower 116.

[0150] The determination unit 12 (see FIG. 5) may determine whether the backwash rate of the ion exchange resin 118 exceeds a predetermined backwash rate threshold. The more suspended solids or organic matter accumulates in the ion exchange resin 118, the higher the backwash rate of the ion exchange resin 118 tends to be. The predetermined backwash rate threshold may be a backwash rate at which the performance of the ion exchange resin 118 in removing the first impurity Im or the second impurity Im2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined performance.

[0151] The flow rate sensor 119 (see FIG. 1) measures the flow rate of the pure water 163. The determination unit 12 (see FIG. 5) may calculate a backwashing speed of the ion exchange resin 118 based on the flow rate of the pure water 163 measured by the flow rate sensor 119. The determination unit 12 may determine whether the calculated backwashing speed exceeds a predetermined backwashing speed threshold value.

[0152] When the determination unit 12 determines that the backwashing speed exceeds a predetermined backwashing speed threshold, the instruction unit 19 may instruct the pure water input unit 162 to input pure water 163. The ion exchange resin 118 may be renewed by inputting the pure water 163 into the pure water input unit 162. The renewal of the ion exchange resin 118 may refer to the removal of the first impurity Im1 or the second impurity Im2 accumulated in the ion exchange resin 118 by the pure water 163.

[0153] The image sensor 120 may measure the resin height of the resin tower 116. The determination unit 12 (see FIG. 5) may determine whether the resin height measured by the image sensor 120 exceeds a predetermined resin height threshold. When the determination unit 12 determines that the resin height exceeds the predetermined resin height threshold, the instruction unit 19 may instruct the chemical solution input unit 164 (see FIG. 1) to input the chemical solution 165 into the resin tower 116. The chemical solution 165 is, for example, HCl (hydrochloric acid) or NaOH (sodium hydroxide). When the resin height exceeds the resin height threshold, it is highly likely that the first impurity Im1 or the second impurity Im2 has been introduced into the electrolytic bath 90. By inputting the chemical solution 165 into the resin tower 116, the resin tower 116 is regenerated.

[0154] 9 is a diagram showing another example of a display mode on the display unit 62. The second cause F2 and the second countermeasure Cm2 may be displayed on the display unit 62. A plurality of second countermeasures Cm2 corresponding to each of the plurality of second causes F2 may be displayed on the display unit 62. The second countermeasure Cm2 corresponding to the second cause F2 may be displayed on the display unit 62 for each second cause F2.

[0155] 10 is a diagram showing another example of a display mode on the display unit 62. The display unit 62 may display a second cause F2, a second impurity Im2, and a second measure Cm2. The display unit 62 may display a plurality of second impurities Im2 and a plurality of second measures Cm2 corresponding to each of a plurality of second causes F2. The display unit 62 may display, for each second cause F2, the second impurity Im2 and the second measure Cm2 corresponding to the second cause F2.

[0156] The display unit 62 may display a predetermined second cause F2. The display unit 62 may display a plurality of second causes F2. In the example of FIG. 9, eight second causes F2 numbered No. 1 to No. 8 are displayed, and in the example of FIG. 10, 16 second causes F2 numbered No. 9 to No. 26 are displayed. Among the predetermined second causes F2, second impurities Im2, and second measures Cm2, the second causes F2, second impurities Im2, and second measures Cm2 identified by the identifying unit 14 may be displayed in an emphasized manner on the display unit 62. The emphasized manner means, for example, that the second causes F2, etc. identified by the identifying unit 14 are displayed in a color different from that of the other second causes F2.

[0157] The "acidification of the ion exchange membrane" shown in FIG. 9 refers to the addition of H to the anion group 86 (see FIG. 4) of the ion exchange membrane 84. + This refers to the attachment of hydrogen ions (hydrogen ions). In order to adjust the pH of the liquid 73 (see Figures 3 and 4), HCl (hydrochloric acid) or alkaline salt water may be introduced into the anode chamber 79. Alkaline salt water is salt water in which, for example, NaOH (sodium hydroxide) is dissolved. When HCl (hydrochloric acid) is introduced into the anode chamber 79, H +9 refers to the salt water (liquid 74 (see FIG. 3)) derived from electrolytic cell 90.

[0158] The "tightness of the ion exchange membrane" shown in FIG. 9 refers to the degree of H2O (water) contained in the ion exchange membrane 84 (see FIG. 3). + When the concentration of H2O (water) in the ion exchange membrane 84 is increased, or when the concentration of alkaline ions in the liquid 75 is increased, the degree of H2O (water) contained in the ion exchange membrane 84 may decrease. When the degree of H2O (water) contained in the ion exchange membrane 84 is decreased, the ion exchange membrane 84 becomes tighter.

[0159] At least a part of the second causes F2 may be common to at least a part of the first causes F1. In this example, the second causes F2 No. 9 to No. 24 are common to the first causes F1 No. 1 to No. 16 (see FIG. 7).

[0160] The identification unit 14 (see FIG. 8) may identify one or more candidates for the second cause F2 that caused the voltage CV to exceed the threshold value Tv from a plurality of predetermined second causes F2. The identification unit 14 may identify one or more candidates for the second cause F2 by determining whether each of the plurality of predetermined second causes F2 is a cause that caused the voltage CV to exceed the threshold value Tv. In the example of FIG. 10, the second causes F2 of No. 9 and No. 14 are determined to be No, and thus "Is the iron in the raw salt 5 ppm or more?" and "Is the pH of the electrolytic water within a predetermined range?" are identified as candidates for the second cause F2.

[0161] A predetermined second impurity Im2 may be displayed on the display unit 62. A plurality of second impurities Im2 may be displayed on the display unit 62. In the example of Fig. 10, ten second impurities Im2 numbered from No. 9 to No. 26 are displayed.

[0162] At least a part of the second impurity Im2 may be common to at least a part of the first impurity Im1. In this example, the second impurities Im2 of No. 9 to No. 26 are common to the first impurities Im1 of No. 1 to No. 16 (see FIG. 7).

[0163] The identification unit 14 (see FIG. 8) may identify one or more candidates of the second impurity Im2 that caused the voltage CV to exceed the threshold Tv from among a plurality of predetermined second impurities Im2. The identification unit 14 may identify the second impurity Im2 for each of a plurality of second causes F2. The identification unit 14 may identify one or more candidates of the second impurity Im2 by determining whether each of a plurality of predetermined second impurities Im2 is an impurity that caused the voltage CV to exceed the threshold Tv. In the example of FIG. 10, the second impurities Im2 of No. 9 and No. 14 are determined to be No, and thus Fe (iron), Mg (magnesium), Si (silicon), and Al (aluminum) are identified as candidates of the second impurity Im2. The display unit 62 may display the candidates of the second impurity Im2 in real time.

[0164] The measurement value related to the second cause F2 may be acquired automatically or may be manually input by the input unit 60 (see FIG. 8). For example, when the second cause F2 is No. 18 "Is the salt water concentration equal to or higher than a predetermined value?", the measurement value related to the second cause F2 is the measurement value of the salt water concentration. The identification unit 14 (see FIG. 8) may identify candidates for the second cause F2 based on the measurement value related to the second cause F2 that is acquired automatically or input manually.

[0165] A common second impurity Im2 may correspond to a plurality of different second causes F2. In Fig. 10, for example, Fe, which is a common second impurity Im2, corresponds to two second causes F2, No. 9 and No. 10. When the flow rate of at least one of the liquid 70 introduced into the anode chamber 79 (see Fig. 3), the liquid 74 discharged from the anode chamber (see Fig. 3), the liquid 72 introduced into the cathode chamber 98 (see Fig. 3), and the liquid 76 discharged from the cathode chamber 98 (see Fig. 3), is changed, the same second impurity Im2 may correspond to different second causes F2.

[0166] The liquid 70 (see FIG. 3) flowing through the inlet pipe 92 before being introduced into the anode chamber 79 may contain any of the second impurities F2 shown in FIG. 10. The liquid 70 from which the second impurities F2 have been removed by an ion exchange membrane resin provided in the inlet pipe 92 may be introduced into the anode chamber 79.

[0167] A predetermined second measure Cm2 may be displayed on the display unit 62. A plurality of second measures Cm2 may be displayed on the display unit 62. In the example of Fig. 9, eight second measures Cm2 numbered from No. 1 to No. 8 are displayed, and in the example of Fig. 10, eighteen second measures Cm2 numbered from No. 9 to No. 26 are displayed.

[0168] At least a part of the second measures Cm2 may be common to at least a part of the first measures Cm1. In this example, the second measures Cm2 of No. 11 to No. 26 are common to the first measures Cm1 of No. 1 to No. 16 (see FIG. 7).

[0169] The identification unit 14 (see FIG. 8) may identify one or more candidates for the second measure Cm2 for suppressing the rise in the voltage CV and recovering the voltage CV from a plurality of predetermined second measures Cm2. The identification unit 14 may identify the second measure Cm2 for each of a plurality of second causes F2. The identification unit 14 may identify one or more candidates for the second measure Cm2 by determining whether each of a plurality of predetermined second measures Cm2 is a measure for suppressing the rise in the voltage CV and recovering the voltage CV. In the example of FIG. 9, the second measure Cm2 of No. 1 is determined to be No, so that "adjust the flow rate of salt water" is identified as a candidate for the second measure Cm2. In the example of FIG. 10, the second measures Cm2 of No. 9 and No. 14 are determined to be No, so that "consider reducing the iron in the raw salt" and "adjust the pH of the electrolytic water to a predetermined range" are identified as candidates for the second measure Cm2. On the display unit 62, candidates for the second measure Cm2 may be displayed in real time.

[0170] A plurality of second measures Cm2 may correspond to one second cause F2. In Fig. 10, for example, three second measures Cm2 correspond to one second cause F2, No. 17 to No. 19.

[0171] As described above, in this example, the identifying unit 14 identifies the second impurity Im2 corresponding to the second cause F2, and identifies the second countermeasure Cm2 corresponding to the second cause F2. Therefore, the user of the driving support device 100 can recognize the second cause F2, the second impurity Im2, and the second countermeasure Cm2. When the voltage acquisition unit 16 acquires the voltage CV in real time, the determination unit 12 determines in real time whether the voltage CV exceeds the threshold Tv, and the identifying unit 14 identifies the second cause F2, the second impurity Im2, and the second countermeasure Cm2 in real time, the user of the driving support device 100 can quickly take the second countermeasure Cm2 to suppress the rise in the voltage CV and recover the voltage CV. As a result, the life of the ion exchange membrane 84 (see FIG. 3) is likely to be longer than when the user of the driving support device 100 does not take the second countermeasure Cm2.

[0172] 11 is a diagram showing another example of a block diagram of the driving support device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving support device 100 of this example differs from the driving support device 100 shown in FIG. 8 in that it further includes a storage unit 18.

[0173] The storage unit 18 may store a first cause F1, a first impurity Im1, and a first countermeasure Cm1. The storage unit 18 may store one first cause F1 shown in FIG. 7, a first impurity Im1 corresponding to the one first cause F1, and a first countermeasure Cm1 corresponding to the one first cause F1 in association with each other.

[0174] The storage unit 18 may store a second cause F2, a second impurity Im2, and a second measure Cm2. The storage unit 18 may store one second cause F2 shown in Fig. 9 in association with the second measure Cm2 corresponding to the one second cause F2. The storage unit 18 may store one second cause F2 shown in Fig. 10 in association with the second impurity Im2 corresponding to the one second cause F2, and the second measure Cm2 corresponding to the one second cause F2.

[0175] The driving assistance device 100 does not need to include the storage unit 18. The driving assistance device 100 may store the first cause F1, the first impurity Im1, and the first countermeasure Cm1 in the cloud server, and may store the second cause F2, the second impurity Im2, and the second countermeasure Cm2.

[0176] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the first impurity Im1 and the second impurity Im2 attached to the ion exchange membrane 84. FIG. 12 also shows the change in pH from the surface of the ion exchange membrane 84 in contact with the anode chamber 79 to the surface of the ion exchange membrane 84 in contact with the cathode chamber 98. The first impurity Im1 is likely to attach to the surface of the ion exchange membrane 84 in contact with the cathode chamber 98. The second impurity Im2 is likely to attach to the surface of the ion exchange membrane 84 in contact with the anode chamber 79. A part of the multiple types of first impurities Im1 and a part of the multiple types of second impurities Im2 may be common. In the examples of FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, the first impurities Im1 of No. 1 to No. 16 and the second impurities Im2 of No. 11 to No. 26 are common.

[0177] The identifying unit 14 may identify a first impurity Im1 corresponding to the first cause F1, based on the first cause F1, the first impurity Im1, and the first measure Cm1 stored in the storage unit 18, and may identify a first measure Cm1 corresponding to the first cause F1. The identifying unit 14 may identify a second impurity Im2 corresponding to the second cause F2, based on the second cause F2, the second impurity Im2, and the second measure Cm2 stored in the storage unit 18, and may identify a second measure Cm2 corresponding to the second cause F2. The memory unit 18 stores the first cause F1, the first impurity Im1, and the first countermeasure Cm1 in association with each other, and stores the second cause F2, the second impurity Im2, and the second countermeasure Cm2 in association with each other. Therefore, even if a portion of the multiple types of first impurities Im1 and a portion of the multiple types of second impurities Im2 are common, the identification unit 14 can identify the first impurity Im1 corresponding to the first cause F1 and identify the first countermeasure Cm1 corresponding to the first cause F1, and can identify the second impurity Im2 corresponding to the second cause F2 and identify the second countermeasure Cm2 corresponding to the second cause F2.

[0178] 7, one first impurity Im1 may correspond to multiple first causes F1, and multiple first measures Cm1 may correspond to one first cause F1. Therefore, the identifying unit 14 identifies the first impurity Im1 corresponding to the first cause F1 and identifies the first measure Cm1 corresponding to the first cause F1 based on the first cause F1, the first impurity Im1, and the first measure Cm1 stored in the storage unit 18, so that the identifying unit 14 can identify the first impurity Im1 for each first cause F1 and can identify the first measure Cm1 for each first cause F1.

[0179] 10, one second impurity Im2 may correspond to multiple second causes F2, and multiple second measures Cm2 may correspond to one second cause F2. Therefore, the identifying unit 14 identifies the second impurity Im2 corresponding to the second cause F2 and identifies the second measure Cm2 corresponding to the second cause F2 based on the second cause F2, the second impurity Im2, and the second measure Cm2 stored in the storage unit 18, so that the identifying unit 14 can identify the second impurity Im2 for each second cause F2 and can identify the second measure Cm2 for each second cause F2.

[0180] 13 is a block diagram of another example of the driving support device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving support device 100 of this embodiment differs from the driving support device 100 shown in FIG. 11 in that it further includes a pH acquisition unit 11, a production efficiency calculation unit 13, and a concentration calculation unit 15.

[0181] The pH acquisition unit 11 acquires the pH of an aqueous NaCl (sodium chloride) solution or an aqueous KCl (potassium chloride) solution introduced into the anode chamber 79 (see FIG. 3). The pH acquisition unit 11 may acquire the pH of an aqueous NaOH (sodium hydroxide) solution or an aqueous KOH (potassium hydroxide) solution introduced into the cathode chamber 98 (see FIG. 3).

[0182] The production efficiency calculation unit 13 calculates the current efficiency CE of the electrolytic bath 90 (see FIG. 2). The production efficiency calculation unit 13 may calculate the current efficiency CE of each of the multiple electrolytic cells 91 (see FIG. 2). The production efficiency calculation unit 13 may calculate the current efficiency CE of the electrolytic bath 90 based on the pH of the NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution or the KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11.

[0183] The production efficiency calculation unit 13 may calculate the current efficiency CE [%] based on the following formula 1. The following formula 1 is a formula for calculating the current efficiency CE related to NaOH (sodium hydroxide). The current efficiency CE related to NaOH (sodium hydroxide) may refer to the so-called caustic soda current efficiency.

number

[0184]

number

number

number

number

[0185] The production efficiency calculation unit 13 calculates the rate J of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) flowing into the anode chamber 79. NaOH The unit of J' and J'' is also mol / h. The current efficiency CE [%] of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) may be calculated by the following formula 6-6.

number

[0186] F in Equation 2 HClis the flow rate of HCl (hydrochloric acid) introduced into the electrolytic cell 90 per unit time. Qi in Equation 2 is the flow rate of saltwater introduced into the electrolytic cell 90 per unit time. The flow rate Qi may be the flow rate of saltwater passing through the inlet pipe 92 (see FIG. 3) per unit time. Qo in Equations 2, 4, and 5 is the flow rate of saltwater introduced from the electrolytic cell 90 per unit time. The flow rate Qo may be the flow rate of saltwater passing through the outlet pipe 94 (see FIG. 3) per unit time.

[0187] In the formula 2, COHi is the alkali concentration of the salt water introduced into the electrolytic cell 90. The alkali concentration of the salt water is the OH - The alkali concentration COHi may be the alkali concentration of the salt water passing through the inlet pipe 92 (see FIG. 3). CHo in the formula 2 is the acid concentration of the salt water drawn out from the electrolytic cell 90. The acid concentration of the salt water is the H + The acid concentration CHo may be the concentration of hydrogen ions in the saltwater passing through the outlet pipe 94 (see FIG. 3).

[0188] In formulas 2 to 5, I is a current flowing in the electrolytic cell 90. The current I flows when a voltage CV is supplied to the anode 80, the cathode 82, the ion exchange membrane 84, the liquid 73, and the liquid 75 (see FIG. 3). In formula 3, A is an area through which the current I flowing in the electrolytic cell 90 passes. The area A may be the smaller of the area where the anode 80 contacts the liquid 73 (see FIG. 3) and the area where the cathode 82 contacts the liquid 75 (see FIG. 3).

[0189] C in Equation 2 SO4 is the saltwater SO4 2- (sulfate ion) concentration. T in formula 4 is the temperature of the salt water (liquid 73) in the anode chamber 79. P in formula 4 is the pressure of Cl2 (chlorine) gas in the anode chamber 79. M1 in formula 4 is the molecular weight of HClO (hypochlorous acid). M2 in formula 5 is the molecular weight of NaClO3 (sodium chlorate). The pH in formulas 2 to 5 may be the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11.

[0190] The coefficients a1 and b1 in the formula 2 may be calculated by a regression equation. The coefficients a2 and b2 in the formula 2 may be calculated by a regression equation. The HCl (hydrochloric acid) introduced into the electrolytic cell 90 is mixed with the CO3 2- (carbonate ion) and OH - (hydroxide ions) and COHi in saltwater. 2- (Carbonate ion) concentration and OH - It may be calculated based on the (hydroxide ion) concentration.

[0191] The coefficients a3 and b3 in formula 3 may be calculated by a regression equation. The coefficients a4, b4, c, d, and e in formula 4 may be calculated by a regression equation. CHClO in formula 4 may be calculated based on a known equation described in the Soda Handbook (published by the Japan Soda Industry Association) or the like. The coefficients a5 and b5 in formula 5 may be calculated by a regression equation.

[0192] The production efficiency calculation unit 13 may calculate the current efficiency CE [%] based on the following formula 7. The following formula 1 is a formula for calculating the current efficiency CE related to Cl2 (chlorine). The current efficiency CE related to Cl2 (chlorine) may refer to the so-called chlorine current efficiency.

number

[0193]

number

[0194] The production efficiency calculation unit 13 calculates the rate J at which Cl2 (chlorine) is consumed without being recovered as Cl2 (chlorine) gas. Cl2may be calculated based on the following formula 9-1. The units of J' and J'' are also mol / h. The current efficiency CE [%] relating to Cl2 (chlorine) may be calculated by the following formula 9-2.

number

[0195] In this example, the production efficiency acquisition unit 10 acquires the current efficiency CE of the electrolytic bath 90 calculated by the production efficiency calculation unit 13. This allows the production efficiency acquisition unit 10 to acquire the current efficiency CE of the electrolytic bath 90 based on the pH of the NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution or the KOH (potassium chloride) aqueous solution acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11. By acquiring the current efficiency CE based on the pH, the current efficiency CE is accurately monitored in real time.

[0196] The determination unit 12 determines the power consumption rate Pu for NaOH (sodium hydroxide) based on the current efficiency CE and the voltage CV using the following formula 10. NaOH may be calculated.

number

[0197] The determination unit 12 determines the power consumption rate Pu for Cl2 (chlorine) based on the current efficiency CE and the voltage CV using the following formula 11. Cl2 may be calculated.

number

[0198] FIG. 14 shows the OH - 14 is a schematic diagram showing a chemical reaction of (hydroxide ions) in the anode chamber 79. In Fig. 14, the positions of the anode chamber 79 and the cathode chamber 98 relative to the ion exchange membrane 84 are shown opposite to those in Fig. 3. In Fig. 14, the anode 80, the cathode 82, the liquid 73, the liquid 75, the gas 77, and the gas 78 shown in Fig. 3 are omitted.

[0199] As described above, during operation of the electrolytic cell 90 (see FIG. 2), substances contained in the liquids 73 and 75 (see FIG. 3) may come into contact with the ion exchange membrane 84 (see FIG. 3), which may deteriorate the ion exchange performance of the ion exchange membrane 84. When the ion exchange performance deteriorates, the OH - After passing through the ion exchange membrane 84 , the hydroxide ions may move to the anode chamber 79 .

[0200] OH in anode chamber 79 - When the hydroxide ion (OH) moves, - (hydroxide ions) chemically react with O2 (oxygen), HClO (hypochlorous acid), and NaClO3 (sodium chlorate) in the anode chamber 79. The chemical reaction formulas for each are shown in FIG.

[0201] The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate the O2 (oxygen) concentration and the HClO (hypochlorous acid) concentration in the anode chamber 79 based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11. The O2 (oxygen) concentration and the HClO (hypochlorous acid) concentration are defined as concentrations D1 and D2, respectively. The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate the O2 (oxygen) concentration D1 and the HClO (hypochlorous acid) concentration D2 based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11 using formulas (3-2) and (4-2), respectively.

[0202] As described above, HCl (hydrochloric acid) may be introduced into the anode chamber 79 to adjust the pH of the liquid 73 (see Figs. 3 and 4). In Fig. 14, the HCl (hydrochloric acid) is displayed at the outlet of the inlet pipe 92. As described above, Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate) may be introduced into the primary salt water. The Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate) introduced into the primary salt water may flow into the anode chamber 79. When HCl (hydrochloric acid) is introduced into the anode chamber 79 and Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate) is introduced into the primary salt water, the HCl (hydrochloric acid) and the Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate) undergo a chemical reaction shown in Fig. 14 to produce CO2 (carbon dioxide). NaClO3 (sodium chlorate) is also produced by the following chemical reaction shown in Fig. 14. [Chemical formula 3] 6NaOH+3Cl2→NaClO3+5NaCl+3H2O The amount of NaClO3 (sodium chlorate) produced by chemical formula 3 depends on the pH of the liquid 75 in the anode chamber 79 (see FIG. 3).

[0203] The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate the NaClO3 (sodium chlorate) concentration in the anode chamber 79 based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11. The NaClO3 (sodium chlorate) concentration is defined as concentration D3. The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate the NaClO3 (sodium chlorate) concentration D3 based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11 using formula (5-2).

[0204] When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride), the concentration calculation unit 15 calculates the H + (hydrogen ion) concentration and OH - (hydroxide ion) concentration may be calculated. + (hydrogen ion) concentration and the relevant OH - The (hydroxide ion) concentrations are defined as concentrations D4 and D5, respectively. In addition, when the liquid 70 is a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution, the concentration calculation unit 15 calculates the H + (Hydrogen ion) Concentration D4 and OH - The (hydroxide ion) concentration D5 may be calculated.

[0205] As described above, when the ion exchange membrane 84 is acidified, H is added to the anion group 86 (see FIG. 4). + (hydrogen ions) may adhere to the surface. + (Proton) may move from the anion group 86 to the anode chamber 79. The concentration calculation unit 15 calculates H + The (hydrogen ion) concentration D4 may be calculated.

[0206] As described above, in order to adjust the pH of the liquid 73 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), at least one of HCl (hydrochloric acid) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide) may be added to the anode chamber 79. When NaOH (sodium hydroxide) is added to the anode chamber 79, the NaOH may flow into the anode chamber 79. The concentration calculation unit 15 calculates the OH concentration by the formula (2-2) based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11. - The (hydroxide ion) concentration D5 may be calculated.

[0207] The production efficiency calculation unit 13 may calculate the current efficiency CE of the electrolytic cell 90 based on the concentrations D1, D2, and D3 calculated by the concentration calculation unit 15, as well as the concentration D4 of the liquid 73 (see FIG. 3) introduced into the anode chamber 79 and the concentration D5 of the liquid 74 led out from the anode chamber 79. The production efficiency calculation unit 13 may calculate the current efficiency CE of the electrolytic cell 90 based on the concentrations D4 and D5 using the formula (2-1).

[0208] The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate a first relationship between the pH of the NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution or the KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution and the O2 (oxygen) concentration D1. The first relationship is defined as a first relationship R1. The first relationship R1 may be the above-mentioned formula (3-2). The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate the coefficients a3 and b3 in formula (3-2) by a regression equation.

[0209] The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate a second relationship between the pH of the NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution or the KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution and the HClO (hypochlorous acid) concentration D2. The second relationship is defined as a second relationship R2. The second relationship R2 may be the above-mentioned formula (4-2) and formula (4-3). The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate the coefficients a4, b4, c, and d in formula (4-3) and the coefficient e in formula (4-2) by a regression equation.

[0210] The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate a third relationship between the pH of the NaCl (sodium chloride) aqueous solution or the KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution and the NaClO3 (sodium chlorate) concentration. The third relationship is defined as a third relationship R3. The third relationship R3 may be the above-mentioned formula (5-2). The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate the coefficients a5 and b5 in formula (5-2) by a regression equation.

[0211] The concentration calculation unit 15 calculates the pH and H +A fourth relationship with the (hydrogen ion) concentration may be calculated. The fourth relationship is defined as a fourth relationship R4. The fourth relationship R4 may be the above-mentioned formula (2-3). The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate the coefficients a2 and b2 in formula (2-3) by a regression equation.

[0212] The concentration calculation unit 15 calculates the pH and OH concentration of a NaCl (sodium chloride) solution or a KCl (potassium chloride) solution. - A fifth relationship with the (hydroxide ion) concentration may be calculated. The fifth relationship is referred to as the fifth relationship R5. The fifth relationship R5 may be the above-mentioned formula (2-2). The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate the coefficients a1 and b1 in the formula (2-2) by a regression equation.

[0213] The first relationship R1 to the fifth relationship R5 may be stored in the storage unit 18. The storage unit 18 may store coefficients a1 to a5, coefficients b1 to b5, coefficient c, coefficient d, and coefficient e.

[0214] The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate an O2 (oxygen) concentration D1 based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11 and a first relationship R1. The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate an HClO (hypochlorous acid) concentration D2 based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11 and a second relationship R2. The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate a NaClO3 (sodium chlorate) concentration based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11 and a third relationship R3. The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate an H + The concentration calculation unit 15 may calculate the OH (hydrogen ion) concentration based on the pH acquired by the pH acquisition unit 11 and the fifth relationship R5. - (Hydroxide ion) concentration may be calculated.

[0215] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a driving assistance system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving assistance system 300 includes a driving assistance device 100 and an electrolytic bath 90. In this example, the driving assistance system 300 includes the driving assistance device 100 and the electrolytic bath 90 shown in Fig. 13. In Fig. 15, the range of the driving assistance device 100 is shown by a coarse dashed line, and the range of the driving assistance system 300 is shown by a fine dashed line.

[0216] 16 is an example of a first flowchart including an operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method for assisting the operation of an electrolytic cell 90 (see FIG. 2). The operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a production efficiency CE acquisition step S100, a first determination step S102, and a first identification step S112.

[0217] The production efficiency CE acquisition step S100 is a step in which the production efficiency acquisition unit 10 acquires the production efficiency PE. The first judgment step S102 is a step in which the judgment unit 12 judges whether the production efficiency PE of the electrolytic cell 90 acquired in the production efficiency acquisition step S100 is less than a threshold value Tp. If it is judged that the current efficiency CE is equal to or greater than the threshold value Tp, the operation assistance method returns to the production efficiency PE acquisition step S100. If it is judged that the production efficiency PE is less than the threshold value Tp, the operation assistance method of this example proceeds to a warning step S104.

[0218] The production efficiency PE acquisition step S100 may be a step in which the production efficiency acquisition unit 10 acquires the production efficiency PE in real time. The first determination step S102 may be a step in which the determination unit 12 determines in real time whether the production efficiency PE is less than a threshold value Tp.

[0219] The driving assistance method of this example includes a warning step S104. The warning step S104 is a step in which the driving assistance device 100 issues a warning that the production efficiency PE is less than the threshold value Tp. The warning step S104 may be a step in which the control unit 20 causes the display unit 62 to display a warning that the production efficiency CE is less than the threshold value Tp.

[0220] Data related to the first cause F1 is referred to as data Da1. The data Da1 related to the first cause F1 refers to data related to the determination of the first cause F1. In the example of the first cause F1 No. 4 shown in FIG. 7, the data related to the determination of the first cause F1 refers to pH data related to the determination of "Is the pH of the salt water within a predetermined range?"

[0221] The driving assistance method of this example includes a data Da1 acquisition step S106. The data Da1 related to the first cause F1 may be acquired automatically.

[0222] The driving assistance method of this example includes a first judgment step S108. The first judgment step S108 is a step in which the judgment unit 12 judges whether the data Da1 is sufficient. Whether the data Da1 is sufficient refers to whether the data Da1 related to all the first causes F1 shown in FIG. 7 have been acquired. If it is judged that the data Da1 is sufficient, the driving assistance method proceeds to a first identification step S112. If it is judged that the data Da1 is not sufficient, the driving assistance method proceeds to a data input step S110. The data input step S110 may be a step in which the data Da1 not acquired in the data Da1 acquisition step S106 is manually input by the input unit 60.

[0223] The first identification step S112 is a step in which the identification unit 14 identifies a first cause F1 for which the production efficiency PE has become less than the threshold value Tp. The first identification step S112 may be a step in which the identification unit 14 identifies one or more first causes F1 for which the production efficiency PE has become less than the threshold value Tp, among the multiple first causes F1 shown in Fig. 7. The one or more first causes F1 may be displayed on the display unit 62. The first identification step S112 may be a step in which the identification unit 14 identifies the first cause F1 in real time.

[0224] The first identification step S112 may be a step in which the identification unit 14 identifies a first impurity Im1 corresponding to the first cause F1, and identifies a first countermeasure Cm1 corresponding to the first cause F1, which is a first countermeasure Cm1 for suppressing a decrease in the production efficiency PE of the electrolytic cell 90 and restoring the production efficiency PE.

[0225] The driving assistance method of this example includes a first instruction step S114. The first instruction step S114 may be a step in which the instruction unit 19 instructs a first measure Cm1 for suppressing a decrease in the production efficiency PE and recovering the production efficiency PE by eliminating one or more first causes F1 that have caused the production efficiency PE to fall below the threshold Tp. The control unit 20 may instruct the user of the driving assistance device 100 to take the first measure Cm1 by displaying the first measure Cm1 on the display unit 62.

[0226] The production efficiency PE may be the current efficiency CE of the electrolytic cell 90. When the production efficiency PE is the current efficiency CE, the threshold Tp of the production efficiency PE may be the threshold of the current efficiency CE. This threshold is set as the threshold Te. When the production efficiency PE is the current efficiency CE, the first determination step S102 may be a step in which the determination unit 12 determines whether the current efficiency CE is less than the threshold Te.

[0227] 17 is an example of a second flowchart including an operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method for assisting the operation of an electrolytic cell 90 (see FIG. 2). The operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a production efficiency PE acquisition step S100, a first determination step S102, a first specification step S112, a voltage CV acquisition step S200, a second determination step S202, and a second specification step S212.

[0228] 17, the production efficiency PE acquisition step S100, the first determination step S102, the warning step S104, the data Da1 acquisition step S106, the first judgment step S108, the first identification step S112, and the first instruction step S114 are the same as those in Fig. 16. In the operation assistance method of this example, the production efficiency PE acquisition step is a step in which the production efficiency acquisition unit 10 acquires the current efficiency CE of the electrolytic cell 90. The operation assistance method of this example differs from the operation assistance method shown in Fig. 16 in that the method proceeds to a second determination step S202 when the determination unit 12 determines in the first determination step S102 that the current efficiency CE is equal to or greater than the threshold value Te.

[0229] The voltage CV acquisition step S200 is a step in which the voltage acquisition unit 16 acquires the voltage CV. After the voltage CV acquisition step S200, the driving support method proceeds to a second determination step S202 or a power consumption rate calculation step S300. The power consumption rate calculation step S300 will be described later.

[0230] In the second determination step S202, the determination unit 12 determines whether the voltage CV of the electrolytic cell 90 acquired in the voltage acquisition step S200 exceeds a threshold value Tv. If it is determined that the voltage CV is equal to or lower than the threshold value Tv, the operation support method returns to the production efficiency PE acquisition step S100. If it is determined that the voltage CV exceeds the threshold value Tv, the operation support method of this example proceeds to a warning step S204.

[0231] The voltage CV acquisition step S200 may be a step in which the voltage acquisition unit 16 acquires the voltage CV in real time. The second determination step S202 may be a step in which the determination unit 12 determines in real time whether the voltage CV exceeds the threshold value Tv.

[0232] The driving assistance method of this example includes a warning step S204. The warning step S204 is a step in which the driving assistance device 100 issues a warning that the voltage CV exceeds the threshold value Tv. The warning step S204 may be a step in which the control unit 20 causes the display unit 62 to display a warning that the voltage CV exceeds the threshold value Tv.

[0233] The data related to the second cause F2 is referred to as data Da2. The data Da2 related to the second cause F2 refers to data related to the determination of the second cause F2. In the example of the second cause F2 No. 9 shown in Fig. 10, the data related to the determination of the second cause F2 refers to data on the amount of iron related to the determination of "Is the iron in the raw salt 5 ppm or less?"

[0234] The driving assistance method of this example includes a data Da2 acquisition step S206. The data Da2 related to the second cause F2 may be acquired automatically.

[0235] The driving assistance method of this example includes a second judgment step S208. The second judgment step S208 is a step in which the judgment unit 12 judges whether the data Da2 is sufficient. Whether the data Da2 is sufficient refers to whether the data Da2 related to all the second causes F2 shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 have been acquired. If it is judged that the data Da2 is sufficient, the driving assistance method proceeds to a second identification step S212. If it is judged that the data Da2 is not sufficient, the driving assistance method proceeds to a data input step S210. The data input step S210 may be a step in which the data Da2 not acquired in the data Da2 acquisition step S206 is manually input by the input unit 60.

[0236] The second identification step S212 is a step in which the identification unit 14 identifies a second cause F2 for which the voltage CV has exceeded the threshold value Tv. The second identification step S212 may be a step in which the identification unit 14 identifies one or more second causes F2 for which the voltage CV has exceeded the threshold value Tv, among the multiple second causes F2 shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. The one or more second causes F2 may be displayed on the display unit 62. The second identification step S212 may be a step in which the identification unit 14 identifies the second cause F2 in real time.

[0237] The second identification step S212 may be a step in which the identification unit 14 identifies a second impurity Im2 corresponding to the second cause F1, and identifies a second measure Cm2 corresponding to the second cause F2, which is for suppressing the rise in voltage CV and recovering the voltage CV.

[0238] The driving assistance method of this example includes a second instruction step S214. The second instruction step S214 may be a step in which the instruction unit 19 instructs a second measure Cm2 for suppressing an increase in the voltage CV and recovering the voltage CV by eliminating one or more second causes F2 that caused the voltage CV to exceed the threshold value Tv. The control unit 20 may instruct the user of the driving assistance device 100 to take the second measure Cm2 by causing the display unit 62 to display the second measure Cm2.

[0239] 18 is another example of the second flowchart including the driving support method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving support method of this example further includes an electric power consumption rate calculation step S300 and a third determination step S302.

[0240] The power consumption unit calculation step S300 is a step in which the determination unit 12 calculates the power consumption unit Pu based on at least one of the current efficiency CE or the voltage CV. The production efficiency PE may be the current efficiency CE acquired in the production efficiency CE acquisition step S100 or the power consumption unit Pu calculated in the power consumption unit calculation step S300.

[0241] The third determination step S302 is a step in which the determination unit 12 determines whether the power consumption unit Pu is equal to or greater than the threshold value Tpu. If it is determined in the third determination step S302 that the power consumption unit Pu is equal to or greater than the threshold value Tpu, the driving support method returns to at least one of the first determination step S112 and the second determination step S212. If it is determined in the third determination step S302 that the power consumption unit Pu is equal to or greater than the threshold value Tpu, the driving support method returns to the production efficiency PE acquisition step S100.

[0242] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of details of the first determination step S112 or the second determination step S212 shown in FIG. 17. In this example, the first determination step S112 or the second determination step S212 has a first detection step S400. The first detection step S400 is a step in which the detection unit 99 (see FIG. 3) detects the detection object Db. If the detection object Db is detected, the driving support method proceeds to the first instruction step S114 after the first determination step S112, and proceeds to the second instruction step S214 after the second determination step S212. If the detection object Db is not detected, the driving support method returns to the production efficiency PE acquisition step S100 after the first determination step S112, and returns to the voltage CV acquisition step S200 after the second determination step S212.

[0243] In this example, the first instruction step S114 or the second instruction step S214 is a step in which the instruction unit 19 (see FIG. 8) instructs the chemical supply unit 160 to supply the chemical 111 to the reaction tank 115.

[0244] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another example of details of the first determination step S112 or the second determination step S212 shown in FIG. 17. In this example, the first determination step S112 or the second determination step S212 has a second detection step S500. The second detection step S500 is a step in which the impurity sensor 117 (see FIG. 1) detects an ion of an alkaline earth metal. If an ion of an alkaline earth metal is detected, the driving support method proceeds to a first instruction step S114 after the first determination step S112, and proceeds to a second instruction step S214 after the second determination step S212. If an ion of an alkaline earth metal is not detected, the driving support method returns to the production efficiency PE acquisition step S100 after the first determination step S112, and returns to the voltage CV acquisition step S200 after the second determination step S212.

[0245] In this example, the first instructing step S114 or the second instructing step S214 is a step in which the instructing unit 19 (see FIG. 8) instructs the pure water introducing unit 162 to introduce the pure water 163 into the resin tower 116. The first instructing step S114 or the second instructing step S214 may be a step in which the instructing unit 19 (see FIG. 8) instructs the pure water introducing unit 162 to introduce the pure water into the resin tower 116 so that the pure water flows in a direction opposite to the direction in which the liquid 70 flows.

[0246] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing another example of details of the first specifying step S112 or the second specifying step S212 shown in Fig. 17. In this example, the first specifying step S112 or the second specifying step S212 has a measuring step S600, a calculating step S602, and a fourth determining step S604.

[0247] The measuring step S600 is a measuring step in which the flow sensor 119 (see FIG. 1) measures the flow rate of the pure water 163. The calculating step S602 is a step in which the determining unit 12 (see FIG. 8) calculates the backwashing speed of the ion exchange resin based on the flow rate of the pure water 163 measured by the flow sensor 119. The fourth determining step S604 is a step in which the determining unit 12 determines whether the backwashing speed of the ion exchange resin 118 exceeds a predetermined backwashing speed threshold value.

[0248] If it is determined in the fourth determination step S604 that the backwash speed exceeds the predetermined backwash speed threshold, the operation support method proceeds to a first instruction step S114 after the first determination step S112, and proceeds to a second instruction step S214 after the second determination step S212. If it is determined that the backwash speed is equal to or less than the predetermined backwash speed threshold, the operation support method returns to the production efficiency PE acquisition step S100 after the first determination step S112, and returns to the voltage CV acquisition step S200 after the second determination step S212.

[0249] In this example, the first instructing step S114 or the second instructing step S214 is a step in which the instructing unit 19 (see FIG. 8) instructs the pure water supplying unit 162 to supply the pure water 163.

[0250] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing another example of details of the first specifying step S112 or the second specifying step S212 shown in Fig. 17. In this example, the first specifying step S112 or the second specifying step S212 has a measuring step S700 and a fifth determining step S702.

[0251] The measurement step S700 is a step in which the image sensor 120 (see FIG. 1) measures the resin height of the resin tower 116. The fifth determination step S702 is a step in which the determination unit 12 (see FIG. 8) determines whether the resin height measured by the image sensor 120 exceeds a predetermined resin height threshold value.

[0252] If it is determined in the fifth determination step S702 that the resin height exceeds the resin height threshold, the driving support method proceeds to a first instruction step S114 after the first determination step S112, and proceeds to a second instruction step S214 after the second determination step S212. If it is determined that the resin height is equal to or less than the resin height threshold, the driving support method returns to the production efficiency PE acquisition step S100 after the first determination step S112, and returns to the voltage CV acquisition step S200 after the second determination step S212.

[0253] In this example, the first instructing step S114 or the second instructing step S214 is a step in which the instructing unit 19 (see FIG. 8) instructs the chemical solution supplying unit 164 to supply the chemical solution 165 to the resin tower .

[0254] Various embodiments of the invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams. In various embodiments of the invention, blocks may represent (1) process steps where operations are performed or (2) sections of apparatus responsible for performing the operations.

[0255] Certain steps may be performed by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry, or a processor. Certain sections may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry, or a processor. The programmable circuitry and the processor may be provided with computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions may be stored on a computer readable medium.

[0256] The dedicated circuitry may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits. The dedicated circuitry may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuitry may include hardware circuits for logical AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, or other logical operations. The programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuits including flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), and the like.

[0257] The computer readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by a suitable device, and by the inclusion of such a tangible device, the computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture that includes instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams.

[0258] The computer readable medium may be, for example, an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, an electromagnetic storage medium, a semiconductor storage medium, etc. More specifically, the computer readable medium may be, for example, a floppy disk, a diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray (RTM) disk, a memory stick, an integrated circuit card, etc.

[0259] The computer readable instructions may include any of assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, source code and object code. The source code and the object code may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object oriented programming languages ​​and conventional procedural programming languages. The object oriented programming language may be, for example, Smalltalk, JAVA, C++, etc. The procedural programming language may be, for example, the "C" programming language.

[0260] The computer readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus locally or over a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. The processor or programmable circuitry of the general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus may execute the computer readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts shown in Figures 16-22 or the block diagrams shown in Figures 5, 8, 11, 13, and 15. The processor may be, for example, a computer processor, processing unit, microprocessor, digital signal processor, controller, microcontroller, etc.

[0261] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a computer 2200 in which the driving assistance device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. A program installed in the computer 2200 can cause the computer 2200 to function as an operation associated with the driving assistance device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention or one or more sections of the driving assistance device 100, or can cause the computer 2200 to execute the operation or one or more sections, or can cause the computer 2200 to execute each step (see FIGS. 16 to 22) related to the driving assistance method of the present invention. The program can be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to execute specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts (FIGS. 16 to 22) and block diagrams (FIGS. 5, 8, 11, 13, and 15) described in this specification.

[0262] The computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, a RAM 2214, a graphic controller 2216, and a display device 2218. The CPU 2212, the RAM 2214, the graphic controller 2216, and the display device 2218 are connected to each other by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 further includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive. The communication interface 2222, the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM drive 2226, and the IC card drive are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer further includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242. The ROM 2230, the keyboard 2242, and the like are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0263] The CPU 2212 controls each unit by operating according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and the RAM 2214. The graphic controller 2216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 2212 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 2214 or into the RAM 2214, thereby causing the image data to be displayed on the display device 2218.

[0264] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the read programs or data to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0265] The ROM 2230 stores a boot program or the like that is executed by the computer 2200 upon activation, or a program that depends on the hardware of the computer 2200. The input / output chip 2240 may connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, or the like.

[0266] The programs are provided by a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable medium, installed in the hard disk drive 2224, the RAM 2214, or the ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable media, and executed by the CPU 2212. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2200, and brings about cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be constructed by implementing information manipulation or processing according to the use of the computer 2200.

[0267] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM 2214 and instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in the RAM 2214, the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM 2201, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to a network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0268] The CPU 2212 may cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may then write back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0269] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored in the recording medium and processed. The CPU 2212 may execute various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional decisions, conditional branches, unconditional branches, information searches or replacements, etc., specified by the instruction sequences of the programs described in this disclosure. The CPU 2212 may write back the results to the RAM 2214.

[0270] CPU2212 may search for information in a file, database, etc. in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, CPU2212 may search for an entry that matches a condition in which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified from among the plurality of entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition by reading the second attribute value.

[0271] The above-mentioned program or software module may be stored on the computer 2200 or in a computer-readable medium of the computer 2200. A recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as the computer-readable medium. The program may be provided to the computer 2200 by the recording medium.

[0272] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0273] It should be noted that the order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and may be realized in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is explained using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the process in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0274] 10 production efficiency acquisition section, 11 pH acquisition section, 12 judgment section, 13 production efficiency calculation section, 14 identification section, 15 concentration calculation section, 16 voltage acquisition section, 18 memory section, 19 indication section, 20 control section, 60 input section, 62 display section, 70 liquid, 71 cation, 72 liquid, 73 liquid, 74 liquid, 75 liquid, 76 liquid , 77···gas, 78···gas, 79···anode chamber, 80···anode, 82···cathode, 84···ion exchange membrane, 86···anion group, 90···electrolytic cell, 91···electrolytic cell, 92···inlet tube, 93···inlet tube, 94···outlet tube, 95···outlet tube, 98···cathode chamber, 99···detector, 100···operation support device, 110···raw salt, 111···chemical, 112···sedimentation separation tank, 113... raw salt dissolving tank, 114... filter, 115... reaction tank, 116... resin tower, 117... impurity sensor, 118... ion exchange resin, 119... flow rate sensor, 160... chemical supply section, 162... pure water supply section, 163... pure water, 200... electrolysis device, 300... operation support system, 2200... computer, 2201... DVD-ROM, 2210... host controller, 2212···CPU, 2214···RAM, 2216···graphics controller, 2218···display device, 2220···input / output controller, 2222···communication interface, 2224···hard disk drive, 2226···DVD-ROM drive, 2230···ROM, 2240···input / output chip, 2242···keyboard

Claims

[Claim 1] a production efficiency acquisition unit for acquiring the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell; a determination unit that determines whether the production efficiency of the electrolytic cell acquired by the production efficiency acquisition unit is less than a predetermined production efficiency threshold value; an identification unit that identifies a first cause for the production efficiency of the electrolytic bath being less than the production efficiency threshold when the determination unit determines that the production efficiency of the electrolytic bath is less than the production efficiency threshold; A driving assistance device comprising:

Images