Space purifying device

Abstract

To provide a space purifying device stably generating a desired amount of hypochlorous acid gas without supplying any aqueous solution including a chloride ion from outside for a long time.SOLUTION: An air purifying device 1 includes: an electrolysis tank 10 for storing a first aqueous solution L1; a supply tank 20 for storing a second aqueous solution L2 and supplying a chloride ion to the first aqueous solution L1; an electrolysis tank side positive electrode 11 and an electrolysis tank side negative electrode 12 provided to the electrolysis tank 10; a supply tank side negative electrode 21 provided to the supply tank 20; a negative ion exchange membrane 30 connecting the electrolysis tank 10 and the supply tank 20 so as to transmit the negative ion; and an electric current control part 40 supplying the chloride ion included in the second aqueous solution L2 to the first aqueous solution L1 through the negative ion exchange membrane 30 by controlling an electric current so as to compensate the chloride ion included in the first aqueous solution L1 reduced by electrolysis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a space purification device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air purifier that uses hypochlorous acid produced by electrolyzing an aqueous solution containing chloride ions to remove bacteria, fungi, viruses, odors, and the like from the air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-174032 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a conventional space purification device is downsized, the tank that stores the aqueous solution used for electrolysis also becomes smaller. This downsizing of the tank reduces the amount of aqueous solution that can be stored compared to conventional space purification devices. Therefore, when electrolysis is repeatedly performed in a downsized space purification device, the chloride ion concentration in the aqueous solution tends to decrease, resulting in an unstable amount of hypochlorous acid generated.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a space purification device that can stably generate a desired amount of hypochlorous acid gas for a long period of time without supplying an aqueous solution containing chloride ions from the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The space purification device according to the present invention includes an electrolytic cell that stores a first aqueous solution containing chloride ions and performs membrane-less electrolysis of the first aqueous solution to produce hypochlorous acid, a supply cell that stores a second aqueous solution containing chloride ions, and an anion exchange membrane that connects the electrolytic cell and the supply cell to allow anions to pass therethrough based on a voltage applied between the electrolytic cell and the supply cell. To replenish the chloride ions contained in the first aqueous solution that have been reduced by membrane-less electrolysis in the electrolytic cell, chloride ions contained in the second aqueous solution stored in the supply cell are supplied to the first aqueous solution stored in the electrolytic cell by passing them through the anion exchange membrane. The hypochlorous acid produced in the electrolytic cell is mixed with air introduced from an external space of the space purification device, and the resulting mixed air flows out into the external space, thereby purifying the external space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a space purification device that can stably generate a desired amount of hypochlorous acid gas for a long period of time without supplying an aqueous solution containing chloride ions from the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a space purification device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the space purification device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the current control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing a first modification of the electrolytic cell and the supply cell included in the space purification device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view showing a second modification of the electrolytic cell and the supply cell included in the space purification device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing a space purification device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the space purification device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The right-handed xyz coordinate system shown in the figures is for the convenience of explaining the positional relationships of the components. Unless otherwise specified, the positive direction of the z axis is vertically upward. The xy plane is a horizontal plane, and is common to all figures. <First Embodiment> 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a space purifying device 1 according to Embodiment 1. The space purifying device 1 performs electrolysis on a first aqueous solution L1 containing chloride ions in an electrolytic cell 10 (described later) to generate and volatilize hypochlorous acid. The space purifying device 1 removes bacteria, fungi, viruses, odors, and the like contained in the air in the space outside the space purifying device 1 by discharging the volatilized hypochlorous acid into the space outside the housing B that constitutes the space purifying device 1.

[0011] The space purification device 1 is installed indoors. The installation location of the space purification device 1 is preferably a location where air flow can occur. More specifically, the installation location of the space purification device 1 includes, for example, inside an air conditioner, around an electric fan, around a circulator, around a ceiling fan, inside a humidifier, inside an air purifier, on a desk, etc.

[0012] The spatial purification device 1 includes a housing B, an electrolytic cell 10, a supply cell 20, an anion exchange membrane 30, and a current control unit 40.

[0013] The housing B houses the electrolytic cell 10, the supply cell 20, the anion exchange membrane 30, and the current control unit 40. That is, the space purification device 1 may be an integrated unit formed by the housing B. The shape of the housing B can be changed appropriately depending on the location where the space purification device 1 is installed, and may be, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped or cylindrical shape. The space purification device 1 has a small size that can be stored inside an air conditioner, for example, approximately 10 cm x 7 cm x 4 cm.

[0014] The electrolytic cell 10 is a cell for storing a first aqueous solution L1 containing chloride ions. The electrolytic cell 10 has, for example, a box-like shape. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the first aqueous solution L1 is stored in the electrolytic cell 10. The first aqueous solution L1 is, for example, a dilute sodium chloride aqueous solution or a dilute potassium chloride aqueous solution having a predetermined chloride ion concentration.

[0015] The "predetermined chloride ion concentration" of the first aqueous solution L1 includes both a chloride ion concentration within a predetermined range and a chloride ion concentration having a predetermined numerical value. More specifically, the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 may be, for example, 1 g / L to 50 g / L, or 10 g / L. In other words, the mass percent concentration of a dilute sodium chloride aqueous solution or a dilute potassium chloride aqueous solution may be, for example, 0.1% to 5%, or even 1%. By setting the predetermined chloride ion concentration within this numerical range or numerical value, it is possible to generate hypochlorous acid necessary for space purification while suppressing the generation of chlorine that may be generated at the same time.

[0016] The supply tank 20 is a tank for storing the second aqueous solution L2 containing chloride ions. The chloride ions contained in the second aqueous solution L2 in the supply tank 20 permeate through the anion exchange membrane 30 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 in the electrolytic tank 10.

[0017] The supply tank 20 is a tank for storing a second aqueous solution L2 containing chloride ions and supplying the chloride ions to the first aqueous solution L1. In FIG. 1, the second aqueous solution L2 is stored in the supply tank 20. The second aqueous solution L2 has a higher chloride ion concentration than the first aqueous solution L1. The second aqueous solution L2 is, for example, a saturated sodium chloride aqueous solution, a high-concentration sodium chloride aqueous solution, a saturated potassium chloride aqueous solution, a high-concentration potassium chloride aqueous solution, or a high-concentration hydrochloric acid solution. More specifically, the second aqueous solution L2 is, for example, a 10% to 27% sodium chloride aqueous solution, a 10% to 29% potassium chloride aqueous solution, or a 10% to 25% hydrochloric acid solution. The second aqueous solution L2 may be in a state where sodium chloride or potassium chloride precipitates and settles at the bottom of the supply tank 20.

[0018] Assuming continuous use for 8 hours every day for a year, the respective volumes of the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20 are preferably set so that the volume of the supply cell 20 is at least about 12 times the volume of the electrolytic cell 10. By setting such a volume ratio, the supply cell 20 can store the second aqueous solution L2 containing a sufficient amount of chloride ions required to be supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 of the electrolytic cell 10. Therefore, chloride ions can be stably supplied from the second aqueous solution L2 stored in the supply cell 20 to the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10. The amount of the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10 is, for example, about 2 to 10 mL.

[0019] The anion exchange membrane 30 is a membrane-like member that connects the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20 in a manner that allows anions to pass therethrough, based on a voltage applied between the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20. More specifically, when a voltage is applied between the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21 (described below), membrane-type electrolysis occurs via the anion exchange membrane 30. By the membrane-type electrolysis using the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21, chloride ions contained in the second aqueous solution L2 permeate the anion exchange membrane 30 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 (in the negative direction of the x-axis, indicated by a thick black arrow).

[0020] The anion exchange membrane 30 in this embodiment is not a type of anion exchange membrane that allows anions to permeate due to osmotic pressure without using electricity. Furthermore, the anion exchange membrane 30 does not allow sodium ions, which are cations, to permeate. More specifically, when chloride ions contained in the second aqueous solution L2 permeate the anion exchange membrane 30 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 by membrane electrolysis using the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21, sodium ions, which are cations, do not permeate the anion exchange membrane 30. The anion exchange membrane 30 may be, for example, a hydrocarbon-based anion exchange membrane, and may include membranes that have monovalent anion-selective permeability, alkali resistance, and high-temperature resistance.

[0021] The anion exchange membrane 30 is disposed between the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20. For example, the surface of the electrolytic cell 10 facing the supply cell 20 (the yz plane on the positive side of the x-axis) and the surface of the supply cell 20 facing the electrolytic cell 10 (the yz plane on the negative side of the x-axis) may each be formed by a frame-shaped member. When the opposing surfaces of the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20 are each formed by a frame-shaped member, the anion exchange membrane 30 may be disposed so as to be fitted into the frame-shaped member.

[0022] The current control unit 40 controls the current used in the diaphragmless electrolysis and the diaphragm-containing electrolysis. More specifically, the current control unit 40 controls the current used in the diaphragmless electrolysis, which is performed using a pair of electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and electrolytic cell-side cathode 12 disposed in the electrolytic cell 10. The current control unit 40 also controls the current used in the diaphragm-containing electrolysis, which is performed via an anion-exchange membrane 30 using a pair of electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and feed cell-side cathode 21, across the electrolytic cell 10 and the feed cell 20. The electrolytic cell-side anode 11 is used for both the diaphragm-less electrolysis and the diaphragm-containing electrolysis. In other words, the space purification device 1 according to this embodiment has one anode and two cathodes, for a total of three electrodes. Because the feed cell 20 has only cathodes, chlorine is not generated within the feed cell 20 by a chemical reaction, which will be described later.

[0023] Hereinafter, the details of each component will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolytic cell 10 includes an electrolytic cell-side anode 11 , an electrolytic cell-side cathode 12 , a wire 13 , a wire 14 , an inlet 15 , a mixing space 16 , and an outlet 17 .

[0025] The electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 12 are a pair of electrodes used in the electrolysis of the first aqueous solution L1. As shown in Fig. 1, no diaphragm such as an ion exchange membrane is provided between the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 12. In other words, the electrolysis of the first aqueous solution L1 performed using the pair of the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 12 is membrane-less electrolysis. Hypochlorous acid, which is used for space purification, is produced by the membrane-less electrolysis of the first aqueous solution L1 performed using the pair of the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 12.

[0026] The electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 12 each have a plate-like shape. That is, the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 is an electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 having a plate-like shape, and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 12 is an electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 having a plate-like shape. Plate-like shapes include rectangular and oblong shapes. Hereinafter, the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 will also be referred to as the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11. The electrolytic cell-side cathode 12 will also be referred to as the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12.

[0027] As an example, a case will be described in which the plate shapes of the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 are rectangular. The electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 are arranged such that the shorter side of the rectangle is aligned with the vertical direction (z-axis direction). This arrangement can prevent bubbles generated by chemical reactions from adhering to both sides of the rectangle of each electrode. Furthermore, compared to when the longer side of the rectangle is aligned with the vertical direction (z-axis direction), when the shorter side is aligned with the vertical direction (z-axis direction), bubbles generated at the lower part (negative side of the z-axis) of the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 are prevented from adhering to the upper part (positive side of the z-axis) of the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12.

[0028] The electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 are arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the rectangle is along the horizontal direction (y-axis direction). In other words, the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 are arranged such that the planes (yz planes) of their respective rectangles face each other with a predetermined distance between them. The predetermined distance is a distance appropriate for electrolysis performed using a pair of electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12.

[0029] The electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 has an electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and an electrolytic cell-side anode plate protruding portion 11b. Similarly, the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 has an electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a and an electrolytic cell-side cathode plate protruding portion 12b.

[0030] The electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 are inserted from the outside of the electrolytic cell 10 toward the inside. In FIG. 1 , as an example, the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 are inserted horizontally (in the y-axis direction) from the side of the electrolytic cell 10 (the xz plane side on the negative side of the y-axis). The electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a inserted into the electrolytic cell 10 are positioned inside the electrolytic cell 10 and are entirely immersed in the first aqueous solution L1. In other words, the first aqueous solution L1 is stored in the electrolytic cell 10 so that the electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a are entirely immersed. That is, the first aqueous solution L1 is stored in the electrolytic cell 10 so that the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 exceeds the upper end (the end on the positive side of the z-axis) of the electrolytic cell side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell side cathode plate immersed portion 12a.

[0031] The electrolytic cell-side anode plate protrusion 11b and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate protrusion 12b are disposed on the exterior side of the electrolytic cell 10. Wiring 13 and wiring 14 are lines through which current flows. The electrolytic cell-side anode plate protrusion 11b is electrically connected to a current control unit 40 via wiring 13, and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate protrusion 12b is electrically connected to a current control unit 40 via wiring 14.

[0032] The electrolytic cell side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell side cathode plate 12 may be, for example, a platinum iridium titanium electrode, a platinum electrode, a ruthenium titanium electrode, or an iridium titanium oxide electrode.

[0033] The inlet 15 is an opening through which air from the space outside the housing B flows in. That is, the inlet 15 is an opening through which air from the space outside the space purification device 1 flows in. In FIG. 1, the inlet 15 is provided on the top surface of the electrolytic cell 10 (xy plane on the positive side of the z axis) as an example, but it may be located above the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1. The shape of the inlet 15 may be, for example, cylindrical as shown in FIG. 1, or may be a rectangular tube.

[0034] The mixing space 16 is a space formed above the electrolytic cell 10 (on the positive side of the z-axis) when the first aqueous solution L1 is stored in the electrolytic cell 10. The mixing space 16 is a space where hypochlorous acid produced by membrane-less electrolysis of the first aqueous solution L1, which is performed using a pair of electrolytic cell-side anode plates 11 and electrolytic cell-side cathode plates 12, is mixed with air from the external space that flows in through the inlet 15. The hypochlorous acid produced by membrane-less electrolysis includes volatilized and gasified hypochlorous acid gas and hypochlorous acid dissolved in the first aqueous solution L1. The hypochlorous acid gas is contained in the air that flows in through the inlet 15 and flows out to the external space through the outlet 17, which will be described later. The hypochlorous acid dissolved in the first aqueous solution L1 comes into gas-liquid contact with the air that flows in through the inlet 15 and flows out to the external space through the outlet 17, which will be described later.

[0035] The outlet 17 is an opening through which mixed air, which is a mixture of air flowing in from the inlet 15 and hypochlorous acid generated by the membraneless electrolysis of the first aqueous solution L1, flows out to the space outside the housing B. That is, the outlet 17 is an opening through which the mixed air flows out to the space outside the space purification device 1. In FIG. 1, the outlet 17 is provided on the top surface of the electrolytic cell 10 (the xy plane on the positive side of the z-axis) as an example, similar to the inlet 15, but it need only be located above the liquid level of the first aqueous solution L1. The shape of the outlet 17 is similar to that of the inlet 15, and may be, for example, cylindrical as shown in FIG. 1, or rectangular tubular.

[0036] The inlet 15 and the outlet 17 may be provided with a lid (not shown) that can be opened or closed or that can be attached or detached. The lid may be configured to be closed when the space purification device 1 is transported or moved, and to be opened or detached when the space purification device 1 is used. Furthermore, although the inlet 15 and the outlet 17 are described as having separate structures, the inlet 15 and the outlet 17 may each serve as both an inlet and an outlet depending on the direction of the wind flowing into the space purification device 1.

[0037] The air containing hypochlorous acid that flows out from the outlet 17 into the space outside the space purification device 1 purifies the space. That is, the air containing hypochlorous acid removes bacteria, fungi, viruses, odors, and the like contained in the air in the space outside the housing B.

[0038] The supply tank 20 includes a supply tank-side cathode 21, wiring 22, and an outlet 23. The supply tank-side cathode 21 is an electrode paired with the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and used for electrolysis of the second aqueous solution L2. As shown in FIG. 1 , an anion-exchange membrane 30 is disposed between the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the supply tank-side cathode 21. That is, the electrolysis of the second aqueous solution L2 performed using the pair of the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the supply tank-side cathode 21 is membrane-less electrolysis. That is, the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 is used for both membrane-less electrolysis and membrane-with electrolysis. Chloride ions are supplied from the second aqueous solution L2 to the first aqueous solution L1 by the membrane-with electrolysis of the second aqueous solution L2 performed using the pair of the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the supply tank-side cathode 21.

[0039] The supply tank side cathode 21 is a supply tank side cathode plate 21 having a plate shape. The plate shape includes a rectangular shape and an oblong shape. Hereinafter, the supply tank side cathode 21 will also be referred to as a supply tank side cathode plate 21.

[0040] As an example, a case will be described in which the supply tank side cathode plate 21 also has a rectangular plate shape, similar to the electrolytic tank side anode plate 11. As shown in Fig. 1, the supply tank side cathode plate 21 is arranged so that the shorter side of the rectangle is aligned along the vertical direction (z-axis direction). Furthermore, the supply tank side cathode plate 21 is arranged so that the longer side of the rectangle is aligned along the horizontal direction (y-axis direction).

[0041] The electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21 are each in close proximity to the anion exchange membrane 30. In this specification, "close proximity" includes both a state in which the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21 are close to the anion exchange membrane 30 with a predetermined gap between them, and a state in which the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21 are in contact with the anion exchange membrane 30.

[0042] The plane of the rectangular plate on the anion exchange membrane 30 side of the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 (the yz plane on the positive x-axis side) is defined as plane P1. The plane of the rectangular plate on the anion exchange membrane 30 side of the supply cell-side cathode plate 21 (the yz plane on the negative x-axis side) is defined as plane P2. Planes P1 and P2 are arranged opposite each other with the anion exchange membrane 30 interposed between them. This arrangement allows a uniform electric field to be generated between the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21.

[0043] The electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 is disposed between the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 and the anion exchange membrane 30. This arrangement makes it possible to maintain small potential differences between the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12, and between the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21.

[0044] The supply tank side cathode plate 21 includes a supply tank side cathode plate immersed portion 21a and a supply tank side cathode plate protruding portion 21b. The supply tank side cathode plate 21 is inserted from the outside of the electrolytic cell 10 toward the inside. In FIG. 1 , as an example, the supply tank side cathode plate 21 is inserted horizontally (in the y-axis direction) from the side of the electrolytic cell 10 (the xz plane side on the negative side of the y-axis). The supply tank side cathode plate immersed portion 21a inserted into the supply tank 20 is positioned inside the supply tank 20 and is entirely immersed in the second aqueous solution L2. In other words, the second aqueous solution L2 is stored in the supply tank 20 such that the entire supply tank side cathode plate immersed portion 21a is immersed. That is, the second aqueous solution L2 is stored in the supply tank 20 such that the liquid level S2 of the second aqueous solution L2 exceeds the upper end (the end on the positive side of the z-axis) of the supply tank side cathode plate immersed portion 21a.

[0045] 1, the supply tank side cathode plate protrusion 21b is disposed on the external side of the supply tank 20. The wiring 22 is a line through which a current flows. The supply tank side cathode plate protrusion 21b is electrically connected to the current control unit 40 via the wiring 22.

[0046] As the supply tank side cathode plate 21, for example, a platinum iridium titanium electrode, a platinum electrode, a ruthenium titanium electrode, an iridium titanium oxide electrode, or the like may be used.

[0047] Outlet 23 is an opening for discharging hydrogen gas generated by the diaphragm electrolysis of second aqueous solution L2 to the external space of casing B. Outlet 23 may be, for example, a check valve. When a check valve is used as outlet 23, hydrogen gas inside supply tank 20 is discharged to the external space, but the inflow of gases such as air from the external space can be suppressed. When the diaphragm electrolysis of second aqueous solution L2 is repeated, hydrogen gas accumulates inside supply tank 20, and the internal pressure of supply tank 20 increases. This pressure opens the check valve, and hydrogen gas is discharged to the external space of supply tank 20.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a partial front cross-sectional view showing the space purification device 1 of FIG. 1. The housing B shown in FIG. 1 is omitted in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the space purification device 1 may further include a water level detection unit 18 and a water supply unit 19. The water level detection unit 18 detects the position of the liquid level S1 in the first aqueous solution L1. The water level detection unit 18 is, for example, a water level sensor. The water level detection unit 18 detects at least At the very least, it is positioned above (on the positive z-axis side) the upper ends (portions on the positive z-axis side) of the electrolytic cell side anode plate immersed portion 11a, the electrolytic cell side cathode plate immersed portion 12a, and the supply cell side cathode plate immersed portion 21a.

[0049] The water supply unit 19 supplies water to the electrolytic cell 10 based on the position of the liquid level S1 detected by the water level detection unit 18. More specifically, the water level supply unit 19 supplies water to the electrolytic cell 10 so that the water level does not fall below the upper ends (portions on the positive side of the z-axis) of the electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a, the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a, and the supply cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 21a. The water supply unit 19 may be, for example, a Peltier element that can cool and condense moisture contained in the air into droplets, or a water tank that can store water. The water supply unit 19 may be located in any position that allows it to supply water to the electrolytic cell 10, and may be located on the top side, side side, or bottom side of the electrolytic cell 10.

[0050] When the spatial purification device 1 is equipped with the water level detection unit 18 and the water supply unit 19, the electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a can be maintained immersed in the first aqueous solution L1. This prevents the electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a from being exposed to air due to a decrease in the first aqueous solution L1, thereby maintaining the electrolysis efficiency of diaphragm-less electrolysis.

[0051] 2, the space purification device 1 according to this embodiment includes a diaphragm-less electrolysis unit E1 and a diaphragm-containing electrolysis unit 20. The current control unit 40 controls the first current flowing through the diaphragm-less electrolysis unit E1 and the second current flowing through the diaphragm-containing electrolysis unit E2, thereby controlling the chemical reactions occurring in the diaphragm-less electrolysis unit E1 and the diaphragm-containing electrolysis unit E2.

[0052] The diaphragm-less electrolysis unit E1 is provided in the electrolytic cell 10. The diaphragm-less electrolysis unit E1 produces hypochlorous acid by electrolyzing the first aqueous solution L1 without a diaphragm by passing a first current between the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 12. In other words, the diaphragm-less electrolysis unit E1 includes the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 12.

[0053] The membrane-equipped electrolysis unit E2 is provided across the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20. A second current is passed between the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the supply cell-side cathode 21, thereby performing membrane-equipped electrolysis via the anion exchange membrane 30. In other words, the membrane-equipped electrolysis unit E2 includes the electrolytic cell-side anode 11, the supply cell-side cathode 21, and the anion exchange membrane 30.

[0054] Here, we will explain in detail the chemical reaction occurring in the diaphragm-less electrolysis section E1 provided in the electrolytic cell 10 and the chemical reaction occurring in the diaphragm-containing electrolysis section E2 provided between the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20. The following explains the case where the first aqueous solution L1 and the second aqueous solution L2 containing chloride ions are aqueous sodium chloride solutions. [Diaphragmless electrolysis section E1 (electrolytic cell 10)] Sodium chloride (NaCl) contained in a sodium chloride solution is Na + and Cl - When a predetermined voltage is applied to the membraneless electrolysis section E1, a current flows, electrons move, and the following chemical reaction occurs: Reaction formula (a): Electrolyzer anode 11 (chlorine generation)

[0055] [ka] Reaction formula (b): Electrolyzer side cathode 12 (hydrogen generation)

[0056] [ka] Reaction formula (c): Electrolyzer side anode 11 (oxygen generation)

[0057] [ka] Reaction formula (d): In the first aqueous solution L1 (hypochlorous acid generation)

[0058] [ka] Reaction formula (e): Hypochlorous acid generation reaction at the electrolytic cell side anode 11 (formula (a) + formula (d))

[0059] [ka] Reaction formula (f): Anion exchange membrane 30 A voltage is applied to the membraneless electrolysis unit E1, and a current flows, causing the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolysis cell 10 to convert electrons (e - When one of the ions is lost, chloride ions Cl are released from the second aqueous solution L2 stored in the supply tank 20 through the anion exchange membrane 30 into the first aqueous solution L1 of the electrolytic cell 10. - is supplied.

[0060] [ka] Here, the proportion of current used in the hypochlorous acid generation reaction in reaction formula (e) is defined as "x," and the proportion of current used in the oxygen generation reaction in reaction formula (c) is defined as "1-x." Furthermore, the proportion of current used in reaction formula (b) for membraneless electrolysis is defined as "y," and the proportion of current used in reaction formula (f) for membrane-less electrolysis is defined as "1-y." Applying the above x and y to reaction formula (b) + (c) + (e) + (f) yields the following reaction formula (g). Reaction (g): Reaction (b) + (c) + (e) + (f)

[0061] [ka] When membrane-less electrolysis is performed in the membrane-less electrolysis section E1, the chloride ions in the electrolytic cell 10 are consumed and therefore reduced, but in the space purification device 1 of this embodiment, chloride ions are supplied from the second aqueous solution L2 stored in the supply tank 20 to the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10.

[0062] Here, the amount of chloride ions (Cl ) consumed by the membraneless electrolysis is transferred from the second aqueous solution L2 stored in the supply tank 20 to the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic tank 10. - ) is supplied, and Cl is added to the electrolytic cell 10. -The conditions under which does not appear to increase or decrease are as follows: In this reaction, hypochlorous acid (HClO) evaporates as a gas, so it is not included in the following equation. Reaction formula (h): Cl - Conditions under which the apparent increase or decrease does not occur

[0063] [ka] After transformation, the following reaction equation (i) is obtained. Reaction equation (i): A modification of reaction equation (h)

[0064] [ka] Substituting y into the above reaction equation (g) gives the following reaction equation (j). Reaction (j): Reaction (g) + (i)

[0065] [ka] After transformation, the following reaction equation (k) is obtained. Reaction equation (k): A transformation of reaction equation (j)

[0066] [ka] According to the above reaction formula (k), for example, when two electrons flow into the diaphragm-less electrolysis unit E1, one hypochlorous acid (HClO) is generated. For example, when four electrons flow into the diaphragm-less electrolysis unit E1, one oxygen is generated. For example, when two electrons flow into the diaphragm-less electrolysis unit E1, one hydrogen is generated.

[0067] In addition, since the acid dissociation constant of hypochlorous acid (HClO) is approximately 7.5, it is necessary to maintain the pH of the first aqueous solution L1 unchanged. In the above reaction formula (k), the hydroxide ions and hydrogen ions, which are the cause of the change in pH, react to form water and disappear from the reaction formula. Therefore, the amount of chloride ions (Cl ) consumed by the membraneless electrolysis is transferred from the second aqueous solution L2 stored in the supply tank 20 to the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10.- ) is supplied, and Cl is added to the electrolytic cell 10. - When the condition is such that there is no apparent increase or decrease in pH, the increase or decrease in pH can also be suppressed.

[0068] As described above, when the number of electrons flowing to the membraneless electrolysis section E1 changes, that is, when the ratio of the current flowing to the membraneless electrolysis section E1 and the current flowing to the membraneless electrolysis section E2 changes, the amount of chloride ions supplied from the supply tank 20 to the electrolytic cell 10 changes. For example, when the ratio of the current used for membraneless electrolysis changes, the amount of chloride ions (Cl - ) is supplied to the electrolytic cell 10. - When the current ratio is greater than the condition where the current does not increase or decrease (reaction formula (l) below), the Cl supplied from the supply tank 20 to the electrolytic tank 10 - The supply of Cl in the electrolytic cell 10 decreases. - decreases. Reaction equation (l)

[0069] [ka] Cl in electrolytic cell 10 - If the electrolysis without a diaphragm is continued in a state where the electrolysis efficiency is reduced, the Cl in the electrolytic cell 10 will gradually decrease. - increases, and Cl - reaches a level that does not appear to increase or decrease.

[0070] On the other hand, the amount of current used for membraneless electrolysis is such that chloride ions (Cl - ) is supplied to the electrolytic cell 10. - When the current amount is larger than the condition where the amount of current does not apparently increase or decrease (reaction formula (m) below), Cl supplied from the supply tank 20 to the electrolytic tank 10 - The supply of Cl in the electrolytic cell 10 increases. - increases. Reaction formula (m)

[0071] [ka] Cl in electrolytic cell 10- When the electrolysis efficiency is increased, the electrolysis efficiency of the membrane-less electrolysis increases. If the membrane-less electrolysis is continued in a state where the electrolysis efficiency is increased, the Cl in the electrolytic cell 10 gradually - decreases, and Cl - reaches a level that does not appear to increase or decrease.

[0072] In addition, Cl in the electrolytic cell 10 - When the amount of Cl in the electrolytic cell 10 increases, the equilibrium of reaction formula (d) shifts to the left, and the amount of chlorine generated increases. - By adjusting the current flowing through the membraneless electrolysis unit E1 and the current flowing through the membrane-containing electrolysis unit E2 so that the apparent change in the current does not increase or decrease, hypochlorous acid can be produced while suppressing the generation of chlorine. [Diaphragm electrolysis part E2] The reaction in supply tank 20 will be described. The only electrode arranged in supply tank 20 is supply tank-side cathode 21. When a predetermined voltage is applied to membrane-equipped electrolysis section E2, a current flows, electrons move, and the following chemical reaction occurs: Reaction formula (n): Electrolyzer side cathode 12 (hydrogen generation)

[0073] [ka] Reaction formula (o): Anion exchange membrane 30 When a voltage is applied to the membrane electrolysis unit E2 and a current flows, chloride ions (Cl ) contained in the second aqueous solution L2 stored in the supply tank 20 are dissolved in the water. - ) permeates the anion exchange membrane 30 and becomes the first aqueous solution L 1, and the second aqueous solution L2 contains electrons (e - )1.

[0074] [ka] The above is a detailed description of the chemical reaction that occurs in the membraneless electrolysis section E1 provided in the electrolytic cell 10 and the chemical reaction that occurs in the membrane-containing electrolysis section E2 provided between the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20.

[0075] The current control unit 40 controls the chemical reaction. More specifically, the second current is controlled to replenish the chloride ions contained in the first aqueous solution L1 that have been reduced by the diaphragm-less electrolysis in the diaphragm-less electrolysis unit E1. By controlling the second current, chloride ions contained in the second aqueous solution L2 are permeated through the anion exchange membrane 30 and supplied to the first aqueous solution L1. Details will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0076] 3 is a block diagram showing the current control unit 40 according to the embodiment 1. As shown in FIG.

[0077] The voltage acquisition unit 41 acquires the voltage between the electrolytic cell-side anode 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 12. The voltage acquisition unit 41 is, for example, a voltmeter. The calculation unit 42 calculates the conductivity of the first aqueous solution L1 based on the voltage acquired by the voltage acquisition unit 41. The estimation unit 43 estimates the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 based on the conductivity of the first aqueous solution L1 calculated by the calculation unit 42.

[0078] The current control unit 40 controls the first current passed through the membraneless electrolysis unit E1 and the second current passed through the membrane-containing electrolysis unit E2 shown in Fig. 3 so as to maintain the chloride ion concentration in the first aqueous solution L1 at a predetermined concentration. Three examples of current control by the current control unit 40 will be described below. [1. When the first and second currents flow simultaneously] When the current control unit 40 simultaneously supplies the first current and the second current, it performs the following controls (1) to (3). (1) When the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 estimated by the estimation unit 43 is lower than a predetermined concentration: The current ratio between the first current and the second current is changed so as to increase the amount of chloride ions that permeate from the second aqueous solution L2 through the anion exchange membrane 30 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1. More specifically, the current ratio of the first current is decreased and the current ratio of the second current is increased. (2) When the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 estimated by the estimation unit 43 is higher than a predetermined concentration: the current ratio between the first current and the second current is changed so as to reduce the amount of chloride ions that permeate from the second aqueous solution L2 through the anion exchange membrane 30 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1. More specifically, the current ratio of the first current is increased and the current ratio of the second current is decreased. (3) When the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 estimated by the estimation unit 43 is a predetermined concentration: the current ratio between the first current and the second current is not changed. [2. When the first current flows at a predetermined value and the second current is controlled at the same time] When the current control unit 40 controls the second current while causing the first current to flow at a predetermined value, it performs the following controls (1) to (3). (1) When the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 estimated by the estimation unit 43 is lower than a predetermined concentration: A second current is passed so as to increase the amount of chloride ions that pass through the anion exchange membrane 30 from the second aqueous solution L2 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1. (2) When the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 estimated by the estimation unit 43 is higher than a predetermined concentration: The second current is stopped so that the supply of chloride ions from the second aqueous solution L2 to the first aqueous solution L1 is stopped. (3) When the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 estimated by the estimation unit 43 is a predetermined concentration: the first current and the second current are not changed. [3. When the first or second current flows] When the current control unit 40 causes the first current or the second current to flow, it performs the following controls (1) to (3). (1) When the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 estimated by the estimation unit 43 is lower than a predetermined concentration: The first current is stopped and the second current is simultaneously passed so as to increase the amount of chloride ions that pass through the anion exchange membrane 30 from the second aqueous solution L2 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1. (2) When the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 estimated by the estimation unit 43 is higher than a predetermined concentration: The second current is stopped and the first current is simultaneously passed so as to stop the supply of chloride ions from the second aqueous solution L2 to the first aqueous solution L1. (3) When the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 estimated by the estimation unit 43 is a predetermined concentration: the first current and the second current are not changed.

[0079] As described above, the current control unit 40 controls the first current and the second current, so that the required amount of chloride ions can be supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 in the electrolytic cell 10, and the chloride ion concentration in the first aqueous solution L1 can be maintained at a predetermined concentration.

[0080] In the above-mentioned "1. When the first current and the second current are passed simultaneously," if there is an increase or decrease in the chloride ion concentration in the first aqueous solution L1, the current ratio between the first current and the second current is changed. Because the first current and the second current are passed simultaneously, the increase or decrease in the chloride ion concentration in the first aqueous solution L1 can be minimized, and the concentration can be maintained at an optimal predetermined level. In "2. When the first current is passed at a predetermined value while the second current is controlled simultaneously," the second current is mainly passed or stopped when the chloride ion concentration in the first aqueous solution L1 increases or decreases. In "3. When the first current or the second current is passed," one of the first current and the second current is passed and the other is stopped when the chloride ion concentration in the first aqueous solution L1 increases or decreases. Therefore, the chloride ion concentration in the first aqueous solution L1 can be maintained at a predetermined concentration. In the above cases 2 and 3, it is only necessary to control either the first current or the second current, making current control easy.

[0081] As described above, the chloride ions consumed by the first aqueous solution L1 can be appropriately supplied from the second aqueous solution L2, thereby providing the space purification device 1 capable of stably generating a desired amount of hypochlorous acid gas. Therefore, the space purification device 1 can be provided that can stably generate a desired amount of hypochlorous acid gas for a long period of time, such as one year, without supplying an aqueous solution containing chloride ions from the outside.

[0082] It is also possible to provide a plurality of current control units 40 and control the first current and the second current separately.

[0083] In addition, in FIG. 2, the inlet 15 and the outlet 17 are arranged on the front left side (negative side of the y-axis and negative side of the x-axis) and the back right side (positive side of the y-axis and positive side of the x-axis) when the electrolytic cell 10 is viewed from above, but the arrangement is not limited to this. For example, the positions of the inlet 15 and the outlet 17 may be reversed, or the inlet 15 and the outlet 17 may be at the same position on the x-axis, or the inlet 15 and the outlet 17 may be at the same position on the y-axis. However, when the inlet 15 and the outlet 17 are arranged, it is preferable to arrange them so that they are at the farthest positions on the xy plane. With such an arrangement, the time during which the inflowing air and hypochlorous acid are mixed in the mixing space 16 is longer, and therefore, more hypochlorous acid can be contained in the mixed air.

[0084] Next, a case will be described in which plane P1 (the yz plane on the positive side of the x-axis) of the rectangular plate on the anion exchange membrane 30 side of the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and plane P2 (the yz plane on the negative side of the x-axis) of the rectangular plate on the anion exchange membrane 30 side of the supply cell-side cathode plate 21 do not face each other. When the planes of each rectangle are arranged parallel to the xy plane, a non-uniform electric field may be generated between the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21. When a non-uniform electric field is generated between the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21, the current distribution between the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21 also becomes non-uniform.

[0085] When the current distribution between the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21 becomes uneven, regions of high and low current density are generated. The high-current-density areas are more susceptible to deterioration of the catalytic layer on the surfaces of the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21 (hereinafter also referred to as each electrode plate), while the low-current-density areas are less susceptible to deterioration. In other words, when an uneven electric field is generated between the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21, the current distribution becomes uneven, and regions of different current densities may exist simultaneously on the same electrode plate. Therefore, the deterioration of the catalytic layer due to the use of each electrode plate may occur unevenly. If the degree of deterioration of the catalytic layer on the surface of each electrode plate differs, repeated electrolysis may result in the simultaneous existence of regions on each electrode plate that can be used as an electrode and regions that have deteriorated to the point where they become unusable. When electrolysis is performed using electrode plates that include regions that cannot be used as electrodes, the electrolysis efficiency may be reduced.

[0086] In contrast, in the spatial purification device 1 according to this embodiment, the planes P1 and P2 are arranged opposite each other with the anion exchange membrane 30 interposed therebetween. This arrangement allows a uniform electric field to be generated between the electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the supply cell-side cathode plate 21, resulting in a uniform distribution of current between the two electrodes. This ensures that the deterioration of the catalyst layer on the surface of each electrode plate occurs uniformly, thereby preventing uneven deterioration of the catalyst layer on the surface of each electrode plate due to an uneven electric field, even when electrolysis is performed repeatedly. This prevents a decrease in electrolysis efficiency. <Variation 1> Hereinafter, a first modification of the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing the first modification of the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20 included in the space purification device 1 according to the first embodiment. The same components as those in the electrolytic cell 10 and the supply cell 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] First, an electrolytic cell 50, which is a first variation of the electrolytic cell 10, will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the electrolytic cell 50 has a substantially L-shaped shape when viewed from the front. The electrolytic cell 50 has two ceiling surfaces with different heights (in the z-axis direction), a first ceiling surface 51 and a second ceiling surface 52. The first ceiling surface 51 is a ceiling surface that is lower in height (in the z-axis direction) than the second ceiling surface 52. The electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 are inserted from the upper side (positive side of the z-axis) of the first ceiling surface 51 toward the interior of the electrolytic cell 50 (negative direction of the z-axis).

[0088] The electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a inserted into the electrolytic cell 50 are positioned inside the electrolytic cell 50 and are entirely immersed in the first aqueous solution L1. In other words, the first aqueous solution L1 is stored in the electrolytic cell 50 so that the electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a are entirely immersed. That is, the first aqueous solution L1 is stored in the electrolytic cell 50 so that the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 exceeds the upper ends (ends on the positive z-axis side) of the electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a.

[0089] The electrolytic cell-side anode plate protrusion 11b and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate protrusion 12b are disposed on the exterior side of the electrolytic cell 50. The electrolytic cell-side anode plate protrusion 11b is electrically connected to the current control unit 40 via wiring 13, and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate protrusion 12b is electrically connected to the current control unit 40 via wiring 14.

[0090] 4 will be described. As in the electrolytic cell 10, the water level detection unit 18 is disposed above (on the positive z-axis side) the upper ends (on the positive z-axis side) of at least the electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a. The water supply unit 19 may be disposed on the second ceiling surface 52, for example, but may be disposed in any position that allows water to be supplied to the electrolytic cell 50.

[0091] Next, a supply tank 60, which is a first modification of the supply tank 20, will be described. The supply tank 60 has a shape that is a left-right inversion of the electrolytic tank 50 when viewed from the front. The supply tank 60 has two ceiling surfaces with different heights (z-axis direction), a first ceiling surface 61 and a second ceiling surface 62. The first ceiling surface 61 is a ceiling surface that is lower in height (z-axis direction) than the second ceiling surface 62. The supply tank-side cathode plate 21 is inserted from above the first ceiling surface 61 (positive z-axis direction) toward the interior of the supply tank 60 (negative z-axis direction).

[0092] The supply tank-side cathode plate immersed portion 21a inserted into the supply tank 60 is positioned inside the supply tank 60 and is entirely immersed in the second aqueous solution L2. In other words, the second aqueous solution L2 is stored in the supply tank 60 so that the supply tank-side cathode plate immersed portion 21a is entirely immersed. That is, the second aqueous solution L2 is stored in the supply tank 60 so that the liquid level S2 of the second aqueous solution L2 exceeds the upper end (the end on the positive side of the z-axis) of the supply tank-side cathode plate immersed portion 21a.

[0093] The supply tank side cathode plate protrusion 21b is disposed on the outer side of the supply tank 60. The supply tank side cathode plate protrusion 21b is electrically connected to the current control unit 40 via wiring 22. <Variation 2> Next, a second modification of the electrolytic cell 10 and supply cell 20 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a front cross-sectional view showing a second modification of the electrolytic cell 10 and supply cell 20 included in the space purification device 1 according to the first embodiment. The same components as those in the electrolytic cell 10 and supply cell 20 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 5, the electrolytic cell 70 and supply cell 80 have a shape obtained by turning the electrolytic cell 50 and supply cell 60 of the first modification upside down.

[0094] First, electrolytic cell 70, which is a second variation of electrolytic cell 10, will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, electrolytic cell 70 has a shape that is a roughly L-shape inverted upside down when viewed from the front. Electrolytic cell 70 has two bottom surfaces with different heights (in the z-axis direction): a first bottom surface 71 and a second bottom surface 72. The first bottom surface 71 is the bottom surface of electrolytic cell 70 that is located above (in the positive z-axis direction) the second bottom surface 72. The electrolytic cell-side anode plate 11 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate 12 are inserted from the lower side (negative z-axis side) of the first bottom surface 71 toward the interior of electrolytic cell 70 (positive z-axis direction).

[0095] The electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a inserted into the electrolytic cell 70 are positioned inside the electrolytic cell 70 and are entirely immersed in the first aqueous solution L1. In other words, the first aqueous solution L1 is stored in the electrolytic cell 70 so that the electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a are entirely immersed. That is, the first aqueous solution L1 is stored in the electrolytic cell 70 so that the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 exceeds the upper ends (ends on the positive side of the z-axis) of the electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a.

[0096] The electrolytic cell-side anode plate protrusion 11b and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate protrusion 12b are disposed on the exterior side of the electrolytic cell 70. The electrolytic cell-side anode plate protrusion 11b is electrically connected to the current control unit 40 via wiring 13, and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate protrusion 12b is electrically connected to the current control unit 40 via wiring 14.

[0097] Next, a case will be described in which the electrolytic cell 70 is equipped with a water level detector 18 and a water supply unit 19. As with the electrolytic cell 10, the water level detector 18 is located above (on the positive z-axis side) the upper ends (on the positive z-axis side) of at least the electrolytic cell-side anode plate immersed portion 11a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode plate immersed portion 12a. The water supply unit 19 need only be located in a position that allows it to supply water to the electrolytic cell 10, and may be located on the top side of the electrolytic cell 70, or on the side or bottom side.

[0098] Next, supply tank 80, which is a second modification of supply tank 20, will be described. Supply tank 80 has a shape that is a left-right inversion of electrolytic tank 70 when viewed from the front. Supply tank 80 has two bottom surfaces with different heights (z-axis direction), namely, a first bottom surface 81 and a second bottom surface 82. First bottom surface 81 is the bottom surface of supply tank 80 that is provided above second bottom surface 82 (positive z-axis direction). Supply tank-side cathode plate 21 extends from the lower side (negative z-axis side) of first bottom surface 81 toward the inside of electrolytic tank 70 (positive z-axis direction). It is inserted as follows.

[0099] The supply tank-side cathode plate immersed portion 21a inserted into the supply tank 80 is positioned inside the supply tank 80 and is entirely immersed in the second aqueous solution L2. In other words, the second aqueous solution L2 is stored in the supply tank 80 so that the supply tank-side cathode plate immersed portion 21a is entirely immersed. That is, the second aqueous solution L2 is stored in the supply tank 80 so that the liquid level S2 of the second aqueous solution L2 exceeds the upper end (the end on the positive side of the z-axis) of the supply tank-side cathode plate immersed portion 21a.

[0100] The supply tank side cathode plate protrusion 21b is disposed on the external side of the supply tank 80. The supply tank side cathode plate protrusion 21b is electrically connected to the current control unit 40 via wiring 22. <Embodiment 2> Next, the space purification device 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, although the shapes of the components are different from those in the first embodiment, the functions of the components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description of the functions of the components will be omitted.

[0101] Fig. 6 is a schematic front view showing the space purification device 2 according to embodiment 2. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the space purification device 2 according to embodiment 2. The hatching shown in Fig. 7 is shown to clarify each component, and Fig. 7 is not a cross-sectional view.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 6, the spatial purification device 2 according to this embodiment includes an electrolytic cell 10′, a supply cell 20′, an anion exchange membrane 30′, and a current control unit 40. The electrolytic cell 10′ and the supply cell 20′ each have a cylindrical shape with an open top (xy plane on the positive side of the z-axis) and a bottom (xy plane on the negative side of the z-axis). The anion exchange membrane 30′ also has a cylindrical shape. The anion exchange membrane 30′ is disposed between the electrolytic cell 10′ and the supply cell 20′. As shown in FIG. 6, the electrolytic cell 10′ is the inner diameter side of the anion exchange membrane 30′. The cylindrical shapes of the electrolytic cell 10′, the supply cell 20′, and the anion exchange membrane 30′ include cylindrical shapes and rectangular shapes. Although not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the electrolytic cell 10′ stores a first aqueous solution L1, and the supply cell 20′ stores a second aqueous solution L2.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 6 , the electrolytic cell 10′ includes an electrolytic cell-side anode 11′ and an electrolytic cell-side cathode 12′. The electrolytic cell-side anode 11′ is a cylindrical electrolytic cell-side anode tube 11′. The electrolytic cell-side cathode 12′ is a cylindrical or rod-shaped electrolytic cell-side cathode tube 12′ or an electrolytic cell-side cathode bar 12′. The supply cell 20′ includes a supply cell-side cathode 21′. The supply cell-side cathode 21′ is a cylindrical supply cell-side cathode tube 21′. The cylindrical shapes of the electrolytic cell-side anode 11′, electrolytic cell-side cathode 12′, and supply cell-side cathode 21′ include cylindrical and rectangular tube shapes. The rod shapes include cylindrical and spiral shapes. The electrolytic cell-side anode 11′, electrolytic cell-side cathode 12′, and supply cell-side cathode 21′ are each electrically connected to a current control unit 40 via wiring (not shown).

[0104] 6 and 7, the spatial purification device 2 according to this embodiment has, for example, a cylindrical structure in which each component is nested. More specifically, from the outside in, the components are arranged in the following order: supply tank 20', supply tank-side cathode 21', anion exchange membrane 30', electrolytic cell 10', electrolytic cell-side anode 11', and electrolytic cell-side cathode 12'. That is, the diameters of the components are as follows: supply tank 20' > supply tank-side cathode 21' > anion exchange membrane 30' = electrolytic cell 10' > electrolytic cell-side anode 11' > electrolytic cell-side cathode 12', and the components are arranged with a predetermined distance between them.

[0105] The entire electrolytic cell-side anode cylinder 11' and the entire electrolytic cell-side cathode cylinder 12' or the entire electrolytic cell-side cathode rod 12' are immersed in the first aqueous solution L1. The entire supply cell-side cathode cylinder 21' is immersed in the second aqueous solution L2. As shown in FIG. 6, the space purification device 2 according to this embodiment is The system may further include a detection unit 18 and a water supply unit 19. The water level detection unit 18 is disposed above (on the positive side of the z-axis) the upper ends (ends on the positive side of the z-axis) of the electrolytic cell-side anode 11', electrolytic cell-side cathode 12', and supply cell-side cathode 21'. The water supply unit 19 may be disposed in any position that allows it to supply water to the electrolytic cell 10', and may be disposed above (on the positive side of the z-axis), for example.

[0106] The electrolytic cell side anode 11', the electrolytic cell side cathode 12' and the supply cell side cathode 21' may be made of a plate-like member, a mesh-like member or an expanded metal.

[0107] The space purification device 2 according to this embodiment includes a current control unit 40 similar to that of the first embodiment. The current control unit 40 controls the first current and the second current, thereby supplying a required amount of chloride ions to the first aqueous solution L1 in the electrolytic bath 10' and maintaining the chloride ion concentration in the first aqueous solution L1 at a predetermined concentration. Therefore, it is possible to provide a space purification device 2 capable of stably generating a desired amount of hypochlorous acid gas and purifying space.

[0108] Furthermore, the space purification device 2 according to this embodiment can accommodate the electrolytic cell 10′ and the anion exchange membrane 30′ inside the supply cell 20′. Therefore, it is possible to provide a more space-saving and compact space purification device 2.

[0109] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0110] An outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0111] (Item 1) an electrolytic cell that stores a first aqueous solution containing chloride ions and performs membraneless electrolysis on the first aqueous solution to generate hypochlorous acid; a supply tank for storing a second aqueous solution containing chloride ions; an anion exchange membrane connecting the electrolytic cell and the supply cell so as to be permeable to anions based on a voltage applied between the electrolytic cell and the supply cell; A space purification device comprising: supplying chloride ions contained in the second aqueous solution stored in the supply tank through the anion exchange membrane to the first aqueous solution stored in the electrolytic tank so as to replenish chloride ions contained in the first aqueous solution that have been reduced by the membrane-less electrolysis in the electrolytic tank; The hypochlorous acid produced in the electrolytic cell is mixed with air introduced from the external space of the space purification device, and the mixed air is then discharged into the external space, thereby purifying the external space. Space purification device.

[0112] (Item 2) a current control unit that controls a first current used in the membrane-less electrolysis in the electrolytic cell and a second current used in the membrane-containing electrolysis via the anion exchange membrane, the current control unit applies the first current and the second current at a predetermined ratio, thereby maintaining the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution at a predetermined concentration, which is the concentration of the first aqueous solution stored in the electrolytic cell before the diaphragm-less electrolysis; the predetermined ratio is a ratio at which the amount of chloride ions consumed by the membrane-less electrolysis is supplied to the first aqueous solution stored in the electrolytic cell, and the amount of chloride ions in the electrolytic cell does not appear to increase or decrease. Item 1. The space purification device according to item 1.

[0113] (Item 3) a water supply unit that supplies water to the electrolytic cell, the water supply unit being a Peltier element that can cool moisture contained in the air and turn it into water droplets, or a water tank that can store water; Item 3. The space purification device according to item 1 or 2. (Item 4) a housing for housing the electrolytic cell and the supply cell; an inlet through which air flows in from an external space of the housing; A mixing space for mixing the volatilized hypochlorous acid with the air flowing in from the inlet; an outlet through which the mixed air flows out to the exterior space, Item 1. The space purification device according to item 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1,2 Space purification device 10 Electrolytic cell 11 Electrolyzer side anode 11a Electrolytic tank side anode plate immersion part 11b Electrolytic tank side anode plate protrusion 12 Electrolytic cell side cathode 12a Electrolytic tank side cathode plate immersion part 12b Electrolytic cell side cathode plate protrusion 13,14 Wiring 15 Inlet 16 Mixed space 17 Outlet 20 Supply tank 21 Supply tank side cathode 22 Wiring 30 Anion exchange membrane 40 Current control section B chassis E1 Diaphragmless electrolytic section E2 Diaphragm electrolysis section L1 1st aqueous solution L2 2nd aqueous solution 11 Electrolyzer side anode plate 12 Electrolytic cell side cathode plate 21 Supply tank side cathode plate 50 electrolytic cell 60 Supply tank 70 Electrolytic cell 71 1st bottom 72 2nd bottom surface 80 Supply tank 81 1st bottom 82 2nd bottom surface

Claims

1. an electrolytic cell that stores a first aqueous solution containing chloride ions and performs membraneless electrolysis on the first aqueous solution to generate hypochlorous acid; a supply tank for storing a second aqueous solution containing chloride ions; an anion exchange membrane connecting the electrolytic cell and the supply cell so as to be permeable to anions based on a voltage applied between the electrolytic cell and the supply cell; A space purification device comprising: supplying chloride ions contained in the second aqueous solution stored in the supply tank through the anion exchange membrane to the first aqueous solution stored in the electrolytic tank so as to compensate for chloride ions contained in the first aqueous solution that have been reduced by the membrane-less electrolysis in the electrolytic tank; The hypochlorous acid produced in the electrolytic cell is mixed with air introduced from the external space of the space purification device, and the mixed air is then discharged into the external space, thereby purifying the external space. Space purification device.

2. a current control unit that controls a first current used in the membrane-less electrolysis in the electrolytic cell and a second current used in the membrane-containing electrolysis via the anion exchange membrane, the current control unit applies the first current and the second current at a predetermined ratio, thereby maintaining the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution at a predetermined concentration that is the concentration of the first aqueous solution stored in the electrolytic cell before the diaphragm-less electrolysis; the predetermined ratio is a ratio at which the amount of chloride ions consumed by the membrane-less electrolysis is supplied to the first aqueous solution stored in the electrolytic cell, and there is no apparent increase or decrease in the amount of chloride ions in the electrolytic cell. The space purification device according to claim 1 .

3. a water supply unit that supplies water to the electrolytic cell, the water supply unit being a Peltier element that can cool moisture contained in the air and turn it into water droplets, or a water tank that can store water; The space purification device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a housing for housing the electrolytic cell and the supply cell; an inlet through which air flows in from an external space of the housing; A mixing space for mixing the volatilized hypochlorous acid with the air flowing in from the inlet; an outlet through which the mixed air flows out to the exterior space, The space purification device according to claim 1 .

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