Electrolyzed water generator

Abstract

To provide an electrolyzed water generator capable of stably performing electrolysis without accompanying inconvenience such as change of generated water quality, generation cost increase and so on by holding proper electrolysis efficiency from electrolysis start time, even when an environmental temperature is low at the start time of the electrolysis cell.SOLUTION: An electrolyzed water generator comprises: an electrolytic cell 2 that generates chlorine gas by electrolysis of the electrolyte and mixes it into the water supply to produce electrolyzed water; a water supply system 3 that supplies water to the electrolytic cell 2; an electrolyte supply system 4 that supplies electrolyte to the electrolytic cell 2; and an electrolyzed water supply system 6 that supplies the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 2 to an electrolyzed water outlet 7. A heater unit 42 for heating the electrolyte is provided in the electrolytic cell 2 or the electrolyte supply system 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating device, and contributes to the technology of generating hypochlorous acid water by electrolysis. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, electrolyzed hypochlorous acid water generated by electrolyzed water generators has been used in the fields of agriculture and livestock, food, home appliances and equipment that handle water on board such as humidifiers and air purifiers, air conditioners, water and sewage infrastructure, disinfection in closed and semi-closed spaces such as schools, hospitals and commercial facilities where people gather, hygiene management, infection control, and BCP (business continuity plan).

[0003] Additionally, in the agricultural and livestock industries, acidic electrolyzed water (electrolyzed hypochlorous acid water) can now be used as a specific pesticide (specific pest control material) for agricultural products, and its use is being promoted.

[0004] The electrolyzed water generator generates chlorine gas by electrolyzing a raw chemical solution in an electrolytic cell, and mixes the chlorine gas into water supplied from a water supply system to generate slightly acidic electrolyzed water.

[0005] The electrolyzed water generator in Patent Document 1 has two electrolytic cells connected in series in order to achieve efficient electrolysis. Anode water discharged from the anode chamber of the first electrolytic cell enters the lower part of the anode chamber of the second electrolytic cell, and cathode water discharged from the cathode chamber of the first electrolytic cell enters the lower part of the cathode chamber of the second electrolytic cell and is discharged from the upper parts of both electrode chambers of the second electrolytic cell.

[0006] In addition, the cathode of the first electrolytic cell and the anode of the second electrolytic cell are connected in series, and a DC voltage is applied between the anode and cathode. As a result, the current flowing through both electrolytic cells is reduced, and the electrolysis efficiency is improved.

[0007] The electrolyzed water generator in Patent Document 2 detects electrical conductivity with high accuracy, taking into account the effects of variations in water temperature, and appropriately sets the pH value of the electrolyzed water to be generated. The electrolytic cell that generates electrolyzed water has an inlet through which water flows in from a water supply, an outlet through which the water flows out, and a pair of opposing electrodes. The device also has a temperature measurement means that measures the temperature of the water passing through the electrolytic cell, and a control unit that calculates the electrical conductivity of the water passing through the electrolytic cell and controls the current to the pair of electrodes. The control unit calculates the electrical conductivity based on the temperature of the temperature measurement means and determines a target current to achieve a predetermined pH value.

[0008] The electrolyzed water generator of Patent Document 3 introduces acidic water into the required water supply circuit when the device is not in use, preventing the water supply circuit from being contaminated by common bacteria. The electrolyzed water generator separates source water into alkaline water and acidic water through electrolysis and supplies the water to the outlet or drain via the required water supply circuit. When the electrolyzed water generator is not in use, a predetermined amount or time of acidic water is flowed through the required water supply circuit from the electrolytic cell to the outlet, the water is stopped, and the water supply circuit is kept filled with acidic water until the next water supply is started. When the next water supply is started, electrolyzed water or the like is flowed through the water supply circuit to clean it, and then alkaline water, purified water, or acidic water is passed through the water supply circuit to make the electrolyzed water generator ready for use again. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 9-192667 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2016-64375 [Patent Document 3] JP 8-281266 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Conventionally, there are various types of electrolyzed water generators. For example, an electrolysis-type hypochlorous acid water generator transfers a chemical solution (hydrochloric acid) to a membraneless electrolytic cell using a chemical solution pump, electrolyzes the chemical solution in the membraneless electrolytic cell to generate chlorine gas, mixes the chlorine gas with raw water to generate hypochlorous acid water, and discharges it to the outside.

[0011] The electrolytic hypochlorous acid water generator controls the supply of chemical solution to the electrolytic cell so that the current generated by electrolysis reaches a set current value. The electrolysis efficiency in the electrolytic cell is related to the interelectrode resistance (affected by the conductivity of the chemical solution between the electrodes, temperature, etc.) and the reaction efficiency (affected by the chemical solution concentration, electrode shape, electrode catalyst, temperature, etc.).

[0012] At low temperatures, such as in winter, the resistance between electrodes increases and the reaction efficiency decreases, which reduces the electrolysis efficiency and the electrolysis current. Some devices have a program that causes an error stop if the current value does not reach the set value for a certain period of time.

[0013] This requires sending more chemicals to the electrolytic cell than usual (reducing resistance between electrodes and increasing reaction efficiency), which can cause problems such as changes in the quality of the produced water and increased production costs.

[0014] This decrease in electrolysis current is particularly likely to occur at the start of electrolysis. Even if the chemical solution in the electrolytic cell is not at an appropriate temperature at the start of electrolysis, as electrolysis progresses, it will heat up due to self-heating, improving the electrolysis efficiency.

[0015] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an electrolyzed water generating device that can maintain appropriate electrolysis efficiency from the start of electrolysis even when the environmental temperature is low when the electrolytic cell starts operating, and can perform stable electrolysis without causing problems such as changes in the quality of the generated water or increased production costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In order to solve the above problems, the electrolytic water generating device of the present invention comprises an electrolytic cell that generates chlorine gas by electrolysis of an electrolyte solution and mixes the gas into the supply water to generate electrolytic water, a water supply system that supplies water to the electrolytic cell, an electrolyte solution supply system that supplies the electrolyte solution to the electrolytic cell, and an electrolytic water supply system that supplies the electrolytic water generated in the electrolytic cell to an electrolytic water outlet, and is characterized by having an electrolyte solution heating device that heats the electrolyte solution in the electrolytic cell or the electrolyte solution supply system.

[0017] In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present invention, the electrolytic solution heating device is characterized by comprising a heater section provided midway along the electrolytic solution flow path from the electrolytic pump of the electrolytic solution supply system to the electrolytic cell.

[0018] In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present invention, the electrolytic solution heating device is characterized by comprising a heater section provided in the electrolytic cell.

[0019] In the electrolyzed water generating device of the present invention, the heater section is characterized in that a flow path material through which the electrolyte flows is wrapped around a core material, a cover material is placed to cover the flow path material, and a heater is attached to the outside of the cover material.

[0020] In the electrolyzed water generating device of the present invention, the heater section is characterized in that a flow path material through which the electrolyte flows is wrapped around a hollow core material, a cover material is placed to cover the flow path material, and a heater is attached inside the core material.

[0021] In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of the present invention, the heater section has a chemical solution pool having an inlet and an outlet for the electrolyte, and a heater is attached to the outside of the chemical solution pool.

[0022] In the electrolyzed water generating device of the present invention, the heater section is characterized in that a heater is attached to cover the electrolytic cell.

[0023] In the electrolyzed water generating device of the present invention, the heater section is characterized by having a heater that heats the positive electrode and negative electrode placed inside the electrolytic cell through electrode rods exposed to the outside of the electrolytic cell. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] As described above, according to the present invention, by heating the electrolyte using the electrolyte heating device, appropriate electrolysis efficiency can be maintained from the start of electrolysis, even when electrolysis is started at low temperatures, and stable electrolysis can be performed without problems such as changes in the quality of the produced water or increases in production costs.

[0025] The electrolytic solution may be heated before the start of electrolysis if the environmental temperature is low when the electrolytic cell is started to operate, or may be heated at the start of electrolysis, or may be heated only when necessary when the environmental temperature is low and the efficiency of electrolysis is reduced, which contributes to energy conservation and a longer life of the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrolyzed water generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a leakage guide portion of the electrolytic water generating device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the leakage guide portion according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the main part of the drainage mechanism of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a top view showing a strainer portion of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a strainer portion of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a strainer portion of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an electrolyte supply system according to the embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an electrolyte heating device according to the embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of another electrolyte solution heating device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of yet another electrolyte solution heating device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of yet another electrolyte solution heating device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another electrolyte supply system according to the embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an electrolytic bath including an electrolytic solution heating device according to the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] An electrolyzed water generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the electrolyzed water generator 1 includes, as its main components, an electrolytic cell 2, a water supply system 3, an electrolyte supply system 4, a chemical tank 5, an electrolyzed water supply system 6, an electrolyzed water outlet 7, and a water drainage mechanism 8. These main components are housed inside a housing 9, and the generator also includes a control device 100 and a temperature sensor 101.

[0028] The water supply system 3 has, in order from upstream to downstream, a connection port 31, a strainer 32, a check valve 33, and a solenoid valve 34 in the flow path that supplies water from the water supply source 10 to the electrolytic cell 2, and further has a pressure reducing valve 35 and a flow meter 36. The downstream pipe following the flow meter 36 is connected to the electrolytic cell 2 via a trap waterway 37.

[0029] The electrolyte supply system 4 has a chemical pump 41 and a heater unit 42, sequentially from the upstream side connected to the chemical tank 5 to the downstream side, and supplies hydrochloric acid, which is the raw chemical solution serving as the electrolyte stored in the chemical tank 5, to the electrolytic cell 2 by the chemical pump 41 through the heater unit 42. The chemical pump 41 is a tube pump, and grommets 41a, 41b are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the chemical pump 41 to prevent leakage.

[0030] The electrolytic cell 2 electrolyzes hydrochloric acid, which is the raw chemical solution serving as the electrolyte, to generate chlorine gas G, which is then mixed with the feed water flowing through the pipeline of the water supply system 3 to obtain hypochlorous acid water as electrolyzed water.

[0031] As shown in Figure 8, in the electrolyte solution supply system 4, the flow path from the heater unit 42 to the electrolytic cell 2 is covered with a heat insulating material 42a. The heater unit 42 is an electrolyte solution heating device for increasing the electrolysis efficiency in the electrolytic cell 2. The heater unit 42 can be installed in any location. Here, it is installed in the electrolyte solution supply system 4 from the perspective of heating energy efficiency, but it can also be installed in the electrolytic cell 2.

[0032] 9, the heater section 42 of the electrolyte heating device is configured by wrapping a tube 42c around a hollow core 42b as a heating flow path material through which the electrolyte flows, disposing a cover 42d to cover the tube 42c, and attaching a heater 42e to the outside of the cover 42d. Here, the tube 42c is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the core 42b is made of a material with low thermal conductivity such as polyvinyl chloride, the cover 42d is made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum pipe, and the heater 42e is a sheet heater. The core 42b can also be solid.

[0033] The heater section 42 of the electrolyte heating device can also have the structure shown in Fig. 10. In this structure, a tube 42c is wound around a hollow core material 42b as a heating flow path material through which the electrolyte flows, a cover material 42d is placed to cover the tube 42c, and a heater 42e is attached inside the core material 42b. Here, the tube 42c is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the core material 42b is made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum pipe, the cover material 42d is made of a material with low thermal conductivity such as polyvinyl chloride, and the heater 42e is a sheet heater.

[0034] In addition, the heater section 42 of the electrolyte heating device can be constructed by wrapping an electric heating material such as a ribbon or cord around the tube that forms the flow path of the electrolyte supply system 4, or by covering the tube with a cover heater.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the heater section 42 of the electrolyte heating device can be configured by providing a chemical solution pool 42f having an inlet 4a and outlet 4b for the electrolyte in the middle of the electrolyte solution supply system 4, and attaching a sheet heater 42g to the outside of the chemical solution pool 42f.

[0036] In addition, as shown in Figure 12, the heater section 42 of the electrolyte heating device can also be configured by providing a chemical solution pool 42f having an electrolyte inlet 4a and outlet 4b in the middle of the electrolyte solution supply system 4, and immersing and installing a corrosion-resistant heater 42h made of platinum or the like inside the chemical solution pool 42f.

[0037] Furthermore, the heater section 42 of the electrolytic solution heating device may be configured in such a way that a heater 42i made of a sheet heater is attached to cover the outer periphery of the electrolytic cell 2, as shown in FIG.

[0038] 14, the heater section 42 of the electrolyte heating device can also be configured to heat the positive electrode 2a and negative electrode 2b arranged inside the electrolytic cell 2. Here, metal plates 2e and 2f are provided on the electrode rod 2c of the positive electrode 2a and the electrode rod 2d of the negative electrode 2b, which are exposed to the outside of the electrolytic cell 2, respectively, and heaters 42j consisting of sheet heaters are attached to the metal plates 2e and 2f.

[0039] That is, the positive electrode 2a and negative electrode 2b arranged inside the electrolytic cell 2 are used as heat conductors, and heating is performed by the heater 42j through the electrode rods 2c and 2d exposed to the outside of the electrolytic cell 2.

[0040] The electrolytic water supply system 6 supplies the electrolytic water produced in the electrolytic cell 2 to the electrolytic water outlet 7 .

[0041] The drainage mechanism 8 has a first drainage section 81 connected downstream of the pressure reducing valve 35 and a second drainage section 82 connected to the trap waterway 37, and the first drainage section 81 and the second drainage section 82 are located at a height equal to or lower than the lowest level of the water supply system 3.

[0042] The reason why the drainage mechanism 8 has two drainage sections, the first drainage section 81 and the second drainage section 82, is that drainage of the water supply system 3 cannot be performed with a single drainage section due to the presence of the trap waterway 37, and further drainage sections will be added as necessary. The trap waterway 37 prevents the electrolyzed water produced in the electrolytic cell 2 from diffusing into the upstream pipe line continuing to the trap waterway 37.

[0043] The trap waterway 37 has an upstream vertical flow path section 37b and a downstream vertical flow path section 37c that are continuous at the waterway bottom section 37a. The downstream vertical flow path section 37c forms an upright pipe and is connected at its upper end to a downstream pipe that continues to the trap waterway 37. The upstream vertical flow path section 37b forms a downright pipe and is connected at its upper end to an upstream pipe that continues to the trap waterway 37.

[0044] The upper end of the upstream vertical flow path section 37b is positioned higher than the highest part of the flow path in the water supply system 3 and the electrolyzed water supply system 6 downstream of the trap water path 37 and the upper end of the flow path of the downstream vertical flow path section 37c. The water supply system 3 upstream of the trap water path 37 is connected to the upper end of the flow path of the upstream vertical flow path section 37b by a trap connection section 38 that rises from the connection position with the first water drain section 81.

[0045] The drainage mechanism 8 has a first drainage section 81 connected to the lowest part of the flow path of the water supply system 3 upstream of the trap waterway 37, in this case downstream of the pressure reducing valve 35, and a second drainage section 82 connected to the waterway bottom 37a of the trap waterway 37.

[0046] The first drainage section 81 and the second drainage section 82 of the drainage mechanism 8 are removably connected to the water supply system 3 and the trap waterway 37 by joint sections 85a and 86a, respectively, which can be easily connected and separated, as shown in Figure 4, and are structured so that they can be pulled out to the outside through the mounting opening 9a of the device housing 9.

[0047] The first draining portion 81 and the second draining portion 82 have plugs 85c and 86c detachably joined to drain outlet portions 85b and 86b on the tip side that are exposed to the mounting opening 9a of the device housing 9. The drain outlet portions 85b and 86b are held in the mounting hole 9a by O-rings 85d and 86d. The first draining portion 81 and the second draining portion 82 are arranged toward one side of the device housing 9, and the drain outlet portions 85b and 86b on the tip side are exposed on the same surface of the device housing 9.

[0048] The interior of device housing 9 is divided into multiple compartments. Here, it is divided into main chamber 91, which is an inner chamber with a closed structure that is dustproof and waterproof and houses many of the main components, pump chamber 92, which is an inner chamber with a closed structure that is dustproof and waterproof and houses and isolates chemical pump 41, and user application chamber 93, which is an outer chamber with an open structure that is not dustproof and waterproof and houses connection port 31, strainer 32, and check valve 33. Chemical pump 41 can also be placed in an open location inside main chamber 91 of device housing 9 without providing pump chamber 92.

[0049] 5 to 7, the strainer 32 has a structure in which the check valve 33 is integrally assembled, and the strainer 32 has a main body 32a to which a strainer mesh portion 32b is detachably attached, and the strainer mesh portion 32b holds a basket-shaped strainer mesh 32e in the middle of the flow path between the inlet 32c and the outlet 32d that communicates with the check valve 33. The operating head 32f of the strainer mesh portion 32b is exposed to the outside of the device housing 9 at an opening 93a provided in the wall of the user usage room 93, and the user can remove the strainer mesh portion 32b from outside the device housing 9.

[0050] The strainer 32 has an integrally assembled check valve 33 installed in a through hole 91b provided in the partition 91a between the user use room 93 in the outer room and the main room 91 in the inner room, and a collar 91d arranged on the outer surface of the check valve 33 is inserted into a sleeve 91c arranged in the through hole 91b, and an O-ring 91f arranged between the inner end 91e of the sleeve 91c and the inner end of the collar 91d is tightly attached to the sleeve 91c, collar 91d and check valve 33 to form a waterproof seal structure 91g.

[0051] Here, the strainer 32 is exemplified as being integrally assembled with the check valve 33, but it is also possible to place the strainer 32 as a standalone unit. In this case, the waterproof seal structure 91g is provided on the outer periphery of the strainer 32 in the through-hole 91b of the partition wall 91a between the user use room 93 of the outer room and the main room 91 of the inner room.

[0052] Within apparatus housing 9, chemical pump 41 and pump chamber 92 are located at an upper position of the apparatus, separated from electrolytic cell 2. This is to prevent deterioration of chemical pump 41 due to electrolysis products such as chlorine diffusing from electrolytic cell 2. In this embodiment, chemical pump 41 is housed and isolated in pump chamber 92, but chemical pump 41 can also be located in an open location within main chamber 91 of apparatus housing 9, provided that chemical pump 41 can be separated from electrolytic cell 2 by an appropriate distance.

[0053] A leakage receiver 94 is provided below chemical pump 41 to receive any chemical liquid leaking from chemical pump 41, and in this case, leakage receiver 94 also serves as the bottom of pump chamber 92. When chemical pump 41 is placed in an open location inside main chamber 91, leakage receiver 94 has a tray-like structure.

[0054] A leakage guide part 95 is connected to the leakage receiver 94, and a water leakage sensor 11 is disposed on the inner bottom 96 of the device housing 9. Here, the water leakage sensor 11 is disposed below the electrolytic cell 2, but the water leakage sensor 11 can be disposed in any position within a range where it can quickly detect leakage from the electrolytic cell 2. The device housing 9 can also be structured so that the inner bottom 96 doubles as a drain pan, and the drain pan can be sloped downwards towards the water leakage sensor 11.

[0055] The leakage guide section 95 has a flow path extending from the leakage receiver 94 to a position above the water leakage sensor 11, and guides the leakage received by the leakage receiver 94 to the water leakage sensor 11 under natural flow by utilizing the difference in height between the chemical pump 41 and the water leakage sensor 11.

[0056] The leak guide portion 95 is made of a cylindrical body that is arranged inside the device housing 9 to avoid obstacles between the chemical pump 41 and the water leak sensor 11, and in this case is made of a flexible tube or a rigid pipe.

[0057] The leakage guide section 95 may also have the configuration shown in Figures 2 and 3. In this configuration, the chemical pump 41 is placed in an open location at the top of the device, separated from the electrolytic cell 2, and the leakage guide section 95 is made up of an inclined section 97 that also serves as the leakage receiver 94.

[0058] The inclined portion 97 has multiple grooves 98 on its plate surface and serves as a chute portion that forms a flow of leaked liquid toward the water leakage sensor 11. The chute portion of the inclined portion 97 can also be formed by a gutter.

[0059] Temperature sensor 101 measures the environmental temperature inside device housing 9. Control device 100 determines whether or not operation of heater unit 42 is necessary based on the measured value of the environmental temperature measured by temperature sensor 101 and on a threshold temperature that determines whether or not heating of the electrolyte is necessary, and operates heater unit 42 when operation is necessary. In this example, the threshold temperature is 15°C, and heater unit 42 operates when the measured value of the environmental temperature measured by temperature sensor 101 is 15°C or less, and does not operate heater unit 42 when the measured value of the environmental temperature exceeds 15°C.

[0060] The heater unit 42 is equipped with a thermistor as a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the heater temperature, and the thermistor operates the heater unit 42 within a set temperature range. In this case, the thermistor's threshold temperature is 60°C-55°C, and when the heater temperature detected by the thermistor reaches the upper limit temperature of the set temperature range, 60°C, the heater power supply is turned OFF, and when the heater temperature drops to the lower limit temperature of the set temperature range, 55°C, the heater power supply is turned ON.

[0061] The control device 100 also has a determination interval function unit 101a, and determines whether or not the heater unit 42 needs to be operated at a determination interval set in the determination interval function unit 101a, here, at intervals of 0.5 to 5 minutes. The time interval of the determination interval set in the determination interval function unit 101a can be set to any value.

[0062] Furthermore, the control device 100 has a heating time setting unit 101b and a warm-up operation function unit 101c, and when the ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature and operation of the heater unit 42 is required, the warm-up operation function unit 101c starts the warm-up operation of the heater unit 42 before starting operation of the electrolytic bath 2. The heating time setting unit 101b operates the heater unit 42 by timer for a set heating time, here 10 to 60 minutes, from the start of the warm-up operation. The set heating time of the heating time setting unit 101b can be set arbitrarily. Even if operation of the electrolytic bath 2 is started during the set heating time, the heater unit 42 continues to heat the electrolytic solution during the set heating time.

[0063] However, in this embodiment, the warm-up operation function unit 101c starts the operation of the electrolytic cell 2 after the warm-up operation time has elapsed, that is, after the timer operation of the heater unit 42 by the heating time setting unit 101b has ended.

[0064] The operation of the above configuration will be described below. The electrolyzed water generator 1 supplies tap water from a water supply source 10 to the electrolytic cell 2 through a water supply system 3, supplies hydrochloric acid as a raw chemical solution to the electrolytic cell 2 through an electrolyte supply system 4, and mixes chlorine gas G generated from the raw chemical solution in the electrolytic cell 2 with the water flowing through the pipeline of the water supply system 3 to produce hypochlorous acid water.

[0065] In this electrolyzed water generating device 1, the water leak sensor 11 is located only in one place on the inner bottom 96 of the device housing 9, but the water leak sensor 11 can detect leaks occurring in both the water supply system 3 and the electrolyzed water supply system 6 in a timely and prompt manner. That is, by disposing the chemical pump 41 at an upper position inside the device housing 9 and separated from the electrolytic cell 2, deterioration of the chemical pump 41 due to electrolysis products such as chlorine diffusing from the electrolytic cell 2 can be prevented, and the leakage guide unit 95 can quickly guide the leakage from the chemical pump 41 to the water leak sensor 11 by gravity flow, utilizing the difference in elevation between the chemical pump 41 and the water leak sensor 11. Therefore, the water leak sensor 11 disposed in only one location inside the device housing 9 can quickly and timely detect leakage occurring at multiple sources, i.e., leakage occurring in both the electrolyte solution supply system 4 and the electrolytic water supply system 6. This prevents the spread of damage caused by ordinary water leakage and reduces the risk of rust and chemical burns.

[0066] Furthermore, since the leaked liquid guide section 95 is made of a cylindrical body, even if the amount of leaked liquid received by the leaked liquid receiver 94 is small, the leaked liquid can be collected and guided quickly to the water leak sensor 11 while avoiding obstacles inside the device housing 9. Alternatively, the leaked liquid guide section 95 serves as a chute section to form a flow of leaked liquid toward the water leak sensor 11, so that even a small amount of leaked liquid can be guided quickly to the water leak sensor 11.

[0067] By providing this leakage guide section 95, even if the installation surface on which this device is installed has a slope and the water leakage sensor 11 is relatively high within the inner bottom section 96, the leaked chemical liquid can be quickly guided to the water leakage sensor 11, and the speed at which the leaked chemical liquid is detected can be kept constant at all times.

[0068] In addition, the upper end of the upstream vertical flow path portion 37b of the trap water path 7 is positioned higher than the highest part of the flow paths in the water supply system 3 downstream of the trap water path 37 and the electrolyzed water supply system 6, and by utilizing this difference in elevation, the electrolyzed water produced in the electrolytic cell 2 is prevented from diffusing into the upstream water supply system 3 when the device is stopped. On the other hand, this function of the trap water path 37 becomes a factor that hinders drainage of water from the water supply system 3 including the trap water path 37.

[0069] However, in this embodiment, the trap waterway 37 has a structure in which the downstream vertical flow path section 37c and the upstream vertical flow path section 37b are connected at the waterway bottom 37a, and the water drainage mechanism section 8 has a first water drainage section 81 connected to the lowest part of the flow path of the water supply system 3 upstream of the trap waterway 37, and a second water drainage section 82 connected to the waterway bottom 37a of the trap waterway 37, thereby making it easy to drain water from the trap waterway 37 and the water supply system 3 upstream of the trap waterway 37.

[0070] That is, by removing the plugs 85c, 86c of the first drain section 81 and the second drain section 82 and opening the drain outlets 85b, 86b, the water supply system 3 including the trap water channel 37 between the first drain section 81 and the second drain section 82 becomes an open flow path. Furthermore, by opening the electrolyzed water outlet 7, the water supply system 3 and the electrolyzed water supply system 6 downstream of the downstream vertical flow path section 37c and the trap water channel 37 become open flow paths.

[0071] Therefore, by utilizing the natural flow utilizing the height of the upstream vertical flow path section 37b relative to the second water draining section 82, the height of the downstream vertical flow path section 37c relative to the second water draining section 82, and further the height of the trap connection section 38 relative to the first water draining section 81, residual water in the water supply system 3, trap water channel 37, and electrolyzed water supply system 6 can be drained quickly and easily without pulsation and without any external input such as electricity.

[0072] This prevents damage to the pipes due to volume expansion when water freezes at low temperatures, and also prevents the water in the pipes from spoiling when stored for a long period of time or when not in use.

[0073] Furthermore, by arranging the first drain section 81 and the second drain section 82 so that they can be removed to the outside of the housing, the structure allows for easy assembly and disassembly of the piping within the device housing. That is, the first drain section 81 and the second drain section 82 are removed from the water supply system 3 and the trap waterway 37 at the joints 85a and 86a, and then pulled out to the outside through the mounting opening 9a of the device housing 9.

[0074] In addition, the first draining section 81 and the second draining section 82 are arranged facing one side of the device housing 9, and the drain outlet sections 85b and 86b at the tip end are exposed on the same side of the device housing 9, so that the draining work can be performed all at once on the same side of the device housing 9.

[0075] In addition, the device housing 9 is provided with a main room 91, which is an inner room that forms a closed space and is dustproof and waterproof, and a user use room 93, which is an outer room that forms an open space and is not dustproof and waterproof, and the operating head 32f of the strainer mesh part 32b, which is used by users for maintenance, is exposed to the outside of the device housing 9 from an opening 93a provided in the wall of the user use room 93, which is the outer room of the device housing 9. This makes it possible to ensure dustproof and waterproof properties inside the device housing 9 while also making user maintenance easy, and the strainer mesh 32e can be easily removed and cleaned without disassembling the device housing 9, improving cleaning workability.

[0076] Furthermore, by providing a waterproof seal structure 91g that surrounds the outer periphery of the strainer 32, it is possible to ensure a waterproof seal in the through hole 91b in which the strainer 32 is disposed.

[0077] Furthermore, the control device 100 compares the measured value of the environmental temperature measured by the temperature sensor 101 with a reference threshold temperature that determines whether or not the electrolyte needs to be heated, determines whether or not the heater unit 42 needs to be operated, and operates the heater unit 42 when operation is necessary. Therefore, even when electrolysis is started in the electrolytic cell 2 at low temperatures, appropriate electrolysis efficiency is maintained, and stable electrolysis processing can be performed without problems such as changes in the quality of the produced water or increases in production costs.

[0078] Furthermore, the heater section 42 is operated only when necessary when the environmental temperature is low and electrolysis efficiency is reduced, which contributes to energy saving and a longer life of the device.

[0079] Furthermore, the control device 100 determines whether or not the heater unit 42 needs to be operated at a determination interval set in the determination interval function unit 101a, here at intervals of 0.5 to 5 minutes, so that the determination of whether or not the electrolyte needs to be heated is not repeated continuously, and repeated on / off control of the heater unit 42 can be prevented even when the environmental temperature is near the threshold temperature.

[0080] This warming of the electrolytic solution is performed in advance, before electrolysis begins after the device is started. If the ambient temperature is below the threshold temperature at the start of operation and operation of the heater unit 42 is required, the control device 100 starts warming up the heater unit 42 for the set heating time using the warm-up operation function unit 101c before starting operation of the electrolytic cell 2. By starting this advance warm-up operation, appropriate electrolysis efficiency can be maintained in the electrolytic cell 2 from the start of operation, allowing stable electrolysis to be performed without problems such as changes in the produced water quality or increased production costs.

[0081] This warm-up operation is performed by timer-operating the heater unit 42 for the set heating time from the start of the warm-up operation using the heating time setting unit 101b. Even if operation of the electrolytic cell 2 starts during the set heating time, the heater unit 42 continues to heat the electrolyte after electrolysis has started, and the electrolyte can be sufficiently heated to an appropriate temperature at which the electrolysis efficiency is stable.

[0082] The warm-up operation function unit 101c starts operation of the electrolytic cell 2 after the warm-up operation time has elapsed, that is, after the timer operation of the heater unit 42 by the heating time setting unit 101b has finished. Therefore, the electrolytic cell 2 is supplied with an electrolyte solution that has been sufficiently heated to an appropriate temperature, and appropriate electrolysis efficiency is guaranteed from the start of operation in the electrolytic cell 2, allowing stable electrolysis to be performed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 Electrolyzed water generator 2 Electrolytic cell 2a positive electrode 2b negative electrode 2c, 2d electrode rod 2e, 2f metal plate 3 Water supply system 4 Electrolyte supply system 5 Chemical tank 6 Electrolyzed water supply system 7 Electrolyzed water outlet 8 Water drainage mechanism 9. Equipment housing 9a Mounting opening 10 Water source 11 Water leak sensor 31 Connection port 32 Strainer 32a Main body 32b Strainer mesh part 32c inlet 32d outlet 32e strainer mesh 32f Operation head 33 Check valve 34 Solenoid valve 35 Pressure reducing valve 36 Flow meter 37 Trap Channel 37a Channel bottom 37b Upstream vertical flow channel section 37c Downstream vertical flow channel 38 Trap connection 41 Chemical pump 41a, 41b Grommets 42 Heater section 42a Heat insulation material 42b Core material 42c tube 42d Cover material 42e, 42i, 42j heaters 42nd floor Chemical Pool 42g seat heater 42h corrosion-resistant heater 81 First drain 82 Second drain 85a, 86a joints 85b, 86b Drain port 85c, 86c plug body 85d, 86d O-rings 91 Main room 91a Bulkhead 91b Through hole 91c sleeve 91d color 91e Back end 91f O-ring 91g waterproof seal structure 92 Pump Room 93 User use room 93a Open mouth 94 Leakage receiver 95 Leak induction part 96 Inner bottom 97 Slope 98 Groove 100 control device 101 Temperature Sensor 101a Judgment interval function unit 101b Heating time setting section 101c Warm-up function section

Claims

1. an electrolytic cell that generates chlorine gas by electrolysis of an electrolyte and mixes it into feed water to generate electrolyzed water; a water supply system for supplying water to the electrolytic cell; an electrolyte supply system that supplies an electrolyte to the electrolytic cell; An electrolytic water supply system is provided that supplies electrolytic water generated in the electrolytic cell to the electrolytic water outlet, An electrolytic water generating apparatus characterized by comprising an electrolytic solution heating device for heating the electrolytic solution in an electrolytic cell or an electrolytic solution supply system.

2. 2. The electrolytic water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic solution heating device comprises a heater portion provided midway along the electrolytic solution flow path from the electrolytic pump of the electrolytic solution supply system to the electrolytic cell.

3. 2. The electrolytic water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic solution heating device comprises a heater provided in the electrolytic cell.

4. The electrolytic water generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the heater section is formed by wrapping a flow path material through which the electrolyte flows around a core material, placing a cover material to cover the flow path material, and attaching a heater to the outside of the cover material.

5. The electrolytic water generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the heater section is formed by wrapping a flow path material through which the electrolyte flows around a hollow core material, placing a cover material to cover the flow path material, and installing a heater inside the core material.

6. 3. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heater section has a chemical solution pool having an inlet and an outlet for the electrolytic solution, and the heater is attached to the outside of the chemical solution pool.

7. 4. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heater unit is configured by covering the electrolytic cell and mounting a heater thereon.

8. 4. The electrolytic water generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heater unit has a heater that heats the positive electrode and the negative electrode arranged inside the electrolytic cell through electrode rods exposed to the outside of the electrolytic cell.

Images