Hypochlorous acid generation device

Abstract

To provide a hypochlorous acid generation device capable of calculating the degree of deterioration of the electrode that generates hypochlorous acid.SOLUTION: A hypochlorous acid generation device 230 is a hypochlorous acid generation device that generates hypochlorous acid by electrolyzing the chlorine-containing water in the electrolytic cell using a pair of electrolytic electrodes. A main control unit 250 includes: a status information acquisition unit 252 that acquires status information representing the status of hypochlorous acid water; a decomposition information acquisition unit 253 that acquires decomposition information representing the state of electrolysis; and a deterioration degree deriving unit 254 that derives the deterioration degree of an electrolysis electrode on the basis of the status information and decomposition information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hypochlorous acid generator that generates hypochlorous acid. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a so-called ultraviolet absorption measurement technique that measures the concentration of hypochlorous acid water based on the attenuation of absorption of ultraviolet light by hypochlorous acid ions.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a so-called polarographic measurement technique that measures the concentration of hypochlorous acid water based on the electrochemical reduction current of hypochlorous acid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-343080 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-7508 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional techniques can measure the concentration of hypochlorous acid water, but cannot obtain information regarding the degree of deterioration of the electrolytic electrodes that are used to generate hypochlorous acid water.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a hypochlorous acid generator that can acquire information regarding the degree of deterioration of an electrolysis electrode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A hypochlorous acid generator according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a hypochlorous acid generator that uses a pair of electrolysis electrodes to electrolyze chlorine-containing water in an electrolysis cell to generate hypochlorous acid, and is equipped with a status information acquisition unit that acquires status information indicating the status of the hypochlorous acid water, a decomposition information acquisition unit that acquires decomposition information indicating the status of the electrolysis, and a deterioration level derivation unit that derives the deterioration level of the electrolysis electrodes based on the status information and the decomposition information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to grasp the degree of deterioration of the electrolysis electrode that produces hypochlorous acid water. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of the spatial sterilization device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the measurement control device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the hypochlorous acid concentration and the conductivity of hypochlorous acid water during the generation stage. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the cumulative difference in conductivity during the generation stage and the concentration of hypochlorous acid. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the main control device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the spatial sterilization device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hypochlorous acid generator according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example to explain the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, the content of each step in the method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are examples and may include content not described below. In addition, geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, but these expressions do not indicate mathematical rigor and include substantially acceptable errors, deviations, etc. In addition, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially acceptable ranges.

[0011] The drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportions is appropriately made to explain the present disclosure, and differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent Cartesian coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of illustrating the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily located within a horizontal plane.

[0012] In addition, multiple inventions may be collectively described below as one embodiment, and some of the content described below may be described as optional components related to the present disclosure.

[0013] Furthermore, the flowchart is an example, and even if the process flow is different, such as the order of processes being different, multiple processes being integrated, or one process being separated, it is included in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of a space sterilization apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment. The space sterilization apparatus 200 is an apparatus that sterilizes a space by releasing hypochlorous acid generated by a hypochlorous acid generator 230 into the space. The space sterilization apparatus 200 sterilizes bacteria and the like by introducing the air in the space into hypochlorous acid water. The space is intended to be a closed space such as an indoor space of a building. Specific examples of the space include a living space in an ordinary home or an indoor space in a hospital or nursing facility. The space does not have to be a completely closed space and may be connected to the outdoors. The space may be not only a space inside a building, but also a space inside a moving object such as a train or automobile.

[0015] Hypochlorous acid water has sterilizing and deodorizing effects. Specifically, hypochlorous acid water has an oxidizing effect, and sterilizes and deodorizes airborne bacteria in the air, bacteria attached to objects, or odorous substances by oxidizing them. The term "sterilization" is used for convenience in this specification and claims, and includes the meaning of "sterilization." Furthermore, "bacteria" is described as including viruses, mold, and the like.

[0016] 1, the spatial sterilization apparatus 200 includes an electrolytic cell 210 as a hypochlorous acid generator 230, an electrolytic electrode 220, a power supply device 231, and a main control device 250. In the present embodiment, the spatial sterilization apparatus 200 includes a diffusing means 240 that releases hypochlorous acid into the space and takes in the air in the space into hypochlorous acid water, and a hypochlorous acid concentration measuring device 100.

[0017] The hypochlorous acid generator 230 is a device that uses a pair of electrolysis electrodes 220 to electrolyze chlorine-containing water in the electrolysis bath 210 to generate hypochlorous acid, and is a device that can derive the degree of deterioration of the electrolysis electrodes 220 and determine when to refresh or replace the electrolysis electrodes 220. The hypochlorous acid generator 230 generates hypochlorous acid by adding and dissolving a predetermined amount of salt in water stored in the electrolysis bath 210 and electrolyzing the saltwater using the pair of electrolysis electrodes 220.

[0018] The electrolysis electrodes 220 are a pair of conductive components inserted into the chlorine-containing water stored in the electrolysis cell 210. The shape of the electrolysis electrodes 220 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, they are rectangular plates (strips). The pair of electrolysis electrodes 220 are arranged so that their respective main surfaces (the surfaces with the largest areas) face each other. The material of the electrolysis electrodes 220 is not particularly limited as long as it is a conductive material. For example, the electrolysis electrodes 220 may be configured such that a catalytic layer is coated on the surface of a conductive substrate. Examples of the conductive substrate include simple metals such as titanium, iron, copper, niobium, and tantalum, or alloys thereof. Considering ease of processing during manufacturing and manufacturing costs, titanium or a titanium alloy is preferred as the material for the conductive substrate. Examples of the catalytic layer include catalysts containing platinum or iridium. Other compounds contained in the catalytic layer may be in any metallic state, such as metals, alloys, or metal oxides, including, for example, lead, gold, nickel, copper, silver, iron, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, and carbon.

[0019] The power supply device 231 is a DC power supply device that applies a predetermined DC voltage between the pair of electrolytic electrodes 220. Under the control of the main control device 250, the power supply device 231 selects whether or not to apply a voltage to the pair of electrolytic electrodes 220, that is, whether or not to turn on or off the application of a voltage to the pair of electrolytic electrodes 220.

[0020] The hypochlorous acid concentration measuring device 100 is a device that measures the concentration of hypochlorous acid generated by electrolyzing chlorine-containing water stored in an electrolytic cell 210 using a hypochlorous acid generator 230, and is equipped with a measuring means 110 and a measurement control device 120.

[0021] The measuring means 110 is a device that measures conductivity information indicating the conductivity of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic bath 210, and includes a pair of measuring electrodes 111 and an application measuring device 112. In this embodiment, the measuring means 110 includes a water temperature sensor 113 that measures temperature information indicating the temperature of the water stored in the electrolytic bath 210.

[0022] The measurement electrodes 111 are a pair of conductive members spaced apart in the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic cell 210. The shape of the measurement electrodes 111 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, they are rectangular plates (strips) and smaller than the electrolysis electrode 220. The pair of measurement electrodes 111 are arranged so that their respective main surfaces face each other. The material of the measurement electrodes 111 is not particularly limited as long as it is a conductive material. The material of the measurement electrodes 111 is not particularly limited, but a corrosion-resistant conductive material is preferred. Specific examples of the material of the measurement electrodes 111 include titanium, titanium alloys, and stainless steel. These materials can be easily processed into the measurement electrodes 111, reducing manufacturing costs. Although the measurement means 110 includes the measurement electrode 111 separate from the electrolysis electrode 220, the electrolysis electrode 220 may also be used as the measurement electrode 111.

[0023] The application / measurement device 112 includes an AC power supply that applies a predetermined AC voltage between the pair of measurement electrodes 111. The application / measurement device 112 measures the solution resistance between the pair of measurement electrodes 111 as conductivity information. The application / measurement device 112 selects whether to apply an AC voltage to the pair of measurement electrodes 111, i.e., whether to turn on or off the application of an AC voltage to the pair of measurement electrodes 111, under the control of the measurement control device 120. The frequency of the AC voltage applied by the application / measurement device 112 between the pair of measurement electrodes 111 is preferably selected from the range of 1 kHz to 100 kHz. Applying an AC voltage within this relatively high frequency range enables the solution resistance to be measured without an imaginary term when deriving the solution resistance of the hypochlorous acid solution, which is the liquid in the electrolytic cell 210, using the AC impedance method. While the application / measurement device 112 includes an AC power supply that applies an AC voltage, the application / measurement device 112 may also include an AC power supply that applies an AC current. In this case, the measurement control device 120 may control the AC current.

[0024] When the concentration of hypochlorous acid water is used to derive the deterioration level of the electrolysis electrode 220, the concentration calculated by the measurement control device 120 may be used. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the measurement control device 120. The measurement control device 120 includes a processor, and includes a measurement information acquisition unit 121, a conversion information acquisition unit 122, and a concentration derivation unit 123 as processing units realized by causing the processor to execute a program. In this embodiment, the measurement control device 120 includes a correction information acquisition unit 126.

[0025] The measurement information acquiring unit 121 acquires the conductivity information from the measuring means 110. The conductivity information acquired from the measuring means 110 is not particularly limited, and may be the conductivity (electrical conductivity) of the hypochlorous acid water, or information from which the conductivity can be derived by calculation. For example, the conductivity information may be the liquid resistance value of the hypochlorous acid water. The measurement information acquiring unit 121 may acquire the liquid resistance value measured by the measurement control device 120 using an AC impedance method, and derive the conductivity by calculating the reciprocal of the acquired liquid resistance value.

[0026] In this embodiment, the measurement information acquisition unit 121 also acquires temperature information from the water temperature sensor 113 provided in the measurement means 110 .

[0027] The conversion information acquisition unit 122 acquires conversion information showing the relationship between hypochlorous acid concentration and electrical conductivity information. As shown in FIG. 3, hypochlorous acid concentration and water electrical conductivity are inversely proportional to each other. Note that FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between hypochlorous acid concentration in the generation stage and the electrical conductivity of hypochlorous acid water, and n in FIG. 3 is an integer indicating the number of electrolysis cycles. Specific numerical values ​​of hypochlorous acid concentration and electrical conductivity are omitted. From the above, conversion information showing the relationship between hypochlorous acid concentration and electrical conductivity, as shown in the graph of FIG. 4, can be derived. The conversion information may be expressed as a function or may be stored as digital data such as a table (map).

[0028] In this embodiment, the conversion information acquisition unit 122 acquires, as conversion information, a function or a table stored in the storage device 102 included in the measurement control device 120. Note that Fig. 4 shows generation period conversion information, which is conversion information used in the generation period of hypochlorous acid. The vertical axis of the graph shown in Fig. 4 represents the difference in electrical conductivity.

[0029] The concentration derivation unit 123 derives concentration information indicating the hypochlorous acid concentration based on the conductivity information acquired from the measurement means 110 and the conversion information acquired by the conversion information acquisition unit 122. The concentration derivation unit 123 outputs the derived hypochlorous acid concentration to the main control device 250. Here, the hypochlorous acid concentration means the total concentration of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions.

[0030] For example, the concentration deriving unit 123 derives the difference between two pieces of electrical conductivity information measured before and after one electrolysis run performed for a predetermined time and at a predetermined voltage. The concentration deriving unit 123 derives the hypochlorous acid concentration from the accumulation of the electrical conductivity differences based on the conversion information shown in FIG.

[0031] The diffusion means 240 is a cylindrical member that rotates around the tube axis (left-right direction in FIG. 1 ). A portion of the periphery of the diffusion means 240 is periodically immersed in the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic bath 210, and the water is raised above the liquid surface of the hypochlorous acid water by utilizing capillary action or the like. Air is passed through the hypochlorous acid water raised above the liquid surface, diffusing the hypochlorous acid into the atmosphere. Furthermore, bacteria (including viruses, mold, etc.) present in the air come into contact with the hypochlorous acid water raised by the diffusion means 240 and are taken into the electrolytic bath 210, where they are sterilized (including the inactivation of viruses, mold, etc.). They are also sterilized by coming into contact with the hypochlorous acid diffused into the atmosphere.

[0032] 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the main control device 250. The main control device 250 is a device that controls the spatial sterilization device 200. The main control device 250 includes a processor, and includes, as processing units implemented by causing the processor to execute a program, a state information acquisition unit 252, a decomposition information acquisition unit 253, and a deterioration level derivation unit 254. In the present embodiment, the main control device 250 includes, as processing units, an electrolysis control unit 251 and a notification unit 255.

[0033] The state information acquisition unit 252 is a processing unit that acquires state information about the liquid stored in the electrolytic bath 210. The state information acquisition unit 252 may acquire, as one piece of state information, the number of times electrolysis has been performed since water and salt were added to the empty electrolytic bath 210. The state information acquisition unit 252 may also acquire, as one piece of state information, the liquid resistance (the reciprocal of the electrical conductivity) of the liquid in the electrolytic bath 210. There are no particular limitations on the method for measuring the liquid resistance, but in this embodiment, the state information acquisition unit 252 acquires the liquid resistance from the measurement means 110 as state information.

[0034] Furthermore, the state information acquiring unit 252 may acquire concentration information indicating the concentration of hypochlorous acid generated by electrolysis as one piece of state information. The state information acquiring unit 252 may acquire concentration information measured by an ultraviolet absorption measurement technique, a polarographic measurement technique, or the like. Alternatively, the state information acquiring unit 252 may acquire concentration information derived by the concentration derivation unit 123.

[0035] The state information acquisition unit 252 may acquire the electrical conductivity of the liquid in the electrolytic cell 210 as state information used when deriving the deterioration level of the electrolytic electrode 220. The electrical conductivity of the liquid in the electrolytic cell 210 may be, for example, the electrical conductivity of water (without salt added) added to the electrolytic cell 210. The state information acquisition unit 252 may acquire the electrical conductivity of water that is published for each region, for example, or may measure the electrical conductivity of water by measurement. The electrical conductivity of the liquid in the electrolytic cell 210 may also be, for example, the electrical conductivity of water (with salt added) added to the electrolytic cell 210.

[0036] The decomposition information acquisition unit 253 is a processing unit that acquires decomposition information indicating the state of electrolysis by the electrolysis electrodes 220 in the electrolytic bath 210. Examples of the decomposition information include the potential difference (voltage value) and current applied between the electrolysis electrodes 220 during electrolysis performed in the electrolytic bath 210 to generate hypochlorous acid. In this embodiment, at least one of the potential difference and current applied between the electrolysis electrodes 220 is acquired from the power supply device 231. When electrolysis is performed with a fixed current value of the power supply device 231, the decomposition information acquisition unit 253 may acquire the voltage value acquired during electrolysis together with the current value instructed to the power supply device 231. When electrolysis is performed with a fixed voltage value of the power supply device 231, the decomposition information acquisition unit 253 may acquire the decomposition information together with the current value acquired during electrolysis and the voltage value instructed to the power supply device 231. When electrolysis is performed with a fixed voltage value of the power supply device 231, the decomposition information acquisition unit 253 may acquire the decomposition information together with the current value acquired during electrolysis and the voltage value instructed to the power supply device 231. The decomposition information acquisition unit 253 may also acquire the voltage value and current value acquired during electrolysis as the decomposition information.

[0037] Furthermore, the decomposition information acquisition unit 253 may acquire, as one piece of decomposition information, charge amount information indicating the amount of charge used in one electrolysis. The charge amount can be derived using the following formula 1.

[0038] Amount of charge = current value during electrolysis * time required for electrolysis...Equation 1 (* indicates multiplication.)

[0039] The deterioration degree derivation unit 254 is a processing unit that derives the deterioration degree of the electrolysis electrode 220 based on the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit 252 and the decomposition information acquired by the decomposition information acquisition unit 253. For example, the state information acquisition unit 252 may record, over time, state information indicating that this is a predetermined number of electrolysis runs (for example, the first run) since water and salt were added to the empty electrolytic cell 210, and the voltage value (when the current value is fixed) acquired from the decomposition information acquisition unit 253 during the predetermined number of electrolysis runs, and the value of the change in the voltage value may be used as the deterioration degree of the electrolysis electrode 220.

[0040] Furthermore, the deterioration level derivation unit 254 may derive the deterioration level using a reaction resistance value derived based on the state information and decomposition information. Specifically, the reaction resistance value can be derived by the following formula 2 using the liquid resistance value acquired by the state information acquisition unit 252 and the voltage value and current value acquired by the decomposition information acquisition unit 253.

[0041] Reaction resistance value = (voltage value - current value * liquid resistance value) / current value Formula 2 (- indicates subtraction, * indicates multiplication, and / indicates division.)

[0042] The deterioration degree derivation unit 254 may acquire the reaction resistance value derived by Equation 2 at predetermined intervals and derive the deterioration degree of the electrolysis electrode 220 using the change in the reaction resistance value over time. For example, the deterioration degree of the electrolysis electrode 220 may be derived using the ratio between the reaction resistance value at an initial stage and the most recent reaction resistance value. Alternatively, the deterioration degree derivation unit 254 may derive the deterioration degree of the electrolysis electrode 220 by comparing the reaction resistance value derived by Equation 2 with a predetermined reaction resistance threshold value.

[0043] Furthermore, the deterioration degree deriving unit 254 may derive the deterioration degree based on the ratio between concentration information, which is one of the state information, and charge amount information, which is one of the decomposition information. The deterioration degree deriving unit 254 derives the charge amount concentration ratio using the following formula 3.

[0044] Charge amount concentration ratio = charge amount / generated concentration...Equation 3

[0045] The generated concentration is the concentration generated during the time required for electrolysis, which is also used when deriving the amount of charge, and can be determined based on the concentration information.

[0046] The deterioration level deriving unit 254 may acquire the charge amount concentration ratio derived by Equation 3 each time electrolysis is performed, and use the change in the charge amount concentration ratio over time to derive the deterioration level of the electrolysis electrode 220. For example, the deterioration level deriving unit 254 may derive the deterioration level of the electrolysis electrode 220 by comparing the charge amount concentration ratio derived by Equation 3 with a predetermined concentration threshold value.

[0047] When deriving the degradation level of the electrolytic electrode 220, the degradation level deriving unit 254 may correct the charge amount, the solution resistance value, and the like using the water conductivity acquired by the state information acquisition unit 252. For example, when water contains a large amount of minerals, the water conductivity increases. When salt is added and electrolysis is performed, the amount of charge consumed for water electrolysis increases, resulting in a relative decrease in the amount of charge used to generate hypochlorous acid. The degradation level deriving unit 254 may correct the charge amount, the solution resistance value, the concentration, and the like using a coefficient set based on the water conductivity. The degradation level deriving unit 254 may also correct the reaction resistance threshold value based on the water conductivity. The degradation level deriving unit 254 may also correct the concentration threshold value based on the water conductivity.

[0048] The electrolysis control unit 251 is a processing unit that controls the power supply device 231 of the hypochlorous acid generator 230 to perform electrolysis multiple times for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined timing after water and salt are added to the empty electrolytic bath 210 until the electrolytic bath 210 is next emptied. The predetermined timing may be, for example, every predetermined period of time, or may be determined based on the concentration of hypochlorous acid acquired by the status information acquisition unit 252. The predetermined period of time may be a predetermined time, or may be determined based on the current value during electrolysis. The electrolysis control unit 251 outputs the voltage value (or current value) instructed to the power supply device 231, the time required for one electrolysis, etc. to the decomposition information acquisition unit 253.

[0049] The electrolysis control unit 251 may change at least one of the current value during electrolysis and the time required for electrolysis, depending on the degree of deterioration of the electrolysis electrode 220 acquired from the deterioration degree derivation unit 254. For example, to compensate for the decrease in performance due to deterioration of the electrolysis electrode 220, the current value may be increased or the electrolysis time may be extended.

[0050] The notification unit 255 is a processing unit that notifies the deterioration information indicating the deterioration level of the electrolysis electrode 220 derived by the deterioration level derivation unit 254. The notification unit 255 may notify the deterioration level as the deterioration information, or may notify the deterioration information indicating that the electrolysis electrode 220 should be refreshed when the deterioration level exceeds a refresh threshold, or may notify the deterioration information indicating that the electrolysis electrode 220 should be replaced when the deterioration level exceeds a lifespan threshold. The method of notifying the deterioration information is not limited, and may include notifying the deterioration information by changing the color, pattern, or text using a display device including an indicator. Also, notifying the deterioration information may be by sound using a speaker or the like. Also, notifying the deterioration information may be by outputting it to a terminal device via communication or the like. The refresh threshold and lifespan threshold may also be corrected based on the electrical conductivity of water.

[0051] Next, the operation of the spatial sterilization device 200 will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing part of the operation of the spatial sterilization device 200. First, the device waits until a signal to start electrolysis treatment is generated (S101). In the case of this embodiment, the signal to start electrolysis treatment is output by the electrolysis control unit 251 included in the main control device 250.

[0052] When a signal to start the electrolysis process is generated, the hypochlorous acid generator 230 applies a DC voltage with a predetermined output to the electrolysis electrode 220 for a predetermined time, thereby carrying out electrolysis of the chlorine-containing water in the electrolysis cell 210 (S102). This generates hypochlorous acid.

[0053] During or after the electrolysis, the decomposition information acquisition unit 253 acquires the decomposition information (S103), and the state information acquisition unit 252 acquires the state information (S104). The deterioration degree derivation unit 254 derives the deterioration degree based on the acquired decomposition information and state information (S105).

[0054] If the derived deterioration level does not satisfy the predetermined condition (S106, No), for example, if the deterioration level is less than the refresh threshold or less than the life threshold, the process waits until the next electrolysis is performed (S101). On the other hand, if the derived deterioration level satisfies the predetermined condition (S106, Yes), the notification unit 255 notifies notification information (S107). The process proceeds to refreshment or replacement of the electrolysis electrode 220.

[0055] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present disclosure may be embodied in another embodiment realized by any combination of the components described in this specification or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, the present disclosure also includes modifications obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments that would occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, i.e., the meaning of the wording of the claims.

[0056] For example, implementing a program corresponding to each process executed by main control device 250 also falls within the scope of the present disclosure. Of course, implementing a recording medium on which the program is recorded also falls within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] Furthermore, although the spatial sterilization device 200 in which the diffusing means 240 is disposed in the electrolytic bath 210 has been exemplified, the spatial sterilization device 200 may include the electrolytic bath 210 that generates hypochlorous acid water and a storage tank in which the diffusing means 240 is disposed. The storage tank is supplied with hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic bath 210.

[0058] In addition, although the hypochlorous acid concentration is derived using the difference in the liquid resistance value (electrical conductivity) in the above description, the hypochlorous acid concentration may be derived from the liquid resistance value (electrical conductivity) without using the difference.

[0059] Furthermore, although the main control device 250 and the measurement control device 120 have been described as separate entities, they may be integrated into one unit. In other words, each processing unit of the main control device 250 and each processing unit of the measurement control device 120 may be realized by having a single processor execute a program.

[0060] Furthermore, although the hypochlorous acid generator 230 has been described as being used in the spatial sterilization device 200, the hypochlorous acid generator 230 may also be used to produce hypochlorous acid water used for food sterilization, cleaning, and the like.

[0061] Furthermore, the conversion information, correction information, etc. may not be stored in the storage device 102 of the measurement control device 120, but may be acquired via communication over a network or the like.

[0062] (summary) The hypochlorous acid generator 230 of the first embodiment is a hypochlorous acid generator 230 that uses a pair of electrolysis electrodes 220 to electrolyze chlorine-containing water in an electrolysis cell 210 to generate hypochlorous acid, and is equipped with a status information acquisition unit 252 that acquires status information indicating the status of the hypochlorous acid water, a decomposition information acquisition unit 253 that acquires decomposition information indicating the status of the electrolysis, and a deterioration level derivation unit 254 that derives the deterioration level of the electrolysis electrodes 220 based on the status information and the decomposition information.

[0063] According to the first aspect, it is possible to grasp the degree of deterioration of the electrolysis electrode 220 for generating hypochlorous acid, and therefore it is possible to know the timing for refreshing or replacing the electrolysis electrode 220.

[0064] The hypochlorous acid generator 230 of the second embodiment includes the first embodiment, and the status information acquisition unit 252 acquires the liquid resistance of the liquid in the electrolytic cell 210 as the status information, the decomposition information acquisition unit 253 acquires at least one of the potential difference and current applied between the electrolytic electrodes 220 when electrolysis is performed as the decomposition information, and the deterioration degree derivation unit 254 derives the deterioration degree using the reaction resistance value derived based on the status information and the decomposition information.

[0065] According to the second aspect, the degree of deterioration of the electrolysis electrode 220 can be derived based on the solution resistance and decomposition information during electrolysis.

[0066] The hypochlorous acid generator 230 of the third embodiment includes the hypochlorous acid generator of the first embodiment or the hypochlorous acid generator of the second embodiment, and is disposed in the electrolytic bath 210 and includes a pair of measuring electrodes 111 for measuring the liquid resistance of the hypochlorous acid water.

[0067] According to the third aspect, it is possible to directly and simply obtain the liquid resistance of the hypochlorous acid water in the electrolytic cell 210.

[0068] The hypochlorous acid generator 230 of the fourth embodiment includes the first embodiment, and the status information acquisition unit 252 acquires concentration information indicating the concentration of hypochlorous acid generated by electrolysis as the status information, the decomposition information acquisition unit 253 acquires charge amount information indicating the amount of charge used in the electrolysis as the decomposition information, and the deterioration degree derivation unit 254 derives the deterioration degree based on the ratio between the concentration information and the charge amount information.

[0069] According to the fourth aspect, the degree of deterioration of the electrolysis electrode 220 can be derived based on the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water and the amount of charge required for electrolysis.

[0070] The hypochlorous acid generator 230 of the fifth embodiment includes any of the first to fourth embodiments, and the status information acquisition unit 252 acquires the electrical conductivity of the liquid in the electrolytic cell 210 as status information, and the deterioration level derivation unit 254 makes a correction based on the electrical conductivity when deriving the deterioration level.

[0071] According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to correct for differences in the properties of water, such as regional differences in the hardness of the water fed into the electrolytic cell 210, and improve the accuracy of the derived deterioration degree.

[0072] The hypochlorous acid generator 230 of the sixth aspect includes any one of the first to fifth aspects, and is provided with a notification unit 255 that notifies deterioration information indicating the deterioration degree derived by the deterioration degree derivation unit 254.

[0073] According to the sixth aspect, the degree of deterioration of the electrolysis electrode 220 can be notified to the user, and the user can be prompted to replace the electrolysis electrode 220, for example. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] The hypochlorous acid generator according to the present disclosure can be used in devices that use hypochlorous acid water (for example, space purification devices). [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 100 Hypochlorous acid concentration measuring device 102 Storage device 110 Measurement means 111 Measuring electrode 112 Applied measurement device 113 Water temperature sensor 120 Measurement control device 121 Measurement information acquisition section 122 Conversion information acquisition unit 123 Concentration derivation section 126 Correction information acquisition unit 200 Space sterilization device 210 Electrolytic cell 220 Electrolytic electrode 230 Hypochlorous Acid Generator 231 Power Supply 240 Diffusion Methods 250 Main Control Unit 251 Electrolysis control unit 252 Status information acquisition unit 253 Decomposition information acquisition section 254 Deterioration degree derivation part 255 Information Department

Claims

1. A hypochlorous acid generator that uses a pair of electrolysis electrodes to electrolyze chlorine-containing water in an electrolytic cell to generate hypochlorous acid, A status information acquisition unit that acquires status information indicating the status of the hypochlorous acid water; a decomposition information acquisition unit that acquires decomposition information indicating the state of electrolysis; a deterioration degree deriving unit that derives a deterioration degree of the electrolysis electrode based on the state information and the decomposition information; A hypochlorous acid generator equipped with:

2. The state information acquisition unit acquiring the liquid resistance of the liquid in the electrolytic cell as state information; The decomposition information acquisition unit acquiring, as decomposition information, at least one of a potential difference and a current applied between the electrolysis electrodes during electrolysis; The deterioration degree derivation unit A deterioration degree is derived using a reaction resistance value derived based on the state information and the decomposition information. The hypochlorous acid generator according to claim 1.

3. A pair of measurement electrodes are placed in the electrolytic cell to measure the liquid resistance of the hypochlorous acid water. The hypochlorous acid generator according to claim 2, comprising:

4. The state information acquisition unit As the state information, concentration information indicating the concentration of hypochlorous acid generated by electrolysis is acquired, The decomposition information acquisition unit acquiring, as decomposition information, charge amount information indicating the amount of charge used in the electrolysis; The deterioration degree derivation unit The deterioration degree is calculated based on the ratio between the concentration information and the charge amount information. The hypochlorous acid generator according to claim 1.

5. The state information acquisition unit Acquiring the electrical conductivity of the liquid in the electrolytic cell as state information; The deterioration degree derivation unit When deriving the degree of deterioration, correction based on the electrical conductivity is added. The hypochlorous acid generator according to claim 1 or 4.

6. a notification unit that notifies deterioration information indicating the deterioration degree derived by the deterioration degree derivation unit; The hypochlorous acid generator according to claim 1.

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