Active water generator

Abstract

To provide an activated water generator which is further developed while maintaining an advantage of using multiple types of ceramic particles with different particle diameters.SOLUTION: An activated water generator 1 which generates activated water by causing ceramic particles to flow in treated water has an inner space 10 divided into a plurality of treatment spaces 11 and 12 along the vertical direction, a container 5 into which treated water introduced from a water conducting portion 6A provided at the bottom is drained through the plurality of treatment spaces 11 and 12 and from a drainage portion 6B provided at the top, and particle groups 32 and 34 comprising a plurality of ceramic particles 31 and 33 accommodated in the plurality of treatment spaces 11 and 12, respectively. The generator sets a flow rate at which the plurality of ceramic particles 31 and 33 contained in the treatment spaces 11 and 12 flow properly to be gradually larger from upstream in the direction of water flow to downstream in the direction of water flow.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for producing activated water using ceramic particles. [Background technology]

[0002] A ceramic treatment method is known as a water activation treatment method. As an activated water generating apparatus that applies this ceramic treatment method, a dense-packing method has been proposed in which a large number of granular ceramic particles are densely packed in a vertically installed container made of stainless steel or the like. In an activated water generating apparatus using the dense-packing method, tap water or the like to be treated is introduced into the container through an inlet provided at the bottom of the container, and the water is discharged through an outlet provided at the top of the container. When the water to be treated, such as tap water, is passed through the container, the water comes into contact with the surfaces of the large number of ceramic particles densely packed in the container, and the water is activated.

[0003] The mechanism of activated water generation in the dense-packing method is that the water to be treated becomes positively charged due to the effect of the electric double layer generated at the interface between the ceramic particles and the water to be treated, which affects the association state and enhances the hydrogen bonding ability, thereby activating the water to be treated. Since the surface of the ceramic particles is negatively charged due to the interfacial flow potential and the inside is apparently positively charged, an excess positive charge exists on the ceramic particle surface due to the Seebeck effect, and this excess positive charge acts on the water to be treated, which makes the water to be treated positively charged, affects the association state of water molecules, and activates the water to be treated. In the dense-packing method activated water generator, as the usage time increases, dirt adheres to the surface of the ceramic particles, and the electric double layer is no longer formed at the interface with the water to be treated, making it impossible to activate the water to be treated.

[0004] As an activated water generating apparatus that improves the problems of the tight-packing method, a flow-type activated water generating apparatus has been proposed in which a large number of ceramic particles are packed in a container so that they have space to flow without being dense (Patent Document 1). In the flow-type activated water generating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a large number of ceramic particles flow in a dancing manner when the water to be treated is passed through the container, and they rise inside the container while repeatedly coming into contact with and colliding with each other, and then fall under their own weight, repeating the appropriate flowing action. The flow-type activated water generating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 contains a large number of ceramic particles of a predetermined particle size in a treatment space partitioned by partition plates arranged above and below the container. When the flow rate of the water to be treated increases, a large number of ceramic particles stick to the back surface of the upper partition plate, so the increase in the treatment flow rate at which appropriate flow can be obtained is limited depending on the size of the weight (particle size) of the ceramic particles.

[0005] In order to expand the processing flow rate range, the inner diameter of the container is increased, for example, by changing the inner diameter shape of the container, but this approach results in an increase in the size of the container.

[0006] The mechanism of generating activated water using the fluidized method is that by fluidizing a large number of ceramic particles, the ceramic particles repeatedly collide and rub against each other, preventing dirt from adhering to the ceramic particle surface and enabling the effect of the electric double layer to continue. In this way, a large number of ceramic particles are fluidized in the treatment space, causing repeated collisions and friction between the ceramic particles. As a result, localized heating occurs on the ceramic particle surface, and a temperature difference occurs between the surface and center of the ceramic particle, causing excess positive charges to exist on the ceramic particle surface due to the Seebeck effect. This excess positive charge acts on the water to be treated, making the water more positively charged, affecting the association state of water molecules and activating the water to be treated. In other words, if the ceramic particle surface is not clean, the electric double layer will not occur, so a large number of ceramic particles are fluidized.

[0007] As a flow-type activated water generating apparatus that improves the problems of the flow-type activated water generating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, an activated water generating apparatus that contains a mixture of multiple types of ceramic particles with different particle sizes, for example two types of ceramic particles, in the treatment space has been proposed (Patent Document 2). The mechanism of activated water generation in the flow-type activated water generating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 is that the flow rate of the water to be treated introduced into the container is proportional to the flow rate (the inner diameter of the container is constant), so that at a low flow rate, small-diameter ceramic particles flow, and as the flow rate increases, the small-diameter ceramic particles stick to the back side of the upper partition plate, while the large-diameter ceramic particles flow within the treatment space. Therefore, activated water can be generated within a flow rate range up to the point where the large-diameter ceramic particles stick to the back side of the upper partition plate and stop flowing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3705500 [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-54318 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The activated water generators disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 employ a fluidization method that fluidizes ceramic particles within a treatment space, thereby solving the problem of the accumulation of dirt adhering to ceramic particles in a tightly packed activated water generator, which reduces the activation function over time. The fluidization type activated water generator disclosed in Patent Document 2 makes it possible to increase the treatment flow rate, which cannot be achieved by the fluidization type activated water generator disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0010] In addition, even in a flow-type activated water generating device, the ceramic particles are constantly immersed in the treated water, so it cannot be said that the adhesion of dirt to the ceramic particles is completely eliminated. For this reason, it is desirable to reduce the adhesion of dirt to the ceramic particles as much as possible.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a further developed activated water generating device that maintains the advantages of the flow type activated water generating mechanism using multiple types of ceramic particles with different particle sizes while minimizing the adhesion of dirt to the ceramic particles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The first invention for achieving the object of the present invention is an activated water generating apparatus that generates activated water by flowing ceramic particles in water to be treated, and the internal space is flowed in the vertical direction. A number of partition plates are arranged at intervals and have a number of water holes formed therein. The present invention comprises a container partitioned into a plurality of treatment spaces, in which water to be treated is guided from a water guide section provided at a lower part and discharged from a drain section provided at an upper part through the plurality of treatment spaces, and a particle group composed of a plurality of ceramic particles accommodated in each of the plurality of treatment spaces in a flowable manner, The ceramic particles in each particle group are ceramic particles of the same material classified according to particle size, and the particle size is gradually increased from the upstream side to the downstream side in the water flow direction to gradually increase the weight, and the water passage holes formed in the plurality of partition plates are configured to be sized to allow water to pass through while not allowing the ceramic particles contained in the treatment space to pass through. .

[0014] The object of the present invention is to 2 The activated water generating device of the present invention is 1 In the activated water generating apparatus of the present invention, the treatment space can be partitioned into two or three upper and lower stages.

[0015] The object of the present invention is to 3 The activated water generating device of the present invention is 1st or 2nd In the activated water generating apparatus of the present invention, a flow region can be provided within the treatment space to allow the numerous ceramic particles contained therein to flow appropriately. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the range of the processing flow rate can be expanded by increasing the number of processing spaces. Also, since the processing flow rate can be set for each processing space, the activation of the activated water can be enhanced by increasing the volume of any processing space and increasing the number of ceramic particles.

[0017] Furthermore, the ceramic particles contained in each treatment space are deposited at the bottom of each treatment space without the water to be treated being introduced. As the treatment flow rate increases, the ceramic particles in the treatment space from the bottom to the top flow in sequence, generating activated water. At this time, the ceramic particles contained in the downstream treatment space, which is not flowing, are stirred up by the activated water, and adjacent ceramic particles rub against each other, removing dirt attached to the surface, which is a physical cleaning function, and a self-cleaning action works. In addition, the activated water improves the wettability of the ceramic particles' surfaces, making it easier to remove dirt and preventing the adhesion of impurities. This extends the life of the ceramic particles, significantly lengthening the time interval between regular inspections such as replacing the ceramic particles, and simplifying maintenance work. For example, even if the use of a large treatment flow rate is low for a long period of time, it is possible to prevent all ceramic particles from becoming dirty, and maintain the effect of generating activated water by the ceramic particles for a long period of time.

[0018] That is, No. 1 According to the invention, since the same material can be used for all ceramic particles, there is no difference in activation ability between the treatment spaces, and treatment flow rates can be set according to particle size. In this case, the water passage holes formed in the multiple partition plates are formed to a size that allows water to pass through while not allowing the ceramic particles contained in the treatment space to pass through, making it possible to contain only ceramic particles of the same particle size within the treatment space.

[0019] No. 2 According to the invention, if the number of stages of the treatment space is two, the volume of each treatment space can be increased, and the number of ceramic particles accommodated can be increased accordingly, greatly enhancing the activation of the activated water. Furthermore, if the number of stages of the treatment space is three, the treatment flow rate can be divided into small, medium, and large flow rates. Therefore, not only can activated water be provided to users who use small, medium, and large flow rates, but the activation of the activated water can be enhanced by increasing the volume of the treatment space corresponding to the treatment flow rate that is frequently used.

[0020] No. 3 According to the present invention, ceramic particles can be appropriately fluidized to produce activated water at a predetermined treatment flow rate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an active water generating device according to the present invention, where (a) is a front view showing the appearance, and (b) is a vertical sectional view taken along the line AA in (a). [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the treatment process of the activated water production apparatus, in which (a) shows the activated water production process at a small treatment flow rate, and (b) shows the activated water production process at a large treatment flow rate. [Diagram 3] 5A and 5B show a second embodiment of the activated water generating device according to the present invention, in which (a) is a front view showing the appearance, and (b) is a vertical sectional view taken along the line BB in (a). [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the active water generation process of the active water generation device, in which (a) shows the active water generation process at a small treatment flow rate, (b) shows the active water generation process at a medium treatment flow rate, and (c) shows the active water generation process at a large treatment flow rate. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the effects of the activated water generating apparatus according to the first and second embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0023] First embodiment

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an active water generating device, where (a) is a front view showing the exterior, and (b) is a vertical sectional view taken along the line AA in (a).

[0025] The activated water generating device 1 is attached to a water supply pipe that branches off from a water distribution pipe and is drawn into the house, and when the tap is opened, the generated activated water is supplied through the water pipe. For example, when multiple taps are opened at the same time, the inflow flow rate of the treated water, which is tap water introduced into the activated water generating device 1, is a large flow rate, and when only one tap is opened, the flow rate is small.

[0026] The activated water generating apparatus 1 has a container 5 composed of a container body 2 made of, for example, stainless steel, formed in a cylindrical shape with an open upper end, and a lid body 4 made of, for example, stainless steel, which covers the upper end opening 3 of the container body 2. An inlet part 6A for introducing water to be treated, such as tap water, into the container body 2 is provided at the lower end, and a drain part 6B for draining the generated activated water to the outside of the device is provided on the upper surface of the lid body 4. The lid body 4 is fixed in a watertight state via a screw 9 with an O-ring 8 sandwiched between it and an inner flange part 7 provided at the upper end opening 3, forming a sealed space 10 inside the container 5. The container 5 is placed in a vertical position with the inlet part 6A facing down.

[0027] The space 10 is divided into two upper and lower sections, a first processing space 11 and a second processing space 12. The first processing space 11 and the second processing space 12 are separated in the vertical direction by a first partition plate 21 on the lower side, a second partition plate 22 in the middle, and a third partition plate 23 on the upper side.

[0028] The first processing space 11 contains a first particle group 32 composed of a large number of first diameter ceramic particles 31, and the second processing space 12 contains a second particle group 34 composed of a large number of second diameter ceramic particles 33. The first diameter ceramic particles 31 of the first particle group 32 and the second diameter ceramic particles 33 of the second particle group 34 are made of oxide-based ores containing silicon and aluminum as main components and containing alkali metals and alkaline earth metals in addition to these main components, and examples of such ores include feldspar, mica, and granite. Examples of feldspar include albite (NaAlSi3O8) and anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8), and examples of mica include phlogopite (KMg3[(AlSi3)O 10 ](OH)2), Muscovite (KAl2[(AlSi3)O 10](OH)2) and the like, but are not limited to these.

[0029] In this embodiment, the outer diameter (particle diameter) of the first particle size ceramic particles 31 in the first particle group 32 is smaller than the outer diameter (particle diameter) of the second particle size ceramic particles 33 in the second particle group .

[0030] The first partition plate 21 and the second partition plate 22 that partition the first treatment space 11 are formed with a large number of first water passage holes 21a and second water passage holes 22a that are sized to allow water to pass through but not allow the first diameter ceramic particles 31 to pass through. The third partition plate 23 that partitions the second treatment space 12 is formed with a large number of third water passage holes 23a that are sized to allow water to pass through but not allow the second diameter ceramic particles 33 to pass through. The second water passage holes 22a formed in the second partition plate 22 that partitions the second treatment space 12 do not allow the first diameter ceramic particles 31 to pass through, so the second diameter ceramic particles 33 cannot pass through.

[0031] Thus, the first particle size ceramic particles 31 of the first particle group 32 are confined within the first processing space 11 , and the second particle size ceramic particles 33 of the second particle group 34 are confined within the second processing space 12 .

[0032] That is, the activated water generating device 1 has a structure in which the ceramic particles contained in the container 5 are arranged in two layers (multi-layers) according to particle size.

[0033] 1(b) shows a non-water-passing state in which the water to be treated is not passing through, and the first particle diameter ceramic particles 31 of the first particle group 32 contained in the first treatment space 11 sink in a stacked state on the first partition plate 21, and a first flow region 11A is provided between the upper surface of the stack and the second partition plate 22. Similarly, the second particle diameter ceramic particles 33 of the second particle group 34 contained in the second treatment space 12 sink in a stacked state on the second partition plate 22, and a second flow region 12A is provided between the upper surface of the stack and the third partition plate 23.

[0034] Since the first treatment space 11 and the second treatment space 12 have the same inner diameter, the flow rate and flow velocity of the water passing through the first treatment space 11 and the second treatment space 12 are equal.

[0035] The large number of first diameter ceramic particles 31 contained in the first treatment space 11 and the large number of second diameter ceramic particles 33 contained in the second treatment space 12 each have a different flow rate (flow speed) at which they flow properly. The ceramic particles flow properly means that the ceramic particles are lifted upward at the flow speed of the water to be treated introduced into the vessel 5, fall under their own weight, and then move upward again, and the ceramic particles come into contact with and collide with each other, behaving as if they are dancing in the water, and the flow rate in this case is referred to as the treatment flow rate.

[0036] Since the first diameter ceramic particles 31 are smaller than the second diameter ceramic particles 33 and are made of the same material, the first diameter ceramic particles 31 are lighter than the second diameter ceramic particles 33. Therefore, the processing flow rate in the first processing space 11 is smaller than the processing flow rate in the second processing space 12. Hereinafter, in the first embodiment, the processing flow rate in the first processing space 11 is referred to as the small processing flow rate, and the processing flow rate in the second processing space 12 is referred to as the large processing flow rate. If a certain flow rate is exceeded between the small processing flow rate and the large processing flow rate, a sticking state occurs in which the first diameter ceramic particles 31 stick to the lower surface of the second partition plate 22 and cannot flow.

[0037] In addition, a first flow region 11A that ensures a flow at a small treatment flow rate is defined within the first treatment space 11, and a second flow region 12A that ensures a flow at a large treatment flow rate is defined within the second treatment space 12.

[0038] Next, the activated water generating process of the activated water generating device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] 2(a) shows a state in which a small flow rate of water to be treated is being treated in the first treatment space 11 to generate activated water, and a large number of first particle diameter ceramic particles 31 are flowing in the first treatment space 11. On the other hand, the second particle diameter ceramic particles 33 in the second treatment space 12 are shown to be accumulated on the second partition plate 22.

[0040] 2(a), the activated water produced in the first treatment space 11 is passed through the second water passage hole 22a of the second partition plate 22 into the second treatment space 12, and is drained from the drain portion 6B to a water faucet or the like (not shown). The activated water passed into the second treatment space 12 comes into contact with the second particle size ceramic particles 33 deposited on the second partition plate 22. This activates the surfaces of the second particle size ceramic particles 33, preventing the adhesion of dirt and the like.

[0041] In addition, the numerous second particle size ceramic particles 33 deposited on the second partition plate 22 are fanned by the activated water flowing from the first treatment space 11, causing adjacent second particle size ceramic particles 33 to rub against each other, thereby removing dirt adhering to the surface, thereby providing a self-cleaning effect, which is a physical cleaning function.

[0042] As a result, the life of the second particle size ceramic particles 33 is extended, the active water generating function of the second particle size ceramic particles 33 can be maintained for a long period of time, the time interval between regular inspections of the active water generating device 1 can be significantly extended, and regular inspection and maintenance work can be simplified.

[0043] The activation generated is increased when the number of first diameter ceramic particles 31 contained in the first processing space 11 is large. In order to increase the activation at a small processing flow rate, the height of the first processing space 11 is increased to expand the volume, and the number of first diameter ceramic particles 31 is increased.

[0044] 2(b) shows the case where the water to be treated is at a high treatment flow rate, and the first particle size ceramic particles 31 in the first treatment space 11 are stuck to the underside of the second partition plate 22. At a high treatment flow rate, the second particle size ceramic particles 33 in the second treatment space 12 flow, producing active water. To improve activation at a high treatment flow rate, the height of the second treatment space 12 can be increased to expand the volume and increase the number of the second particle size ceramic particles 33.

[0045] The activated water generating device 1 can not only expand the treatment flow rate range to a large treatment flow rate at which the second particle size ceramic particles 33 flow, but also makes it possible to arbitrarily increase activation at both small and large treatment flow rates.

[0046] In this embodiment, the particle size range of the first particle size ceramic particles 31 is 1 mm to 4 mm, and the particle size range of the second particle size ceramic particles 33 is 4 mm to 7 mm. As an example, the particle size of the first particle size ceramic particles 31 is 3 mm, and the particle size of the second particle size ceramic particles 33 is 6 mm. When the particle size of the first particle size ceramic particles 31 is 4 mm, the particle size of the second particle size ceramic particles 33 is in the range of more than 4 mm to 7 mm.

[0047] Second embodiment

[0048] Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the active water generating device according to the present invention, (a) is a front view showing the appearance of the active water generating device, and (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in (a). In Fig. 3, the same members as those shown in Fig. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0049] 3, the space 10 of the activated water generating apparatus 100 is partitioned into three vertical stages, a first treatment space 11, a second treatment space 12, and a third treatment space 13, and for example, a third treatment space 13 is newly added above the second treatment space 12 of the first embodiment. The third treatment space 13 is partitioned by a third partition plate 23 and a fourth partition plate 24 at the top stage, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The third treatment space 13 also has a third flow region 13A in which third particle size ceramic particles 35 can flow.

[0050] The third processing space 13 contains a third particle group 36 composed of a large number of third diameter ceramic particles 35. The third diameter ceramic particles 35 of the third particle group 36 have a larger diameter than the second diameter ceramic particles 33 of the second particle group 34. Therefore, the first diameter ceramic particles 31 have the smallest diameter, the third diameter ceramic particles 35 have the largest diameter, and the second diameter ceramic particles 33 have a medium diameter in between. In this embodiment, the diameter range of the third diameter ceramic particles 35 is 7 mm to 10 mm, and is 8 mm as an example. If the diameter of the second diameter ceramic particles 33 is 7 mm, the diameter range of the third diameter ceramic particles 35 is more than 7 mm to 10 mm.

[0051] The uppermost fourth partition plate 24 that divides the third treatment space 13 has a large number of fourth water passage holes 24a formed therein, which are sized to allow water to pass through but not allow the third diameter ceramic particles 35 to pass through. The third water passage holes 23a formed in the third partition plate 23 that divides the third treatment space 13 do not allow the second diameter ceramic particles 33 to pass through, and therefore the third diameter ceramic particles 35 cannot pass through. The third diameter ceramic particles 35 are made of the same material as the first diameter ceramic particles 31 and the second diameter ceramic particles 33.

[0052] In the first embodiment, the processing flow rate of the second particle size ceramic particles 33 is referred to as the large processing flow rate, but in the second embodiment, it is referred to as the medium processing flow rate. And, the processing flow rate of the third particle size ceramic particles 35 is referred to as the large processing flow rate. If a certain flow rate is exceeded between the medium processing flow rate and the large processing flow rate, the second particle size ceramic particles 33 stick to the lower surface of the third partition plate 23, and a stuck state occurs in which they cannot flow. In addition, a third flow region 13A that enables flow at the large processing flow rate is set in the third processing space 13.

[0053] The activated water generating process of the activated water generating device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0054] 4(a), when the flow rate of the water to be treated is low, the first particle size ceramic particles 31 in the lower first treatment space 11 first flow to generate active water, and the generated active water flows through the upper second treatment space 12 to the third treatment space 13 and is discharged from the drainage section 6B to the outside of the device. At that time, the second particle size ceramic particles 33 and the third particle size ceramic particles 35, which are not flowing, are activated by contact with the active water, and the adhesion of dirt and the like is prevented by the self-cleaning action described above.

[0055] 4(b), at the medium treatment flow rate, the first particle size ceramic particles 31 stick to the lower surface of the second partition plate 22 and do not flow, but the second particle size ceramic particles 33 in the second treatment space 12 flow and generate active water. The active water generation process up to this point is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0056] The activated water generating apparatus 1 of the first embodiment has a structure in which the ceramic particles contained in the container 5 are arranged in two layers according to particle size, whereas the activated water generating apparatus 100 of the second embodiment has a three-layer structure that further includes a third treatment space 13 that contains third particle size ceramic particles 35. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4(c), at a high treatment flow rate, the second particle size ceramic particles 33 in the second treatment space 12 stick to the lower surface of the third partition plate 23, but the third particle size ceramic particles 35 flow in the third treatment space 13. Therefore, the treatment flow rate range is expanded beyond the medium treatment flow rate to the high treatment flow rate.

[0057] In other words, by arranging treatment spaces containing ceramic particles by particle size in multiple layers within container 5 and gradually increasing the particle size of the ceramic particles contained in each treatment space from the bottom to the top through which the water to be treated passes, the treatment flow rate range can be expanded to a treatment flow rate at which ceramic particles of the largest particle size flow properly.

[0058] In other words, by gradually increasing the weight of the ceramic particles contained in each treatment space from the bottom to the top through which the water to be treated flows, the treatment flow rate range can be expanded to a treatment flow rate at which the maximum weight of ceramic particles flows properly.

[0059] In other words, the flow rate range of the treated water can be expanded by gradually increasing the flow rate of the water to be treated, at which the numerous ceramic particles contained in the upper and lower treatment spaces flow properly, from the lower side through which the water passes to the upper side.

[0060] Next, the effects of the activated water generating apparatuses of the first and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.

[0061] In FIG. 5, the activated water generating apparatus 1 of the first embodiment shown on the left and the activated water generating apparatus 100 of the second embodiment shown on the right have the same inner diameter and height of the container 5.

[0062] As shown by the horizontal line L, the height of the first particle group 32 contained in the first treatment space 11 is higher in the activated water generator 1 of the first embodiment than in the activated water generator 100 of the second embodiment. That is, the number of first particle diameter ceramic particles contained in the activated water generator 1 of the first embodiment is greater by the increased height. Therefore, the activated water generator 1 of the first embodiment enhances the activation of activated water at a small flow rate compared to the activated water generator 100 of the second embodiment.

[0063] 5(b), in the activated water generating apparatus 100 of the second embodiment, the height of the first treatment space 11 is approximately half that of the space 10, and the heights of the second treatment space 12 and the third treatment space 13 are approximately the same, but this is not limited to this. When it is desired to increase the activation of activated water generated at a medium treatment flow rate rather than a small treatment flow rate, the height of the second treatment space 12 is increased to increase the volume, and the heights of the first treatment space 11 or the third treatment space 13 are decreased, or the heights of the first treatment space 11 and the third treatment space 13 are decreased. In this way, the activation of activated water generated at a desired treatment flow rate can be increased as desired.

[0064] In a configuration in which multiple ceramic particles of the same material but different particle sizes are accommodated in one treatment space, the ceramic particles may not necessarily flow properly because the flow area is shared. In addition, it is difficult to arbitrarily increase the activation of activated water at each treatment flow rate.

[0065] In contrast, the activated water generating apparatus 1,100 shown in the first and second embodiments accommodates ceramic particles (31, 33, 35) by particle size in a plurality of treatment spaces (11, 12, 13) provided in the container 5. For this reason, a different treatment flow rate is set for each treatment space (11, 12, 13), and the set flow rate is set successively higher from the lower upstream side through which the water to be treated passes to the upper downstream side. For this reason, each ceramic particle can be made to flow appropriately at each treatment flow rate without being affected by ceramic particles of other particle sizes. In addition, the activation of the activated water at a desired treatment flow rate can be easily increased.

[0066] Furthermore, since the treatment flow rate of the multiple treatment spaces (11, 12, 13) increases from the upstream side where the water to be treated flows toward the downstream side, the surfaces of the accumulated ceramic particles are activated by the activated water flowing from the upstream side due to the treatment flow rate when the water flows, and the adhesion of dirt to the surfaces is prevented by the self-cleaning action. Therefore, even if the use of a large treatment flow rate is small for a long period of time, for example, all of the ceramic particles can be prevented from being dirty, and the effect of generating activated water by the ceramic particles can be maintained for a long period of time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1, 100: Activated water generator 2: Container body 3: Top opening 4: Lid 5: Container 6A: Inlet 6B: Drainage 7: Inner flange 8: O-ring 9: Screw 10: Space 11: First processing space 11A: First flow region 12: Second processing space 12A: second flow region; 13: third processing space; 13A: third flow region 21: First partition plate; 21a: First water passage hole; 22: Second partition plate 22a: Second water passage hole 23: Third partition plate 23a: Third water passage hole 24: Fourth partition plate; 24a: Fourth water passage hole; 31: First particle size ceramic particles 32: First particle group 33: Second particle size ceramic particles 34: Second particle group 35: Third particle size ceramic particles 36: Third particle group

Claims

1. An activated water generating apparatus for generating activated water by causing ceramic particles to flow in water to be treated, a container in which an internal space is partitioned into a plurality of treatment spaces by a plurality of partition plates arranged at intervals along a vertical direction and each partition plate has a plurality of water passage holes formed therein, and the water to be treated is guided from a water guide section provided in a lower part of the container through the plurality of treatment spaces and is drained from a drain section provided in an upper part of the container; a particle group including a plurality of ceramic particles flowably accommodated in each of the plurality of processing spaces; having The ceramic particles in each particle group are made of the same material and are divided into groups according to their particle size. The particle size of the ceramic particles is gradually increased from the upstream side to the downstream side in the water flow direction, so that the weight of the ceramic particles is gradually increased. The water passage holes formed in the plurality of partition plates are sized to allow water to pass through while preventing the ceramic particles contained in the treatment space from passing through.

2. The activated water generating apparatus according to claim 1, The activated water generating apparatus is characterized in that the treatment space is partitioned into two or three upper and lower stages.

3. The activated water generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The activated water generating apparatus is characterized in that a fluidization area is provided within the treatment space to allow a large number of ceramic particles contained therein to flow appropriately.

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