Electrolyzed water generating device and water treatment device

Abstract

To provide an electrolyzed water generating device and the like that can inhibit hydrogen gas from forming bubbles and perform proper reverse osmosis treatment.SOLUTION: An electrolyzed water generating device 1 comprises a plurality of electrolysis units 2 connected in parallel to electrolyze supplied water, a plurality of measurement sections 3 provided for the respective electrolysis units 2 to detect physical quantities related to bubbles included in the electrolyzed water generated by the respective electrolysis units 2, and a control section 9 to control an electrolytic current of each electrolysis unit 2. The control unit 9 individually controls the electrolysis current of each electrolysis unit 2 based on the physical quantities detected by the corresponding measurement section 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolytic water generating device and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electrolytic water generating devices that generate electrolytic water in which hydrogen is dissolved by electrolysis are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Electrolytic water in which hydrogen is dissolved is used, for example, in dialysis treatment. In dialysis treatment, the electrolytic water has attracted attention as it contributes to reducing oxidative stress in patients. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6315619 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electrolyzed water generating device, hydrogen gas is generated in the cathode chamber of the electrolytic cell and dissolved in the electrolyzed water in the cathode chamber. The electrolyzed water is subjected to reverse osmosis treatment using a reverse osmosis membrane and then used to dilute the dialysis stock solution.

[0005] However, if hydrogen gas that has not dissolved in the electrolytic water is contained, the hydrogen gas bubbles will adhere to the surface of the reverse osmosis membrane, preventing sufficient reverse osmosis treatment.

[0006] The present invention has been devised in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its main object is to provide an electrolytic water generating device and the like that can suppress the formation of hydrogen gas bubbles and perform appropriate reverse osmosis treatment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is an electrolytic water generating device, a plurality of electrolysis units connected in parallel for electrolyzing a supply of water; A plurality of measuring units provided for each electrolysis unit for detecting a physical quantity related to bubbles contained in the electrolyzed water generated by the corresponding electrolysis unit; a control unit that controls an electrolysis current of each of the electrolysis units, The control unit individually controls the electrolysis current of the corresponding electrolysis unit based on the physical quantity detected by each measurement unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the electrolytic water generating device of the present invention, the measurement unit detects the physical quantity related to the bubbles contained in the electrolytic water for each of the electrolytic units, and the control unit individually controls the electrolytic current of the electrolytic units based on the physical quantity. For example, the control unit controls the electrolytic current of the electrolytic unit that is determined to have bubbles to be reduced. This suppresses the generation of bubbles in the electrolytic units. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electrolytic water generating device of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow path configuration of the electrolytic water generating device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the electrolysis unit in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electrolytic cell in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air bubble sensor. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the air bubble sensor when detecting an air bubble. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of multiple electrolysis units in an electrolyzed water generating device. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a modified example of the electrolyzed water generating device of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another modified example of the electrolyzed water generating device of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing yet another modified example of the electrolyzed water generating device of FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water treatment device including an electrolytic water generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows the electrical configuration of the electrolytic water generator 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 2 shows the flow path configuration of the electrolytic water generator 1.

[0011] The electrolyzed water generator 1 comprises a plurality of electrolysis units 2 connected in parallel, a plurality of measurement units 3 provided for each electrolysis unit, and a control unit 9 that controls the electrolysis current of each electrolysis unit 2.

[0012] The electrolysis unit 2 electrolyzes the supplied water. The water electrolyzed by the electrolysis unit 2, i.e., electrolyzed water, is applied to treatment such as hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

[0013] The electrolysis units 2 are connected in parallel. This allows a large amount of electrolyzed water to be produced within a unit time. Each electrolysis unit 2 is connected to a water supply passage 51 for supplying raw water before electrolysis and a water outlet passage 56 for taking out electrolyzed water.

[0014] A pretreatment device (not shown) for pretreating the raw water is connected to the upstream side of the water supply passage 51. The pretreatment device is composed of, for example, a water softening device and an activated carbon treatment device. The water softening device softens the raw water by removing hardness components such as calcium ions and magnesium ions from the raw water. The activated carbon treatment device has activated carbon, which is a fine porous material, and adsorbs and removes chlorine and the like from the water supplied from the water softening device. A tank for storing the raw water may be provided upstream of the water softening device. The pretreatment device and the electrolytic water generator 1 may be integrated into a single device.

[0015] The water supply channel 51 branches into a water supply channel 52 on the downstream side, and is then connected to each electrolysis unit 2. Water outlet channels 55 extending downstream from each electrolysis unit 2 are bundled into a water outlet channel 56. The water outlet channel 56 is connected downstream to, for example, a reverse osmosis membrane unit 10 (see FIG. 11 ), which will be described later. The reverse osmosis membrane unit 10 purifies the electrolyzed water to produce dialysis solution preparation water.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the electrolysis unit 2. The electrolysis unit 2 includes a single or multiple electrolytic cells 4. In the electrolysis unit 2 shown in the figure, the electrolytic cells 4 are connected in parallel. This makes it possible to produce a large amount of electrolyzed water within a unit time. The electrolytic cells 4 may also be connected in series. This makes it possible to increase the dissolved hydrogen concentration.

[0017] The electrolysis unit 2 is provided with a water supply channel 21 for supplying raw water before electrolysis to each electrolytic cell 4, and a water outlet channel 22 for taking out electrolytic water generated by each electrolytic cell 4. One end of the water supply channel 21 is connected to a water supply channel 52, and the other end is branched and connected to each electrolytic cell 4. The raw water supplied from the water supply channel 51 flows into each electrolytic cell 4 via the water supply channel 52 and the water supply channel 21. One end of the water outlet channel 22 is connected to each electrolytic cell 4, and the other end is bundled and connected to a water outlet channel 55. The electrolytic water generated in each electrolytic cell 4 is taken out from a water outlet channel 56 via the water outlet channel 22 and the water outlet channel 55.

[0018] 4 shows the configuration of the electrolytic cell 4. The electrolytic cell 4 includes an electrolytic chamber 40, and has a first power feeder 41 and a second power feeder 42 in the electrolytic chamber 40. The first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 are provided in the electrolytic chamber 40.

[0019] A diaphragm 43 is provided between the first current feeder 41 and the second current feeder 42. The electrolysis chamber 40 is divided by the diaphragm 43 into a first electrode chamber 40a in which the first current feeder 41 is disposed, and a second electrode chamber 40b in which the second current feeder 42 is disposed.

[0020] The polarities of the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 and the voltages applied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 are controlled by the control unit 9.

[0021] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the first power feeder 41 will be described as an anode and the second power feeder 42 as a cathode, but it is also possible to operate the first power feeder 41 as a cathode and the second power feeder 42 as an anode.

[0022] A current detector (not shown) is provided in the current supply line between the power feeders 41, 42 and the control unit 9. The current detector detects the electrolytic current supplied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the value of the current to the control unit 9.

[0023] The control unit 9 controls the DC voltage applied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42, for example, based on an electrical signal output from a current detector. More specifically, the control unit 9 feedback controls the DC voltage applied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 so that the electrolysis current detected by the current detector becomes a preset desired value. For example, if the electrolysis current is excessively large, the control unit 9 reduces the voltage, and if the electrolysis current is excessively small, the control unit 9 increases the voltage. This allows the electrolysis current supplied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 to be appropriately controlled.

[0024] Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas are generated by electrolyzing water in the electrolysis chamber 40. For example, hydrogen gas is generated in the second electrode chamber 40b on the cathode side, and dissolved hydrogen water containing the hydrogen molecules is generated. The dissolved hydrogen water generated by such electrolysis is also called "electrolyzed hydrogen water," and dialysis treatment using electrolyzed hydrogen water is also called "electrolyzed water dialysis." Meanwhile, oxygen gas is generated in the first electrode chamber 40a on the anode side.

[0025] For example, a solid polymer membrane made of a fluororesin having sulfonic acid groups is appropriately used for the diaphragm 43. The solid polymer membrane transfers oxonium ions generated in the first electrode chamber 40a on the anode side by electrolysis to the second electrode chamber 40b on the cathode side, where they are used as a raw material for generating hydrogen gas. Therefore, no hydroxide ions are generated during electrolysis, and the pH of the dissolved hydrogen water does not change.

[0026] The amount of hydrogen gas generated in the second electrode chamber 40b depends on the electrolysis current. When the electrolysis current is increased, a large amount of hydrogen gas is generated, and the dissolved hydrogen concentration of the electrolyzed water generated in the second electrode chamber 40b is increased. On the other hand, when the electrolysis current is excessively large, hydrogen gas that has not completely dissolved in the electrolyzed water is mixed into the electrolyzed water as gas bubbles.

[0027] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, electrolyzed water refers to electrolyzed water generated in the second electrode chamber 40b, but can also be applied to electrolyzed water generated in the first electrode chamber 40a.

[0028] The measurement unit 3 is provided in the water outlet 22 of each electrolysis unit 2. The measurement unit 3 detects a physical quantity related to bubbles contained in the electrolyzed water generated by the corresponding electrolysis unit 2, i.e., the electrolyzed water flowing through the water outlet 22 connected to the corresponding electrolysis unit 2. "Bubbles contained in electrolyzed water" refers to hydrogen gas that has not completely dissolved in the electrolyzed water, and does not include hydrogen gas that has dissolved in the electrolyzed water. The "physical quantity related to bubbles" is a physical quantity for specifying the "amount of bubbles." The measurement unit 3 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the detected physical quantity to the control unit 9.

[0029] An example of the measurement unit 3 is an air bubble sensor 31 that detects the amount of air bubbles contained in the electrolytic water. The air bubble sensor 31 is provided in a pipe 55a that constitutes the water outlet 55. More specifically, the air bubble sensor 31 is provided in the pipe 55a that is connected to the second electrode chamber 40b via the water outlet 22.

[0030] 5 and 6 show the configuration of the air bubble sensor 31. The air bubble sensor 31 of this embodiment has an irradiating section 31a that irradiates light, and a light receiving section 31b that receives the light irradiated from the irradiating section 31a.

[0031] The irradiation unit 31a is composed of, for example, a light-emitting diode. The irradiation unit 31a is controlled by the control unit 9 and irradiates infrared light L toward the light receiving unit 31b. The light receiving unit 31b is composed of, for example, a light receiving element such as a photodetector. The light receiving unit 31b photoelectrically converts the infrared light L that has passed through the water outlet 22 and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the value to the control unit. The air bubble sensor 31 is disposed so that the water outlet 55 is located in the optical path between the irradiation unit 31a and the light receiving unit 31b.

[0032] Fig. 5 shows a case where the water outlet 22 is filled with electrolytic water. As shown in Fig. 5, when the water outlet 22 is filled with electrolytic water, the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 31a travels straight through the water outlet 22, and as a result, it is not incident on the light receiving unit 31b and is not detected. In this case, a signal (low signal) indicating that no air bubbles have been detected is output from the light receiving unit 31b to the control unit 9.

[0033] 6, when air bubbles are contained in the electrolytic water in the water outlet 55, the light emitted from the irradiation unit 31a is refracted in the water outlet 55, and a part of the light is incident on the light receiving unit 31b and detected. In this case, a signal (high signal) indicating that air bubbles have been detected is output from the light receiving unit 31b to the control unit 9.

[0034] The air bubble sensor 31 is electrically connected to the control unit 9 of the electrolytic water generating device 1 by a cable or the like that transmits an electric signal. The control unit 9 controls the operation of the electrolytic water generating device 1 based on the electric signal output from the light receiving unit 31b. For example, the control unit 9 counts the frequency of high signals per unit time contained in the electric signal input from the air bubble sensor 31 to obtain the amount of air bubbles contained in the electrolytic water.

[0035] The control unit 9 controls each part of the electrolyzed water generating device 1. The control unit 9 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes various arithmetic processing, information processing, etc., a program that controls the operation of the CPU, and a memory that stores various information. Various functions of the control unit 9 are realized by the CPU, the memory, and the program.

[0036] The voltage applied between the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 is controlled by the control unit 9. The control unit 9 feedback controls the electrolysis voltage applied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 so that the electrolysis current supplied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 becomes a preset desired value. For example, if the electrolysis current is excessively large, the control unit 9 reduces the voltage, and if the electrolysis current is too small, the control unit 9 increases the voltage. This allows the electrolysis current to be appropriately controlled.

[0037] The controller 9 determines a physical quantity related to the bubbles based on the electrical signal input from the measurement unit 3. Then, the controller 9 individually controls the electrolysis current of the corresponding electrolysis unit 2 based on the physical quantity detected by each measurement unit 3. For example, the controller 9 controls the electrolysis current of the electrolysis unit 2 determined to have generated bubbles to be reduced. In other words, the controller 9 reduces the electrolysis voltage applied to the first power supply body 41 and the second power supply body 42. This suppresses the generation of bubbles in the electrolysis unit 2.

[0038] When controlling the electrolysis current of the electrolysis unit 2 identified as generating gas bubbles to be reduced, the controller 9 may coordinately control the multiple electrolysis units 2 to temporarily or permanently increase the electrolysis current of the other electrolysis units 2. This stabilizes the quality (e.g., dissolved hydrogen concentration) of the generated electrolyzed water.

[0039] In an embodiment in which an air bubble sensor 31 is used as the measurement unit 3, the control unit 9 individually controls the electrolysis current of the corresponding electrolysis unit 2 based on the amount of bubbles detected by the air bubble sensor 31. This makes it possible to more accurately suppress the formation of hydrogen gas bubbles.

[0040] In a configuration in which each electrolysis unit 2 is composed of a single electrolytic cell 4, the control unit 9 essentially controls the electrolysis current of each electrolytic cell 4 individually. Even in a configuration in which each electrolysis unit 2 is composed of multiple electrolytic cells 4, the control unit 9 may be configured to control the electrolysis current of each electrolytic cell 4 individually. In this case, it is preferable that a measurement unit 3 is provided for each electrolytic cell 4. In a configuration in which an air bubble sensor 31 is used as the measurement unit 3, it is preferable that the air bubble sensor 31 is provided in a pipe that constitutes the water outlet channel 22 connected to the second electrode chamber 40b of each electrolytic cell 4.

[0041] Figure 7 shows the arrangement of multiple electrolysis units 2 in the electrolyzed water generator 1. In the electrolyzed water generator 1, at least one (two in the figure) electrolysis unit 2a among the multiple electrolysis units 2 is arranged at a different height H (minimum ground clearance) from the installation surface G of the device relative to the other electrolysis units 2b.

[0042] For example, in this embodiment, the two electrolysis units 2a are arranged at a higher position than the other three electrolysis units 2b. Such an arrangement of the electrolysis units 2a and 2b contributes to a reduction in the installation area of ​​the electrolyzed water generator 1.

[0043] The amount of water supplied to each electrolysis unit 2 depends on the water pressure in the water supply passage connected to the electrolysis unit 2. The water pressure in each water supply passage depends on the height H from the installation surface G. Therefore, in an electrolyzed water generator 1 including electrolysis units 2 with different heights H from the installation surface G, the water pressure to the electrolysis unit 2a disposed at a higher position tends to be insufficient, resulting in a shortage of the amount of water supplied.

[0044] On the other hand, the amount of bubbles contained in the electrolyzed water generated in the second electrode chamber 40b depends on the amount of water supplied. Therefore, in the electrolyzed water generator 1, the amount of bubbles contained in the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolysis unit 2a disposed at a higher position tends to be greater.

[0045] In the electrolyzed water generator 1, the controller 9 controls the electrolysis current of the electrolysis unit 2a and the electrolysis current of the electrolysis unit 2b separately. That is, the controller 9 controls the electrolysis current for each of the electrolysis units 2 at the same height from the installation surface. For example, the controller 9 controls the electrolysis voltage applied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 of the electrolysis unit 2a to be low so that the electrolysis current of the electrolysis unit 2a arranged at a higher position is low. This suppresses the generation of bubbles in the second electrode chamber 40b of the electrolysis unit 2a.

[0046] In the electrolysis unit 2 shown in Fig. 3, the multiple electrolytic cells 4 constituting one electrolysis unit 2 all have the same height from the installation surface G. When electrolytic cells 4 at different heights from the installation surface G are included, the controller 9 may be configured to control the electrolysis current for each of the electrolytic cells 4 at the same height. Furthermore, when multiple electrolysis units 2 having different heights H from the installation surface G include electrolytic cells 4 at the same height, the controller 9 may be configured to control the electrolysis current for each of the electrolytic cells 4 at the same height.

[0047] Fig. 8 shows a schematic configuration of an electrolytic water generator 1A which is a modified example of the electrolytic water generator 1 in Fig. 2. For the parts of the electrolytic water generator 1A that are not described below, the configuration of the electrolytic water generator 1 described above can be adopted.

[0048] In the electrolyzed water generator 1A, the measurement unit 3 includes a flow rate sensor 32. The flow rate sensor 32 is provided in a water supply channel 52 connected to each electrolysis unit 2. The flow rate sensor 32 detects the amount of water supplied to each electrolysis unit 2 per unit time and outputs a corresponding electric signal to the control unit 9. Unless there is a water leak or the like, the amount of water supplied to each electrolysis unit 2A is equal to the amount of water taken out from each electrolysis unit 2. Therefore, the flow rate sensor 32 may be provided in a water outlet channel 55 connected to each electrolysis unit 2.

[0049] As already mentioned, the amount of bubbles contained in the electrolytic water generated in the second electrode chamber 40b depends on the amount of water supplied. For example, when the amount of water supplied to the second electrode chamber 40b increases, the amount of bubbles contained in the electrolytic water decreases. On the other hand, the amount of bubbles also depends on the electrolytic current supplied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42. The control unit 9 can determine the amount of bubbles contained in the electrolytic water based on the amount of water and the electrolytic current detected by the flow sensor 32. In this case, the amount of water detected by the flow sensor 32 is a physical quantity for determining the "amount of bubbles", that is, a "physical quantity related to bubbles".

[0050] In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1A, each electrolysis unit 2 may be provided with an air bubble sensor 31 or a flow rate sensor 32 as the measurement section 3, selectively.

[0051] Fig. 9 shows a schematic configuration of an electrolytic water generator 1B, which is a modified example of the electrolytic water generator 1A in Fig. 2. For the parts of the electrolytic water generator 1B that are not described below, the configuration of the electrolytic water generator 1 or 1A described above can be adopted.

[0052] In the electrolyzed water generator 1B, a flow rate regulating valve 33 is provided in a water supply passage 52 connected to each electrolysis unit 2. The flow rate regulating valve 33 is controlled by the controller 9 to adjust the amount of water supplied to each electrolysis unit 2 per unit time. For example, when a large amount of air bubbles is contained in the electrolyzed water, the flow rate regulating valve 33 provided in the water supply passage 21 connected to each corresponding electrolysis unit 2 increases the amount of water supplied to the electrolysis unit 2. This allows a large amount of electrolyzed water to be generated without suppressing the electrolysis current, and the amount of air bubbles contained in the electrolyzed water to be reduced.

[0053] There is a concern that the supply of electrolyzed water from the electrolyzed water generator 1B as a whole may be insufficient when the amount of water supplied to any one of the electrolysis units 2 is limited by the flow rate regulating valve 33. However, considering that it is rare for air bubbles to be generated simultaneously in many electrolysis units 2, it is possible to sufficiently compensate for the shortage of electrolyzed water by supplying electrolyzed water from the other electrolysis units 2.

[0054] Due to the layout of the electrolysis units 2 in the electrolyzed water generating device 1 (see FIG. 6 ), the lengths of the water outlet conduits 55, etc. may differ for each electrolysis unit 2. The amount of electrolyzed water flowing through the water outlet conduits 55, etc. also depends on the length of the water outlet conduits 55, etc. Therefore, it is preferable that the control unit 9 is configured to control the electrolysis current according to the length of the water outlet conduits 55, etc. For example, the control unit 9 suppresses the electrolysis current for an electrolysis unit 2 to which a longer water outlet conduit 55, etc. is connected. This suppresses the generation of bubbles in the electrolysis unit 2.

[0055] Fig. 10 shows a schematic configuration of an electrolytic water generator 1C, which is yet another modified example of the electrolytic water generator 1 in Fig. 2. For parts of the electrolytic water generator 1C that are not described below, the configurations of the electrolytic water generators 1 to 1B described above can be adopted.

[0056] A branch passage 57 for discharging a part of the electrolytic water flowing through the water outlet passage 55 may be connected to each water outlet passage 55. This prevents the electrolytic water containing air bubbles from flowing downstream of the water outlet passage 56.

[0057] It is preferable that a flow path switching valve 34 is provided at the connection portion of the branch path 57. The flow path switching valve 34 is controlled by the control unit 9. The control unit 9 controls the opening and closing of the flow path switching valve 34 provided in the corresponding water outlet path 55 based on a physical quantity related to the bubbles detected by each measurement unit 3. For example, when the generation of bubbles is detected in any of the electrolysis units 2, the control unit 9 opens the flow path switching valve 34 of the water outlet path 55 connected to that electrolysis unit 2, and bypasses the electrolytic water containing the bubbles to the branch path 57. This prevents the bubbles generated before the electrolysis current is controlled from flowing downstream of the water outlet path 56.

[0058] The branch paths 57 are bundled as a branch path 58 and are led to a drain path (not shown) for discharging unnecessary water to the outside of the electrolytic water generating device 1C. The branch path 58 may be connected to a drain path for discharging the electrolytic water generated in the first electrode chamber 40a to the outside of the electrolytic water generating device 1C. Each branch path 57 may be provided with a check valve (not shown) for preventing backflow from other branch paths 57.

[0059] There is a concern that the supply of electrolyzed water from the electrolyzed water generator 1C as a whole may be insufficient when any of the flow path switching valves 34 is opened. However, considering that it is rare for air bubbles to be generated simultaneously in many electrolysis units 2, it is possible to sufficiently compensate for the shortage of electrolyzed water by supplying electrolyzed water from the other electrolysis units 2.

[0060] 11 shows a schematic configuration of a water treatment device 100 including an electrolyzed water generator 1. The water treatment device 100 of this embodiment is an apparatus for producing preparation water used in preparing dialysis fluid for hemodialysis.

[0061] The water treatment device 100 includes an electrolyzed water generator 1 and a reverse osmosis membrane unit 10. The reverse osmosis membrane unit 10 has a reverse osmosis membrane (not shown) and is disposed downstream of the electrolyzed water generator 1. A pump (not shown) for pumping the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generator 1 to the reverse osmosis membrane unit 10 is provided between the electrolyzed water generator 1 and the reverse osmosis membrane unit 10 as necessary.

[0062] The electrolyzed water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane unit 10 is purified as it passes through the reverse osmosis membrane. In this way, the electrolyzed reverse osmosis water from which impurities have been removed is generated by the reverse osmosis process, and is used as water for preparing dialysis fluid, for example, for diluting the dialysis base agent. The electrolyzed reverse osmosis water contains dissolved hydrogen gas, and is attracting attention as being suitable for removing active oxygen generated during hemodialysis treatment and reducing oxidative stress in patients. The electrolyzed reverse osmosis water purified by the reverse osmosis membrane meets, for example, the ISO 13959 standard, which is the purification standard for water for preparing dialysis fluid.

[0063] According to the water treatment device 100 of this embodiment, the generation of air bubbles in the electrolysis unit 2 is suppressed, so that the wettability of the reverse osmosis membrane is well maintained. Therefore, electrolyzed reverse osmosis water can be efficiently produced. In addition, air entrapment in the pump provided between the electrolyzed water production device 1 and the reverse osmosis membrane unit 10 is suppressed.

[0064] In the water treatment device 100, the electrolytic water generator 1 may be replaced with the electrolytic water generator 1A to the electrolytic water generator 1C.

[0065] Although the electrolytic water generating device 1 of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiment and can be modified and implemented in various aspects. That is, the electrolytic water generating device 1 at least includes a plurality of electrolysis units 2 connected in parallel to electrolyze supplied water, a plurality of measuring units 3 provided for each electrolysis unit 2 to detect physical quantities related to bubbles contained in the electrolytic water generated by the corresponding electrolysis unit 2, and a control unit 9 for controlling the electrolysis current of each electrolysis unit 2, and the control unit 9 may be configured to individually control the electrolysis current of the corresponding electrolysis unit 2 based on the physical quantities detected by each measuring unit 3.

[0066] [Note] The present invention includes the following aspects.

[0067] [Invention 1] An electrolytic water generating device, a plurality of electrolysis units connected in parallel for electrolyzing a supply of water; a control unit that controls the electrolysis current of each electrolysis unit; A plurality of measuring units are provided for each of the electrolysis units, for detecting physical quantities related to bubbles contained in the electrolyzed water generated by the corresponding electrolysis units; The control unit individually controls the electrolysis current of the corresponding electrolysis unit based on the physical quantity detected by each measurement unit. Electrolyzed water generator. [Invention 2] The electrolyzed water generating device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein at least one of the electrolysis units is disposed at a different height from the installation surface of the device relative to the other electrolysis units. [Invention 3] The control unit is an electrolytic water generating device according to the present invention 2, which controls the electrolytic current for each of the electrolytic units at the same height from the installation surface. [Invention 4] 4. The electrolytic water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the electrolytic units includes a single electrolytic cell or a plurality of electrolytic cells. [Invention 5] The electrolytic water generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the measuring unit includes an air bubble sensor that detects the amount of air bubbles contained in the electrolytic water. [Invention 6] 6. The electrolyzed water generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the measurement unit includes a flow rate sensor that detects the amount of water supplied to each of the electrolysis units within a unit time. [Invention 7] 7. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a plurality of flow rate regulating valves for adjusting the amount of water supplied to each of the electrolysis units within a unit time. [Invention 8] The electrolyzed water generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the electrolysis units is connected to a water outlet for taking out the electrolyzed water from each of the electrolysis units. [The present invention 9] The electrolytic water generating device according to invention 8, wherein the control unit controls the electrolytic current in accordance with the length of the water outlet channel. [The present invention 10] An electrolytic water generating device as described in invention 8 or 9, wherein a branch passage is connected to each outlet passage for discharging a portion of the electrolytic water flowing through the outlet passage. [The present invention 11] 11. The electrolytic water generating device according to claim 10, wherein a flow path switching valve is provided at the connection portion of the branch path. [The present invention 12] An electrolytic water generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a reverse osmosis membrane unit that performs reverse osmosis treatment on the water supplied to each of the electrolysis units or the electrolyzed water generated by each of the electrolysis units. Water treatment equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1: Electrolyzed water generator 1A: Electrolyzed water generator 1B: Electrolyzed water generator 1C: Electrolyzed water generator 2: Electrolysis unit 2A: Electrolysis unit 2a: Electrolysis unit 2b: Electrolysis unit 3: Measuring part 4: Electrolytic cell 9: Control section 10: Reverse osmosis membrane unit 21: Water supply channel 22: Outlet waterway 23: Fork in the road 31: Air bubble sensor 32: Flow sensor 33: Flow control valve 34: Flow path switching valve 55: Outlet waterway 56: Outlet waterway 57: Fork in the road 58: Fork in the road 100: Water treatment equipment G: Installation surface H: Height

Claims

1. An electrolytic water generating device, a plurality of electrolysis units connected in parallel for electrolyzing a supply of water; A plurality of measuring units provided for each electrolysis unit for detecting a physical quantity related to bubbles contained in the electrolyzed water generated by the corresponding electrolysis unit; a control unit that controls an electrolysis current of each of the electrolysis units, the control unit controls the electrolysis units to reduce an electrolysis current of an electrolysis unit determined to have generated bubbles based on the physical quantities detected by each measurement unit, and coordinates the electrolysis units to temporarily or permanently increase an electrolysis current of another electrolysis unit. Electrolyzed water generator.

2. The electrolytic water generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the electrolytic units is disposed at a different height from the installation surface of the apparatus relative to the other electrolytic units.

3. An electrolytic water generating apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein each electrolytic unit includes a single or multiple electrolytic cells.

4. The electrolytic water generating device as described in Claim 1, wherein the measuring unit includes a bubble sensor that detects the amount of bubbles contained in the electrolytic water.

5. An electrolytic water generating device as described in claim 1, wherein the measuring unit includes a flow sensor that detects the amount of water supplied to each electrolytic unit within a unit time.

6. An electrolytic water generating apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of flow control valves for adjusting the amount of water supplied to each electrolytic unit within a unit time.

7. An electrolytic water generating device as described in claim 1, wherein each electrolytic unit is connected to a water outlet for extracting the electrolytic water from each electrolytic unit.

8. An electrolytic water generating device as described in Claim 7, wherein each outlet channel is connected to a branch channel for discharging a portion of the electrolytic water flowing through the outlet channel.

9. An electrolytic water generating device as described in Claim 8, wherein a flow path switching valve is provided at the connection portion of the branch path.

10. An electrolytic water generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a reverse osmosis membrane unit that performs reverse osmosis treatment on the water supplied to each of the electrolysis units or the electrolyzed water generated by each of the electrolysis units. Water treatment equipment.

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