Hypochlorous acid water production equipment

Abstract

To provide a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution manufacturing apparatus.SOLUTION: A manufacturing apparatus of a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution having hypochlorous acid as a main component comprises: a water pipe to guide supplied city water; a carbon dioxide gas supply part to supply carbon dioxide gas into the city water guided by the water pipe; and a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution supply part to supply a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution into the city water supplied with the carbon dioxide gas. A constant flow rate valve is disposed at the upstream side of the carbon dioxide gas supply part at the water pipe. The sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution supply part is constituted by an ejector where the city water flowing in the water pipe is a drive fluid and the sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution is sucked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hypochlorous acid water production apparatus using sodium hypochlorite, and more particularly to a hypochlorous acid water production apparatus capable of stably producing hypochlorous acid water while using tap water. [Background technology]

[0002] Hypochlorous Acid Water is widely used for cleaning and disinfection purposes in the food processing industry, etc. In particular, in recent years, it has attracted much attention because its effectiveness against the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has been demonstrated, and it has also been shown that mildly acidic hypochlorous water is not harmful to the human body even when sprayed into the air.

[0003] Such hypochlorous acid water is generally produced by electrolysis or two-liquid method. However, the electrolysis method requires an apparatus equipped with an electrolytic cell, which results in high maintenance costs, and the electrodes also deteriorate with use, which results in costs for parts replacement. Another problem with the electrolysis method is that only low-concentration hypochlorous acid can be produced. On the other hand, the two-liquid method is a method in which an acid solution such as hydrochloric acid is mixed with an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution to adjust the pH to the acidic side, but since an acid solution such as hydrochloric acid is used to adjust the pH, there are concerns about safety issues in the production process, such as the generation of chlorine gas.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 (JP 2021-53546 A) proposes a method of adjusting the pH with carbon dioxide gas in order to use hypochlorous acid water as sterilizing water. That is, this document 1 proposes a carbon dioxide-containing hypochlorous acid water manufacturing apparatus that is highly safe, does not easily lose carbon dioxide gas in the carbon dioxide-containing hypochlorous acid water, and can maintain a long-term pH. The apparatus is composed of a water supply means for supplying tap water, a carbon dioxide gas supply means for supplying carbon dioxide gas, a sodium hypochlorite supply means for supplying sodium hypochlorite, and a mixing device, and the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the carbon dioxide gas supply means has a purity of 99.5 vol% or more and a moisture content of 0.012 vol% or less.

[0005] In addition, Patent Document 2 (JP 2022-108782 A) discloses a method for producing a weakly acidic hypochlorous acid aqueous solution that stabilizes the pH of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution in a weakly acidic range, does not generate harmful substances, and can be stored for a long time, as well as reducing carbon dioxide consumption and emission to reduce costs. The method includes a first step of mixing water with carbon dioxide to obtain carbonated water, and a second step of mixing the obtained carbonated water with a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution to obtain a weakly acidic hypochlorous acid aqueous solution, in which the carbonated water and the sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution are supplied to a mixer, and the supplied carbonated water and sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution are mixed using two stirring blades that generate flows in different directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-53546 [Patent Document 2] JP 2022-108782 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The chlorine component of hypochlorous acid water changes depending on pH, and exists as hypochlorous acid in the acidic water region of pH 3.0 or more, and as hypochlorite ion in the alkaline region.In particular, it is known that in the slightly acidic region around pH 5.0, it contains almost or completely no volatile chlorine gas, and only hypochlorous acid, which has a stronger bactericidal power than hypochlorite ion, is present.And carbon dioxide gas used to adjust pH is a tasteless and odorless inert gas that dissolves quickly in water, and does not cause a sudden drop in pH even if it is accidentally overinjected, making it easy to handle and excellent, and can be suitably used in adjusting the pH of hypochlorous acid water.

[0008] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses the production of carbonic acid-containing hypochlorous acid water, but the water supply means for supplying clean water such as tap water is connected to a tap with an opening and closing cock, or is supplied via a water supply pump after storing clean water in a water storage tank, and does not take into consideration the stabilization of the flow rate.As a result, it is difficult to stabilize the concentration of the carbonic acid-containing hypochlorous acid water produced.In addition, since clean water, carbon dioxide gas, and sodium hypochlorite are mixed in a mixing device, there is room for improvement in the uniformity of the carbonic acid-containing hypochlorous acid water produced.

[0009] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a hypochlorous acid water production device that can stabilize the amount of water supplied and stabilize the concentration and pH of the hypochlorous acid water produced.

[0010] In addition, the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 supplies a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution to the produced carbonated water, and a flow control valve and an electromagnetic valve are provided in the water supply line that supplies tap water. However, since another electromagnetic valve is provided in the carbon dioxide gas supply line that supplies carbon dioxide gas, the supply of carbon dioxide gas and the supply of water must be controlled separately. In addition, the mixing of the carbonated water and the sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution is performed by the first stirring blade and the second stirring blade, and a motor is required as a driving source.

[0011] Therefore, in the present invention, another object is to provide a hypochlorous acid water production device that can control the supply of tap water in conjunction with the supply of carbon dioxide gas. Furthermore, the present invention does not require power such as an electric machine and uses tap water. Hypochlorous acid water Another object of the present invention is to provide a hypochlorous acid water producing apparatus capable of producing the above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve at least any of the above problems, the present invention provides a hypochlorous acid water production device that can be connected to a water supply and can supply carbon dioxide gas and / or sodium hypochlorite solution to the water and dissolve it.

[0013] That is, the present invention provides a hypochlorous acid water manufacturing apparatus that is mainly composed of hypochlorous acid and that comprises a water piping that guides supplied tap water, a carbon dioxide gas supply unit that supplies carbon dioxide gas to the tap water guided by the water piping, and a sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit that supplies sodium hypochlorite solution to the tap water to which the carbon dioxide gas has been supplied, wherein a constant flow valve is provided on the water piping upstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit, and the sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit is composed of an ejector that sucks in the sodium hypochlorite solution using tap water flowing through the water piping as a driving fluid.

[0014] In addition, in the hypochlorous acid water manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, a gas-operated valve is provided in the water piping upstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply section, preferably downstream of the constant flow valve, and the gas-operated valve can be configured to open and close by carbon dioxide gas supplied to tap water.

[0015] The hypochlorous acid water production device of the present invention is also preferably provided with a carbon dioxide gas pipe that guides the carbon dioxide gas to a carbon dioxide gas supply unit, and the carbon dioxide gas pipe is preferably provided with a three-way valve. The three-way valve can be configured to release pressure on the constant flow valve and close the constant flow valve when the supply of carbon dioxide gas is stopped. It is also preferable to provide a sodium hypochlorite solution pipe that guides the sodium hypochlorite solution to the sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit. It is also preferable to provide a control valve that can be opened and closed on the sodium hypochlorite solution pipe.

[0016] It is desirable to provide a carbon dioxide gas flowmeter indicating the flow rate of carbon dioxide gas in the carbon dioxide gas piping, and a sodium hypochlorite solution flowmeter indicating the flow rate of sodium hypochlorite solution in the sodium hypochlorite solution piping.

[0017] In addition, in the hypochlorous acid water production device of the present invention, it is preferable to provide a buffer tank in the water piping. Such a buffer tank needs to be provided at least downstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit, and is preferably provided upstream of the sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit. However, the buffer tank can also be provided downstream of the sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit.

[0018] The present invention provides a tap water adjustment device that utilizes the hypochlorous acid water production device of the present invention to selectively produce any one of carbonated water, sodium hypochlorite solution, and hypochlorous acid water.

[0019] That is, the tap water adjustment device is equipped with water piping in the hypochlorous acid water manufacturing device, a carbon dioxide gas supply unit, and a sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit, and the carbon dioxide gas supply unit and the sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit can be provided with supply control valves that can close at least one of them. Effect of the Invention

[0020] The hypochlorous acid water production device according to the present invention comprises a water pipe for guiding tap water, a carbon dioxide gas supply unit for supplying carbon dioxide gas to the tap water guided by the water pipe, and a sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit for supplying sodium hypochlorite solution to the tap water to which carbon dioxide gas has been supplied, and a constant flow valve is provided upstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit in the water pipe. That is, since a constant flow valve is provided upstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit in the water pipe, the flow rate of tap water can be kept constant, and thus the amount of carbon dioxide gas mixed in and the amount of sodium hypochlorite solution mixed in can be kept constant.

[0021] In addition, since the sodium hypochlorite solution supply section is composed of an ejector that sucks in sodium hypochlorite solution using tap water flowing through the water piping as the driving fluid, the sodium hypochlorite solution can be mixed in by utilizing the fluid energy of the tap water flowing through the water piping, thereby eliminating the need to use electricity for motors, pumps, etc.

[0022] A gas-operated valve is provided in the water piping upstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit, and the gas-operated valve is opened and closed by the carbon dioxide gas supplied to the tap water, so that the supply of tap water can be started in conjunction with the supply of carbon dioxide gas. Moreover, the flow and stopping of tap water in the water piping can be controlled by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas, making it possible to eliminate the need for electricity.

[0023] In addition, by providing a three-way valve in the carbon dioxide gas piping, the pressure on the constant flow valve can be released when the supply of carbon dioxide gas is stopped. Therefore, after the supply of carbon dioxide gas is stopped, no pressure remains in the piping to the gas-operated valve, and the gas-operated valve quickly closes, quickly blocking the flow of tap water in the water piping.

[0024] In addition, by providing a buffer tank downstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit in the water piping and upstream of the sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit, it is possible to promote the dissolution of carbon dioxide gas into tap water and produce carbonated water with a uniform dissolution concentration. By mixing sodium hypochlorite solution into carbonated water with a uniform concentration in this way, it is possible to produce hypochlorous acid water with stable sterilization ability. Although such sodium hypochlorite solution can be mixed into carbonated water upstream of the buffer tank, in order to keep the amount of sodium hypochlorite solution mixed in, which is the suction fluid in the ejector effect, constant, it is preferable to provide the sodium hypochlorite solution downstream of the buffer tank.

[0025] In the tap water adjustment device of the present invention, the carbon dioxide gas supply section and the sodium hypochlorite solution supply section are provided with supply control valves that can close at least one of them, so that it is possible to selectively produce either carbonated water, sodium hypochlorite solution, or hypochlorous acid water. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a hypochlorous acid water production apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a hypochlorous acid water production apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] A block diagram showing a hypochlorous acid water production device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, the hypochlorous acid water production device 50 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In particular, this embodiment shows an embodiment of a hypochlorous acid water production device 50 that can be connected to a water supply that supplies a water supply and can produce hypochlorous acid water containing hypochlorous acid as a main component. However, the water supply is not limited to a water supply, and may be other water supplies such as an industrial water supply.

[0028] 1 is a block diagram showing a hypochlorous acid water production apparatus 50 according to a first embodiment. The hypochlorous acid water production apparatus 50 according to this embodiment is configured to include a water pipe 10 for guiding water supplied from a water supply, a carbon dioxide gas supply unit 29 for supplying carbon dioxide gas to the tap water guided by the water pipe 10, and a sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit 39 for supplying sodium hypochlorite solution to the tap water to which carbon dioxide gas has been supplied. The apparatus is also equipped with a carbon dioxide gas pipe 20 for guiding carbon dioxide gas supplied from a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 21 to the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 29, and a sodium hypochlorite solution pipe 30 for guiding the sodium hypochlorite solution from a container 31 filled with sodium hypochlorite solution to the sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit 39.

[0029] The water piping 10 is provided with a constant flow valve 11 that controls the water supplied from the water supply to a constant pressure and / or flow rate, and a check valve 12 is provided downstream of the constant flow valve 11. That is, the constant flow valve 11 is provided upstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 29 in the water piping 10. By providing such a constant flow valve 11, the amount of hypochlorous acid water produced can be kept constant regardless of the opening degree of the water faucet, thereby Carbonated The amount of gas supplied and the amount of sodium hypochlorite solution supplied can be stabilized, and hypochlorous acid water of consistent quality can be produced.

[0030] A gas operated valve 13 is provided downstream of the check valve 12 to open and close the water pipe 10. The gas operated valve 13 can be configured to open the valve upon receiving pressure from the outside, and in this embodiment, the pressure from the outside is the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied to the tap water. That is, the carbon dioxide gas pipe 20 is branched, and a part of it is guided to the gas operated valve 13 to open and close it, so that the tap water flows simultaneously with the supply of carbon dioxide gas. By using the gas operated valve 13, the supply of tap water, i.e., the production of hypochlorous acid water, can be performed without using electrical energy.

[0031] A carbon dioxide gas supply unit 29 is provided downstream of the gas operated valve 13 for mixing carbon dioxide gas supplied from a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 21 into tap water. The carbon dioxide gas supply unit 29 can be formed of a gas injection nozzle or piping for mixing carbon dioxide gas supplied by a carbon dioxide gas piping 20 into tap water in the water piping 10.

[0032] A cylinder 21 filled with carbon dioxide gas is connected to the base end of the carbon dioxide gas pipe 20, and a regulator 22 is provided on the discharge port side of the cylinder 21 to open and close the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 21 and control the amount of gas discharged. A three-way valve 23 is provided downstream of the regulator 22, and a branch pipe 20a to the gas-operated valve 13 is provided downstream of that. By providing the three-way valve 23, the pressure in the carbon dioxide gas pipe can be released when the regulator 22 is closed, and the carbon dioxide gas pressure acting on the gas-operated valve 13 can also be released, allowing the gas-operated valve 13 to be quickly closed. A carbon dioxide gas on-off valve 24 is provided downstream of the branch to the gas-operated valve 13 to control the supply of carbon dioxide gas to the water pipe 10. That is, by opening the carbon dioxide gas on-off valve 24, carbon dioxide gas can be mixed into the tap water flowing through the water piping 10, and by closing the carbon dioxide gas on-off valve 24, water not mixed with carbon dioxide gas can be sent to the sodium hypochlorite solution supply section 39 to produce a sodium hypochlorite solution.

[0033] A buffer tank 14 is provided downstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 29. By providing this buffer tank 14, the carbon dioxide gas mixed in the tap water can be uniformly dissolved, and carbonated water with a lower pH than the supplied tap water can be produced. In particular, by providing this buffer tank 14, the carbon dioxide gas can be uniformly and stabilized in dissolution.

[0034] A sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit 39 is provided downstream of the buffer tank 14. The sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit 39 is configured as an ejector, and is configured to suck and mix the sodium hypochlorite solution, which is an intake fluid, with tap water (more specifically, carbonated water) flowing through the water pipe 10 as the driving fluid. That is, the sodium hypochlorite solution is sucked from the container 31 containing the sodium hypochlorite solution through the sodium hypochlorite solution pipe 30 by the negative pressure formed by the driving fluid, and is mixed and mixed with the carbonated water in which carbon dioxide gas is dissolved. This makes it possible to produce hypochlorous acid water without requiring electricity or the like.

[0035] The sodium hypochlorite solution piping 30 has its base end placed in a container 31 for storing sodium hypochlorite solution, and is provided with a sodium hypochlorite solution on-off valve 33. By leaving the sodium hypochlorite solution on-off valve 33 open, the sodium hypochlorite solution is sucked up by the negative pressure created by the driving fluid flowing through the water piping 10, so the sodium hypochlorite solution on-off valve 33 is always left open. put On the other hand, when the sodium hypochlorite solution opening / closing valve 33 is closed, the sodium hypochlorite solution is not sucked or mixed, and can be discharged as water or carbonated water.

[0036] Therefore, according to the hypochlorous acid water production device 50 of this embodiment, by opening both the carbon dioxide gas on-off valve 24 and the sodium hypochlorite solution on-off valve 33, hypochlorous acid water can be produced, and when only the carbon dioxide gas on-off valve 24 is closed, sodium hypochlorite solution can be produced. When only the sodium hypochlorite solution on-off valve 33 is closed, carbonated water can be produced. And when both the carbon dioxide gas on-off valve 24 and the sodium hypochlorite solution on-off valve 33 are closed, tap water can be output.

[0037] Therefore, in the hypochlorous acid water manufacturing apparatus 50 of this embodiment, the carbon dioxide gas on-off valve 24 functions as a supply control valve that can block the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 29, and the sodium hypochlorite solution on-off valve 33 functions as a supply control valve that can block the sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit 39, so that the hypochlorous acid water manufacturing apparatus 50 can also be used as a tap water adjustment device that can arbitrarily select and output hypochlorous acid water, sodium hypochlorite solution, carbonated water, and water.

[0038] In the hypochlorous acid water production apparatus 50 according to this embodiment, the carbon dioxide gas pipe 20 and the sodium hypochlorite solution pipe 30 are provided with display units 25, 32 for displaying the flow rate or pressure, respectively.

[0039] 2 is a front view showing the hypochlorous acid water production apparatus 50 according to the first embodiment. As shown in this figure, the hypochlorous acid water production apparatus 50 is formed with a housing 40, and each component shown in FIG. 1 is housed in the housing 40. A water supply unit 41 connected to a water supply is provided below the housing 40, and a release unit 42 that releases the hypochlorous acid water produced by the hypochlorous acid water production apparatus 50 is formed. The housing 40 is provided with a flow rate or pressure display unit 25 provided in the carbon dioxide gas pipe 20 and a flow rate or pressure display unit 32 provided in the sodium hypochlorite solution pipe 30. The housing 40 also includes an ON / OFF switch 22a for opening and closing the regulator 22 provided in the carbon dioxide gas piping 20, a control dial 24a for adjusting the opening and closing and opening degree of the carbon dioxide gas on-off valve 24 provided in the carbon dioxide gas piping 20, and a control dial 33a for adjusting the opening and closing and opening degree of the sodium hypochlorite solution on-off valve 33 provided in the sodium hypochlorite solution piping 30.

[0040] The hypochlorous acid water production device 50 formed and housed in such a housing 40 can produce hypochlorous acid water without requiring external power such as an electric motor, and since it does not require connection to a power source, it can be installed anywhere where tap water can be supplied.

[0041] 3 is a block diagram showing a hypochlorous acid water production apparatus 50 according to a second embodiment. In particular, in the hypochlorous acid water production apparatus 50 according to this embodiment, a sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit 39 is provided upstream of the buffer tank 14. As a result, the sodium hypochlorite solution is supplied to tap water (carbonated water) mixed with carbon dioxide gas, and is then immediately stored in the buffer tank 14 so that the pH can be adjusted to around 5. Therefore, even in this case, hypochlorous acid water with enhanced bactericidal properties can be produced. [Industrial Applicability]

[0042] The hypochlorous acid water production device of the present invention can be widely used in the food processing field for cleaning and disinfecting food, etc. In addition, it can be widely used in fields that use hypochlorous acid water or sodium hypochlorite solution. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10 Water piping 11 Constant flow valve 12 Check valve 13 Gas operated valve 14 Buffer Tank 20 Carbon dioxide gas piping 20a Branch piping 21 Carbon Dioxide Cylinder 22 Regulator 22a ON / OFF switch 23 Three-way valve 24 Carbon dioxide gas on-off valve 24a Control Dial 25 Carbon dioxide supply amount display unit 29 Carbon dioxide gas supply section 30 Sodium hypochlorite solution piping 31 Containment Container 32 Sodium hypochlorite solution supply amount display unit 33 Sodium hypochlorite solution on-off valve 33a Control Dial 39 Sodium hypochlorite solution supply section 40 Case 41 Water supply section 42 Emission part 50 Hypochlorous acid water production equipment

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing hypochlorous acid water containing hypochlorous acid as a main component, A water pipe for guiding the supplied tap water; a carbon dioxide gas supply unit for supplying carbon dioxide gas to the tap water guided by the water pipe; A carbon dioxide gas pipe for guiding the carbon dioxide gas; a sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit that supplies a sodium hypochlorite solution to tap water to which carbon dioxide has been supplied; a constant flow valve is provided upstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit in the water pipe, The sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit is composed of an ejector that sucks in sodium hypochlorite solution using tap water flowing through a water pipe as a driving fluid, a gas operated valve for opening and closing the water pipe is provided upstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply unit in the water pipe, and the gas operated valve is opened and closed by carbon dioxide gas supplied to the tap water; A hypochlorous acid water manufacturing apparatus characterized in that a three-way valve is provided in the carbon dioxide gas piping, and when the supply of carbon dioxide gas is stopped, the pressure on the constant flow valve is released and the constant flow valve is closed.

2. The hypochlorous acid water producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water piping is provided with a buffer tank downstream of the carbon dioxide gas supply section and upstream of the sodium hypochlorite solution supply section.

3. A tap water adjustment device capable of selectively producing any one of carbonated water, sodium hypochlorite solution, and hypochlorous acid water, A water purifier comprising the water piping according to claim 1, a carbon dioxide gas supply unit, and a sodium hypochlorite solution supply unit, The tap water adjustment device is characterized in that the carbon dioxide gas supply section and the sodium hypochlorite solution supply section are provided with a supply control valve capable of closing at least one of them.

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