Anomaly detection device and generation system

Abstract

To provide a generation system equipped with an abnormality detection device capable of detecting diaphragm rupture.SOLUTION: A generation system 1 includes: a generator 2 which generates hypochlorous acid water by electrolysis of brine water; and an abnormality detection device 3 which detects abnormalities in the diaphragms 11, 12 of the generator 2. The abnormality detection device 3 has a pair of electrode parts and a measuring part which measures a resistance value of the hypochlorous acid water flowing between the two electrode parts. The abnormality detection device 3 also has a determination part which determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the diaphragms 11, 12 based on the resistance value measured by the measurement part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an anomaly detection device and a generation system that can appropriately detect anomalies. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrolytic water generating device is known, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] This conventional electrolytic water generating device includes an electrolyte chamber that stores an electrolyte, an electrode chamber in which an anode and a cathode are provided facing the electrolyte chamber via a diaphragm, a power supply unit that supplies power to the anode and cathode, and a generated water mixing unit that mixes anode generated water and cathode generated water obtained by electrolyzing the electrolyte to produce mixed generated water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-162607 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned conventional device has a problem in that even if an abnormality such as a membrane breakage occurs, the abnormality cannot be detected.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has an object to provide an anomaly detection device and generation system capable of detecting anomalies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The anomaly detection device of the present invention is an anomaly detection device that detects an abnormality in an apparatus that handles a fluid, and is equipped with a pair of opposing electrode units, a measurement unit that measures the electrical characteristics of the fluid flowing between the electrode units, and a judgment unit that judges whether or not there is an abnormality in the apparatus based on the electrical characteristics measured by the measurement unit.

[0008] In addition, the abnormality detection device of the present invention is an abnormality detection device that detects an abnormality in a diaphragm of a generation device that generates electrolytic water, which is a fluid, and includes a pair of opposing electrode units, a measurement unit that measures the electrical characteristics of the fluid flowing between the electrode units, and a judgment unit that judges whether or not there is an abnormality in the diaphragm of the generation device based on the electrical characteristics measured by the measurement unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the generation system of the present invention comprises a generation device that generates hypochlorous acid water by electrolysis of saline solution, and an abnormality detection device that detects an abnormality in a diaphragm of the generation device, and the abnormality detection device comprises a pair of opposing electrode units, a measurement unit that measures the resistance value of the hypochlorous acid water flowing between the electrode units, and a judgment unit that judges whether or not there is an abnormality in the diaphragm of the generation device based on the resistance value measured by the measurement unit. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to detect abnormalities that could not be detected conventionally. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram for explaining a generation system including an anomaly detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the abnormality detection device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a front view of a pipe connection portion of the abnormality detection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a piping connection portion of the abnormality detection device. [Diagram 5]13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams illustrating an anomaly detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a generation system in which anomaly detection devices are installed on two exhaust pipes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a generation system (electrolyzed water generation system), which includes a generation device (electrolyzed water generation device) 2 that generates electrolyzed water, which is a fluid (liquid), and an abnormality detection device (membrane rupture detection device) 3 that detects abnormalities in the generation device 2, such as membrane rupture.

[0014] The generator 2 is a three-chamber electrolysis device (hypochlorous acid water generator) for generating at least acidic electrolyzed water, hypochlorous acid water (electrolytically released sterilized water), for example, by electrolysis of saline solution, which is an electrolyte.

[0015] 1, the generation device 2 is equipped with a three-chamber electrolytic cell 5. The electrolytic cell 5 has an anode chamber 6 which is one of the electrode chambers (first electrode chamber), a cathode chamber 7 which is the other electrode chamber (second electrode chamber), and an intermediate chamber 8 located between the anode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 7.

[0016] The anode chamber 6 and the intermediate chamber 8 are separated by one of the diaphragms (first diaphragm), an anion exchange membrane 11. The cathode chamber 7 and the intermediate chamber 8 are separated by the other of the diaphragms (second diaphragm), a cation exchange membrane 12. In other words, the inside of the electrolytic cell 5 is separated into three chambers 6, 7, and 8 by the two diaphragms 11 and 12.

[0017] An anode 13 is provided in the anode chamber 6, and this anode 13 faces closely to the anion exchange membrane 11. A cathode 14 is provided in the cathode chamber 7, and this cathode 14 faces closely to the cation exchange membrane 12. A power supply unit 15 that supplies electric power is connected to the anode 13 and the cathode 14.

[0018] Moreover, the generation device 2 is provided with a saline solution supply unit 21 that supplies saline solution, which is an electrolyte, to the intermediate chamber (electrolyte solution chamber) 8 of the electrolytic cell 5.

[0019] The saline solution supply unit 21 has a tank 22 for storing saline solution, a supply pipe 23 for supplying the saline solution in the tank 22 to the intermediate chamber 8, a pump 24 provided midway along the supply pipe 23, and a return pipe 25 for returning the saline solution in the intermediate chamber 8 to the tank 22. Note that the configuration is not limited to the circulation type configuration shown in Fig. 1, and may be, for example, a configuration in which the electrolyte is not circulated.

[0020] Furthermore, the generation device 2 is equipped with a water supply unit 31 that supplies water (e.g., tap water that has passed through a water softener) that is raw water for electrolysis to the anode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 7 of the electrolytic cell 5, and an electrolytic water discharge unit 32 that discharges the electrolytic water generated in the anode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 7 of the electrolytic cell 5 outside the electrolytic cell 5.

[0021] The water supply unit 31 has a first supply pipe 33 that supplies water to the anode chamber 6, which is the first electrode chamber, and a second supply pipe 34 that supplies water to the cathode chamber 7, which is the second electrode chamber.

[0022] The electrolyzed water discharge section 32 has a first discharge pipe 36 for discharging hypochlorous acid water (HClO aqueous solution), which is acidic electrolyzed water generated in the anode chamber 6, and a second discharge pipe 37 for discharging caustic soda water (NaOH aqueous solution), which is alkaline electrolyzed water generated in the cathode chamber 7.

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 1, an abnormality detection device 3 for detecting abnormalities (such as membrane rupture) in the anion exchange membrane (diaphragm) 11 of the generation device 2 is connected midway through the first discharge pipe 36 that discharges hypochlorous acid water.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the abnormality detection device (abnormality monitoring device) 3 comprises a synthetic resin piping section 41 connected midway through a first synthetic resin discharge piping 36 extending from the anode chamber 6 of the electrolytic cell 5, a pair of electrode sections 42 provided in the piping section 41 and spaced apart from each other, a measurement section 43 that measures the resistance value (electrical characteristic value), which is an electrical characteristic of hypochlorous acid water (electrolyzed water), which is the fluid flowing between the two electrode sections 42 in the piping section 41, a judgment section 44 that judges whether or not there is an abnormality in the anion exchange membrane 11 in the anode chamber 6 based on the resistance value measured by the measurement section 43, and an alarm section 45 that alerts to that effect when the judgment section 44 judges there is an abnormality.

[0025] Here, the piping section 41 has a cylindrical piping main body 46 with both axial end faces open, and a pair of electrode plate holding sections 47 protruding from the inner surface of this piping main body 46.

[0026] The piping body 46 has a short cylindrical upstream connection port 48 at one axial end, and a short cylindrical downstream connection port 49 at the other axial end. The electrode plate holding portion 47 has a plurality of (e.g., four) clamping plates 50 that clamp both side ends (both ends in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow direction) of a rectangular electrode plate 61.

[0027] The clamping plate 50 is a long, thin plate that protrudes from the inner surface of the piping main body 46, and both longitudinal end faces of the clamping plate 50 serve as positioning surfaces (positioning portions) 51. The longitudinal dimension of the clamping plate 50 is the same as (including approximately the same as) the longitudinal dimension of the electrode plate 61. The lateral dimension of the clamping plate 50 is shorter than the lateral dimension of the electrode plate 61. The lateral central portion of the electrode plate 61 is not covered by the clamping plate 50, and is exposed within the piping section 41.

[0028] The upstream piping member 53 of the first discharge piping 36 is fitted and connected to the inner periphery of the upstream connection port 48 of the piping main body 46 of the piping section 41 in a state where it is positioned at a predetermined position relative to the piping section 41 by abutting against the upstream positioning surface 51, and the downstream piping member 54 of the first discharge piping 36 is fitted and connected to the inner periphery of the downstream connection port 49 of the piping main body 46 of the piping section 41 in a state where it is positioned at a predetermined position relative to the piping section 41 by abutting against the downstream positioning surface 51. In this way, the two electrode plates 61 are sandwiched between both piping members 53, 54 (see FIG. 3).

[0029] The piping section 41 can be connected to the first exhaust piping 36 by retrofitting. The first exhaust piping 36 is made up of a plurality of piping members including at least an upstream piping member 53 and a downstream piping member 54, and the like.

[0030] The electrode section 42 has a rectangular electrode plate 61 held by the electrode plate holding section 47 and located inside the piping main body 46 of the piping section 41, and a round-shaft electrode rod 62 attached to the piping main body 46 of the piping section 41 and with a tapered tip abutting the electrode plate 61. In other words, each of the electrode sections 42 is composed of, for example, one electrode plate 61 detachably attached to the electrode plate holding section 47, and one electrode rod 62 detachably attached to the piping main body 46 and in contact with the electrode plate 61.

[0031] Two electrode plates 61 arranged parallel to each other within the piping section 41 face each other at a predetermined distance, and hypochlorous acid water discharged from the electrolytic cell 5 (discharge water from the electrolytic cell) flows through the space 60 between these electrode plates 61.

[0032] The electrode rod 62 has a cylindrical portion 66 and a conical portion 67, and a screw groove portion 63 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 66. A screw hole portion 64 that is a hole portion that screws into the screw groove portion 63 is formed in the axial center of the piping main body portion 46 of the piping portion 41. The electrode rod 62 is detachably screwed into the screw hole portion 64 of the piping main body portion 46, and its tip portion is connected in contact with the electrode plate 61. The base end portion of the electrode rod 62 is connected to the measurement portion (salinity measurement portion) 43 via an electric wire 65.

[0033] The measuring unit 43, for example, applies a predetermined voltage between the two electrode units 42, and measures the resistance value of the hypochlorous acid water flowing between the two electrode plates 61 based on the current value at that time, i.e., the resistance value of the hypochlorous acid water immediately after it is discharged from the anode chamber 6 of the electrolytic cell 5.

[0034] In addition, the judgment unit 44 judges whether or not there is an abnormality (e.g., membrane rupture) in the anion exchange membrane 11 depending on whether or not the resistance value (measured resistance value) measured by the measurement unit 43 exceeds a preset set value (reference value).

[0035] If the determination unit 44 determines that an abnormality has occurred, the notification unit 45 notifies the abnormality, for example, by turning on a lamp, etc. The notification unit 45 may, for example, display the abnormality on a monitor or sound a buzzer. Furthermore, if the determination unit 44 determines that an abnormality has occurred, the power supply unit 15, the pump 24, etc. may be stopped, for example.

[0036] Next, the operation of the production system 1 equipped with the abnormality detection device 3 will be described.

[0037] For example, if the anion exchange membrane 11 in the electrolytic cell 5 of the generation device 2 is damaged due to deterioration or the like, causing the membrane to break, the saline solution in the intermediate chamber 8 of the electrolytic cell 5 will flow into the anode chamber 6.

[0038] The inflowing saline solution (salt) mixes with the hypochlorous acid water produced in the anode chamber 6 of the electrolytic cell 5 , and flows through the first discharge pipe 36 to be discharged to the outside of the electrolytic cell 5 .

[0039] Then, the abnormality detection device 3 installed in the first discharge pipe 36 detects (senses) the membrane rupture of the anion exchange membrane 11 based on the resistance value (measurement value) of the hypochlorous acid water containing salt, and notifies the abnormality. Then, the worker who knows the abnormality of the membrane rupture of the anion exchange membrane 11 performs the work of replacing the broken membrane with a new anion exchange membrane 11, etc.

[0040] Therefore, according to the production system 1 equipped with such an abnormality detection device 3, abnormalities such as membrane rupture of the anion exchange membrane 11, which could not be detected conventionally, can be properly detected, thereby improving the reliability, safety, etc. of the production system 1.

[0041] Furthermore, since the abnormality detection device 3 includes a piping section 41 having a pair of electrode plates 61 arranged therein and spaced apart from each other, the abnormality detection device 3 can be easily installed in the middle of the first exhaust piping 36 (or in the middle of the second exhaust piping, as will be described later), and can also be easily retrofitted, for example.

[0042] The abnormality detection device 3 is not limited to being installed in the middle of the exhaust pipe, and may be, for example, the one shown in FIG.

[0043] Each electrode section 42 of the anomaly detection device 3 shown in Figures 5(a) and (b) has a rectangular electrode plate 71 located in an anode chamber 6, which is one of the electrode chambers in a three-chamber electrolytic cell 5. The electrolytic cell 5 in Figure 5(a) has, for example, two outer plate sections 5a, 5b and a middle plate section 5c located between the two outer plate sections 5a, 5b. The anode chamber 6 with the electrode plate 71 provided therein is formed in the outer plate section 5a.

[0044] In addition, two electrode plates 71 facing each other at a distance in the anode chamber 6 are fitted on both sides of a recess 72 formed in the anode chamber 6, and the fitted electrode plates 71 are connected to the measurement unit 43 via an electric wire 73. The recess 72 is recessed in the lower part of the inner side surface 75 of the outer plate portion 5a. An outlet 77 for discharging the hypochlorous acid water in the anode chamber 6 to the outside is provided in a position on the inner bottom surface 76 of the outer plate portion 5a near the recess 72. In other words, the two electrode plates 71 are arranged at a position where the hypochlorous acid water generated in the anode chamber 6 flows toward the outlet 77.

[0045] In the anode chamber 6, the hypochlorous acid water flows between the two electrode plates 71 toward the outlet 77 below. At this time, the resistance value of the hypochlorous acid water flowing between the two electrode plates 71 is measured by the measurement unit 43. The judgment unit 44 judges whether or not there is an abnormality based on the measurement value. If it is determined that there is an abnormality, the notification unit 45 reports this fact.

[0046] Therefore, the abnormality detection device 3 shown in FIG. 5 can also appropriately detect abnormalities such as membrane breakage of the anion exchange membrane 11, which could not be detected conventionally, in the same manner as the above.

[0047] Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, abnormality detection devices 3 (3a, 3b) may be installed midway through both the first exhaust pipe 36 and the second exhaust pipe 37 of the generation device 2.

[0048] In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, for example, if a rupture occurs in the cation exchange membrane 12, the abnormality detection device 3 (3b) installed in the middle of the second discharge pipe 37 detects the rupture of the cation exchange membrane 12 based on the resistance value (measured value) of the salt-containing caustic soda water and reports the abnormality.

[0049] Therefore, not only abnormalities in the anion exchange membrane 11 but also abnormalities in the cation exchange membrane 12 (membrane rupture, etc.) can be detected, and the presence or absence of abnormalities in both membranes can be monitored.

[0050] In this case, for example, one display unit 81, which is a common notification unit, may be used to distinguish between abnormalities in the diaphragms. Also, for example, abnormality information regarding abnormalities such as membrane rupture may be notified to a communication terminal (for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, etc.) of an operator. Furthermore, for example, a configuration in which an abnormality detection device is installed only in the second discharge pipe may be used.

[0051] Further, for example, although not shown, two electrode plates 71 of the abnormality detection device 3 shown in FIG. 5 may be provided in the cathode chamber 7 of the electrolytic cell 5 in order to detect an abnormality in the cation exchange membrane.

[0052] On the other hand, the generation device is not limited to the above-mentioned three-chamber electrolysis device, but may be, for example, a single-chamber electrolysis device or a two-chamber electrolysis device, or may have multiple electrolysis cells installed in series, in which case an abnormality detection device is provided for each electrolysis cell.

[0053] In addition, the anomaly detection device can be applied to any device that handles fluid (for example, liquid such as an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte when an abnormality occurs).

[0054] Although several embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described, it is possible to combine the embodiments and modifications as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Generator System 2. Generator (equipment for handling fluids) 3. Anomaly detection device 6,7 Electrode chamber 11,12 Diaphragm 36,37 Discharge piping 41 Piping section 42 Electrode part 43 Measuring part 44 Judgment Department 45 Notification Department 61,71 Electrode plate 62 Electrode rod 72 Recess

Claims

1. An abnormality detection device for detecting an abnormality in a diaphragm of a generating device for generating electrolytic water, which is a fluid, comprising: A piping section that can be retrofitted to a discharge pipe for discharging the electrolytic water and is connected to the discharge pipe; a pair of electrode portions provided in the piping portion and facing each other at a distance; A measurement unit that measures the electrical characteristics of the electrolytic water flowing between the electrode units; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the diaphragm of the generation device based on the electrical characteristics measured by the measurement unit, The piping section includes: A cylindrical pipe main body having open axial end faces; An electrode plate holding portion protruding from an inner surface of the piping body, The electrode portion is an electrode plate held by the electrode plate holding portion and positioned within the piping main body; an electrode rod attached to the piping body and having a tip end in contact with the electrode plate; An anomaly detection device comprising:

2. The electrode rod is detachably screwed into the threaded hole of the piping body.

2. The anomaly detection device according to claim 1.

3. The electrode plate holding portion has a plurality of clamping plates that clamp both ends of the electrode plate in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the electrolytic water, The clamping plate is an elongated plate in the flow direction of the electrolytic water, has an upstream positioning surface on one end surface in the longitudinal direction, and has a downstream positioning surface on the other end surface in the longitudinal direction; An upstream piping member of the discharge piping is fitted and connected to the inner periphery of the upstream connection port of the piping main body while being positioned by abutting against the upstream positioning surface, and a downstream piping member of the discharge piping is fitted and connected to the inner periphery of the downstream connection port of the piping main body while being positioned by abutting against the downstream positioning surface, whereby the electrode plate is sandwiched between the upstream piping member and the downstream piping member.

3. The abnormality detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A generator for generating hypochlorous acid water by electrolysis of salt water; and an abnormality detection device for detecting an abnormality in the diaphragm of the generation device, The generating device includes a discharge pipe for discharging the hypochlorous acid water, The abnormality detection device includes: A piping section that can be retrofitted to the exhaust piping and is connected to the exhaust piping; a pair of electrode portions provided in the piping portion and facing each other at a distance; A measurement unit that measures the resistance value of the hypochlorous acid water flowing between the electrode units; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the diaphragm of the generation device based on the resistance value measured by the measurement unit, The piping section includes: A cylindrical pipe main body having open axial end faces; An electrode plate holding portion protruding from an inner surface of the piping body, The electrode portion is an electrode plate held by the electrode plate holding portion and positioned within the piping main body; an electrode rod attached to the piping body and having a tip end in contact with the electrode plate; A generating system comprising:

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