Generating device

Abstract

To provide a generator that can protect a diaphragm effectively.SOLUTION: A generator 1 generates electrolyzed water using a pair of electrodes 2 and 3 to receive power, and a diaphragm 4. The generator 1 has an electrolytic cell 5 having a plurality of rooms partitioned through the diaphragm 4. The generator 1 has a control unit 22 to wash the diaphragm 4 with water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a generating device that generates electrolyzed water using a pair of electrodes to which power is supplied and a diaphragm.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, generating devices that electrolyze water or an electrolytic solution to generate electrolyzed water have been known. As this type of generating device, there is known one that partitions an electrolytic cell into two chambers or three chambers using an ion exchange membrane as a diaphragm and supplies power to an anode and a cathode disposed in the chambers to generate acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water, respectively.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in the case of a three-chamber type generating device including an anode chamber and a cathode chamber with an electrolytic solution chamber interposed therebetween, on the side of the electrolytic solution chamber where an electrolytic solution such as brine is accommodated in the ion exchange membrane, there is a risk that the impurities contained in the electrolytic solution precipitate and adhere over time during electrolysis, causing clogging. In that case, there is also a concern that the ion exchange membrane may be torn due to the water pressure difference between the electrolytic solution chamber and the anode chamber or the cathode chamber.

[0005] Further, after the generating device stops, there is a risk that the ion exchange membrane may be eroded over time due to the liquid properties of the acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water accommodated in the anode chamber and the cathode chamber.

[0006] When the ion exchange membrane deteriorates in this way, there are problems that the operable time of the generating device is shortened, and the time and component cost required for its replacement increase.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a generating device capable of effectively protecting a diaphragm.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The generating device according to claim 1 is a generating device that generates electrolyzed water using a pair of electrodes to which power is supplied and a diaphragm, and includes an electrolytic cell having a plurality of chambers partitioned by the diaphragm, and in a state where power supply to the electrodes is interrupted, discharging a predetermined amount of water from at least one of the chambers of the electrolytic cell After that, it has the function of a cleaning unit that cleans the diaphragm with water by supplying water to the chamber from which the water has been drained. and a control unit.

[0009] Claims Claim 2 The generating device according to the description is, in the generating device according to claim 1 In the generating device according to the description, after generating electrolyzed water, the control unit interrupts power supply to the electrodes, discharges a predetermined amount of water from at least one of the chambers of the electrolytic cell, and then supplies water to the chambers.

[0010] Claim 3 The generating device according to the description is, in the generating device according to claim 1 In the generating device according to the description, before generating electrolyzed water, the control unit discharges a predetermined amount of water from at least one of the chambers of the electrolytic cell and then supplies water to the chambers.

[0011] Claim 4 The generating device according to the description is, in the generating device according to claim 1 or 3 In any one of the generating devices according to the description, the water supplied to the chambers by the control unit is water used for generating electrolyzed water or neutral water obtained by mixing acidic water and alkaline water.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the diaphragm can be effectively protected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Fig. 1] It is an explanatory diagram of a generating device according to a first embodiment. [Fig. 2] It is an explanatory diagram of the generation device according to the second embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0015] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a generation device. The generation device 1 uses a pair of electrodes 2 and 3 and a diaphragm 4, and is supplied with power from a power supply unit (not shown) to the electrodes 2 and 3 to electrolyze water and an electrolytic solution, thereby generating electrolyzed water, which is reduced water. It is an electrolyzed water generation device.

[0016] The generation device 1 includes an electrolytic cell 5. The electrolytic cell 5 is partitioned into a plurality of chambers by a diaphragm 4. In the present embodiment, the electrolytic cell 5 is a diaphragm-type electrolytic cell partitioned into an electrode chamber 6 and 7 as chambers and an electrolytic solution chamber 8 as an intermediate chamber. That is, the generation device 1 of the present embodiment is a three-chamber type electrolyzed water generation device.

[0017] The electrode 2 is disposed in the electrode chamber 6, and the electrode 3 is disposed in the electrode chamber 7. One of the electrodes 2 and 3 is an anode and the other is a cathode. In the illustrated example, the electrode 2 is an anode, the electrode chamber 6 is an anode chamber, the electrode 3 is a cathode, and the electrode chamber 7 is a cathode chamber. The power supply unit that supplies power to the electrodes 2 and 3 is controlled by, for example, power supply control means (not shown).

[0018] Water supply pipes 10 and 11 and discharge pipes 12 and 13 are connected to the electrode chambers 6 and 7. Water (H2O) is supplied to the electrode chambers 6 and 7 from the water supply pipes 10 and 11 respectively. The amount of water supplied to the electrode chambers 6 and 7 is controlled by a water volume adjustment means 14 such as a solenoid valve for the electrode chambers 6 and 7. The water volume adjustment means 14 is controlled by a water volume control means (not shown). As the water, raw water such as tap water that has passed through a hardness suppression means 15 is preferably used. The hardness suppression means 15 removes calcium ions, magnesium ions, etc. contained in the raw water to reduce the hardness. The hardness suppression means 15 is preferably a water softener, but a filter for removing dust, etc. contained in the raw water may be used in combination, or an RO membrane (reverse osmosis membrane) may be used. When a water softener is used, the hardness suppression means 15 can be configured at low cost. When an RO membrane is used, the hardness of the water can be surely reduced and dust, etc. can be largely removed. The hardness suppression means 15 is preferably commonly connected to the water supply pipes 10 and 11. In the illustrated example, the water supply pipes 10 and 11 are partially formed in common with each other for clarity of explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be separately formed. When the water supply pipes 10 and 11 are separately formed, the water volume adjustment means 14 and the hardness suppression means 15 are preferably separately connected to each of the water supply pipes 10 and 11.

[0019] The discharge pipes 12 and 13 discharge the water in the electrode chambers 6 and 7. For example, the discharge pipes 12 and 13 discharge the generated electrolyzed water from the electrode chambers 6 and 7. In the present embodiment, the discharge pipe 12 can discharge acidic electrolyzed water from the electrode chamber 6, and the discharge pipe 13 can discharge alkaline electrolyzed water from the electrode chamber 7. The acidic electrolyzed water is, for example, hypochlorous acid water (HClO). The alkaline electrolyzed water depends on the electrolytic solution in the electrolytic solution chamber 8, but in the present embodiment, it is, for example, caustic soda water (NaOH).

[0020] An electrolytic solution chamber 8 is connected to an electrolytic solution supply pipe 16 and an electrolytic solution discharge pipe 17. These pipes 16 and 17 are respectively connected to a tank 18 storing the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution stored in the tank 18 is supplied to the electrolytic solution chamber 8 from the electrolytic solution supply pipe 16 via a pump which is an electrolytic solution supply means not shown in the figure, and the excess electrolytic solution in the electrolytic solution chamber 8 is returned from the electrolytic solution discharge pipe 17 to the tank 18. The pump is controlled by, for example, pump control means not shown in the figure. The electrolytic solution is electrolyte-dissolved water in which the substance to be electrolyzed is dissolved, and brine (NaCl), potassium chloride water (KCl), etc. are preferably used. Further, in the present embodiment, a water supply pipe 19 is connected to the electrolytic solution chamber 8. Water is supplied to the electrolytic solution chamber 8 from the water supply pipe 19. The amount of water supplied to the electrolytic solution chamber 8 is controlled by the water amount adjusting means 14. In the present embodiment, as the water, that which has passed through the hardness suppressing means 15 is preferably used. In the illustrated example, the water supply pipe 19 is partially formed in common with the water supply pipes 10 and 11 for the sake of clarity of explanation. Therefore, the amount of water supplied from the water supply pipe 19 to the electrolytic solution chamber 8 is controlled by the common water amount adjusting means 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the water supply pipe 19 may be formed separately from the water supply pipes 10 and 11. When the water supply pipe 19 is formed separately from the water supply pipes 10 and 11, it is preferable that the water amount adjusting means 14 and the hardness suppressing means 15 are connected to the water supply pipe 19 separately from each of the water supply pipes 10 and 11.

[0021] Also, in the present embodiment, a discharge pipe 20 is connected to the electrolytic solution chamber 8. The discharge pipe 20 discharges the water in the electrolytic solution chamber 8. For example, the discharge pipe 20 discharges the water such as the electrolytic solution from the electrolytic solution chamber 8. In the illustrated example, the discharge pipe 20 is set separately from the electrolytic solution discharge pipe 17. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the discharge pipe 20 may be partially common with the electrolytic solution discharge pipe 17, and may be switched between a case of discharging to the tank 18 side and a case of discharging to other than the tank 18 by a direction control means such as a valve.

[0022] The diaphragm 4 is an ion exchange membrane. In the present embodiment, as the diaphragm 4, an anion exchange membrane 4a that partitions the electrode chamber 6 and the electrolytic solution chamber 8, and a cation exchange membrane 4b that partitions the electrode chamber 7 and the electrolytic solution chamber 8 are used. The anion exchange membrane 4a selectively permeates anions in order to supply chloride ions (Cl - ) from the electrolytic solution chamber 8 to the electrode chamber 6. The cation exchange membrane 4b selectively permeates cations in order to supply cations such as sodium ions (Na + ) and potassium ions (K + ) from the electrolytic solution chamber 8 to the electrode chamber 7.

[0023] And the generation device 1 includes a control unit 22 for protecting the diaphragm 4 with respect to at least any one of the chambers of the electrolytic cell 5.

[0024] The control unit 22 can control operations such as a pump for supplying the electrolytic solution from the tank 18, a water volume adjusting means 14, and a power supply unit. The control unit 22 enables water such as tap water to be supplied to at least any one of the electrode chamber 6, the electrode chamber 7, and the electrolytic solution chamber 8. In the present embodiment, the control unit 22 has a function of a cleaning unit for cleaning the diaphragm 4 with water. For example, the control unit 22 may have functions common to a power supply control means, a water volume control means, and a pump control means, or may be configured to be electrically connected to each other and interlock, or may be configured as a control unit integrally with at least any one of these. And water supply pipes 10, 11, 19, discharge pipes 12, 13, 20, a water volume adjusting means 14, a pump, etc. for supplying and discharging water to at least any one of the electrode chamber 6, the electrode chamber 7, and the electrolytic solution chamber 8 may constitute a part of the control unit 22. Note that in the present embodiment, "water" refers to pure water obtained by passing raw water such as tap water through a hardness suppressing means 15, or neutral water obtained by mixing acidic water and alkaline water to make it neutral. When using pure water, the water volume adjusting means 14 and the like can be used as they are, but when using neutral water, it is preferable to separately provide tanks for storing acidic water and alkaline water respectively.

[0025] Next, the operation of the generation device 1 will be described.

[0026] The generating device 1 drives the water volume adjusting means 14 to allow the raw water to pass through the hardness suppressing means 15, supplies water to the electrode chambers 6 and 7 through the water supply pipes 10 and 11, drives a pump to supply the electrolytic solution from the tank 18 to the electrolytic solution chamber 8 through the electrolytic solution supply pipe 16, and supplies a constant direct current from the power supply unit to the electrolytic cell 5 through the electrodes 2 and 3, thereby electrolyzing the water in the electrode chambers 6 and 7 and the electrolytic solution in the electrolytic solution chamber 8.

[0027] With the electrolysis, sodium ions (Na + ) move from the electrolytic solution chamber 8 to the electrode chamber 7, and chloride ions (Cl - ) move from the electrolytic solution chamber 8 to the electrode chamber 6. On the surface of the electrode 3 in the electrode chamber 7, as follows, hydrogen is generated by the electrolysis reaction of water, and at the same time, the liquid property in the electrode chamber 7 becomes alkaline due to caustic soda.

[0028] H2O + 2e - → 1 / 2H2 + OH - Na + + e - → Na Na + OH - → NaOH + e -

[0029] On the other hand, in the electrode chamber 6, with the electrolysis, chloride ions are oxidized on the surface of the electrode 2 to become chlorine (Cl2) as follows, and at the same time react with water to generate hypochlorous acid (HClO), and the liquid property in the electrode chamber 6 becomes acidic due to the generated hydrochloric acid.

[0030] H2O → 2H + + 1 / 2O2 + 2e - 2Cl - → Cl2 + 2e - Cl2 + H2O ⇔ HClO + HCl

[0031] In this way, acidic electrolyzed water is generated in the electrode chamber 6, and alkaline electrolyzed water is generated in the electrode chamber 7. The generated acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water are discharged from the discharge pipes 12 and 13 outside the electrode chambers 6 and 7, that is, outside the electrolytic cell 5. The discharged acidic electrolyzed water is used, for example, for sterilization and disinfection. Along with the discharge of these acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water, the generating device 1 supplies the water that has passed through the hardness suppression means 15 to the electrode chambers 6 and 7 through the water supply pipes 10 and 11, and supplies the electrolytic solution from the tank 18 to the electrolytic solution chamber 8.

[0032] For example, after the electrolyzed water is generated by the generating device 1 or before the electrolyzed water is generated, the control unit 22 operates the pump in a state where the power supply to the electrodes 2 and 3 is cut off, and discharges a predetermined amount of the electrolytic solution remaining in the electrolytic solution chamber 8 to be recovered or discarded in the tank 18. The electrolytic solution may be drained in its entirety or partially. As an example, the control unit 22 drains the electrolytic solution from the electrolytic solution chamber 8 for a predetermined time, for example, about 30 seconds. Then, the control unit 22 controls the water volume adjustment means 14 and supplies water from the water supply pipe 19 to the electrolytic solution chamber 8, thereby flushing away the impurities deposited on the diaphragm 4, which is the anion exchange membrane 4a and the cation exchange membrane 4b in this embodiment, over time by electrolysis.

[0033] Similarly, the control unit 22 operates the pump in a state where the power supply to the electrodes 2 and 3 is cut off, and discharges a predetermined amount of the electrolyzed water remaining in the electrode chambers 6 and 7 to be discarded. The electrolyzed water may be drained in its entirety or partially. As an example, the control unit 22 drains the electrolyzed water from the electrode chambers 6 and 7 for a predetermined time, for example, about 30 seconds. Then, the control unit 22 controls the water volume adjustment means 14 and supplies water from the water supply pipes 10 and 11 to the electrode chambers 6 and 7 to flush away the impurities deposited on the diaphragm 4.

[0034] The drainage from the electrolytic solution chamber 8 and the drainage from the electrode chambers 6 and 7 may be simultaneous or at different timings. Similarly, the supply of water to the electrolytic solution chamber 8 and the supply of water to the electrode chambers 6 and 7 may be simultaneous or at different timings.

[0035] The water used to wash the diaphragm 4 is discharged from the electrode chambers 6 and 7 and the electrolytic solution chamber 8 respectively, and fresh water may be supplied from the water supply pipes 10, 11, and 19 to the electrode chambers 6 and 7 and the electrolytic solution chamber 8, or it may be stored in the electrolytic solution chamber 8 and the electrode chambers 6 and 7 as it is. Also, the timing of water supply is preferably immediately after drainage, but water may be supplied at a predetermined timing after drainage.

[0036] The cleaning of the diaphragm 4 with water may be carried out every time the generating device 1 is operated, or may be carried out as necessary.

[0037] And the control unit 22 starts power supply to the electrodes 2 and 3 at least after water is supplied to the electrode chambers 6 and 7. That is, the generating device 1 fills the inside of the electrode chambers 6 and 7 and the electrolytic solution chamber 8 with water before the generation of electrolyzed water starts. Also, the water that fills the electrolytic solution chamber 8 can be reused for the generation of electrolyzed water by exchanging it with the electrolytic solution or adding the electrolytic solution before the start of the generating device 1.

[0038] In this way, by supplying water to at least any one of the electrolytic solution chamber 8, the electrode chamber 6, and the electrode chamber 7 by the control unit 22 to wash the diaphragm 4, the impurities deposited on the diaphragm 4 can be washed, and the diaphragm 4 can be effectively protected.

[0039] Also, in a state where the power supply to the electrodes 2 and 3 is cut off, by discharging a predetermined amount of water from at least any one of the electrolytic solution chamber 8, the electrode chamber 6, and the electrode chamber 7 by the control unit 22, it is possible to prevent the diaphragm 4 from being damaged by the remaining electrolytic solution or electrolyzed water, and the diaphragm 4 can be effectively protected.

[0040] Furthermore, by newly supplying water to the drained chambers 6, 7, and 8, the diaphragm 4 can be made to contain moisture, so that stable electrolyzed water can be generated immediately when generating electrolyzed water.

[0041] After the electrolyzed water is generated, the control unit 22 cuts off the power supply to the electrodes 2 and 3, and after discharging a predetermined amount of water from at least any one of the chambers 6, 7, and 8 of the electrolytic cell 5, when water is supplied to the chambers 6, 7, and 8, it is possible to prevent the remaining electrolytic solution and electrolyzed water from continuing to accumulate in the chambers 6, 7, and 8 until the next start-up, and it is possible to prevent the diaphragm 4 from being damaged over time by the electrolytic solution and electrolyzed water. Therefore, the diaphragm 4 can be effectively protected.

[0042] Before the electrolyzed water is generated, when the control unit 22 discharges a predetermined amount of water from at least any one of the chambers 6, 7, and 8 of the electrolytic cell 5 and then supplies water to the chambers 6, 7, and 8, it is possible to discharge non-normal water from at least any one of the chambers 6, 7, and 8, prevent the diaphragm 4 from being damaged over time by the electrolytic solution and electrolyzed water, and allow new water to reach the diaphragm 4. Then, by supplying power to the electrodes 2 and 3 to generate electrolyzed water, it is possible to prevent dry running at the start of electrolyzed water generation and protect the diaphragm 4.

[0043] And by being able to protect the diaphragm 4 from breakage and erosion, the usable time of the diaphragm 4 can be extended, the frequency of replacement of the diaphragm 4 and the like can be reduced, and the running cost of the generating device 1 can be suppressed.

[0044] In the above first embodiment, the control unit 22 has been described as an example of supplying water to each of the electrolytic solution chamber 8, the electrode chamber 6, and the electrode chamber 7 to wash both sides of the diaphragm 4, but a configuration in which water is supplied to at least any one of these may also be used.

[0045] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0046] The generating device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a diaphragm-type electrolytic cell in which the electrolytic cell 5 is partitioned into electrode chambers 6 and 7 by a diaphragm 4. That is, the generating device 1 of the present embodiment is a two-chamber type electrolyzed water generating device.

[0047] Electrolyte is supplied to at least one of the electrode chambers 6 and 7. In the present embodiment, electrolyte is supplied to each of the electrode chambers 6 and 7. Liquid supply pipes 25 and 26 and discharge pipes 12 and 13 are connected to the electrode chambers 6 and 7. Electrolyte is supplied from the liquid supply pipes 25 and 26 to the electrode chambers 6 and 7. Further, for example, by making the electrolyte supplied to the electrode chambers 6 and 7 a mixture of water and the electrolyte mixed from the tank 18, it becomes possible to supply water from the liquid supply pipes 25 and 26 to the electrode chambers 6 and 7. That is, in the present embodiment, either water or electrolyte can be selectively supplied from the liquid supply pipes 25 and 26 to the electrode chambers 6 and 7. The amount of water or electrolyte supplied to the electrode chambers 6 and 7 is controlled by a water volume adjusting means such as a solenoid valve (not shown) for the electrode chambers 6 and 7. Note that pipes for supplying electrolyzed water and pipes for supplying water may be separately connected to the electrode chambers 6 and 7.

[0048] Further, electrolyte discharge pipes 27 and 28 for discharging electrolyte may be connected between the electrode chambers 6 and 7 and the tank 18. In the illustrated example, the electrolyte discharge pipes 27 and 28 are set separately from the discharge pipes 12 and 13, but are not limited thereto, and a part thereof may be common with the discharge pipes 12 and 13, and by a direction control means such as a valve, it may be switched between the case of discharging to the tank 18 side and the case of discharging to other than the tank 18.

[0049] The diaphragm 4 is an ion exchange membrane capable of moving cations and / or anions from one of the electrode chambers 6 and 7 to the other. In the present embodiment, the diaphragm 4 moves cations such as sodium ions from the electrode chamber 6 to the electrode chamber 7 and anions such as chloride ions from the electrode chamber 7 to the electrode chamber 6 along with electrolysis.

[0050] Note that the other configurations of the generating device 1 according to the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment, and are shown in FIG. 2 with the same reference numerals.

[0051] Then, the generating device 1 supplies the electrolytic solution to the electrode chambers 6 and 7 through the liquid supply pipes 25 and 26, and supplies a constant direct current from the power supply unit to the electrolytic cell 5 through the electrodes 2 and 3, thereby electrolyzing the electrolytic solution in the electrode chambers 6 and 7 in basically the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0052] Therefore, acidic electrolyzed water is generated in the electrode chamber 6, and alkaline electrolyzed water is generated in the electrode chamber 7. The generated acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water are discharged from the discharge pipes 12 and 13 outside the electrode chambers 6 and 7, that is, outside the electrolytic cell 5.

[0053] For example, after the electrolyzed water is generated by the generating device 1 or before the electrolyzed water is generated, the control unit 22 operates the pump to discharge the electrolytic solution in the electrode chambers 6 and 7 into the tank 18 for recovery or disposal in a state where the power supply to the electrodes 2 and 3 is cut off. The electrolytic solution may be drained completely or partially. As an example, the control unit 22 drains the electrolytic solution from the electrode chambers 6 and 7 for a predetermined time, for example, about 30 seconds. Then, the control unit 22 controls the water volume adjusting means 14 to supply water from the liquid supply pipes 25 and 26 to the electrode chambers 6 and 7, thereby flushing the impurities deposited on the diaphragm 4 with water. The water for washing the diaphragm 4 may be discharged from the electrode chambers 6 and 7 respectively, and new water may be supplied from the water supply pipes 10 and 11 to the electrode chambers 6 and 7, or may be stored in the electrode chambers 6 and 7 as it is. The timing of supplying water is preferably immediately after draining, but water may be supplied at a predetermined timing after draining.

[0054] The diaphragm 4 may be washed with water every time the generating device 1 is operated, or may be washed as necessary.

[0055] Thus, since the diaphragm 4 is washed with water for at least one of the electrode chamber 6 and the electrode chamber 7, the diaphragm 4 can be effectively protected in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0056] Also, in a state where power supply to the electrodes 2 and 3 is cut off, by causing a predetermined amount of water to be drained from at least one of the electrode chamber 6 and the electrode chamber 7 by the control unit 22, it is possible to prevent the diaphragm 4 from being damaged by the remaining electrolytic solution or electrolyzed water, and the diaphragm 4 can be effectively protected.

[0057] Furthermore, water can be supplied to the drained electrode chambers 6 and 7, so that the diaphragm 4 can be made to contain moisture. Therefore, when electrolyzed water is generated, stable electrolyzed water can be generated immediately.

[0058] Furthermore, water can be newly supplied to the drained electrode chambers 6 and 7, so that the diaphragm 4 can be made to contain moisture. Therefore, when electrolyzed water is generated, stable electrolyzed water can be generated immediately.

[0059] When the control unit 22 cuts off the power supply to the electrodes 2 and 3 after the generation of electrolyzed water, drains a predetermined amount of water from at least one of the electrode chambers 6 and 7 of the electrolytic cell 5, and then supplies water to the electrode chambers 6 and 7, it is possible to prevent the remaining electrolytic solution or electrolyzed water from continuing to accumulate in the electrode chambers 6 and 7 until the next start-up, and to prevent the diaphragm 4 from being damaged over time by the electrolytic solution or electrolyzed water. Therefore, the diaphragm 4 can be effectively protected.

[0060] When the control unit 22 cuts off the power supply to the electrodes 2 and 3 after the generation of electrolyzed water, drains a predetermined amount of water from at least one of the electrode chambers 6 and 7 of the electrolytic cell 5, and then supplies water to the electrode chambers 6 and 7, it is possible to prevent the diaphragm 4 from being damaged over time by the remaining electrolytic solution or electrolyzed water, and the diaphragm 4 can be effectively protected.

[0061] Before generating electrolyzed water, when the control unit 22 drains a predetermined amount of water from at least one of the electrode chambers 6 and 7 of the electrolytic cell 5 and then supplies water to the electrode chambers 6 and 7, it is possible to discharge non-normal water from at least one of the electrode chambers 6 and 7, prevent the diaphragm 4 from being damaged over time by the electrolytic solution or electrolyzed water, and allow new water to reach the diaphragm 4. Thereafter, by supplying power to the electrodes 2 and 3 to generate electrolyzed water, it is possible to prevent dry running at the start of electrolyzed water generation and protect the diaphragm 4.

[0062] In addition, in the above-described second embodiment, the generating device 1 may supply water to one of the electrode chambers 6 and 7 and an electrolytic solution to the other, and cause cations or anions to move from the electrolytic solution to the water through the diaphragm 4 for electrolysis, so as to generate only acidic electrolyzed water or only alkaline electrolyzed water. In that case, the control unit 22 supplies water to the chamber to which the electrolytic solution is supplied among the electrode chambers 6 and 7 to wash the diaphragm 4 in the same manner as the electrolytic solution chamber 8 of the first embodiment, thereby preventing or suppressing clogging of the diaphragm 4 due to impurities and preventing or suppressing breakage of the diaphragm 4 due to water pressure or the like.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0063] 1 Generating device 2, 3 Electrodes 4 Diaphragm 5 Electrolytic cell 6, 7 Electrode chambers as chambers 8 Electrolytic solution chamber as a chamber 22 Control unit having the function of the cleaning unit

Claims

1. A generating device that generates electrolyzed water using a pair of electrodes to which power is supplied and a diaphragm, an electrolytic cell having a plurality of chambers partitioned by the diaphragm, a control unit having a function of a cleaning unit that, in a state where power supply to the electrodes is interrupted, discharges a predetermined amount of water from at least one of the chambers of the electrolytic cell and then supplies water to the chamber from which the water has been discharged to clean the diaphragm with water The generating device is characterized by comprising the above.

2. After generating electrolyzed water, the control unit interrupts power supply to the electrodes, discharges a predetermined amount of water from at least one of the chambers of the electrolytic cell, and then supplies water to the chamber. The generating device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. Before generating electrolyzed water, the control unit discharges a predetermined amount of water from at least one of the chambers of the electrolytic cell and then supplies water to the chamber. The generating device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The water supplied to the chamber by the control unit is water used for generating electrolyzed water or neutral water obtained by mixing acidic water and alkaline water. The generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

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