Electrolyzed water generation device

Abstract

To provide an electrolytic water generator in which durability of an electrode is improved in an electrolytic operation.SOLUTION: An electrolytic water generating unit 2 comprises: an electrolytic tank 21; a counter electrode 22 arranged inside the electrolytic tank 21; and a power supply device 27 connected to the counter electrode 22, in which an output polarity is reversible. A control unit 5 includes a power supply adjusting unit 56. The power supply adjusting unit 56 reverses the output polarity of the power supply device 27 and reverses the polarity of the counter electrode 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating device, and contributes to the technology of generating hypochlorous acid water by electrolysis. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, hypochlorous acid water generated by electrolyzed water generators has been used in closed and semi-closed spaces where people gather, such as schools, hospitals, and commercial facilities, for sterilization, hygiene management, infection control, and BCP (business continuity planning).

[0003] The electrolyzed water generator generates chlorine gas by electrolyzing a raw chemical solution in an electrolytic cell, and mixes the chlorine gas into water supplied from a water supply system to generate slightly acidic electrolyzed water.

[0004] In addition, the electrolyzed water generating device described in Patent Document 1 comprises an electrolytic cell in which a pair of electrodes are arranged, a water-to-be-electrolyzed supply pipe that supplies water-to-be-electrolyzed containing an electrolyte to the electrolytic cell, and a power supply device that applies a DC voltage between the pair of electrodes.The water-to-be-electrolyzed supplied through the water-to-be-electrolyzed supply pipe is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell by applying a DC voltage between the pair of electrodes by the power supply device, thereby generating electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid.The water-to-be-electrolyzed supply pipe is provided with a heating means for increasing the temperature of the water-to-be-electrolyzed.

[0005] Furthermore, the electrolyzed water generating device described in Patent Document 2 applies a DC voltage between a pair of electrodes from a power supply under control conditions where the current value detected by an ammeter is a preset electrolytic current corresponding to the required properties of the electrolyzed water, and generates electrolyzed water and pours it out from an outflow conduit. A drainage conduit is connected to the outflow conduit, and an outflow valve and a drainage valve are provided as switching means for switching the flow of electrolyzed water between the outflow conduit and the drainage conduit. When the set electrolytic current is detected by the ammeter, the outflow valve is controlled to open and the drainage valve is controlled to close, and when the set electrolytic current is not detected by the ammeter, the outflow valve is controlled to close and the drainage valve is controlled to open. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-115302 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2022-115299 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In conventional electrolyzed water generators, such as those in Patent Document 1, the entire amount of raw water is heated. However, the amount of raw water is large, and the amount of energy consumed for heating is large, which raises concerns about the impact on costs, the environment, and safety.

[0008] Furthermore, as in Patent Document 2, when the dispensing valve is opened and the drain valve is closed when the set electrolysis current is detected by the ammeter, a waiting time occurs until the concentration of the electrolyzed water reaches the appropriate level before the extraction of electrolyzed water of the appropriate concentration can begin, resulting in a time loss from the start of electrolyzed water production to the completion of extraction of the electrolyzed water, which is a factor that reduces the time efficiency of extraction.

[0009] Furthermore, the remaining amount of electrolyte is detected by calculation from a theoretical value, i.e., the electrolysis operation time or the operation time of the electrolyte feed pump. However, since the amount of electrolyte consumed during electrolysis varies depending on the ambient temperature, there is a possibility that an error will occur between the theoretical value and the actual value, which may cause problems such as the electrolyte being depleted before a warning is issued or the warning being issued before the remaining amount reaches a predetermined amount.

[0010] Since the electrolyte is stored in a single tank, the amount remaining in the tank is the actual remaining amount of electrolyte. If there is a time lag between the issuance of the warning and replacement or replenishment, for example, due to not noticing the warning or being too busy to replace it, the electrolyte may run out and it may become impossible to extract electrolyzed water.

[0011] Drainage is by gravity flow, and installation is limited as it cannot be installed in places with a high head, such as where the drainage pipe is standing.

[0012] Furthermore, during electrolysis in an electrolytic cell, a difference in the rate of deterioration occurs between the anode and cathode electrodes, which is a factor in electrode deterioration.

[0013] The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide an electrolyzed water generating apparatus in which the durability of the electrodes is improved during electrolysis operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, the electrolyzed water generating device of the present invention comprises an electrolyzed water generating unit that generates electrolyzed water by mixing chlorine gas generated by electrolysis of an electrolyte into supply water, a water supply system that supplies water to the electrolyzed water generating unit, an electrolyte supply system that supplies electrolyte to the electrolyzed water generating unit, an electrolyzed water supply system that supplies the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolyzed water generating unit to an electrolyzed water outlet, and a control unit that controls each part of the device, the electrolyzed water generating unit has an electrolytic cell, a counter electrode placed in the electrolytic cell, and a power supply device that is connected to the counter electrode and has a reversible output polarity, the control unit has a power supply adjustment unit that reverses the output polarity of the power supply device and reverses the polarity of the counter electrode The polarity is reversed when the electrolysis operation is stopped, and is not reversed during one electrolysis operation when the electrolyzed water supply system supplies electrolyzed water to the electrolyzed water outlet. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, according to the present invention, although there is a difference in the deterioration rate between the anode and the cathode during electrolysis operation, the degree of deterioration of the counter electrode can be made uniform by polarity reversal, thereby improving the durability of the counter electrode, reducing the frequency of counter electrode replacement, and reducing running costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrolyzed water generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electrolyzed water generating device according to the embodiment; [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main parts of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a control unit of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrode configuration of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode configuration in which the polarity of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the embodiment is reversed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An electrolyzed water generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Example 1 As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the electrolyzed water generating device 1 has, as its main components, an electrolyzed water generating unit 2, a water supply system 3, an electrolyte supply system 4, a control unit 5, an electrolyzed water supply system 6, an electrolyzed water extraction unit 7, and a drainage system 8.

[0018] In this embodiment, a plurality of electrolyzed water generation units 2 (two units in this example) are provided inside the housing 9. The electrolyzed water generation unit 2 has a monopolar or bipolar counter electrode 22 inside an electrolytic cell 21, and in addition to the electrolytic cell 21, has a chemical pump 23, and is composed of a pressure reducing valve, a solenoid valve, a flow meter, a check valve, a trap waterway, etc. (not shown).

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4 as an example, the electrolytic cell 21 has an air mixing section 25 connected to the electrolytic water discharge passage 24. Then, hydrochloric acid in the raw chemical solution, which is the electrolyte, is electrolyzed to generate chlorine gas G, and the chlorine gas G is mixed into the feed water flowing through the pipeline of the water supply system 3 in the air mixing section 25 from an opening 26 of the electrolytic cell 21, to obtain slightly acidic electrolyzed water (hypochlorous acid water). The slightly acidic electrolyzed water here is an aqueous solution whose main active ingredient is hypochlorous acid (HClO), with a pH of 5.0-6.5 and an effective chlorine concentration of 10-80 mg / kg.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the electrolytic cell 21 also has a power supply 27 connected to both of the counter electrodes 22, and the power supply 27 is capable of reversing the output polarity.

[0021] The water supply system 3 has, in order from upstream to downstream, a ball valve 31, a strainer 32, a check valve 33, and an emergency shut-off valve 34 in the flow path supplying water from the water supply source 10 to each electrolyzed water generation unit 2, as well as a water receiving tank 35 and a booster pump 36. The downstream pipe following the discharge port of the booster pump 36 is connected to the inlet port of a first three-way valve 38 via a check valve 37, and the downstream pipe following one outlet port of the first three-way valve 38 branches, and each of the branch pipes is connected to each of the electrolyzed water generation units 2 via constant flow valves 39 and 40. The downstream pipe following the other outlet port of the first three-way valve 38 is connected to the drainage system 8. As an alternative pipe configuration, a pair of constant flow valves with different set flow rates may be switchably arranged in each of the branch pipes.

[0022] The electrolyte supply system 4 supplies hydrochloric acid, the raw chemical solution stored in a replaceable chemical cartridge 41, to the chemical pumps 23 of both electrolyzed water generation units 2 via a permanent chemical tank 42. The chemical cartridge 41 and the chemical tank 42 form an electrolyte storage section that stores the raw chemical solution. The raw chemical solution from the chemical cartridge 41 is supplied to the chemical tank 42 by a chemical supply pump 43, and the raw chemical solution from the chemical tank 42 is pumped up by the chemical pumps 23 of each electrolyzed water generation unit 2. The chemical tank 42 has an upper limit sensor 44 for the upper liquid level and a lower limit sensor 45 for the lower liquid level. When the lower limit sensor 45 turns OFF, the chemical supply pump 43 starts, and when the lower limit sensor 45 turns ON, the chemical supply pump 43 stops. The upper limit sensor 44 is a fail-safe that causes an error stop if the liquid level is abnormally high. The chemical cartridge 41 and the chemical tank 42 are placed on a chemical drain pan 47 equipped with a water leakage sensor 46 .

[0023] The electrolyzed water supply system 6 supplies electrolyzed water generated in the electrolyzed water generation unit 2 to multiple, here two, electrolyzed water extraction units 7 via a second three-way valve 61 and a third three-way valve 62, which form a flow path switching unit. The downstream pipes leading to the electrolyzed water discharge paths 24 of each electrolyzed water generation unit 2 join together and then connect to the inlet port of the third three-way valve 61. One outlet port of the second three-way valve 61 is connected to the inlet port of the third three-way valve 62, and the other outlet port of the second three-way valve 61 is connected to the drainage system 8 via a concentration adjustment drainage path 63.

[0024] Each of the electrolyzed water outlet units 7 has storage units 71, 72 for storing containers 13, 14 of different capacities, and has electrolyzed water outlets 73, 74 for discharging electrolyzed water into the storage units 71, 72. Here, a small-capacity (2 L) container 13 is stored in the storage unit 71 of the upper electrolyzed water outlet unit 7, and a large-capacity (10 L) container 14 is stored in the storage unit 72 of the lower electrolyzed water outlet unit 7. A downstream pipe leading to one outlet port of the third three-way valve 62 is connected to the electrolyzed water outlet 73 of the small-capacity container 13, and a downstream pipe leading to the other outlet port of the third three-way valve 62 is connected to the electrolyzed water outlet 74 of the large-capacity container 14.

[0025] The electrolyzed water extraction section 7 has a door lock 75 and an upper drain pan 76 in the upper storage section 71, and a door lock 75 and a lower drain pan 77 in the lower storage section 72, and the lower drain pan 77 is equipped with an upper water level sensor 78, a lower water level sensor 79, and a set water level sensor 80.

[0026] The downstream pipe leading to the upper drain pan 76 is connected to a lower drain pan 77, and the lower drain pan 77 is connected to a drainage system 8 and a drain valve 81.

[0027] In addition, a downstream pipe continuing from the other outlet port of the first three-way valve 38 is connected to a lower drain pan 77, a concentration adjustment drainage path 63 leading to the other outlet port of the second three-way valve 61 is connected to the lower drain pan 77, and an overflow pipe 351 of the water receiving tank 35 is connected to the lower drain pan 77. The drainage system 8 has a drainage pump 82, and the downstream pipe leading to the discharge port of the drainage pump 82 is connected to a drainage port 84 via a check valve 83, and the downstream pipe of the drainage pump 82 is connected to the lower drain pan 77 via a vacuum breaker 85.

[0028] In this embodiment, the concentration adjustment drainage channel 63 leading to the other outlet port of the second three-way valve 61 is connected to the lower drain pan 77, but it can also be connected to the drainage system 8 downstream of the drainage pump 82.

[0029] Each of the electrolyzed water outlet units 7 has a door 91, 92, and is equipped with various sensors for checking whether the doors 91, 92 are open or closed, whether a container is present, and whether the doors are locked or unlocked.

[0030] The control unit 5 has an electrolyzed water supply operation function unit 51 and a concentration adjustment operation function unit 52 configured internally by circuits or programs, and has a selection operation unit 53 (2 L, 10 L, cancel, etc.) on its outer surface. When electrolyzed water service is performed to supply electrolyzed water to the electrolyzed water extraction unit 7, the electrolyzed water supply operation function unit 51 starts both electrolyzed water generation units 2 to generate electrolyzed water, and controls the second three-way valve 61 and the third three-way valve 62 of the flow path switching unit to perform supply operation control to supply the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolyzed water generation units 2 to the electrolyzed water extraction port.

[0031] During idle times when the electrolytic water supply operation function unit 51 is not operating, the concentration adjustment operation function unit 52 activates both electrolytic water generation units 2 to generate electrolytic water, and controls the second three-way valve 61 of the flow path switching unit to discharge the electrolytic water generated in the electrolytic water generation unit 2 into the drainage system 8 via the concentration adjustment drainage path 63.

[0032] The concentration adjustment operation function unit 52 has as its maintenance program an execution time setting unit 54 that arbitrarily sets the execution time of the adjustment operation control and an operation timing setting unit 55 that arbitrarily sets the operation timing of the adjustment operation control, and the execution time setting unit 54 and the operation timing setting unit 55 are controlled by operating a touch panel or the like.

[0033] Furthermore, the control unit 5 has a power supply adjustment unit 56 that controls the power supply device 27 .

[0034] The operation of the above configuration will be described below. The user operates the selection operation unit 53 of the control unit 5 to select the electrolyzed water extraction unit 7 to be supplied.

[0035] The electrolyzed water supply operation function unit 51 of the control unit 5 supplies water from the water supply system 3 to both electrolyzed water generation units 2 using the pressure pump 36 during electrolyzed water service, and supplies the electrolytic solution supplied from the electrolyte supply system 4 to the electrolytic cell 21 using the chemical pump 23 to generate electrolyzed water.The electrolyzed water generated in the electrolyzed water generation unit 2 is supplied to the electrolyzed water outlets 73, 74 of the selected electrolyzed water extraction unit 7, and a fixed amount of electrolyzed water set for each container 13, 14 of the selected electrolyzed water extraction unit 7 is supplied with each supply operation.

[0036] For example, up to 2 L of electrolyzed water is supplied each time from the electrolyzed water outlet 73 to the container 13 stored in the upper storage section 71, and up to 10 L of electrolyzed water is supplied each time from the electrolyzed water outlet 74 to the container 14 stored in the lower storage section 72.

[0037] That is, when the user requests the supply of electrolyzed water to the upper storage section 71 using the selection operation section 53, the electrolyzed water supply operation function section 51 turns OFF the door lock 75 of the corresponding storage section 71. The user opens the door, places the container 13, and closes the door. The electrolyzed water supply operation function section 51 turns ON the door lock 75, starts supplying electrolyzed water, and supplies it to the electrolyzed water outlet 73 located in the upper storage section 71 through the second three-way valve 61 and the third three-way valve 62.

[0038] Furthermore, when the user requests the supply of electrolyzed water to the lower storage section 72 using the selection operation section 53, the electrolyzed water supply operation function section 51 turns OFF the door lock 75 of the corresponding storage section 72. The user opens the door, places the container 14, and closes the door. The electrolyzed water supply operation function section 51 turns ON the door lock 75, starts supplying electrolyzed water, and supplies it to the electrolyzed water outlet 74 located in the lower storage section 72 through the second three-way valve 61 and the third three-way valve 62.

[0039] In this way, by providing multiple electrolyzed water extraction units 7 each having electrolyzed water extraction outlets 73, 74 for discharging electrolyzed water, selecting the electrolyzed water extraction unit 7 to which the electrolyzed water is to be supplied, and supplying a set amount of electrolyzed water for each electrolyzed water extraction unit 7, it is possible to selectively respond to multiple consumption needs for electrolyzed water.

[0040] The control unit 5 periodically or irregularly performs adjustment operation control during idle times when the electrolyzed water supply operation function unit 51 is not operating, by activating the concentration adjustment operation function unit 52 to generate electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water generation unit 2, and controlling the second three-way valve 61 of the flow path switching unit to discharge the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolyzed water generation unit 2 into the drainage system 8 through the concentration adjustment drainage path 63.

[0041] By performing this adjustment operation control, there is no need to adjust the concentration of electrolyzed water when it is being served, and electrolyzed water of the appropriate concentration is already prepared when the electrolyzed water service begins, so there is no waiting time for the concentration of the electrolyzed water to be adjusted, and there is no time loss from the start of the electrolyzed water service until the electrolyzed water is completely taken out, improving the time efficiency of the water being taken out.

[0042] In other words, by automatically generating and discharging electrolyzed water during idle times, when the quality of the water is unstable in the early stages of electrolysis, electrolyzed water of stable quality can always be provided when the electrolyzed water service is started.

[0043] The timing of starting the concentration adjustment operation function unit 52, that is, the timing and amount of drainage during adjustment operation control, can be set arbitrarily. For example, 10 L of water can be generated and drained at 10 AM when operation starts first thing in the morning. Or, 5 L can be generated and drained irregularly when two hours have passed since the last withdrawal. However, the user's withdrawal operation, which is an external operation, can be set to be interruptible so as not to interfere with the execution of the electrolyzed water service.

[0044] This is done by arbitrarily setting the execution time of the adjustment operation control in the execution time setting unit 54 of the concentration adjustment operation function unit 52, and arbitrarily setting the operation timing in the operation timing setting unit of the concentration adjustment operation function unit 52.

[0045] Furthermore, the control unit 5 has the power supply adjustment unit 56 periodically or irregularly reverse the output polarity of the power supply device 27, thereby reversing the polarity of the counter electrode 22. For example, if the electrolysis time for the electrode configuration T1 shown in Fig. 6 is A and the electrolysis time for the electrode configuration T2 shown in Fig. 7 is B, then the electrolysis time A may be 1 / 10 of the electrolysis time B, or 1 / 100 of the electrolysis time B, or the electrolysis time A and the electrolysis time B may be equal, but here the electrolysis time A is set to 30% to 60% of the electrolysis time B.

[0046] This polarity reversal is performed when the electrolysis operation is stopped, and is not performed during one electrolysis operation. The frequency and time of polarity reversal are not constant and may be variable. Polarity reversal may be performed for each electrolysis operation, or after several consecutive electrolysis operations, an electrolysis operation with polarity reversal corresponding to the accumulated time is performed.

[0047] During electrolysis, the anode and cathode deteriorate at different rates, but polarity reversal can equalize the degree of deterioration of the counter electrode 22. This improves the durability of the counter electrode 22, reduces the frequency of replacement of the counter electrode 22, and reduces running costs.

[0048] Furthermore, the control unit 5 periodically or irregularly starts the drain pump 82, which drains wastewater accumulated in the drain pan 76 at the bottom out of the machine through the drainage system 8 and the drain outlet 84. By forcibly draining water using this drain pump 82, the machine can be installed in places where water cannot be drained by gravity, which increases the flexibility of the installation location. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 Electrolyzed water generator 2 Electrolyzed water generation unit 3 Water supply system 4 Electrolyte supply system 5. Control section 6 Electrolyzed water supply system 7 Electrolyzed water outlet 8 Drainage System 9. Cabinet 10 Water source 13, 14 container 21 Electrolytic cell 22 Counter electrode 23 Chemical pump 24 Electrolyzed water discharge path 25 Air mixing section 26 Opening 27 Power supply 31 Ball valve 32 Strainer 33 Check valve 34 Emergency shutoff valve 35 Water tank 36 Pressure pump 37 Check valve 38 First three-way valve 39, 40 Constant flow valve 41 Chemical cartridge 42 Chemical tank 43 Chemical supply pump 44 Upper limit sensor 45 Lower limit sensor 46 Water leak sensor 47 Chemical solution drain pan 51 Electrolyzed water supply operation function unit 52 Concentration adjustment operation function unit 53 Selection operation section 54 Execution time setting section 55 Operation timing setting section 56 Power adjustment section 61 Second three-way valve 62 Third three-way valve 63 Concentration adjustment drain 71 Upper storage compartment 72 Lower storage compartment 73, 74 Electrolyzed water outlet 75 Upper water level sensor 76 Door Lock 77 Lower drain pan 78 Upper water level sensor 79 Lower water level sensor 80 Set water level sensor 81 Drain valve 82 Drainage pump 83 Check valve 84 Drain 85 Vacuum Breaker Doors 91 and 92 351 Overflow Pipe

Claims

[Claim 1] an electrolyzed water generating unit that generates electrolyzed water by mixing chlorine gas generated by electrolysis of an electrolyte into supply water; a water supply system that supplies water to the electrolyzed water generating unit; an electrolyte supply system that supplies an electrolyte to the electrolytic water generation unit; an electrolyzed water supply system that supplies the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolyzed water generation unit to the electrolyzed water outlet; A control unit is provided to control each part of the device, The electrolyzed water generating unit has an electrolytic cell, a counter electrode disposed in the electrolytic cell, and a power supply device connected to the counter electrode and capable of reversing output polarity; the control unit has a power supply adjustment unit, and the power supply adjustment unit inverts the output polarity of the power supply device and inverts the polarity of the counter electrode; This electrolyzed water generating device is characterized in that polarity reversal is performed when electrolysis operation is stopped, and polarity reversal is not performed during one electrolysis operation in which the electrolyzed water supply system supplies electrolyzed water to the electrolyzed water outlet.

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