Hypochlorous acid water generator

Abstract

To provide a hypochlorous acid water generator capable of stabilizing the pH value of generated hypochlorous acid water.SOLUTION: The control unit 81 calculates a deviation between the pH value of the aqueous solution in the water storage tank 6 detected by the pH meter 7 and the target pH value, determines the amounts of the sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution to be supplied to the raw water flowing through the first conduit 12 and chlorine to be supplied to the raw water flowing through the second conduit 13 so as to bring the calculated deviation close to 0, and supplies the sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution and chlorine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hypochlorous acid water generator.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a hypochlorous acid water generator, for example, a sterilized water production device shown in Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] This sterilized water production device is a device that produces hypochlorous acid sterilized water by adding and mixing an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution and an acidic aqueous solution such as hydrochloric acid to raw water such as tap water or well water. It has a sodium hypochlorite pump for adding an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution to the raw water, a hydrochloric acid pump for adding hydrochloric acid to the raw water, a mixing and stirring unit for mixing and stirring a dilution of the aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution and the hydrochloric acid aqueous solution, and a pH meter connected to the downstream side of the mixing and stirring unit. The aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution and the hydrochloric acid aqueous solution supplied through the sodium hypochlorite pump and the hydrochloric acid pump are controlled by a control unit according to the detection of the pH meter, and thereby sterilized water with a predetermined pH value or residual chlorine concentration is produced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the hypochlorous acid water generator described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the detected value of the pH meter is not stable, and there is a possibility that the pH value of the hypochlorous acid water is not stable.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a hypochlorous acid water generating apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an upstream pipeline from which raw water is supplied from the upstream side; a first pipeline and a second pipeline whose upstream ends branch off from the downstream end of the upstream pipeline and whose downstream ends merge; a first tank for storing an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution; a first supply unit for supplying the aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution stored in the first tank to the raw water flowing through the first pipeline; a second tank for storing hydrochloric acid; a second supply unit for supplying the hydrochloric acid stored in the second tank to the raw water flowing through the second pipeline; and the upstream end of the first pipeline and the second pipeline's downstream end The system comprises a downstream pipeline connected to one end, a water tank connected to the downstream end of the downstream pipeline, a pH meter for measuring the pH of the aqueous solution in the water tank, a discharge pipeline whose upstream end is connected to the water tank, a setting unit for receiving input of a target pH value for the hypochlorous acid water to be generated, and a control unit for controlling the first supply unit and the second supply unit. The control unit calculates the deviation between the pH value of the aqueous solution in the water tank detected by the pH meter and the target pH value, and supplies sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution to the raw water flowing through the first pipeline and salt to the raw water flowing through the second pipeline to bring the calculated deviation closer to zero. acid Determine the quantity and supply it.

[0007] This configuration allows for stable measurement of the pH value of hypochlorous acid water using a pH meter, and thus stabilizes the pH value of the discharged hypochlorous acid water. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This invention has the effect of stabilizing the pH value of the hypochlorous acid water produced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows an example of the configuration of a hypochlorous acid water generator according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a hypochlorous acid water generator. [Figure 3]This diagram schematically shows the communication network connecting the hypochlorous acid water generator shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, throughout the following drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the hypochlorous acid water generator 100. As shown in Figure 1, the hypochlorous acid water generator 100 is a device that generates hypochlorous acid water by adding an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution and hydrochloric acid to raw water.

[0012] The flow path 1 that constitutes the raw water flow path of the hypochlorous acid water generator 100 is a pipeline and has an upstream pipeline 11, a first pipeline 12, a second pipeline 13, a downstream pipeline 14, and a discharge pipeline 15. Of the flow path 1, the upstream end of the upstream pipeline 11 and the downstream end of the discharge pipeline 15 are located outside the housing 10 of the hypochlorous acid water generator 100, and the remaining portion is housed in the housing 10. Raw water such as tap water is supplied to the upstream end of the upstream pipeline 11. A flow meter 9 is installed in the middle of the upstream pipeline 11. The flow meter 9 detects the flow rate of the raw water flowing through the upstream pipeline 11. The portion extending downstream from the downstream end of the upstream pipeline 11 branches into two, with one pipeline forming the first pipeline 12 and the other pipeline forming the second pipeline 13. In other words, the upstream ends of the first pipeline 12 and the second pipeline 13 are connected to the downstream end of the upstream pipeline 11. The downstream ends of the first pipeline 12 and the second pipeline 13 are connected to each other and merge. The upstream end of the downstream pipeline 14 is connected to the downstream ends of the first pipeline 12 and the second pipeline 13. The downstream pipeline 14 is connected to the discharge pipeline 15 via a water storage tank 6, which will be described later. In this way, the raw water supplied to the upstream end of the upstream pipeline 11 passes through the first pipeline 12 or the second pipeline 13, and then passes through the downstream pipeline 14 and the discharge pipeline 15 in that order, and is discharged to the outside of the hypochlorous acid water generator 100 from the downstream end of the discharge pipeline 15, which is located outside the housing 10.

[0013] The hypochlorous acid water generator 100 includes a first tank 2 and a first supply unit 3 as a mechanism for adding a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution to raw water. The first tank 2 is a tank for storing a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution of a predetermined concentration. The first supply unit 3 is a mechanism for supplying the sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution stored in the first tank 2 to the raw water flowing through the first pipeline 12, and includes a first supply pipeline 3a and a first pump 3b. The upstream end of the first supply pipeline 3a is connected to the first tank 2. The downstream end of the first supply pipeline 3a is connected to the middle section of the first pipeline 12 and merges with the first pipeline 12. The first pump 3b is located in the middle section of the first supply pipeline 3a. The first pump 3b is a metering pump that, based on a control signal, transfers a fixed amount of liquid from the first supply pipeline 3a upstream of the first pump 3b to the first supply pipeline 3a downstream of the first pump 3b. Therefore, when the first pump 3b is driven, the sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution stored in the first tank 2 flows out of the first tank 2, passes through the first supply pipeline 3a, and is added to the raw water flowing through the first pipeline 12, where it is diluted. Downstream of the confluence point of the first supply pipeline 3a and the first pipeline 12 in the first pipeline 12, there is a first mixing tank 21 for stirring and mixing the diluted sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution.

[0014] Furthermore, the hypochlorous acid water generator 100 includes a second tank 4 and a second supply unit 5 as a mechanism for adding hydrochloric acid to raw water. The second tank 4 is a tank for storing hydrochloric acid at a predetermined concentration. The second supply unit 5 is a mechanism for supplying the hydrochloric acid stored in the second tank 4 to the raw water flowing through the second pipeline 13, and includes a second supply pipeline 5a and a second pump 5b. The upstream end of the second supply pipeline 5a is connected to the second tank 4. The downstream end of the second supply pipeline 5a is connected to the middle section of the second pipeline 13 and merges with the second pipeline 13. The second pump 5b is located in the middle section of the second supply pipeline 5a. The second pump 5b is a metering pump that, based on a control signal, transfers a fixed amount of liquid from the second supply pipeline 5a upstream of the second pump 5b to the second supply pipeline 5a downstream of the second pump 5b. Therefore, when the second pump 5b is driven, the hydrochloric acid stored in the second tank 4 flows out of the second tank 4, passes through the second supply pipeline 5a, and is added to the raw water flowing through the second pipeline 13, where it is diluted. Downstream of the confluence point of the second supply pipeline 5a and the second pipeline 13, a second mixing tank 22 is provided for agitating and mixing the diluted hydrochloric acid solution.

[0015] Then, at the confluence of the first pipeline 12 and the second pipeline 13, that is, at the upstream end of the downstream pipeline 14, the alkaline sodium hypochlorite solution diluted with raw water and the acidic hydrochloric acid diluted with raw water merge and flow into the downstream pipeline 14. In the middle of the downstream pipeline 14, a third mixing tank 23 is provided to agitate and mix the aqueous solution flowing through the downstream pipeline 14. As a result, the sodium hypochlorite solution flowing from the first pipeline 12 into the downstream pipeline 14 reacts with the hydrochloric acid flowing from the second pipeline 13 into the downstream pipeline 14, generating hypochlorous acid water. The hypochlorous acid water discharged from the third mixing tank 23 flows further through the downstream pipeline 14 into the storage tank 6.

[0016] The storage tank 6 is a container for temporarily storing hypochlorous acid water and is interposed between the downstream end 42 of the downstream pipeline 14 and the upstream end 51 of the discharge pipeline 15. The inner diameter of the storage tank 6 is larger than the inner diameters of the downstream pipeline 14 and the discharge pipeline 15, and the flow velocity of the hypochlorous acid water inside the storage tank 6 is lower than that of the downstream pipeline 14 and the discharge pipeline 15.

[0017] The downstream end 42 of the downstream pipeline 14 is connected to the bottom or near the bottom of the water storage tank 6. The upstream end 51 of the discharge pipeline 15 is connected to the top or near the top of the water storage tank 6. Thus, the connection between the downstream end 42 of the downstream pipeline 14 and the water storage tank 6 is located lower than the connection between the upstream end 51 of the discharge pipeline 15 and the water storage tank 6. As a result, the hypochlorous acid water flowing into the water storage tank 6 from the downstream end 42 of the downstream pipeline 14 flows slowly from the bottom to the top of the water storage tank 6. At this time, the hypochlorous acid water is further agitated by its flow inside the water storage tank 6, and variations in the concentration and pH value of the hypochlorous acid water are equalized.

[0018] The hypochlorous acid water generator 100 has a pH meter 7 for measuring the pH value of the aqueous solution in the water tank 6. The detection unit of the pH meter 7 is mounted so as to be located at the top of the internal space of the water tank 6. As a result, the pH meter 7 detects the pH value of the hypochlorous acid water located at the top of the internal space of the water tank 6. The detected pH value is output as a detection signal. Since the flow velocity of the hypochlorous acid water flowing through the water tank 6 is lower than that of the downstream pipeline 14 and the discharge pipeline 15, the pH meter 7 can accurately detect the pH value of the hypochlorous acid water, stabilizing the measurement of the pH value of the hypochlorous acid water by the pH meter 7 and stabilizing the pH value of the discharged hypochlorous acid water.

[0019] Furthermore, as described above, the connection point between the downstream end 42 of the downstream pipeline 14 and the water storage tank 6 is located lower than the connection point between the upstream end 51 of the discharge pipeline 15 and the water storage tank 6. Therefore, the generated hypochlorous acid water can be properly agitated in the water storage tank 6, and the measurement by the pH meter 7 can be further stabilized.

[0020] On the outside of the housing 10, a setting unit 80 is provided. The setting unit 80 is an operation unit that receives an input of the target pH value of the hypochlorous acid water to be generated, and for example, is an operation button. The user can set the pH value of the hypochlorous acid water to be generated by operating the operation button. Note that the setting unit 80 is not limited to the operation button. For example, the setting unit 80 may be a functional unit that receives an input of the target pH value of the hypochlorous acid water to be generated wirelessly from an external information terminal.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the hypochlorous acid water generator 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the hypochlorous acid water generator 100 includes a controller 8. The controller 8 includes, as a functional configuration mainly composed of hardware, a control unit 81 and a storage unit 82 connected to the control unit 81. Further, the flow meter 9, the first pump 3b of the first supply unit 3, the second pump 5b of the second supply unit 5, and the pH meter 7 described above are also communicably connected to the controller 8. Furthermore, a setting unit 80, a wireless communication unit 83 and a display unit 84 that form an interface with the outside, and an external storage device 85 are connected to the controller 8.

[0022] The control unit 81 is, for example, a computer and includes a circuit such as a processor like an MPU or an integrated circuit like an ASIC. The storage unit 82 is a memory accessible from the control unit 81 and has, for example, a RAM and a ROM. Among these, the RAM temporarily stores various data during the operation of the control unit 81. The ROM stores computer programs and data for performing various data processes. Therefore, the control unit 81 executes a computer program while referring to the data stored in the storage unit 82.

[0023] The controller 8 then automatically adjusts the pH value of the hypochlorous acid water by feedback control so that the pH value of the hypochlorous acid water becomes the target pH value accepted by the setting unit 80. Specifically, the control unit 81 calculates the deviation between the pH value of the aqueous solution in the water storage tank 6 detected by the pH meter 7 and the target pH value. Then, in order to bring the calculated deviation closer to zero, the control unit 81 supplies sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution to the raw water flowing through the first pipe 12 and salt to the raw water flowing through the second pipe 13, according to the flow rate of the raw water flowing through the upstream pipe 11 detected by the flow meter 9. acid The amount is determined. Then, the control unit 81 outputs control signals to the first supply unit 3 and the second supply unit 5 to control them. This makes it possible to generate hypochlorous acid water with a target pH value. The residual chlorine concentration of the generated hypochlorous acid water will be a concentration corresponding to the pH value of the hypochlorous acid water.

[0024] Furthermore, the control unit 81 monitors the operating status of the hypochlorous acid water generator 100 based on the pH value of the aqueous solution in the water storage tank 6 detected by the pH meter 7. For example, if the discrepancy between the pH value predicted from the amount of sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution supplied to the raw water flowing through the first pipeline 12 and the amount of chlorine supplied to the raw water flowing through the second pipeline 13 and the pH value of the aqueous solution in the water storage tank 6 detected by the pH meter 7 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit 81 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the hypochlorous acid water generator 100.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the communication network connecting the hypochlorous acid water generator 100. The wireless communication unit 83 is a communication unit that can wirelessly connect to the access point 105 shown in Figure 3. As a result, the controller 8 is able to communicate with the mobile information terminal 101 and information terminal 102 within the premises where the hypochlorous acid water generator 100 is installed, via the access point 105. The wireless communication unit 83 is also able to communicate with the mail server 106 via the access point 105. As a result, it is possible to send emails to external mobile information terminals 103 and information terminal 104. Therefore, the controller 8 can transmit various information to terminals within and outside the premises and display the information on each terminal. The information displayed on the terminals includes the operating status of the hypochlorous acid water generator 100 and any abnormalities that have occurred in the hypochlorous acid water generator 100.

[0026] The display unit 84 is, for example, a color liquid crystal display device. The controller 8 controls the display unit 84 to display the operating status of the hypochlorous acid water generator 100. Furthermore, if the controller 8 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the hypochlorous acid water generator 100, it controls the display unit 84 to display information on the display unit 84 to notify the controller of the abnormality.

[0027] The external storage device 85 is, for example, a recording medium using semiconductor memory. The controller 8 outputs a file containing the 100 operating conditions to the external storage device 85 and stores it in the external storage device 85.

[0028] Then, the control unit 81 detects an error where the pH value of the aqueous solution measured by the pH meter 7 deviates from a predetermined normal range. and If a problem is detected, an error is notified via email through the communication network. This allows the administrator of the hypochlorous acid water generator 100 to be promptly notified of the error.

[0029] From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be interpreted as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of its structure and / or function can be substantially modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 1. Flow channel 2. Tank No. 1 3 1st supply section 4. Tank No. 2 5 Second supply section 6. Water storage tank 7 pH meter 8. Controller 9 Flowmeter 11 Upstream pipeline 12 1st pipeline 13 2nd pipeline 14 Downstream pipeline 15 Discharge pipe line 80 Setting section 100 Hypochlorous Acid Water Generator

Claims

1. The upstream pipeline from which raw water is supplied, The first and second pipelines have their upstream ends branching off from the downstream end of the upstream pipeline and their downstream ends merging. A first tank for storing sodium hypochlorite solution, A first supply unit that supplies the sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution stored in the first tank to the raw water flowing through the first pipeline, A second tank for storing hydrochloric acid, A second supply unit that supplies hydrochloric acid stored in the second tank to the raw water flowing through the second pipeline, A downstream pipeline whose upstream end is connected to the downstream end of the first pipeline and the second pipeline, A water storage tank connected to the downstream end of the aforementioned downstream pipeline, A pH meter having a detection unit located in the internal space of the water storage tank for measuring the pH value of the aqueous solution in the water storage tank, A discharge pipeline whose upstream end is connected to the water storage tank, A setting unit that accepts input for the target pH value of the hypochlorous acid water to be generated, The system comprises a control unit that controls the first supply unit and the second supply unit, The control unit calculates the deviation between the pH value of the aqueous solution in the water tank detected by the pH meter and the target pH value, and determines and supplies the amounts of sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution to be supplied to the raw water flowing through the first pipeline and hydrochloric acid to be supplied to the raw water flowing through the second pipeline so as to bring the calculated deviation closer to zero, and provides these amounts to the hypochlorous acid water generating device.

2. The hypochlorous acid water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion between the downstream pipeline and the water storage tank is located below the connection portion between the discharge pipeline and the water storage tank.

3. Equipped with a wireless communication unit capable of connecting to a mail server, The hypochlorous acid water generator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that an error has occurred in which the pH value of the aqueous solution measured by the pH meter deviates from a predetermined normal range, and notifies the error via email through the mail server.

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