Electrolyzed water generator and determination method

Abstract

This invention provides an electrolytic water generator capable of accurately determining the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte solution based on electrical parameters during electrolysis. [Solution] An electrolytic water generating device that generates electrolytic water by electrolyzing an electrolyte to which baking soda has been added comprises an electrolytic cell in which a pair of electrodes are separated by a diaphragm, and a DC power supply that can be controlled so that a constant current flows between the electrodes, and comprises a measuring unit that electrolyzes the electrolyte to be contained in the electrolytic cell and measures at least one of the voltage between the electrodes and the current flowing between the electrodes during electrolysis, and a determination unit that determines the amount of baking soda added to the electrolyte to be generated based on the measured value measured by the measuring unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generator and a determination method, and more particularly to an electrolyzed water generator that electrolyzes an electrolysis target liquid added with sodium bicarbonate to produce electrolyzed water, and a determination method for determining the addition amount of sodium bicarbonate in the electrolysis target liquid.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an electrolyzed water generator, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. This device comprises an electrolytic cell in which a pair of electrodes are partitioned by a diaphragm, and a DC power supply that can be controlled so that a constant current flows between the two electrodes. After containing the electrolysis target liquid added with a predetermined amount of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) in the electrolytic cell, a voltage is applied so that a constant current (for example, 15 A) flows between the two electrodes to electrolyze the electrolysis target liquid. Thereby, electrolyzed water containing carbonate ions and bicarbonate ions is produced. The electrolyzed water obtained in this way can be diluted at a predetermined dilution ratio and then used as washing water having carbonate ions and bicarbonate ions as washing components.

[0003] However, in the electrolysis of an electrolysis target liquid added with sodium bicarbonate, various side reaction products are generated, which change the electrical conductivity. For this reason, it is difficult to accurately measure the concentration of carbonate ions and bicarbonate ions contained in the electrolysis target liquid during electrolysis, and it is also difficult to stably obtain carbonate ions and bicarbonate ions in a desired concentration range.

[0004] Here, since sodium bicarbonate has excellent solubility (solubility is about 9.6 g / 100 g water at 20°C), a method of electrolyzing an electrolysis target liquid added with an excessive amount of sodium bicarbonate has been conventionally employed. Although such a method can obtain washing water having a sufficient washing effect, it has a problem of poor usability in that carbonate ions and bicarbonate ions become excessive, and sodium bicarbonate and the like precipitate after washing with the washing water to leave residual marks. On the other hand, when the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolysis target liquid is insufficient, the amounts of carbonate ions and bicarbonate ions in the electrolyzed water obtained by electrolysis and the washing water diluted from the electrolyzed water are insufficient, so that a sufficient washing effect cannot be obtained.

[0005] Thus, conventionally, there has been no means to properly determine the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte during electrolysis, making it difficult to consistently ensure the cleaning effect and ease of use of the electrolyzed water according to its intended purpose. For this reason, there has been a need for an electrolyzed water generator that can accurately determine the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte from the electrical parameters (voltage and current) during electrolysis. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 1999 / 037414 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic water generator and a determination method that can accurately determine the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte from the electrical parameters during electrolysis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As a result of diligent research, the inventors discovered that when the applied voltage is controlled so that a constant current flows between a pair of electrodes, the initial voltage immediately after the start of electrolysis decreases as the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte increases, and that the electrolysis time changes depending on the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte until the electrolysis current becomes smaller than the controlled constant current value, thus completing the present invention.

[0009] According to the present invention, the following electrolytic water generating apparatus and determination method are provided. 1. An electrolytic water generating apparatus that generates electrolytic water by electrolyzing an electrolyte to which sodium bicarbonate has been added, comprising an electrolytic cell in which a pair of electrodes are separated by a diaphragm, and a DC power supply that can be controlled so that a constant current flows between the electrodes, wherein the electrolytic water generating apparatus electrolyzes the electrolyte to be contained in the electrolytic cell, and further comprising a measuring unit that measures at least one of the voltage between the electrodes and the current flowing between the electrodes during electrolysis, and a determination unit that determines the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte to be generated based on the measured value obtained by the measuring unit. 2. The electrolytic water generator according to claim 1, wherein the applied voltage between the electrodes is controlled so that a constant current flows between the electrodes from the DC power supply, and the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined based on the initial voltage immediately after the start of electrolysis, which is measured by the measuring unit. 3. An electrolytic water generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the applied voltage between the electrodes is controlled so that a constant current flows from the DC power supply between the electrodes, and the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined based on the electrolysis time until the electrolytic current measured by the measuring unit becomes less than the value of the constant current. 4. The electrolytic water generator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a display unit that displays the determination result of the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte determined by the determination unit. 5. A method for determining the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to an electrolyte containing sodium bicarbonate, wherein the electrolyte contains sodium bicarbonate and is contained in an electrolytic cell in which a pair of electrodes are separated by a diaphragm, and the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined during the electrolysis of the electrolyte, wherein the applied voltage between the electrodes is controlled so that a constant current flows between the electrodes, the initial voltage between the electrodes immediately after the start of electrolysis is measured, and the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined based on this initial voltage. 6. A method for determining the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to an electrolyte containing sodium bicarbonate, wherein the electrolyte contains a pair of electrodes separated by a diaphragm, and the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined during the electrolysis of the electrolyte, wherein the applied voltage between the electrodes is controlled so that a constant current flows between the electrodes, the electrolysis current between the electrodes is measured, and the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined based on the electrolysis time until this electrolysis current becomes less than the value of the constant current. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte can be accurately determined based on the change in voltage or current between the two electrodes during the electrolysis of the electrolyte. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A perspective view of an electrolytic water generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view of the electrolytic water generator shown in Figure 1, cut along line II-II. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the electrolytic water generator in Figure 1 with the lid and case omitted. [Figure 4] A block diagram of the control board provided in the electrolytic water generator of this embodiment. [Figure 5] (a) A flowchart showing the first determination flow of the electrolytic water generator of this embodiment, and (b) A flowchart showing the second determination flow of the electrolytic water generator of this embodiment. [Figure 6] (a) A diagram illustrating the relationship between the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte and the initial voltage immediately after the start of electrolysis, and (b) A diagram illustrating the changes in electrolysis current and electrolysis time when the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is changed. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing a modified example of the determination flow of the electrolytic water generator of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following describes an electrolytic water generator and determination method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereafter, directions such as "up" and "down" will be explained with reference to Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, 1 is an electrolytic water generator according to this embodiment. The electrolytic water generator 1 comprises a case 11, an electrolytic cell 2 provided inside the case 11, and a lid 12 that can be opened and closed to cover the upper opening of the electrolytic cell 2. The electrolytic cell 2 is divided into an anode chamber 2a and a cathode chamber 2b by a diaphragm plate 21. As the diaphragm plate 21, known ion exchange membranes, porous membranes, etc., can be used. In both the anode chamber 2a and the cathode chamber 2b, an anode plate 22a and a cathode plate 22b are respectively disposed opposite to each other with a diaphragm plate 21 interposed therebetween. These two electrode plates 22a and 22b constitute a pair of electrodes, and a predetermined voltage is applied between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b from a DC power supply described later. As the two electrode plates 22a and 22b, a titanium base material coated with a noble metal such as platinum or iridium can be used.

[0013] On the front side of the upper surface of the lid portion 12, an operation portion 12a provided with an electrolysis start switch, a stop switch, a water discharge start switch and the like, and a display portion 12b provided with a power indicator lamp, an operation indicator lamp and the like are provided. Further, on the display portion 12b, determination lamps 12b1 to 12b3 respectively indicating the states of "low", "proper" and "high" are respectively arranged in accordance with the determination result of a determination unit described later. When a user operates the electrolysis start switch of the operation unit 12a, a predetermined voltage is applied between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b, and electrolysis of the electrolyzed solution accommodated in the electrolyzer 2 is started.

[0014] Referring also to FIG. 3, water discharge ports 23a and 23b are respectively opened at the bottom portions of the two electrode chambers 2a and 2b. One end side of each of water discharge hoses 31a and 31b is connected to each of the water discharge ports 23a and 23b, respectively, and the other end sides of these hoses join at a mixing nozzle 32. When a user operates the water discharge start switch of the operation unit 12a, a liquid feed pump (not shown) is driven, and the electrolyzed water in the two electrode chambers 2a and 2b is discharged through the respective water discharge ports 23a and 23b and the respective water discharge hoses 31a and 31b, mixed by the mixing nozzle 32, and then discharged from the water discharge nozzle 33.

[0015] Further, a recess 13 is formed in the case 11 below the electrolyzer 2, and the control board 4 is disposed in the recess 13. Referring also to FIG. 4, the control board 4 is equipped with a DC power supply 41 capable of controlling an applied voltage such that a constant current flows between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b, a voltage sensor 42a for measuring the voltage between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b during electrolysis, a current sensor 42b for measuring the current flowing between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b during electrolysis, and a determination unit 43 for determining the addition amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte to be electrolyzed based on the voltage or current measured by the voltage sensor 42a and the current sensor 42b. In the present embodiment, the voltage sensor 42a and the current sensor 42b constitute a measurement unit.

[0016] The DC power supply 41 is a power supply circuit that receives an AC commercial power supply (AC 100V or 200V) as input and outputs a rectified DC voltage via a line filter 44 and a rectifying smoothing unit 45. The DC power supply 41 includes a current detection circuit and a voltage control circuit, performs feedback control on the current flowing between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b based on a detection signal from the current sensor 42b, and has a constant current control configuration that automatically adjusts the applied voltage so as to maintain a set constant current (e.g., DC 1A). The DC power supply 41 is connected to polarity switching circuits 47a and 47b for switching the polarity of the electrodes periodically or as needed, and polarity inversion control during electrolysis operation is also possible.

[0017] The determination unit 43 is configured by a signal processing circuit that captures detection signals from the voltage sensor 42a and the current sensor 42b, and performs A / D conversion, comparison operation, logical determination and output control. These processes may be configured as a hardware circuit, or may be executed as software built in the CPU control unit 48.

[0018] Furthermore, in addition to the DC power supply 41, voltage and current sensors 42a and 42b, and determination unit 43, the control board 4 is equipped with a line filter 44, a rectifier and smoothing unit 45 (smoothing capacitor, etc.), a pump power supply 46a that supplies power to the motors that are the power sources for the liquid transfer pumps P1 and P2, a motor control unit 46b that controls the operation of the motors, polarity switching circuits 47a and 47b that apply voltage to the electrode plates 22a and 22b and switch polarity, and a CPU control unit 48 that receives output signals from the determination unit 43 and controls the motor control unit 46b and polarity switching circuits 47a and 47b. The CPU control unit 48 also lights up the determination lamps 12b1 to 12b3 on the display unit 12b based on the determination result of the determination unit 43. Note that since known electronic control circuits can be used for the control board 4 and the components mounted on it, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0019] The electrolysis method of the electrolyte to be electrolyzed using the electrolytic water generator 1 and the determination flow (first and second determination flow) of the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte to be electrolyzed by the determination unit 43 will be explained below with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5(a) shows the first determination flow by the determination unit 43. First, in STEP 11, the electrolyte to be added with sodium bicarbonate is placed in the electrolytic cell 2, and the electrolysis start switch on the operation unit 12a is operated. As a result, a DC voltage is applied from the DC power supply 41 between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b, and the voltage applied from the DC power supply 41 is controlled so that a constant current A1 flows between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b.

[0020] In STEP 12, the initial voltage V immediately after the start of electrolysis (for example, within milliseconds after the start of voltage application) is measured by the voltage sensor 42a. Here, as shown in Figure 6(a), the initial voltage V immediately after the start of electrolysis decreases as the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte (g / L) increases. Based on this correlation, a first reference voltage V1, where the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is excessive, and a second reference voltage V2, where the amount of sodium bicarbonate added is insufficient, are set in advance. In STEP 13, the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined based on the initial voltage V measured in STEP 12. Specifically, if the initial voltage V is greater than or equal to the first reference voltage V1 and less than or equal to the second reference voltage V2, the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined to be within the "appropriate range" (STEP 14). On the other hand, if the initial voltage V is less than the first reference voltage V1 or greater than the second reference voltage V2, the process proceeds to STEP 15. If the initial voltage V is less than the first reference voltage V1, the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined to be "too much" (STEP 16). Furthermore, in STEP 15, if the initial voltage V is greater than the first reference voltage V1 (i.e., the initial voltage V is greater than the second reference voltage V2), the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined to be "too little" (STEP 17). This completes the first determination flow.

[0021] Next, Figure 5(b) shows the second determination flow by the determination unit 43. Similar to STEP 11 of the first determination flow described above, a DC voltage is applied between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b from the DC power supply 41, and the voltage applied from the DC power supply 41 is controlled so that a constant current A1 flows between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b (STEP 21).

[0022] In STEP 22, the electrolytic current A flowing between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b during electrolysis is measured at predetermined intervals (for example, every 10 seconds) using the current sensor 42b. Here, in the samples S1 to S6 shown in Figure 6(b), the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte (g / L) is increasing in the order of samples S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6. The greater the amount of sodium bicarbonate added, the longer the electrolysis time t until the electrolytic current A becomes less than a constant current A1 controlled by the DC power supply 41. (Note that sample S6 shown in Figure 6(b) is an example in which the electrolytic current does not become less than the constant current even after a predetermined electrolysis time has elapsed.) Based on this correlation, a first reference electrolysis time T1 in which the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is excessive and a second reference electrolysis time T2 in which the amount of sodium bicarbonate added is insufficient are set in advance. The following explanation will use the case where the first reference electrolysis time T1 is t4 in Figure 6(b) and the second reference electrolysis time T2 is t2 in Figure 6(b) as an example.

[0023] In STEP 23, it is determined whether the electrolysis current A measured in STEP 22 is less than a constant current A1 controlled by the DC power supply 41. If the electrolysis current A is greater than or equal to the constant current A1, the process returns to STEP 22 and continues measuring the electrolysis current A. On the other hand, if the electrolysis current A is less than the constant current A1, the process proceeds to STEP 24, where the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined based on the electrolysis time t during which an electrolysis current less than the constant current (e.g., DC1A) was measured. That is, in STEP 24, if the electrolysis time t is greater than or equal to the second reference electrolysis time T2 and less than or equal to the first reference electrolysis time T1, the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined to be within the "appropriate range" (STEP 25). On the other hand, if the electrolysis time t is less than the second reference electrolysis time T2 or greater than the first reference electrolysis time T1, the process proceeds to STEP 26, where the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined to be "too little" (STEP 27). On the other hand, in STEP 26, if the electrolysis time t is greater than the second reference electrolysis time T2 (i.e., the electrolysis time t is greater than the first reference electrolysis time T1), the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is determined to be "too much" (STEP 28). This completes the second judgment flow.

[0024] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to accurately determine whether the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte is within an appropriate range based on the change in voltage or current between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b during the electrolysis of the electrolyte. Furthermore, by illuminating each judgment lamp 12b1 to 12b3 via the CPU control unit 48 according to the judgment result of the judgment unit 43, the user of the electrolytic water generator 1 can easily grasp the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte by visually checking the illumination status of each judgment lamp 12b1 to 12b3.

[0025] [Examples] To confirm the effects of the present invention, the following Experiments 1 and 2 were conducted using the electrolytic water generator 1 described above. The two electrode plates 22a and 22b of the electrolytic water generator 1 used in Experiments 1 and 2 have dimensions of 155 mm × 135 mm, and these electrode plates 22a and 22b are arranged facing each other at a distance of 5 mm via a diaphragm plate 21 made of a composite porous membrane containing polyvinylidene fluoride and titanium oxide.

[0026] [Experiment 1] (1) Preparation of the electrolyte Each electrolyte solution was prepared by adding sodium bicarbonate to pure water (ion-exchanged water) to achieve the sodium bicarbonate concentrations shown in Table 1. In this experiment, a sodium bicarbonate concentration of 1.1 g / L to 1.5 g / L was considered the "appropriate range." (2) Measurement of initial voltage After placing 2 liters of each prepared electrolyte into the respective electrode chambers 2a and 2b, electrolysis was started by applying a voltage from a DC power supply 41 (DC 24V, DC 1A constant current) between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b. The initial voltage V immediately after the start of electrolysis (within a few seconds after voltage application) was measured using a voltage sensor 42a, and the results are shown in Table 1. (3) Implementation of the first determination Table 1 confirms that the first reference voltage V1 is 7.3V and the second reference voltage V2 is 8.6V. Therefore, if the initial voltage V immediately after the start of electrolysis is between 7.3V and 8.6V, the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte can be determined to be within the "appropriate range".

[0027] [Experiment 2] (1) Measurement of electrolysis time Two liters of each electrolyte solution, prepared in the same manner as in Experiment 1 above, were placed in the respective electrode chambers 2a and 2b. Then, a voltage was applied between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b from a DC power supply 41 (DC 24V, DC 1A constant current) to perform electrolysis. The electrolysis current A was measured using a current sensor 42b, and the electrolysis time t until the electrolysis current A became less than DC 1A was determined. The results are shown in Table 1. (2) Implementation of the second determination Table 1 confirms that the first standard electrolysis time T1 is 43 minutes and the second standard electrolysis time T2 is 36 minutes. Therefore, when the electrolysis time t is between 36 minutes and 43 minutes, the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte can be judged to be within the "appropriate range".

[0028] [Table 1]

[0029] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications are possible as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the first and second judgment flows were described as being performed independently, but the first and second judgment flows may be performed consecutively. For example, as shown in the judgment flow in Figure 7, after performing STEP 31 to STEP 34 corresponding to STEP 11 to STEP 14 of the first judgment flow, STEP 35 to STEP 38 corresponding to STEP 23 to STEP 25 of the second judgment flow can be performed consecutively. In this case, the accuracy of the judgment can be improved compared to performing only the first or second judgment flow.

[0030] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described using a determination unit 43 mounted on the control board 4 as an example to perform the first and second determination flows, the user can also determine the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte based on these first and second determination flows. For example, when using the electrolytic water generator 1, after the electrolyte is placed in the electrolytic cell 2, the DC power supply 41 controls the applied voltage so that a constant current A1 flows between the two electrode plates 22a and 22b, and the user measures the initial voltage V of both electrode plates 22a and 22b immediately after the start of electrolysis using a voltmeter or the like, and determines the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte based on the measured initial voltage V. Similarly, the user can also measure the electrolysis current A of both electrode plates 22a and 22b using an ammeter or the like, and determine the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte based on the electrolysis time t until this electrolysis current A becomes smaller than a constant current value controlled by the DC power supply 41. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 1...Electrolyzed water generator, 11...Case, 12...Lid, 12a...Operation unit, 12b...Display unit, 12b1, 12b2, 12b3...Judgment lamp (display unit), 13...Recess (case), 2...Electrolytic cell, 2a...Anode chamber, 2b...Cathode chamber, 21...Diaphragm plate (diaphragm), 22a...Anode plate (pair of electrodes), 22b...Cathode plate (pair of electrodes), 23a, 23b...Water outlet, 31a, 31b...Water outlet hose, 32...Mixing nozzle, 33...Water outlet nozzle, 4...Control board, 41...DC power supply, 42a...Voltage sensor (measurement unit), 42b...Current sensor S (measurement unit), 43...determination unit, 44...line filter, 45...rectification and smoothing unit, 46a...pump power supply, 46b...motor control unit, 47a,47b...polarity switching circuit, 48...CPU control unit, P1,P2...liquid pump, V...initial voltage immediately after electrolysis starts, V1...first reference voltage, V2...second reference voltage, A...electrolysis current, A1...constant current controlled by the DC power supply, t...electrolysis time until the electrolysis current becomes less than the constant current controlled by the DC power supply, T1...first reference electrolysis time, T2...second reference electrolysis time.

Claims

1. An electrolytic water generator that produces electrolytic water by electrolyzing a solution to which baking soda has been added, An electrolytic cell comprising a pair of electrodes separated by a diaphragm, and a DC power supply capable of controlling the flow of a constant current between the electrodes, wherein the electrolytic solution contained in the electrolytic cell is electrolyzed, The system comprises a measuring unit for measuring the voltage between electrodes during electrolysis, and a determination unit for determining the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte based on the measured value obtained by the measuring unit. With the voltage applied between the electrodes controlled so that a constant current flows from the DC power supply between the electrodes, the measuring unit measures the voltage value between the electrodes within a few seconds from the start of voltage application. An electrolytic water generator in which the determination unit determines the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte based on the voltage value.

2. An electrolytic water generating apparatus that generates electrolytic water by electrolyzing an electrolyte to which baking soda has been added, An electrolytic cell comprising a pair of electrodes separated by a diaphragm, and a DC power supply capable of controlling the flow of a constant current between the electrodes, wherein the electrolytic solution contained in the electrolytic cell is electrolyzed, The system comprises a measuring unit for measuring the current flowing between the electrodes during electrolysis, and a determination unit for determining the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte based on the measured value obtained by the measuring unit. With the voltage applied between the electrodes controlled so that a constant current flows between them from the DC power supply, the measuring unit measures the current value flowing between the electrodes. An electrolytic water generator in which the determination unit determines the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte based on the electrolysis time from the start of voltage application until the current value becomes smaller than the constant current value.

3. The measuring unit is capable of measuring the current flowing between the electrodes in addition to the voltage between the electrodes during electrolysis, The electrolytic water generator according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte based on the electrolysis time from the start of voltage application until the current value measured by the measurement unit becomes smaller than the constant current value.

4. The electrolytic water generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a display unit that displays the determination result of the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte determined by the determination unit.

5. A method for determining the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to an electrolyte containing sodium bicarbonate, in which a pair of electrodes are placed in an electrolytic cell separated by a diaphragm, during the electrolysis of the electrolyte, A determination method for determining the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte, which is determined by controlling the applied voltage between the electrodes so that a constant current flows between them, measuring the voltage value between the electrodes within a few seconds from the start of voltage application, and determining the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte.

6. A method for determining the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to an electrolyte containing sodium bicarbonate, in which a pair of electrodes are placed in an electrolytic cell separated by a diaphragm, during the electrolysis of the electrolyte, A determination method for determining the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to the electrolyte, based on the electrolysis time from the start of voltage application until the current value becomes smaller than the constant current value, while controlling the applied voltage between the electrodes so that a constant current flows between the electrodes.

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