Salt dosing system and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a salt dosing system and method for an electrolysis tank, which has at least one water inlet, at least one salt inlet, at least one electrode, and at least one water outlet and which enables the electrolyzed water to be obtained inside it, said salt dosing system and method enabling the addition of salt into said electrolysis tank via said salt inlet.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] SALT DOSING SYSTEM AND METHOD

[0003] Subject of the Invention

[0004] The invention relates to a salt dosing system and method for an electrolysis tank, which has at least one water inlet, at least one salt inlet, at least one electrode, and at least one water outlet and which enables the electrolyzed water to be obtained inside it, said salt dosing system and method enabling the addition of salt into said electrolysis tank via said salt inlet.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] The electrolysis of the salt water is the process of separation of the dissolved salt in the water by way of electrical induction. The electrolysis is a chemical process where an electric current is used to dissolve or combine the ions in the water. The electrolysis of the salt water is important especially for the production of the hydrogen and chlorine gases. During the process, the following main anode reaction and the cathode reactions take place. As a result of these reactions, while the hydrogen and chlorine gases and / or the ions are released due to the electrolysis, the quantity of the hydroxide ions in the water increases, and thus the pH of the solution increases. This type of electrolysis process may be used also for killing the bacteria and the microorganisms in the water, because the released chlorine gas has disinfectant properties. However, since the hydrogen and chlorine gases that are possible to be released may be explosive, this process must be carefully controlled and such systems must be usually designed by taking the safety measures. Consequently, it is very important to continuously control the water and salt ratios for the electrolysis process and the electrolysis process itself.

[0007] The biofilm is a thin sticky layer secreted by the microorganisms on a surface where the microorganisms are embedded in a matrix surrounding them. The formation of a biofilm involves the formation of this special structure on a surface as a result of the assemblage of the microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. The microorganisms generally attach to a surface after the stages of free floating in a liquid medium. This surface may be present on a pipe wall, tooth surface, implant, water pipes, medical devices, ship bodies, or in any moist or water-containing environment. The microorganisms produce a sticky matrix called extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix that encases said microorganisms. This matrix, by preserving the biofilm structure, helps the microorganisms to stick to each other and to the surface. EPS secreted by the microorganisms forms the biofilm matrix. This matrix enables the microorganisms to remain attached to each other and stabilizes the biofilm structure. The biofilm matrix also regulates the interaction of the microorganisms with their surroundings. The biofilm grows and develops in the course of time. The new microorganisms enable the biofilm to grow by joining the existing biofilm matrix. This process results in the expansion and the thickening of the biofilm. The biofilm formation may cause problems in various industrial, medical and environmental practices, because the biofilms allow the microorganisms to become resistant to the antibiotics or disinfectants and allow them to cause various issues by damaging the surfaces. Consequently, controlling and preventing the biofilm formation is an important field of research and application in many industries.

[0008] In the laboratory studies, it was observed that the contamination remaining inside the toilet bowl persists following the first flushing action and that the flushing action does not entirely prevent the aerosol formation even when said flushing action is performed while the toilet seat lid is closed. It was further observed that the microbial contamination may occur and the biofilm formation may take place in the flush tank and the waterways due to the turbulence generated during the flushing or due to the water remaining inside the bowl taking the aerosol form. It was further observed that the water (dead water, still water, or standing water) kept standing especially in the areas like bathroom and toilet room where the contamination is excessive causes an increase in the existing pathogens and that said pathogens contaminate again the users, products, and the ambience through the flushing water. If the existing contamination contains a high quantity of pathogens, then there is the risk that said contamination may infect the persons using the products, the staff cleaning said products, and every other person present in the ambience. Consequently, all the technical problems mentioned above have made it necessary to make an innovation in the relevant technical field.

[0009] Object of the Invention

[0010] An object of the invention is to introduce a salt dosing system and method, which enable to determine the quantity of salt to be added based on the quantity and the ion content of the water inside the electrolysis tank.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to introduce a salt dosing system and method, which enable to determine the quantity of salt to be added based on the quantity and the ion content of the water inside the electrolysis tank and which thus enable to prevent the excessive use of salt or the wastage of salt.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to introduce a salt dosing system and method, which enable to determine the quantity of salt to be added based on the quantity and the ion content of the water inside the electrolysis tank and which thus enable to prevent a decline in the disinfection feature of the electrolyzed water that is possible to result from the use of an inadequate quantity of salt.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to introduce a salt dosing system and method, which enable to operate the electrodes based on the quantity and the ion content of the water inside the electrolysis tank and which thus enable to prevent the excessive energy consumption resulting from the excess operation of the electrodes or prevent the inability to completely electrolyze the water resulting from the inadequate operation of the electrodes.

[0014] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0015] The invention relates to a salt dosing system and a salt dosing method for an electrolysis tank, which has at least one water inlet, at least one salt inlet, at least one electrode, and at least one water outlet and which enables the electrolyzed water to be obtained inside it, said salt dosing system and salt dosing method enabling the addition of salt into said electrolysis tank via said salt inlet. Said salt dosing system is characterized in that said salt dosing system comprises in its most basic form

[0016] • at least one liquid level sensor, which enables the water level inside said electrolysis tank to be determined,

[0017] • at least one ion sensor, which enables at least one ion concentration of the water inside said electrolysis tank to be determined, and

[0018] • at least one control unit, which enables the quantity of salt to be added into the electrolysis tank to be determined based on the signals said control unit receives from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor.

[0019] In this way, it is made possible to determine the quantity of salt to be added based on the quantity and the ion content of the water inside the electrolysis tank and thus prevent the excessive use of salt or the wastage of salt.

[0020] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the salt dosing system comprises at least one salt tank to enable the storage of the salt. In a possible embodiment, the salt dosing system comprises at least one salt level sensor for measuring the salt level inside said salt tank. In a possible embodiment, said salt level sensor is an optical sensor. In a possible embodiment, said salt level sensor is an ultrasonic sensor. In a possible embodiment, said salt level sensor is a strain sensor. In a possible embodiment, the salt dosing system comprises at least one warning component configured to issue a warning about the reduced salt level in case the salt level measured by means of said salt level sensor drops below a predetermined threshold.

[0021] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the salt dosing system comprises at least one spiral for enabling the conveyance of the salt inside said salt tank to the electrolysis tank, at least one spiral channel for positioning said spiral, and at least one spiral motor for providing the rotary movement of said spiral. In this way, it is made possible to convey the salt to the electrolysis tank and pour the salt into said electrolysis tank via said salt inlet, owing to the rotation of the spiral. In a possible embodiment, said control unit is a control unit, which is configured to trigger the operation of said spiral motor based on the determined salt quantity. The pitch and the wall thickness of the spiral determine how much salt will be carried at each revolution. Said control unit enables the spiral motor to operate accordingly.

[0022] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the salt dosing system comprises a salt inlet cover for enabling the conveyance of the salt inside said salt tank to the electrolysis tank. In this embodiment, the salt dosing system comprises at least one cover actuator configured to open and close the salt cover in order to enable the salt accumulating on said salt inlet cover to be conveyed to the electrolysis tank. In a possible embodiment, the salt inlet cover and the salt tank are positioned in the upper part of the electrolysis tank. In this way, the salt inside the salt tank is enabled to accumulate on the salt inlet cover by means of a channel or pipe. As a result, the input of salt to the electrolysis tank is enabled by means of said cover actuator. In a possible embodiment, said control unit is a control unit, which is configured to trigger the operation of said cover actuator based on the determined salt quantity.

[0023] In a possible embodiment of the invention, said control unit is a control unit, which is configured to trigger the operation of said electrode or electrodes based on the signals said control unit receives from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor. In a possible embodiment, said control unit is a control unit, which enables the voltage to be applied to the conducting plates of said electrode or electrodes to be determined based on the signals said control unit receives from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor. In a possible embodiment, said control unit is a control unit, which enables the duration of operation of said electrode or electrodes to be determined based on the signals said control unit receives from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor. In this way, it is made possible to prevent the excessive energy consumption resulting from the excess operation of the electrodes or prevent the inability to completely electrolyze the water resulting from the inadequate operation of the electrodes.

[0024] In a possible embodiment of the invention, said ion sensor is an RF sensor. By means of said RF sensor, the ion concentration of the water inside the electrolysis tank is determined based on the waves reflected by said water in a certain frequency range. In a possible embodiment, said ion sensor is a chemiresistive sensor. In a possible embodiment, said ion sensor is a dielectric probe. In a possible embodiment, said ion sensor comprises at least one pH indicator and at least one optical sensor detecting the color of said pH indicator.

[0025] In a possible embodiment of the invention, said ion is the chloride ion. In a possible embodiment, said ion is the hydroxide ion.

[0026] In a possible embodiment of the invention, said water outlet of the electrolysis tank is associated with at least one water outlet valve and / or at least one pump in order to flush the bowl of a ceramic sanitary ware by using the water electrolyzed inside the electrolysis tank. In a possible embodiment, said water outlet is associated with at least one water outlet valve and / or at least one pump in order to enable the delivery of the water electrolyzed inside the electrolysis tank to at least one bidet liquid reservoir and / or at least one bidet liquid outlet channel so that a user may perform the cleansing. In a possible embodiment, said water outlet is associated with at least one water outlet valve and / or at least one pump in order to enable at least one bidet liquid outlet nozzle, which enables the user to perform the cleansing, to be cleaned by spraying the water electrolyzed inside the electrolysis tank towards said bidet liquid outlet nozzle.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A salt dosing system for an electrolysis tank, which has at least one water inlet, at least one salt inlet, at least one electrode, and at least one water outlet and which enables the electrolyzed water to be obtained inside it, said salt dosing system enabling the addition of salt into said electrolysis tank via said salt inlet, characterized in that the salt dosing system comprises• at least one liquid level sensor, which enables the water level inside said electrolysis tank to be determined,• at least one ion sensor, which enables at least one ion concentration of the water inside said electrolysis tank to be determined, and• at least one control unit, which enables the quantity of salt to be added into the electrolysis tank to be determined based on the signals said control unit receives from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor.

2. A salt dosing system according to Claim 1 characterized in that the salt dosing system comprises at least one salt tank to enable the storage of the salt.

3. A salt dosing system according to Claim 2 characterized in that the salt dosing system comprises at least one salt level sensor for measuring the salt level inside said salt tank.

4. A salt dosing system according to Claim 3 characterized in that said salt level sensor is an optical sensor.

5. A salt dosing system according to Claim 3 or 4 characterized in that the salt dosing system comprises at least one warning component configured to issue a warning about the reduced salt level in case the salt level measured by means of said salt level sensor drops below a predetermined threshold.

6. A salt dosing system according to any one of Claims 2-5 characterized in that the salt dosing system comprises at least one spiral for enabling the conveyance of the salt inside said salt tank to the electrolysis tank, at least one spiral channel for positioningsaid spiral, and at least one spiral motor for providing the rotary movement of said spiral.

7. A salt dosing system according to Claim 6 characterized in that said control unit is a control unit, which is configured to trigger the operation of said spiral motor based on the determined salt quantity.

8. A salt dosing system according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said control unit is a control unit, which is configured to trigger the operation of said electrode or electrodes based on the signals said control unit receives from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor.

9. A salt dosing system according to Claim 8 characterized in that said control unit is a control unit, which enables the voltage to be applied to the conducting plates of said electrode or electrodes to be determined based on the signals said control unit receives from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor.

10. A salt dosing system according to Claim 8 or 9 characterized in that said control unit is a control unit, which enables the duration of operation of said electrode or electrodes to be determined based on the signals said control unit receives from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor.

11. A salt dosing system according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said ion sensor is an RF sensor.

12. A salt dosing system according to any one of Claims 1-10 characterized in that said ion sensor is a chemiresistive sensor.

13. A salt dosing system according to any one of Claims 1-10 characterized in that said ion sensor is a dielectric probe.

14. A salt dosing system according to any one of Claims 1-10 characterized in that said ion sensor comprises at least one pH indicator and at least one optical sensor detecting the color of said pH indicator.

15. A salt dosing system according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said ion is the chloride ion.

16. A salt dosing system according to any one of Claims 1-14 characterized in that said ion is the hydroxide ion.

17. A salt dosing system according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said water outlet is associated with at least one water outlet valve and / or at least one pump in order to flush the bowl of a ceramic sanitary ware by using the water electrolyzed inside the electrolysis tank.

18. A salt dosing system according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said water outlet is associated with at least one water outlet valve and / or at least one pump in order to enable the delivery of the water electrolyzed inside the electrolysis tank to at least one bidet liquid reservoir and / or at least one bidet liquid outlet channel so that a user may perform the cleansing.

19. A salt dosing system according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said water outlet is associated with at least one water outlet valve and / or at least one pump in order to enable at least one bidet liquid outlet nozzle, which enables the user to perform the cleansing, to be cleaned by spraying the water electrolyzed inside the electrolysis tank towards said bidet liquid outlet nozzle.

20. A salt dosing method for an electrolysis tank, which has at least one water inlet, at least one salt inlet, at least one electrode, and at least one water outlet and which enables the electrolyzed water to be obtained inside it, said salt dosing method enabling the addition of salt into said electrolysis tank via said salt inlet, characterized in that the salt dosing method comprises the process steps of• determining the water level inside said electrolysis tank by means of at least one liquid level sensor,• determining at least one ion concentration of the water inside said electrolysis tank by means of at least one ion sensor, and• determining the quantity of salt to be added into the electrolysis tank based on the signals received from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor by means of at least one control unit.

21. A salt dosing method according to Claim 20 characterized in that the salt dosing method comprises the process step of adding the salt into the electrolysis tank by means of at least one spiral, based on the salt quantity determined by means of said control unit.

22. A salt dosing method according to Claim 20 or 21 characterized in that the salt dosing method comprises the process step of triggering the operation of said electrode or electrodes based on the signals received from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor by means of said control unit.

23. A salt dosing method according to Claim 22 characterized in that the salt dosing method comprises the process step of determining the voltage to be applied to the conducting plates of said electrode or electrodes based on the signals received from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor by means of said control unit.

24. A salt dosing method according to Claim 22 or 23 characterized in that the salt dosing method comprises the process step of determining the duration of operation of said electrode or electrodes based on the signals received from said liquid level sensor and said ion sensor by means of said control unit.

25. A salt dosing method according to any one of Claims 20-24 characterized in that said ion sensor is an RF sensor.

26. A salt dosing method according to any one of Claims 20-24 characterized in that said ion sensor is a chemiresistive sensor.

27. A salt dosing method according to any one of Claims 20-24 characterized in that said ion sensor is a dielectric probe.

28. A salt dosing method according to any one of Claims 20-24 characterized in that said ion sensor comprises at least one pH indicator and at least one optical sensor detecting the color of said pH indicator.

29. A salt dosing method according to any one of Claims 20-28 characterized in that said ion is the chloride ion.

30. A salt dosing method according to any one of Claims 20-28 characterized in that said ion is the hydroxide ion.

31. A salt dosing method according to any one of Claims 20-30 characterized in that the salt dosing method comprises the process step of delivering the water electrolyzed inside the electrolysis tank to the bowl of a ceramic sanitary ware by means of at least one water outlet valve and / or at least one pump associated with said water outlet.

32. A salt dosing method according to any one of Claims 20-31 characterized in that the salt dosing method comprises the process step of delivering the water electrolyzed inside the electrolysis tank to at least one bidet liquid reservoir and / or at least one bidet liquid outlet channel by means of at least one water outlet valve and / or at least one pump associated with said water outlet so that a user may perform the cleansing.