Space purification device

Abstract

A space purification device (1) comprises: an electrolytic bath (10) that retains an aqueous chloride solution (first aqueous solution (L1)) containing chloride ions, and electrolyzes the aqueous chloride solution to generate hypochlorous acid; an internal air path (30) which is provided in an internal upper space (10a) of the electrolytic bath (10), and in which air, discharged as air bubbles (B1) in the aqueous chloride solution from an external space (R), rises to the surface of the aqueous chloride solution and becomes a mixed air (M) containing hypochlorous acid gas and flows; and a bubble rupture part (BD) that is provided to the internal air path (30) and is capable of rupturing bubbles (B2) generated by the mixed air (M) rising to the surface of the aqueous chloride solution. The bubble rupture part (BD) is configured to streamline, at least in a direction toward the liquid surface (S1) of the aqueous chloride solution, the mixed air (M) flowing upward from the liquid surface (S1) in the internal air path (30).

Description

Space Purification Device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a space purification device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a space purification device that generates bubbles by bubbling air in an aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid, and releases the hypochlorous acid gas contained in the bubbles that rise to the surface into an external space together with the air, thereby sterilizing and deodorizing the space.

[0003] JP 2023-171990 A

[0004] In conventional space purification devices, water droplets are removed from mixed air containing hypochlorous acid gas contained in the floating bubbles through an eliminator. The inventors discovered that bubbles are generated by the mixed air containing the floating aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid, and the eliminator cannot remove all the water droplets, which can cause droplets containing high-concentration hypochlorous acid water to boil over when hypochlorous acid is released into the target space.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a space purification device that suppresses droplets from spilling over and provides increased safety.

[0006] The space purification device according to the present disclosure includes an electrolytic cell that stores a chloride aqueous solution containing chloride ions and electrolyzes the chloride aqueous solution to produce hypochlorous acid, an internal air passage provided in an upper space inside the electrolytic cell, through which air released as bubbles from an external space into the chloride aqueous solution floats up through the chloride aqueous solution and becomes mixed air containing hypochlorous acid gas and circulates, and a bubble-bursting unit provided in the internal air passage that can burst bubbles generated by the mixed air that has floated up through the chloride aqueous solution. The bubble-bursting unit is configured to rectify the mixed air flowing through the internal air passage upward from the liquid surface of the chloride aqueous solution at least in a direction toward the liquid surface.

[0007] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a space purification device that suppresses droplets from spilling over and is therefore safer.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a space purification device according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional perspective view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a front cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1.

[0009] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The xyz coordinates shown in the drawings are for the convenience of explaining the positional relationships of the components. Unless otherwise specified, the positive direction of the z axis is vertically upward. The xy plane is a horizontal plane, and is common to all drawings.

[0011] <Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a space purification device 1 according to an embodiment. In this figure, the housing C that houses the entire space purification device 1 is omitted (see Fig. 4). The space purification device 1 generates hypochlorous acid by electrolyzing a first aqueous solution L1 containing chloride ions in an electrolytic cell 10, supplies air to the generated hypochlorous acid-containing aqueous solution, and generates bubbles by bubbling. The hypochlorous acid gas contained in the rising bubbles is released together with air into an external space R (target space) outside the housing C. The released hypochlorous acid removes bacteria, fungi, viruses, odors, and the like contained in the air in the external space R outside the space purification device 1.

[0012] The space purification device 1 is installed indoors. The installation location of the space purification device 1 is preferably a location where air flow can occur. More specifically, the installation location of the space purification device 1 is indoors, and more specifically, includes, for example, inside an air conditioner, which is an air conditioner, around an electric fan, around a circulator, around a ceiling fan, inside a humidifier, inside an air purifier, inside a bathroom dryer, inside a dehumidifier, and on a desk.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1 , the space purification device 1 includes an electrolytic cell 10 and a current control unit 80. The electrolytic cell 10 stores a first aqueous solution L1 containing chloride ions. The electrolytic cell 10 electrolyzes the stored first aqueous solution L1 to produce hypochlorous acid. Air is supplied into the aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid (the first aqueous solution L1) produced in the electrolytic cell 10, thereby bubbling the aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid and generating bubbles. In the electrolytic cell 10, hypochlorous acid gas contained in the bubbles that float up from the aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid is released together with air as mixed air M into the space outside the housing C. The current control unit 80 controls the current used for the diaphragm-less electrolysis performed in the electrolytic cell 10.

[0014] The space purification device 1 may further include a first supply tank 50 and / or a second supply tank 60. The electrolytic tank 10 and the first supply tank 50 are connected via an anion exchange membrane 71, and the electrolytic tank 10 and the second supply tank 60 are connected via a cation exchange membrane 72 (see FIG. 4 ). Details of the components of the first supply tank 50 and the second supply tank 60, as well as the anion exchange membrane 71 and the cation exchange membrane 72 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 .

[0015] Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional perspective view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. A first aqueous solution L1 is stored in the electrolytic cell 10, but is not shown in Fig. 2 (see Fig. 3).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2 , the electrolytic cell 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped (box-like) shape, and its outer shape is configured to include a first side wall 11, a second side wall 12, a third side wall 13, a fourth side wall 14, an inner top surface 15, an inner bottom surface 16, and a protrusion 17.

[0017] The first side wall 11 is a wall surface disposed on the positive side of the x-axis. The first side wall 11 is a member having a yz plane extending in the y-axis direction and the z-axis direction.

[0018] The second side wall 12 is a wall surface facing the first side wall 11. The second side wall 12 is a member that is disposed on the negative side of the x-axis and has a yz plane that extends in the y-axis direction and the z-axis direction.

[0019] The third side wall 13 is a wall surface located on the positive side of the y-axis, with one end connected to the first side wall 11 and the other end connected to the second side wall 12. The third side wall 13 is a member having an xz plane extending in the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction. The third side wall 13 is a wall surface adjacent to the second supply tank 60.

[0020] The fourth side wall 14 is a wall surface facing the third side wall 13 (not shown in FIG. 2 , see FIG. 1 ). One end of the fourth side wall 14 is connected to the first side wall 11, and the other end is connected to the second side wall 12, and the fourth side wall 14 is a wall surface located on the negative side of the y-axis. The fourth side wall 14 is a member having an xz plane extending in the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction. The fourth side wall 14 is a wall surface adjacent to the first supply tank 50.

[0021] The inner upper surface 15 is a member that is disposed on the upper surface side (positive side of the z-axis) of the electrolytic cell 10 and that constitutes the ceiling surface (xy plane) of the electrolytic cell 10 .

[0022] The inner bottom surface 16 is disposed on the lower surface side (negative side of the z-axis) of the electrolytic cell 10 and is a member that constitutes the bottom surface (xy plane) of the electrolytic cell 10 .

[0023] The protruding portion 17 has a protruding structure in which a discharge port 28 is disposed, through which the mixed air M containing hypochlorous acid that has circulated inside the electrolytic cell 10 is discharged, and for example has a structure that protrudes toward the positive side of the z-axis from the inner upper surface 15. A water recovery unit 27 (not shown in FIG. 2 , see FIG. 3 ) is disposed inside the protruding portion 17.

[0024] The internal structure of the electrolytic cell 10 comprises an electrolytic cell-side anode 21a, an electrolytic cell-side cathode 21b, an air supply section 22, a first partition 23, a rectifier 24, a bubble bursting section BD, a second partition 25, an eliminator 26, a water recovery section 27, and an outlet 28. The internal structure of the electrolytic cell 10 may further comprise a third partition 29. The bubble bursting section BD and the water recovery section 27 are not shown in Figure 2 and will be described later with reference to Figure 3.

[0025] The electrolytic cell side anode 21a and the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b are a pair of electrodes used for electrolyzing the first aqueous solution L1.

[0026] In this embodiment, hypochlorous acid is produced by membraneless electrolysis of the first aqueous solution L1 using the electrolytic cell-side anode 21a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21b.

[0027] A case where the first aqueous solution L1 is a sodium chloride aqueous solution will be described. Sodium chloride (NaCl) contained in the sodium chloride aqueous solution, which is the first aqueous solution L1, converts sodium ions (Na ＋ ) and chloride ions (Cl － At the electrolytic cell side anode 21a, chloride ions (Cl － ) is an electron (e － ) and loses chlorine (Cl ２ (liquid, aq.)) is generated. The generated chlorine is used in the hypochlorous acid generation reaction.

[0028] In the first aqueous solution L1, the generated chlorine (Cl ２ ) is the water (H ２ O), hydrolysis occurs, generating hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hypochlorous acid (HClO). Hydrochloric acid (HCl) ionizes in an aqueous solution, generating hydrogen ions (H ＋ ) and chloride ions (Cl － The following formula 1 shows the reaction formula for generating hypochlorous acid.

[0029] Cl ２ +H ２ O → HCl + HClO (Equation 1) In the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21b, the water (H ２ O) is electron (e － ) and hydrogen (H ２ ) and hydroxide ions (OH － ) occurs.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the electrolytic cell side anode 21a and the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b are each inserted from the outside of the electrolytic cell 10 toward the inside of the electrolytic cell 10. In the present embodiment, the electrolytic cell side anode 21a and the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b are inserted from the negative x-axis side toward the positive x-axis side, as an example, but they may also be inserted from the positive z-axis side toward the negative z-axis side as long as they are immersed in the first aqueous solution L1. The electrolytic cell side anode 21a and the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b each have a plate-like shape. Examples of plate-like shapes include rectangular and oblong shapes.

[0031] The electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b may be insoluble electrodes, such as platinum-iridium-titanium electrodes, platinum electrodes, ruthenium-titanium electrodes, or iridium-titanium oxide electrodes.

[0032] No diaphragm such as an ion exchange membrane is provided between the electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b. That is, the electrolysis of the first aqueous solution L1 performed using the pair of the electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b is diaphragm-less electrolysis. Hypochlorous acid, which is used for space purification of the external space R, is produced by the diaphragm-less electrolysis of the first aqueous solution L1 performed using the pair of the electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b.

[0033] The xz plane of the electrolytic cell-side anode 21a on the positive side of the y-axis and the xz plane of the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21b on the negative side of the y-axis are arranged opposite to each other. This arrangement allows a uniform electric field to be generated between the electrolytic cell-side anode 21a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21b. Because electrolysis is generated uniformly, the current between the two electrodes is also distributed uniformly. Therefore, deterioration of the catalytic layer on the surface of each electrode occurs uniformly, and uneven deterioration of the catalytic layer on the surface of each electrode due to an uneven electric field can be suppressed even when electrolysis is performed repeatedly. Therefore, a decrease in the electrolysis efficiency of diaphragm-less electrolysis can be suppressed.

[0034] Details of the internal structure of the electrolytic cell 10 other than the electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b, including the air supply section 22, the first partition 23, the rectifier 24, the bubble bursting section BD, the second partition 25, the eliminator 26, the water recovery section 27, the discharge port 28, and the third partition 29, will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 .

[0035] Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a state in which the first aqueous solution L1 is stored in the electrolytic cell 10. An internal upper space 10a through which mixed air M containing hypochlorous acid flows is formed above the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1, and this space is also referred to as an "internal air passage 30" described below.

[0036] The upper internal space 10a of the electrolytic cell 10 is the internal space of the electrolytic cell 10 formed above the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 (on the positive side of the z-axis). In other words, the first aqueous solution L1 is not stored up to the upper internal surface 15 of the electrolytic cell 10, and the electrolytic cell 10 has the upper internal space 10a.

[0037] The first aqueous solution L1 is, for example, an aqueous solution in which an electrically conductive electrolyte is dissolved, and more specifically, a dilute chloride aqueous solution having a predetermined chloride ion concentration. More specifically, the first aqueous solution L1 is, for example, a sodium chloride aqueous solution or a dilute potassium chloride aqueous solution. Note that the first aqueous solution L1 refers to a "chloride aqueous solution containing chloride ions" in the claims.

[0038] The "predetermined chloride ion concentration" of the first aqueous solution L1 includes both a chloride ion concentration within a predetermined range and a chloride ion concentration having a predetermined numerical value. More specifically, the chloride ion concentration of the first aqueous solution L1 may be, for example, 17 mmol / L to 1500 mmol / L, or 171 mmol / L. In other words, the concentration of a dilute sodium chloride aqueous solution or a dilute potassium chloride aqueous solution may be, for example, 17 mmol / L to 1500 mmol / L, or 171 mmol / L. By setting the predetermined chloride ion concentration within this numerical range or numerical value, it is possible to generate hypochlorous acid necessary for space purification while simultaneously suppressing the generation of chlorine, which may be generated.

[0039] The air supply unit 22 supplies air from the external space R into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10. The air supplied into the first aqueous solution L1 is released into the first aqueous solution L1 as bubbles B1. In this specification, the term "bubbles B1" refers to the air introduced from the external space R and released into the first aqueous solution L1.

[0040] The air supply unit 22 may include a tubular member 22a connecting the external space R and the electrolytic cell 10. One end (positive side of the x-axis) of the tubular member 22a is disposed on the external space R side, and the other end (negative side of the x-axis) of the tubular member 22a is connected to the electrolytic cell 10. The end of the air supply unit 22 on the electrolytic cell 10 side is connected to the first side wall 11, the third side wall 13, or the fourth side wall 14. The end of the tubular member 22a disposed on the external space R side is equipped with an air pump or blower (not shown) for supplying air to the electrolytic cell 10. The end of the tubular member 22a disposed on the electrolytic cell 10 side is connected to the first side wall 11 of the electrolytic cell 10 so as to be located below the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10 (negative side of the z-axis).

[0041] When the lower end (the end on the negative side of the z-axis) of the air supply unit 22 is positioned on the same plane as the inner bottom surface 16 of the electrolytic cell 10, the distance and time it takes for the bubbles B1 to reach the liquid surface S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 are longest, and the amount of hypochlorous acid gas taken up into the bubbles B1 is maximized. Therefore, more hypochlorous acid gas can be taken up into the bubbles B1 when the air supply unit 22 is positioned on the inner bottom surface 16 side (negative side of the z-axis) than when it is positioned near the liquid surface S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 (positive side of the z-axis).

[0042] When the air supply unit 22 includes the tubular member 22a, the tubular member 22a may be cylindrical or rectangular. Alternatively, the air supply unit 22 may not include the tubular member 22a, and may instead be configured such that an air pump or blower directly connected to the electrolytic cell 10 supplies air to the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10. When the air supply unit 22 does not include the tubular member 22a, an air pump or blower (not shown) may be connected to the electrolytic cell 10 so as to be located below the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10 (on the negative side of the z-axis). The term "foam B2" refers to a state in which a large number of bubbles B1 rise to the liquid level S1 in the first aqueous solution L1 and form a foamy mass.

[0043] Here, the interior of the electrolytic cell 10 comprises a first region F1 (region surrounded by a dashed line) and a second region F2 (region surrounded by a dashed double-dashed line).

[0044] The first region F1 refers to a region in the electrolytic cell 10 where air introduced from the external space R is released as bubbles B1 into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10.

[0045] The second region F2 refers to a region in the electrolytic cell 10 where the first aqueous solution L1, which is an aqueous chloride solution containing chloride ions, is electrolyzed to produce hypochlorous acid.

[0046] The first partition wall 23 is a plate-shaped member that separates the first region F1 from the second region F2. The first partition wall 23 also separates the first air passage 31 and the second air passage 32, which will be described later, and constitutes a bubble bursting section BD, which will be described later. The first partition wall 23 extends along the z-axis direction from within the first aqueous solution L1 to the upper internal space 10a, and also extends along the y-axis direction from the third side wall 13 to the fourth side wall 14 of the electrolytic cell 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In other words, the first partition wall 23 extends in a transverse direction (y-axis direction) that intersects with the flow direction A of the mixed air M (x-axis direction).

[0047] The rectifier 24 is a plate-like member that separates the second air passage 32 and the third air passage 33, which will be described later, and constitutes a bubble bursting section BD, which will be described below. The rectifier 24 is disposed in the second region F2 and is a plate-like member that extends from the interior upper surface 15 of the electrolytic cell 10 toward the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1. The rectifier 24 extends in the negative z-axis direction and the negative x-axis direction. Like the first partition wall 23, the rectifier 24 extends along the y-axis direction from the third side wall 13 to the fourth side wall 14 of the electrolytic cell 10. In other words, the rectifier 24 extends in a transverse direction (y-axis direction) that intersects with the flow direction A of the mixed air (x-axis direction).

[0048] The foam bursting section BD is composed of the first partition wall 23 and the rectifying section 24. More specifically, the foam bursting section BD is composed of the upper end (positive side of the z-axis) of the first partition wall 23 and the lower end (negative side of the z-axis) of the rectifying section 24. In the region where the first partition wall 23 and the rectifying section 24 overlap in the z-axis direction, the width W (width in the x-axis direction) between the first partition wall 23 and the rectifying section 24 is configured to be less than the predetermined diameter of the bubbles B2. The foam bursting section BD can burst bubbles B2 of a predetermined diameter or larger, which are generated by the mixed air M floating through the first aqueous solution L1. If bubbles B2 of a predetermined diameter or larger reach the eliminator 26 (described later), the eliminator 26 may not be able to completely remove the moisture from the bubbles B2, which may result in droplets of high-concentration hypochlorous acid water contained in the bubbles B2 leaking out of the outlet 28. Therefore, it is preferable that the bubbles B2 that have been burst by the bubble bursting portion BD and have a diameter smaller than the predetermined diameter are large enough to be removed by the eliminator 26. In other words, when the bubbles B2 have a diameter smaller than the predetermined diameter, the moisture in the bubbles B2 can be removed by the eliminator 26. In order to burst bubbles B2 that have a diameter equal to or larger than the predetermined diameter, it is preferable that the end of the rectifying portion 24 on the negative side of the z-axis is positioned in the negative direction of the z-axis relative to the end of the first partition wall 23 on the positive side of the z-axis.

[0049] The width W between the first partition 23 and the straightening section 24 was determined based on the average size (average diameter) of the bubbles B2 generated in a previous experiment so that the size of the bubbles B2 burst by the bubble bursting section BD would be less than a predetermined diameter.

[0050] The bubble bursting section BD is configured to rectify the mixed air M flowing through the internal air passage 30 upward from the liquid level S1 of the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) stored in the first region F1, at least in a direction toward the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2. The rectifying section 24 constituting the bubble bursting section BD rectifies the mixed air M in the internal air passage 30 in a direction toward the liquid level S1, and then rectifies the mixed air M again in a direction above the liquid level S1. Details of the internal air passage 30 will be described later.

[0051] The second partition wall 25 is a plate-like member that separates the first flow path 41 and the second flow path 42, which will be described later. The second partition wall 25 is a member having an xy plane that extends along the inner bottom surface 16 of the electrolytic cell 10, and one end (the positive side of the x-axis) is connected to the lower end (the end on the negative side of the z-axis) of the first partition wall 23. The second partition wall 25 extends along the y-axis direction from the third side wall 13 to the fourth side wall 14 of the electrolytic cell 10.

[0052] The eliminator 26 is a device that removes water droplets (first aqueous solution L1) contained in the mixed air M that has flowed through the bubble bursting section BD from the mixed air M. The eliminator 26 is disposed downstream of a third air passage 33 included in the internal air passage 30, which will be described later, and is disposed on the lower end side (negative side of the z-axis) of the protruding portion 17. The eliminator 26 and a water recovery section 27, which will be described later, may be disposed adjacent to each other in the z-axis direction as shown in FIG. 3 , or may be disposed with a predetermined gap between them. When the electrolytic cell 10 includes a third partition wall 29, which will be described later, the third partition wall 29 is preferably disposed so that the upper end of the third partition wall 29 overlaps with at least a portion of the lower end of the eliminator 26 in the z-axis direction. With this arrangement, the eliminator 26 can remove the bubbles B2 that have burst at the bubble bursting section BD and become smaller than a predetermined diameter, and the water droplets (first aqueous solution L1) contained in the fine bubbles B2 that have not burst at the bubble bursting section BD and remain, thereby preventing the outflow of droplets of high-concentration hypochlorous acid water contained in the bubbles B2 from the discharge port 28.

[0053] The water droplets contained in the mixed air M removed by the eliminator 26 are dropped into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2 of the electrolytic cell 10. The mixed air M from which the water droplets have been removed by the eliminator 26 flows to the water recovery section 27.

[0054] The water recovery unit 27 is a component that recovers moisture contained in the mixed air M that has flowed through the eliminator 26 as a liquid and returns it to the electrolytic cell 10. The water recovery unit 27 is, for example, a Peltier element that can cool the moisture contained in the air, condense it, and turn it into water droplets. The Peltier element includes a heat sink (not shown). In order to recover moisture contained in the mixed air M that flows inside the space purification device 1, the water recovery unit 27 may be disposed on the protrusion 17 that includes an outlet 28 through which the mixed air M passes when it is released into the external space R. When the water recovery unit 27 is disposed on the protrusion 17 that includes the outlet 28, moisture contained in the air that has flowed inside the space purification device 1 can be efficiently recovered. Note that the electrolytic cell 10 is only required to include at least the eliminator 26 and does not necessarily need to include the water recovery unit 27.

[0055] The discharge port 28 is an opening for discharging mixed air M, which is a mixture of air flowing in from the air supply unit 22 and hypochlorous acid generated from the first aqueous solution L1 by diaphragm-less electrolysis, into the external space R of the casing C. In FIG. 3 , the discharge port 28 is provided in the protruding portion 17 of the electrolytic cell 10 as an example, but it need only be located above the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1. The shape of the discharge port 28 is tubular, and includes, for example, a cylindrical or rectangular tubular shape. When the upper surface (the surface on the positive z-axis side) of the electrolytic cell 10 is close to the ceiling surface of the casing C, the discharge port 28 may be a hole-like opening provided in a part of the upper surface of the electrolytic cell 10. Alternatively, the discharge port 28 and the upper surface (the surface on the positive z-axis side) of the casing C may be integrally formed.

[0056] The outlet 28 may be provided with an openable or removable lid (not shown). The lid may be configured to be closed when the space purification device 1 is transported, moved, or installed, and to be opened or removed when the space purification device 1 is used.

[0057] The mixed air M containing hypochlorous acid is released from the outlet 28 into the external space R of the space purification device 1, thereby purifying the external space R. That is, the mixed air M containing hypochlorous acid removes bacteria, fungi, viruses, odors, and the like contained in the air in the external space R of the housing C.

[0058] The third partition wall 29 is a plate-like member that partitions a third air passage 33 and a third flow path 43, which will be described later. The third partition wall 29 is disposed in the second region F2 and is disposed opposite the second side wall 12. The third partition wall 29 extends along the z-axis direction from within the first aqueous solution L1 to the upper internal space 10a, and extends along the y-axis direction from the third side wall 13 to the fourth side wall 14 of the electrolytic cell 10.

[0059] 3, the electrolytic cell 10 includes an internal air passage 30 and an internal flow path 40, which are partitioned by the internal structure described above. The internal air passage 30 is a flow path for the mixed air M, and the internal flow path 40 is a flow path for the first aqueous solution L1.

[0060] The internal air passage 30 is provided in the upper internal space 10a of the electrolytic cell 10, and is an air passage through which air released as bubbles B1 from the external space R into the first aqueous solution L1 rises through the first aqueous solution L1 and circulates as mixed air M containing hypochlorous acid gas. The internal air passage 30 includes a first air passage 31, a second air passage 32, and a third air passage 33.

[0061] The first air passage 31 is an air passage through which the mixed air M flows upward (in the positive direction of the z-axis). The first air passage 31 is disposed in the first region F1 and is partitioned by the first side wall 11, the third side wall 13, the fourth side wall 14, and the first partition wall 23.

[0062] The second air passage 32 is an air passage that rectifies the mixed air M that has flowed through the first air passage 31 in a direction toward the liquid surface S1 of the first aqueous solution L1. The second air passage 32 is disposed in the second region F2, and is an air passage that is partitioned by the first partition wall 23, the rectifying portion 24, the third side wall 13, and the fourth side wall 14 (see FIG. 1).

[0063] As the bubbles B2 flow through the second air passage 32, bubbles B2 with a diameter larger than the width W of the second air passage 32 burst. The water droplets (first aqueous solution L1) constituting the bubbles B2 that burst after flowing through the second air passage 32 drip into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2. In other words, the second air passage 32 constitutes part of the foam bursting section BD described above. In this specification, the term "dripping" used when referring to the dripping of water droplets constituting the burst bubbles B2 includes both the water droplets falling into the first aqueous solution L1 due to gravity and the water droplets flowing down along a wall or the like. More specifically, the term "dripping" includes the water droplets constituting the burst bubbles B2 falling into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2 due to gravity and the water droplets flowing down along the first partition wall 23 into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the first region F1 or the second region F2. Furthermore, when there is a large amount of foam B2 and a large amount of water droplets that make up the foam B2, the foam B2 turns into a liquid flow that flows through the second air passage 32 and falls into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second area F2, which is also included in the meaning of the term ``dripping.''

[0064] The third air passage 33 is an air passage through which the mixed air M that has flowed through the second air passage 32 flows upward (in the positive direction of the z-axis) and in the negative direction of the x-axis. The third air passage 33 is disposed in the second region F2 and is an air passage that is partitioned by the airflow straightening section 24, the third side wall 13, the fourth side wall 14, and the eliminator 26.

[0065] When the mixed air M flows through the third air passage 33, fine bubbles B2 that did not burst due to the flow through the second air passage 32 may remain. At least a portion of the fine bubbles B2 burst when they come into contact with the liquid surface S1, and the water (first aqueous solution L1) constituting the bubbles B2 is absorbed into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2 of the electrolytic cell 10. Furthermore, there is a possibility that a plurality of fine bubbles B2 that remain on the liquid surface S1 and do not burst may merge to form a large bubble B2 (for example, a bubble B2 having a diameter larger than the width W of the second air passage 32 that should burst at the foam bursting section BD). The water (first aqueous solution L1) constituting the large bubble B2 and the water (first aqueous solution L1) constituting the fine bubbles B2 that did not burst at the liquid surface S1 are collected by the eliminator 26 and dripped into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2 of the electrolytic cell 10. The mixed air M that has flowed through the third air passage 33 flows through the eliminator 26, the water recovery section 27, and the discharge port 28, and is then discharged into the external space R.

[0066] The internal flow path 40 includes a first flow path 41 and a second flow path 42. When the internal flow path 40 includes the third partition wall 29 described above, the internal flow path 40 may further include a third flow path 43.

[0067] The first flow path 41 is disposed in the second region F2, and is a flow path through which the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2, including the first aqueous solution L1 dripped from the bubbles B2 that have burst after flowing through the second air passage 32, flows toward the electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b. The first flow path 41 is partitioned by the first partition wall 23, the second partition wall 25, the third partition wall 29, the third side wall 13, and the fourth side wall 14.

[0068] The second flow path 42 is provided along the inner bottom surface 16 of the electrolytic cell 10, and is a flow path through which the first aqueous solution L1 flows from the side of the electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b arranged in the second region F2 toward the first region F1. The second flow path 42 is partitioned by the second partition wall 25, the inner bottom surface 16, the second side wall 12, the third side wall 13, and the fourth side wall 14.

[0069] When the first aqueous solution L1 that has flowed through at least the first flow path 41 flows into the second flow path 42, a liquid flow S (indicated by the white arrow) of the first aqueous solution L1 is generated from the second region F2 toward the first region F1.

[0070] The third flow path 43 is disposed in the second region F2, and is a flow path through which water (first aqueous solution L1) dropped from the eliminator 26 onto the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2 flows toward the electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b. The third flow path 43 is partitioned by the third partition wall 29, the second side wall 12, the third side wall 13, and the fourth side wall 14. The downstream side of the third flow path 43 communicates with the downstream side of the first flow path 41 and the upstream side of the second flow path 42. The flow of the first aqueous solution L1 from the third flow path 43 to the second flow path 42 generates a liquid flow S of the first aqueous solution L1 from the second region F2 toward the first region F1. As described above, at least the first aqueous solution L1 that has flowed through the first flow path 41 flows through the second flow path 42, but by further flowing the first aqueous solution L1 from the third flow path 43 to the second flow path 42, the liquid flow S (indicated by the white arrow) of the first aqueous solution L1 flowing from the second region F2 to the first region F1 is accelerated.

[0071] As described above, the third partition 29 that separates the third flow path 43 is positioned so that the z-axis position of the upper end of the third partition 29 overlaps with the z-axis position of at least a portion of the lower end of the eliminator 26.

[0072] Here, if the third partition 29 is not provided, or if the position of the upper end of the third partition 29 in the z-axis direction is lower than the position of the lower end of the eliminator 26 in the z-axis direction, the flow of mixed air M from the lower surface side (x-y plane side on the negative side of the z-axis) of the eliminator 26 may hinder the dripping of water droplets from the eliminator 26. Furthermore, if the third partition 29 is not provided, or if the position of the upper end of the third partition 29 in the z-axis direction is lower than the position of the lower end of the eliminator 26 in the z-axis direction, when moisture (water droplets) removed by the eliminator 26 accumulates on the lower surface side (x-y plane side on the negative side of the z-axis) of the eliminator 26, the flow of mixed air M from the lower surface side (x-y plane side on the negative side of the z-axis) to the upper surface side (x-y plane side on the positive side of the z-axis) of the eliminator 26 may be hindered.

[0073] In contrast, when the third partition 29 is disposed so that the position of the upper end of the third partition 29 in the z-axis direction overlaps with the position of at least a portion of the lower end of the eliminator 26 in the z-axis direction, the mixed air M flows in from the side surface (yz plane side) on the x-axis positive side of the eliminator 26 and flows upward (in the z-axis positive direction), while the moisture (water droplets) removed by the eliminator 26 drips below (in the z-axis negative direction) the eliminator 26. In other words, when the third partition 29 is disposed as described above, the flow directions of the gas (mixed air M) and the liquid (moisture removed by the eliminator 26) can be separated.

[0074] The space purification device 1 according to this embodiment performs a purification operation in which air introduced from the external space R flows through the electrolytic cell 10 and is released into the external space R together with hypochlorous acid. Continuing to refer to FIG. 3 , the flow path of the mixed air M containing air introduced from the external space R and hypochlorous acid gas will be described. In FIG. 3 , the flow direction A of the mixed air M containing air and hypochlorous acid gas supplied as bubbles B1 from the external space R to the first aqueous solution L1 is indicated by a thick black arrow. The mixed air M flows from the positive side of the x-axis to the negative side of the x-axis.

[0075] By generating bubbles B1 in the first aqueous solution L1 by bubbling from the external space R, the bubbles B1 come into gas-liquid contact with hypochlorous acid generated by electrolysis of the first aqueous solution L1 as the bubbles B1 rise toward the liquid surface S1 due to buoyancy, and the hypochlorous acid can be captured in the bubbles B1. In other words, compared to gas-liquid contact between air and the liquid surface S1 of the first aqueous solution L1, gas-liquid contact in which bubbles B1 are generated in the first aqueous solution L1 by bubbling allows a larger amount of hypochlorous acid to be captured in the bubbles B1 and released into the external space R as mixed air M.

[0076] The mixed air M that rises as bubbles B1 toward the liquid surface S1 in the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the first region F1 flows through the first air passage 31, the second air passage 32 (foam bursting section BD), the third air passage 33, the eliminator 26, the water recovery section 27 and the discharge port 28 and is released into the external space R.

[0077] Among the foams B2 formed by the numerous bubbles B1 rising to the liquid surface S1 in the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the first region F1, the foams B2 having a predetermined diameter or larger burst as they flow through the second air passage 32 (foam bursting section BD), and the water (first aqueous solution L1) constituting the foam B2 turns into droplets and drops into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2. The water (first aqueous solution L1) constituting the foam B2 having a diameter smaller than the predetermined diameter is removed by the eliminator 26 and drops as droplets into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2. Furthermore, the water derived from the first aqueous solution L1 contained in the mixed air M is recovered by the water recovery section 27 and drops as droplets into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2.

[0078] Conventionally, when water (first aqueous solution L1) constituting bubbles B2 of a predetermined diameter or larger flows through the eliminator 26, the eliminator 26 is unable to remove all of the water constituting the bubbles B2, and there is a risk of droplets containing high concentrations of hypochlorous acid water spilling over when hypochlorous acid is released into the external space R. In contrast, in the space purification device 1 according to the present embodiment, the second air duct 32 (foam bursting section BD) bursts bubbles B2 of a predetermined diameter or larger, allowing the water (first aqueous solution L1) constituting the bubbles B2 to drip into the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the second region F2. This prevents excess water (first aqueous solution L1) constituting the bubbles B2 from passing through the eliminator 26. This prevents droplets containing high concentrations of hypochlorous acid water from spilling over.

[0079] Furthermore, when the water recovery unit 27 is a Peltier element, the heat sink of the Peltier element can be prevented from getting wet with droplets containing high-concentration hypochlorous acid water. If the heat sink gets wet, the cooling efficiency of the Peltier element will decrease, but the space purification device 1 according to this embodiment can prevent the heat sink from getting wet, thereby preventing a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the Peltier element.

[0080] The space purification device 1 according to this embodiment may further include a first supply tank 50 and a second supply tank 60, so that chloride ions and metal ions reduced by electrolysis can be supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic tank 10. The first supply tank 50 and the second supply tank 60 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0081] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

[0082] The first supply tank 50 is a tank for storing the second aqueous solution L2 containing chloride ions and supplying the chloride ions contained in the second aqueous solution L2 to the first aqueous solution L1 through the anion exchange membrane 71. The second supply tank 60 is a tank for storing the third aqueous solution L3 containing metal ions and supplying the metal ions contained in the third aqueous solution L3 to the first aqueous solution L1 through the cation exchange membrane 72.

[0083] The electrolytic cell 10, the first supply cell 50, and the second supply cell 60 are arranged in this order from the negative side of the y-axis when viewed from the front. An anion exchange membrane 71 is arranged between the first supply cell 50 and the electrolytic cell 10. A cation exchange membrane 72 is arranged between the second supply cell 60 and the electrolytic cell 10. For example, if the opposing surfaces of the electrolytic cell 10 and the first supply cell 50 are each formed with a frame-shaped member, the anion exchange membrane 71 may be arranged so as to be fitted into the frame-shaped member. Similarly, if the opposing surfaces of the electrolytic cell 10 and the second supply cell 60 are each formed with a frame-shaped member, the cation exchange membrane 72 may be arranged so as to be fitted into the frame-shaped member. The current control unit 80 is arranged at any position within the housing C.

[0084] The housing C houses the electrolytic cell 10, the first supply tank 50, the second supply tank 60, the anion exchange membrane 71, the cation exchange membrane 72, and the current control unit 80. That is, the space purification device 1 may be an integrated unit formed by the housing C. The shape of the housing C can be changed appropriately depending on the location where the space purification device 1 is installed, and may be, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped or cylindrical shape. The space purification device 1 is small enough to be stored inside an air conditioner, for example, and when the housing C is rectangular (box-shaped), it is approximately 10 cm x 7 cm x 4 cm.

[0085] Assuming continuous use for eight hours a day for one year, the volumes of the electrolytic cell 10, the first supply cell 50, and the second supply cell 60 are preferably, for example, approximately 12 times or more the volume of the electrolytic cell 10. Furthermore, the volume of the second supply cell 60 is preferably approximately 6 times or more the volume of the electrolytic cell 10. By setting these volume ratios, the first supply cell 50 can store the second aqueous solution L2 containing a sufficient amount of chloride ions necessary to be supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 of the electrolytic cell 10. Furthermore, the second supply cell 60 can store the third aqueous solution L3 containing a sufficient amount of metal ions (metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium ions, lithium ions, and potassium ions, as described below) necessary to be supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 of the electrolytic cell 10. Therefore, chloride ions can be stably supplied from the second aqueous solution L2 stored in the first supply cell 50 to the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10. Similarly, a necessary amount of metal ions can be stably supplied from the third aqueous solution L3 stored in the second supply tank 60 to the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10. The amount of the first aqueous solution L1 stored in the electrolytic cell 10 is, for example, about 2 mL to 10 mL.

[0086] To ensure safety in the event of leakage, the solute of the second aqueous solution L2 is preferably a substance classified under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) as being as safe as sodium chloride. Specifically, the second aqueous solution L2 is a metal chloride aqueous solution containing metal ions and chloride ions. The second aqueous solution L2 is subjected to first membrane electrolysis between the electrolytic cell 10 and the first supply tank 50 via the anion exchange membrane 71, whereby the metal ions contained in the second aqueous solution L2 react with hydroxide ions generated by the first membrane electrolysis to form a metal hydroxide precipitate. Preferably, the second aqueous solution L2 is a high-concentration magnesium chloride aqueous solution or a saturated magnesium chloride aqueous solution.

[0087] When an aqueous magnesium chloride solution is used as the second aqueous solution L2, the mass percentage concentration of the aqueous magnesium chloride solution is, for example, 1% to 35%. As an example, when the second aqueous solution L2 is an aqueous magnesium chloride solution, by performing the first membrane electrolysis, magnesium ions contained in the aqueous magnesium chloride solution react with hydroxide ions generated by the first membrane electrolysis to form a precipitate of magnesium hydroxide. The "precipitate" of magnesium hydroxide includes hard sand, colloid, slurry, and gel forms, as well as a cloudy aqueous solution.

[0088] The first supply tank 50 includes a first supply tank-side cathode 51 , a first supply tank-side internal space 52 , and a first outlet 53 .

[0089] The first supply tank side cathode 51 is inserted from the outside to the inside of the first supply tank 50. In the present embodiment, for example, the first supply tank side cathode 51 is inserted from the negative x-axis side to the positive x-axis side. However, the first supply tank side cathode 51 may be inserted from the positive z-axis side to the negative z-axis side as long as it is immersed in the second aqueous solution L2. The first supply tank side cathode 51 has a plate-like shape. Examples of plate-like shapes include a rectangular shape and a rectangular shape. The first supply tank side cathode 51 is paired with the electrolytic cell side anode 21a and is used in the first membrane electrolysis via the anion exchange membrane 71. Chloride ions are supplied from the second aqueous solution L2 to the first aqueous solution L1 by the first membrane electrolysis of the second aqueous solution L2 performed using the pair of the first supply tank side cathode 51 and the electrolytic cell side anode 21a.

[0090] An insoluble electrode may be used as the first supply tank side cathode 51. More specifically, for example, a platinum-iridium-titanium electrode, a platinum electrode, a ruthenium-titanium electrode, or an iridium-titanium oxide electrode may be used.

[0091] The first supply tank-side internal space 52 is an upper space (space on the positive z-axis side) formed above the liquid level S2 of the second aqueous solution L2 when the second aqueous solution L2 is stored in the first supply tank 50. In other words, the second aqueous solution L2 is not stored up to the internal upper surface (xy plane on the positive z-axis side) of the first supply tank 50, and the first supply tank 50 has the first supply tank-side internal space 52.

[0092] The first outlet 53 is an opening for discharging hydrogen gas generated by the first diaphragm electrolysis of the second aqueous solution L2 to the external space R of the casing C. The first outlet 53 is, for example, a check valve. When a check valve is used as the first outlet 53, hydrogen gas inside the first supply tank 50 is discharged to the external space R, but the inflow of gases such as air from the external space R can be suppressed. When the diaphragm electrolysis of the second aqueous solution L2 is repeated, hydrogen gas accumulates in the first supply tank-side internal space 52, and the internal pressure of the first supply tank 50 increases. This pressure opens the check valve of the first outlet 53, and hydrogen gas is discharged to the external space R of the first supply tank 50.

[0093] The second supply tank 60 is a tank for storing a third aqueous solution L3 containing metal ions and supplying the metal ions contained in the third aqueous solution L3 to the first aqueous solution L1. Fig. 4 shows a state in which the third aqueous solution L3 is stored in the second supply tank 60.

[0094] To ensure safety in the event of leakage, the solute of the third aqueous solution L3 is preferably a substance classified under the GHS as being as safe as sodium chloride. Specifically, the third aqueous solution L3 is a metal compound aqueous solution containing at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of sodium ions, lithium ions, and potassium ions. That is, the metal ions contained in the third aqueous solution L3 may be one or more types selected from the group consisting of sodium ions, lithium ions, and potassium ions, or a combination of two or three types.

[0095] More specifically, the third aqueous solution L3 is preferably disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na ２ HPO ４ ) aqueous solution, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO ３ ) aqueous solution, lithium carbonate (LiCO ３ ) aqueous solution, potassium carbonate (K ２ CO ３) aqueous solutions. That is, the third aqueous solution L3 may be one or more aqueous solutions selected from the group consisting of disodium hydrogen phosphate aqueous solution, sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution, lithium carbonate aqueous solution, and potassium carbonate aqueous solution, or a combination of two, three, or four aqueous solutions. The disodium hydrogen phosphate aqueous solution, sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution, lithium carbonate aqueous solution, and potassium carbonate aqueous solution may be saturated disodium hydrogen phosphate aqueous solution, saturated sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution, saturated lithium carbonate aqueous solution, and saturated potassium carbonate aqueous solution. Note that "saturated" in this specification also includes cases where the solute does not dissolve in water and precipitates. More specific amounts of solute dissolved in each aqueous solution are as shown below. Note that the amount of solute dissolved in each aqueous solution shown below includes both the concentration (dissolved amount) in the initial state when use of the space purification device 1 begins and the concentration (dissolved amount) when the concentration of the third aqueous solution L3 decreases as the space purification device 1 is used.

[0096] When a disodium hydrogen phosphate aqueous solution is used as the third aqueous solution L3, the amount of disodium hydrogen phosphate aqueous solution dissolved is, for example, 1 g to 8 g per 100 g of water.

[0097] When a sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution is used as the third aqueous solution L3, the amount of the sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution dissolved is, for example, 1 g to 10 g per 100 g of water.

[0098] When a lithium carbonate aqueous solution is used as the third aqueous solution L3, the amount of the lithium carbonate aqueous solution dissolved is, for example, 1 g to 2 g per 100 g of water.

[0099] When a potassium carbonate aqueous solution is used as the third aqueous solution L3, the amount of the potassium carbonate aqueous solution dissolved is, for example, 1 g to 112 g per 100 g of water.

[0100] When a combination of two aqueous solutions selected from the group consisting of a disodium hydrogen phosphate aqueous solution, a sodium hydrogen carbonate aqueous solution, a lithium carbonate aqueous solution, and a potassium carbonate aqueous solution is used as the third aqueous solution L3, the amount of the mixed solution dissolved is, for example, 1 g to 122 g per 100 g of water.

[0101] When a combination of three aqueous solutions selected from the group consisting of a disodium hydrogen phosphate aqueous solution, a sodium hydrogen carbonate aqueous solution, a lithium carbonate aqueous solution, and a potassium carbonate aqueous solution is used as the third aqueous solution L3, the amount of the mixed solution dissolved is, for example, 1 g to 130 g per 100 g of water.

[0102] When a mixed solution of a combination of four aqueous solutions, namely, disodium hydrogen phosphate aqueous solution, sodium hydrogen carbonate aqueous solution, lithium carbonate aqueous solution, and potassium carbonate aqueous solution, is used as the third aqueous solution L3, the amount of the mixed solution dissolved is, for example, 1 g to 132 g per 100 g of water.

[0103] The second supply tank 60 includes a second supply tank-side anode 61 , a second supply tank-side internal space 62 , and a second outlet 63 .

[0104] The second supply tank side anode 61 is inserted from the outside to the inside of the second supply tank 60. In the present embodiment, the second supply tank side anode 61 is inserted from the negative x-axis side to the positive x-axis side, for example. However, as long as it is immersed in the third aqueous solution L3, it may be inserted from the positive z-axis side to the negative z-axis side. The second supply tank side anode 61 has a plate-like shape. Examples of plate-like shapes include a rectangular shape and a rectangular shape. The second supply tank side anode 61 is paired with the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b and is used in the second membrane electrolysis via a cation exchange membrane 72. Metal ions are supplied from the third aqueous solution L3 to the first aqueous solution L1 by the second membrane electrolysis of the third aqueous solution L3 performed using the pair of the second supply tank side anode 61 and the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b.

[0105] An insoluble electrode may be used as the second supply tank-side anode 61. More specifically, for example, a platinum-iridium-titanium electrode, a platinum electrode, a ruthenium-titanium electrode, or an iridium-titanium oxide electrode may be used.

[0106] The second supply tank-side internal space 62 is an upper space (space on the positive z-axis side) formed above the liquid level S3 of the third aqueous solution L3 when the third aqueous solution L3 is stored in the second supply tank 60. In other words, the third aqueous solution L3 is not stored up to the internal upper surface of the second supply tank 60 (xy plane on the positive z-axis side), and the second supply tank 60 has the second supply tank-side internal space 62.

[0107] The second outlet 63 is an opening for discharging oxygen generated by the second diaphragm electrolysis of the third aqueous solution L3 to the external space R of the casing C. The second outlet 63 is, for example, a check valve. When a check valve is used as the second outlet 63, oxygen inside the second supply tank 60 is discharged to the external space R, but the inflow of gases such as air from the external space R can be suppressed. When the diaphragm electrolysis of the third aqueous solution L3 is repeated, oxygen accumulates in the second supply tank-side internal space 62, and the internal pressure of the second supply tank 60 increases. This pressure opens the check valve of the second outlet 63, and oxygen is discharged to the external space R of the second supply tank 60.

[0108] The electrolytic cell 10 may further include a water level detection unit 44 .

[0109] The water level detector 44 detects the position of the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1. The water level detector 44 is, for example, a water level sensor. The water level detector 44 is disposed above (on the positive z-axis side) the upper ends (on the positive z-axis side) of at least the electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b.

[0110] When the space purification device 1 is equipped with a water level detection unit 44, the water recovery unit 27 supplies water to the electrolytic cell 10 based on the position of the liquid level S1 detected by the water level detection unit 44. More specifically, the water recovery unit 27 supplies water to the electrolytic cell 10 so that the water level does not fall below the upper ends (the parts on the positive side of the z-axis) of the electrolytic cell-side anode 21a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21b. Furthermore, the water recovery unit 27 supplies water to the electrolytic cell 10 so that the water level does not fall below the upper end (the part on the positive side of the z-axis, see Figure 3) of the air supply unit 22 connected to the electrolytic cell 10.

[0111] When the space purification device 1 is equipped with the water level detector 44 in addition to the water recovery unit 27, the electrolytic cell-side anode 21a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21b can be maintained immersed in the first aqueous solution L1. This prevents the electrolytic cell-side anode 21a and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21b from being exposed to air due to a decrease in the first aqueous solution L1, thereby maintaining the electrolysis efficiency of diaphragm-less electrolysis. The first supply tank 50 and the second supply tank 60 may also be equipped with a water recovery unit and a water level detector similar to those of the electrolytic cell 10.

[0112] The anion exchange membrane 71 is provided to connect the electrolytic cell 10 and the first supply cell 50, and is a membranous member that allows anions to pass therethrough based on a voltage applied between the electrolytic cell 10 and the first supply cell 50. More specifically, when a voltage is applied between the first supply cell-side cathode 51 and the electrolytic cell-side anode 21a, first membrane-with-diaphragm electrolysis is performed via the anion exchange membrane 71. By the first membrane-with-diaphragm electrolysis using the first supply cell-side cathode 51 and the electrolytic cell-side anode 21a, chloride ions contained in the second aqueous solution L2 permeate the anion exchange membrane 71 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 (negative direction of the x-axis, as shown by a thick black arrow in Figure 4 ).

[0113] The anion exchange membrane 71 in this embodiment is not a type of anion exchange membrane through which anions permeate due to osmotic pressure without using electricity. Furthermore, magnesium ions, which are cations, do not permeate the anion exchange membrane 71. More specifically, when chloride ions contained in the second aqueous solution L2 permeate the anion exchange membrane 71 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 by first membrane-with-diaphragm electrolysis using the first supply tank-side cathode 51 and the electrolytic cell-side anode 21a, magnesium ions, which are cations, do not permeate the anion exchange membrane 71. The anion exchange membrane 71 is, for example, a hydrocarbon-based anion exchange membrane, and includes membranes that have monovalent anion-selective permeability, alkali resistance, and high-temperature resistance.

[0114] The plane of the first supply tank side cathode 51 facing the anion exchange membrane 71 (the yz plane on the negative side of the x-axis) and the plane of the electrolytic cell side anode 21a facing the anion exchange membrane 71 (the yz plane on the positive side of the x-axis) are arranged opposite each other. This arrangement allows a uniform electric field to be generated between the first supply tank side cathode 51 and the electrolytic cell side anode 21a. Because electrolysis is generated uniformly, the current between the two electrodes is also uniformly distributed. Therefore, deterioration of the catalytic layer on the surface of each electrode occurs uniformly, and uneven deterioration of the catalytic layer on the surface of each electrode due to an uneven electric field can be suppressed even when electrolysis is performed repeatedly. This suppresses a decrease in the electrolysis efficiency of the first diaphragm electrolysis.

[0115] The first supply tank side cathode 51 and the electrolytic cell side anode 21a are each disposed close to the anion exchange membrane 71. In this specification, "close to" includes both a state in which the first supply tank side cathode 51 and the electrolytic cell side anode 21a are close to the anion exchange membrane 71 with a predetermined gap between them, and a state in which the first supply tank side cathode 51 and the electrolytic cell side anode 21a are in contact with the anion exchange membrane 71.

[0116] The cation exchange membrane 72 is provided to connect the electrolytic cell 10 and the second supply cell 60, and is a membranous member that allows cations to pass therethrough based on a voltage applied between the electrolytic cell 10 and the second supply cell 60. More specifically, when a voltage is applied between the electrolytic cell 10 and the second supply cell 60, second membrane-with-diaphragm electrolysis is performed via the cation exchange membrane 72. By the second membrane-with-diaphragm electrolysis using the second supply cell-side anode 61 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21b, metal ions contained in the third aqueous solution L3 permeate the cation exchange membrane 72 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 (positive direction of the x-axis, as shown by the thick white arrow in Figure 4 ).

[0117] The cation exchange membrane 72 in this embodiment is not a type of cation exchange membrane through which cations permeate due to osmotic pressure without using electricity. Furthermore, hydroxide ions, which are anions, do not permeate the cation exchange membrane 72. More specifically, when metal ions contained in the third aqueous solution L3 permeate the cation exchange membrane 72 and are supplied to the first aqueous solution L1 by second membrane-with-diaphragm electrolysis using the second supply tank-side anode 61 and the electrolytic cell-side cathode 21b, hydroxide ions, which are anions, do not permeate the cation exchange membrane 72.

[0118] The plane of the second supply tank side anode 61 facing the cation exchange membrane 72 (the yz plane on the positive side of the x-axis) and the plane of the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b facing the cation exchange membrane 72 (the yz plane on the negative side of the x-axis) are arranged opposite each other. This arrangement allows a uniform electric field to be generated between the second supply tank side anode 61 and the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b. Because electrolysis is generated uniformly, the current between the two electrodes is also uniformly distributed. Therefore, deterioration of the catalytic layer on the surface of each electrode occurs uniformly, and uneven deterioration of the catalytic layer on the surface of each electrode due to an uneven electric field can be suppressed even when electrolysis is performed repeatedly. This suppresses a decrease in the electrolysis efficiency of the second diaphragm-equipped electrolysis.

[0119] The second supply tank side anode 61 and the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b are each disposed close to the cation exchange membrane 72. In this specification, "close to" includes both a state in which the second supply tank side anode 61 and the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b are close to the cation exchange membrane 72 with a predetermined gap therebetween, and a state in which the second supply tank side anode 61 and the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b are in contact with the cation exchange membrane 72.

[0120] The current control unit 80 controls the current so that the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the first aqueous solution L1 is maintained at a predetermined concentration while replenishing the chloride ions that have decreased in the first aqueous solution L1 from the second aqueous solution L2 stored in the first supply tank 50. The predetermined concentration is, for example, － That is, the predetermined concentration is, for example, a concentration where the Cl concentration stored in the first aqueous solution L1 does not increase or decrease. － The initial concentration of Cl stored in the first aqueous solution L1 does not change. － The predetermined concentration range is a range of Cl concentration that allows the electrolytic cell 10 to stably supply hypochlorous acid gas. － The concentration range is

[0121] The following equation 2 shows the equilibrium reaction of the hypochlorous acid generation reaction.

[0122] Cl ２ +H ２ O⇔HCl+HClO (Equation 2) Cl is supplied from the second aqueous solution L2 stored in the first supply tank 50 to the first aqueous solution L1. －Depending on the increase or decrease in Cl in the electrolytic bath 10, the equilibrium state may shift to the right side or the left side of the above formula 1. － The current control unit 80 controls the current so that the apparent increase or decrease does not occur.

[0123] The current control unit 80 controls the current used in the membraneless electrolysis performed in the electrolytic cell 10, and also controls the current used in the first membrane electrolysis performed between the electrolytic cell 10 and the first supply cell 50 via the anion exchange membrane 71. The current control unit 80 also controls the current used in the second membrane electrolysis performed between the electrolytic cell 10 and the second supply cell 60 via the cation exchange membrane 72. The current control unit 80 includes wiring 81, 82, 83, and 84. The wiring 81, 82, 83, and 84 are lines through which current flows. The first supply cell side cathode 51 is electrically connected to the current control unit 80 via wiring 81, the second supply cell side anode 61 via wiring 82, the electrolytic cell side anode 21a via wiring 83, and the electrolytic cell side cathode 21b via wiring 84. A portion of each electrode may protrude outside the corresponding cell and be connected to the corresponding wiring.

[0124] As described above, the space purification device 1 according to the embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0125] The space purification device 1 according to this embodiment includes an electrolytic cell 10 that stores a chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) containing chloride ions and electrolyzes the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) to produce hypochlorous acid; an internal air passage 30 disposed in the upper internal space 10a of the electrolytic cell 10, through which air released as bubbles B1 from the external space R into the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) rises above the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) to become mixed air M containing hypochlorous acid gas and circulates; and a bubble bursting unit BD disposed in the internal air passage 30 and capable of bursting bubbles B2 generated by the mixed air M that has risen above the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1). The bubble bursting unit BD is configured to rectify the mixed air M flowing upward from the liquid level S1 of the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) within the internal air passage 30 in at least a direction toward the liquid level S1.

[0126] With the above configuration, the foam bursting section BD can burst foam B2 having a predetermined diameter or larger, thereby preventing droplets of high-concentration hypochlorous acid contained in the foam B2 from spilling over into the external space R, thereby providing a safer space purification device 1. More specifically, the eliminator 26 cannot remove all the water droplets, and the spillage of droplets containing high-concentration hypochlorous acid water that may occur when hypochlorous acid is released into the target space (external space R) is prevented, thereby providing a safer space purification device 1.

[0127] The electrolytic cell 10 provided in the space purification device 1 according to this embodiment includes a first region F1 in which air introduced from the external space R is released as bubbles B1 into the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) stored in the electrolytic cell 10, a second region F2 in which the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) is electrolyzed to produce hypochlorous acid, a first partition wall 23 extending from within the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) to the upper internal space 10a and separating the first region F1 from the second region F2, and a rectifying section 24 extending from the internal upper surface 15 of the electrolytic cell 10 toward the liquid surface of the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1).

[0128] By having the above configuration, it is possible to prevent droplets of high-concentration hypochlorous acid contained in bubbles B2 of a predetermined diameter or larger that flow between the first partition 23 and the straightening section 24 (foam bursting section BD) from spilling into the external space R, thereby providing a space purification device 1 that is safer.

[0129] The first partition 23 provided in the space purification device 1 of this embodiment is a plate-shaped member extending in a cross direction that intersects with the flow direction A of the mixed air M, and the straightening section 24 is a plate-shaped member extending in the cross direction.

[0130] By having the above configuration, bubbles B2 having a predetermined diameter or larger will burst by flowing between the first partition 23 and the straightening section 24 (bubble bursting section BD), thereby preventing the droplets of high-concentration hypochlorous acid contained in the bubbles B2 from spilling into the external space R, thereby providing a space purification device 1 with increased safety.

[0131] The internal air passage 30 of the space purification device 1 according to this embodiment includes a first air passage 31 disposed in the first region F1, partitioned by the first partition 23 and the side wall (first side wall 11) of the electrolytic cell 10 facing the first partition 23, through which the mixed air M flows upward, and a second air passage 32 disposed in the second region F2, partitioned by the first partition 23 and the straightening section 24, which straightens the mixed air M that has flowed through the first air passage 31 in a direction toward the liquid surface S1.

[0132] By having the above configuration, bubbles B2 of a predetermined diameter or larger that flow through the second air duct 32 (foam bursting section BD) will burst, thereby preventing the droplets of high-concentration hypochlorous acid contained in the bubbles B2 from spilling over into the external space R, thereby providing a space purification device 1 that is safer.

[0133] The space purification device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) that flows through the second air duct 32 and constitutes the burst bubbles B2 is dripped into the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) stored in the second region F2.

[0134] The above configuration allows the water (first aqueous solution L1) constituting the foam B2 having a predetermined diameter or larger to be returned to the first aqueous solution L1, thereby preventing excessive water from flowing into the eliminator 26. This prevents droplets of high-concentration hypochlorous acid contained in the foam B2 from spilling over into the external space R, thereby providing a space purification device 1 with improved safety.

[0135] The electrolytic cell 10 included in the space purification device 1 according to this embodiment is arranged in the second region F2 and includes electrodes (electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b) used for electrolysis, a first flow path 41 through which the dropped chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) stored in the second region F2 flows toward the electrodes, a second flow path 42 provided along the inner bottom surface 16 of the electrolytic cell 10 and through which the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) flows from the electrode side toward the first region F1, and a second partition wall 25 extending along the inner bottom surface 16 of the electrolytic cell 10, one end of which is connected to the lower end of the first partition wall 23, and which separates the first flow path 41 from the second flow path 42. Then, by flowing at least the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) that has flowed through the first flow path 41 into the second flow path 42, a liquid flow S of the chloride aqueous solution (first aqueous solution L1) is generated that flows from the second region F2 to the first region F1.

[0136] With this configuration, the hypochlorous acid generated in the second region F2 can flow toward the first region F1, and a high concentration of hypochlorous acid can be brought into gas-liquid contact with the bubbles B1. This allows the mixed air M to contain a larger amount of hypochlorous acid water.

[0137] It should be noted that the electrolysis-related components (electrolytic cell-side anode 21 a and electrolytic cell-side cathode 21 b) of the electrolytic cell 10 and the first and second supply tanks 50 and 60 do not have to be configured as described above, and may be configured to generate hypochlorous acid inside the electrolytic cell 10 by electrolysis with a diaphragm, or either the first supply tank 50 or the second supply tank 60 may not be provided, or neither the first supply tank 50 nor the second supply tank 60 may be provided.

[0138] When membraneless electrolysis is performed in the electrolytic cell 10 at room temperature and normal pressure, the electrolyte of the first aqueous solution L1 is not used in electrolysis, and oxygen and chlorine are mainly generated from the anode. The electrolyte does not react with hypochlorous acid to reduce the concentration of hypochlorous acid. It is sufficient to have electrical conductivity and not be reactive with the electrodes, the electrolytic cell, or the anion exchange membrane. More specifically, in addition to the first aqueous solution L1 described above, the first aqueous solution L1 may be, for example, a metal chloride aqueous solution, a hydroxide salt aqueous solution, an acid salt aqueous solution, a phosphate aqueous solution, or a combination thereof. The metal chloride aqueous solution may be, for example, a dilute calcium chloride aqueous solution or a dilute magnesium chloride aqueous solution. The hydroxide salt aqueous solution may be, for example, a dilute sodium hydroxide aqueous solution or a dilute potassium hydroxide aqueous solution of 0.4 wt % (0.1 mol / L) or less. The acid salt aqueous solution may be, for example, a dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution of 0.4 wt % (0.1 mol / L) or less. The phosphate aqueous solution may be, for example, a disodium hydrogen phosphate aqueous solution, a sodium dihydrogen phosphate aqueous solution, a dipotassium hydrogen phosphate aqueous solution, or a potassium dihydrogen phosphate aqueous solution. As a specific example of a combination of the first aqueous solution L1, the pH may be adjusted by combining a dilute sodium chloride aqueous solution with a dilute sodium hydroxide aqueous solution.

[0139] Although the first partition 23 is provided to separate the first region F1 from the second region F2 in this embodiment, the first partition 23 may be omitted. When the first partition 23 is not provided, the bubble bursting section BD is composed of the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 and the lower end (the end on the negative z-axis side) of the rectifying section 24. The rectifying section 24 may be disposed in either the first region F1 or the second region F2, or may be disposed across the first region F1 and the second region F2. The position of the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 may be controlled so that the distance between the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 and the lower end of the rectifying section 24 is less than a predetermined length sufficient to burst the bubbles B2. More specifically, the water recovery section 27 may supply water to the electrolytic cell 10 based on the position of the liquid level S1 detected by the water level detection section 44 so that the position of the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 in the z-axis direction is within a predetermined range. Here, "within a predetermined range" means that the width between the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 and the lower end of the rectifying section 24 is less than the diameter of the bubbles B2 and is within a width range that allows the mixed air M to flow through. The bubble bursting section BD, which is formed by the liquid level S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 and the lower end (negative side of the z-axis) of the rectifying section 24, can burst bubbles B2 of a predetermined diameter or larger that are generated by the mixed air M that has risen through the first aqueous solution L1. This prevents droplets of high-concentration hypochlorous acid contained in the bubbles B2 from spilling over into the external space R.

[0140] In the present embodiment, the flow rectifying portion 24 is disposed in the second region F2 and extends from the inner upper surface 15 toward the liquid surface of the first aqueous solution L1. However, this is not limiting. For example, when the first partition wall 23 is not provided as described above, the flow rectifying portion 24 may be provided so as to extend from the first side wall 11 toward the liquid surface of the first aqueous solution L1 (in the negative z-axis direction and the x-axis direction). When the end of the flow rectifying portion 24 is connected to the first side wall 11, the flow rectifying portion 24 may be disposed in the first region F1 or may be disposed across the first region F1 and the second region F2. Even when the flow rectifying portion 24 extends from the first side wall 11 toward the liquid surface of the first aqueous solution L1 (in the negative z-axis direction and the x-axis direction), the bubble bursting portion BD is formed by the liquid surface S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 and the lower end (the end on the negative z-axis side) of the flow rectifying portion 24. Similar to the case where the rectification section 24 extends from the internal upper surface 15 toward the liquid surface of the first aqueous solution L1, the water recovery section 27 may supply water to the electrolytic cell 10 based on the position of the liquid surface S1 detected by the water level detection section 44 so that the position of the liquid surface S1 of the first aqueous solution L1 in the z-axis direction is within a predetermined range.

[0141] Although the present embodiment has been described with the rectifying section 24 being a plate-shaped member, the present invention is not limited to such a plate-shaped member. For example, the rectifying section 24 may be a plate-shaped member having through-holes (pores) spaced at predetermined intervals and having a pore diameter smaller than the diameter of the foam B2. The rectifying section 24 may also be a cloth or nonwoven fabric having a mesh-like structure with pores smaller than the diameter of the foam B2. When the rectifying section 24 has through-holes having a pore diameter smaller than the diameter of the foam B2, not only the foam bursting section BD but also the rectifying section 24 allows foam B2 having a predetermined diameter or larger to flow toward the third air passage, thereby preventing droplets of high-concentration hypochlorous acid contained in the foam B2 from spilling into the external space R.

[0142] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the flow rectifier 24 extends in the negative z-axis direction and the negative x-axis direction so as to follow the flow of the mixed air M, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the flow rectifier 24 has pores as described above, a portion of the mixed air M that flows through the first air passage 31 does not flow through the second air passage 32, but flows through the through-holes provided in the flow rectifier 24 and into the third air passage 33. Even if the flow rectifier 24 has pores, at least a portion of the mixed air M that flows through the first air passage 31 flows through the second air passage 32 and into the third air passage 33. In other words, if the flow rectifier 24 has pores, it is sufficient that the flow rectifier 24 extends in the negative z-axis direction, and therefore the flow rectifier 24 may extend in the negative z-axis direction and the positive x-axis direction.

[0143] Although the present embodiment has been described with an example in which at least one rectifying section 24 is provided, this is not limiting. For example, a first rectifying section (not shown) extending from the first side wall 11 in the direction of the liquid surface of the first aqueous solution L1 (the negative z-axis direction and the x-axis direction) and a second rectifying section (rectifying section 24) extending from the inner upper surface 15 in the direction of the liquid surface of the first aqueous solution L1 (the negative z-axis direction) may be provided. By providing two or more rectifying sections 24, bubbles that are not burst by the bubble bursting section BD of the first rectifying section can be burst by the second rectifying section. Therefore, by providing multiple bubble bursting sections BD, bubbles B2 having a predetermined diameter or larger can flow toward the third air passage, preventing droplets of high-concentration hypochlorous acid contained in the bubbles B2 from spilling into the external space R.

[0144] The first partition 23, the flow rectifying section 24, the second partition 25 and the third partition 29 may each be connected to the electrolytic cell 10 or may be formed integrally with the electrolytic cell 10.

[0145] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which protrusion 17, which is a protruding structure that protrudes upward from inner upper surface 15, is provided, but this is not limited to this. The upper side of inner upper surface 15 (the end on the positive side in the z-axis direction) and the upper side of discharge port 28 of protrusion 17 (the end on the positive side in the z-axis direction) may be arranged on the same plane. When the upper side of inner upper surface 15 (the end on the positive side in the z-axis direction) and the upper side of discharge port 28 of protrusion 17 (the end on the positive side in the z-axis direction) are arranged on the same plane, a plate-shaped partition member may be provided to separate third air passage 33 and water recovery section 27.

[0146] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0147] An outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0148] (Item 1) A space purification device (1) comprising: an electrolytic cell (10) that stores an aqueous chloride solution (first aqueous solution (L1)) containing chloride ions and electrolyzes the chloride solution to produce hypochlorous acid; an internal air passage (30) that is provided in an internal upper space (10a) of the electrolytic cell (10) and through which air released as bubbles (B1) from an external space (R) into the chloride solution floats up through the chloride solution to become mixed air (M) containing hypochlorous acid gas and circulates; and a bubble-bursting unit (BD) that is provided in the internal air passage (30) and is capable of bursting bubbles (B2) generated by the mixed air (M) that has floated up through the chloride solution, wherein the bubble-bursting unit (BD) is configured to rectify the mixed air (M) that flows within the internal air passage (30) upward from a liquid level (S1) of the chloride solution in at least a direction toward the liquid level (S1).

[0149] (Item 2) The space purification device (1) according to Item 1, wherein the electrolytic cell (10) comprises: a first region (F1) in which the air introduced from the external space (R) is released as bubbles (B1) into the aqueous chloride solution stored in the electrolytic cell (10); a second region (F2) in which the aqueous chloride solution is electrolyzed to produce hypochlorous acid; a first partition wall (23) extending from within the aqueous chloride solution to the upper internal space (10a) and separating the first region (F1) from the second region (F2); and a rectifying section (24) extending from an upper internal surface (15) of the electrolytic cell (10) toward the liquid level (S1) of the aqueous chloride solution.

[0150] (Item 3) The space purification device (1) according to Item 2, wherein the first partition (23) is a plate-like member extending in a cross direction intersecting the flow direction (A) of the mixed air (M), and the flow straightening section (24) is a plate-like member extending in the cross direction.

[0151] (Item 4) The space purification device (1) according to Item 2, wherein the internal air passage (30) comprises: a first air passage (31) disposed in the first region (F1), partitioned by the first partition (23) and a side wall (first side wall (11)) of the electrolytic cell (10) facing the first partition (23), and through which the mixed air (M) flows upward; and a second air passage (32) disposed in the second region (F2), partitioned by the first partition (23) and the rectifying section (24), and rectifying the mixed air (M) that has flowed through the first air passage (31) in a direction toward the liquid level (S1).

[0152] (Item 5) The space purification device (1) according to Item 4, wherein the chloride aqueous solution that constitutes the bubbles (B2) that have circulated through the second air passage (32) and burst is dripped into the chloride aqueous solution stored in the second region (F2).

[0153] (Item 6) The electrolytic cell (10) comprises: electrodes (electrolytic cell-side anode (21a) and electrolytic cell-side cathode (21b)) disposed in the second region (F2) and used for electrolysis; a first flow path (41) through which the aqueous chloride solution stored in the second region (F2) containing the dropped aqueous chloride solution flows toward the electrodes; a second flow path (42) provided along an inner bottom surface (16) of the electrolytic cell (10) through which the aqueous chloride solution flows from the electrode side toward the first region (F1); and a second partition wall (25) extending along the inner bottom surface (16) of the electrolytic cell (10), one end of which is connected to a lower end of the first partition wall (23), and which separates the first flow path (41) from the second flow path (42), Item 6. The space purification device according to Item 5, wherein the chloride aqueous solution that has flowed through at least the first flow path (41) flows into the second flow path (42), thereby generating a liquid flow (S) of the chloride aqueous solution from the second region (F2) toward the first region (F1).

[0154] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Space purification device 10 Electrolytic cell 11 First side wall 12 Second side wall 13 Third side wall 14 Fourth side wall 15 Internal upper surface 16 Internal bottom surface 17 Protrusion 21a Electrolytic cell side anode 21b Electrolytic cell side cathode 22 Air supply section 22a Tubular member 23 First partition 24 Flow rectifier 25 Second partition 26 Eliminator 27 Water recovery section 28 Discharge port 29 Third partition 30 Internal air passage 31 First air passage 32 Second air passage 33 Third air passage 40 Internal flow path 41 First flow path 42 Second flow path 43 Third flow path 44 Water level detection section 50 First supply tank 51 First supply tank side cathode 52 First supply tank side internal space 53 First discharge port 60 Second supply tank 61 2nd supply tank side anode 62 2nd supply tank side internal space 63 2nd discharge port 71 Anion exchange membrane 72 Cation exchange membrane 80 Current control section 81 Wiring 82 Wiring 83 Wiring 84 Wiring A Flow direction B1 Bubbles B2 Foam BD Foam bursting part C Housing F1 First area F2 Second area L1 First aqueous solution L2 Second aqueous solution L3 Third aqueous solution M Mixed air R External space S1 Liquid level S2 Liquid level S3 Liquid level S Liquid flow W Width

Claims

1. A space purification device comprising: an electrolytic cell that stores an aqueous chloride solution containing chloride ions and electrolyzes the chloride solution to produce hypochlorous acid; an internal air passage provided in an upper space inside the electrolytic cell, through which air released as bubbles from an external space into the chloride solution floats up through the chloride solution and becomes mixed air containing hypochlorous acid gas and circulates; and a bubble bursting unit provided in the internal air passage that can burst bubbles generated by the mixed air that has floated up through the chloride solution, wherein the bubble bursting unit is configured to rectify the mixed air flowing within the internal air passage upward from the liquid surface of the chloride solution, at least in a direction toward the liquid surface.

2. The space purification device according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic cell comprises: a first region in which the air introduced from the external space is released as bubbles into the aqueous chloride solution stored in the electrolytic cell; a second region in which the aqueous chloride solution is electrolyzed to produce hypochlorous acid; a first partition wall extending from within the aqueous chloride solution into the upper internal space and separating the first region from the second region; and a rectifying section extending from the upper internal surface of the electrolytic cell toward the liquid surface of the aqueous chloride solution.

3. The space purification device according to claim 2, wherein the first partition is a plate-like member extending in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the mixed air, and the flow straightening section is a plate-like member extending in the intersecting direction.

4. The space purification device described in claim 2, wherein the internal air passage comprises: a first air passage disposed in the first area, partitioned by the first partition and a side wall of the electrolytic cell facing the first partition, through which the mixed air flows upward; and a second air passage disposed in the second area, partitioned by the first partition and the straightening section, which straightens the mixed air that has flowed through the first air passage in a direction toward the liquid surface.

5. The space purification device according to claim 4, wherein the chloride aqueous solution that constitutes the bubbles that circulate through the second air passage and burst is dripped into the chloride aqueous solution stored in the second area.

6. The space purification device according to claim 5, wherein the electrolytic cell comprises: an electrode disposed in the second region and used for electrolysis; a first flow path through which the chloride aqueous solution stored in the second region containing the dropped chloride aqueous solution flows toward the electrode; a second flow path provided along the inner bottom surface of the electrolytic cell and through which the chloride aqueous solution flows from the electrode toward the first region; and a second partition wall extending along the inner bottom surface of the electrolytic cell, one end of which is connected to the lower end of the first partition wall, and which separates the first flow path from the second flow path; and wherein the chloride aqueous solution that has flowed through at least the first flow path flows into the second flow path, thereby generating a liquid flow of the chloride aqueous solution from the second region toward the first region.

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