Electrolyzed Water Production Using Turbulent Flow and Ion-Selective Membrane
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing electrolyzed water are inefficient due to separation of deionized water from the electrochemical reaction zone by mesh electrodes, leading to slow mixing and ion distribution, and result in significant wastewater disposal and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An electrode arrangement with an anode and cathode chamber separated by an ion-selective membrane, where water is passed through both chambers and mixed into a turbulent flow, enhancing ion distribution and reducing wastewater volume, with optional ozonized water production in the anode chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mesh electrodes are used to separate deionized water from the electrochemical reaction zone, then the structure allows liquid passage, but the mixing efficiency decreases and production speed slows
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the mesh electrode structure from the system entirely. Instead of using mesh electrodes to separate and allow liquid passage, the patent employs solid planar electrodes that fully border the chambers, eliminating the mesh structure that caused poor mixing while maintaining the necessary ion and liquid transport functions through the chamber design itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by placing solid electrodes directly in contact with the water to be electrolyzed, rather than separating the water from the reaction zone. The electrodes border the chambers directly, allowing the electrochemical reaction to occur throughout the entire chamber volume, which dramatically improves mixing and production efficiency.
2Reliability
If deionized water is separated from the electrochemical reaction zone by mesh electrodes, then the electrode structure is maintained, but ion distribution and mixing become slow
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh electrode structure is completely removed from the system. The invention uses solid planar electrodes that border the chambers directly, eliminating the mesh structure that created barriers to ion distribution while maintaining structural stability through the solid electrode and chamber design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional mesh electrode structure to a three-dimensional chamber configuration where solid electrodes border the entire chamber. This dimensional change allows ions to distribute throughout the full volume of the chamber rather than being constrained by mesh planes, dramatically speeding up ion distribution.
3Reliability
If three separate chambers with mesh electrodes are used, then the electrochemical reaction can proceed, but the system complexity and wastewater volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the three separate chambers (anode chamber, cathode chamber, and middle chamber) into a simplified two-chamber configuration. The solid anode and cathode directly border their respective chambers, eliminating the need for a separate middle chamber and mesh electrodes, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining electrochemical reaction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid electrodes serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide the electrochemical reaction surface, border and contain the water chambers, and enable direct contact between the water and reaction zone. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mesh electrodes and middle chambers, reducing overall system complexity.
4Ease of operation
If mesh electrodes are used for liquid passage, then the electrode allows flow, but the redox potential remains insufficiently low
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh electrode structure is completely removed. The invention uses solid planar electrodes that provide stable, controlled surfaces for electrochemical reactions, enabling precise redox potential control while liquid flows freely through the chamber without passing through a mesh structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method increases the efficiency of electrolyzed water production, reduces wastewater, and achieves energy savings by eliminating the need for three separate chambers and mesh electrodes, allowing for faster production and improved redox potential.
Implementation Method 1
an anode chamber (36) and a cathode chamber (34) which are separated from one another by at least one ion-selective membrane (30)
Implementation Method 2
an electrical voltage is applied to anode and cathode in such a manner that electrolyzed water is formed in the cathode chamber
Implementation Method 3
the water, in particular the distilled water or the ultrapure water, is mixed in the anode chamber and/or cathode chamber, and in particular is put into a turbulent flow
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for electrochemically producing electrolyzed water in an electrode arrangement (10) which has an anode chamber and a cathode chamber that are separated by an ion-selective membrane (30). The anode chamber is delimited on at least one side by at least one anode (2), and the cathode chamber is delimited on at least one side by at least one cathode (2). In the method: a) water, in particular distilled water or ultra purified water, in which an electrolyte is located, is conducted through the anode chamber, b) water, in particular distilled water or ultra purified water, is conducted through the cathode chamber, c) the water, in particular the distilled water or the ultra-purified water, is mixed and in particular set into a turbulent flow in the anode chamber and/or cathode chamber, and d) an electric voltage is applied to the anode and the cathode such that electrolyzed water is produced in the cathode chamber.