JP2005013520A - Bathtub apparatus and method of operating bathtub - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively suppress proliferation of legionella bacteria, to markedly suppress chlorine content which brings environment harmful to the skin, and to improve the durability of a bathtub by suppressing corrosion. <P>SOLUTION: This bathtub apparatus is provided with: the bathtub 1; an electrolyzer D, and a guide path for guiding an anode electrolyzed water to the bathtub 1 from anode chambers 11 and 23 of the electrolyzer D. Anode electrodes 17 and 25 are provided in the anode chambers 11 and 23 of the electrolyzer D. The anode electrodes 17 and 25 are disposed to cation exchange membranes 15 and 21 and anion exchange membranes 14 and 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a bathtub device and a bathtub operation method.
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In recent years, circulation bath systems are increasing in home baths and public baths (sento and hot springs). At home, it is said to be a so-called 24-hour bath that can be bathed at any time by adopting a circulating heating method. In public baths, the use of a circulating heating system is used to reduce the cost of water. In hot springs, the hot spring water is reused by adopting a circulating heating method, and measures to deplete hot spring water are also being taken.
[0003]
The reuse of bathtub water as described above causes various problems even if a purification system is incorporated. The biggest problem is the outbreak of disease caused by the propagation of Legionella. For example, Legionella bacteria are said to have a high risk of causing pneumonia in elderly people with reduced immune function.
[0004]
For Legionella, chlorine disinfection, ozone disinfection, photocatalysis, and ultraviolet irradiation are being studied.
[0005]
By the way, it is said that the method by photocatalyst or ultraviolet irradiation has a local bactericidal effect and is small in effect.
[0006]
In addition, the ozone disinfection method has a short ozone life, and ozone must always be injected.
[0007]
On the other hand, the chlorine disinfection method is considered to be preferable to the ozone disinfection method because chlorine has a longer life than ozone.
[0008]
However, it is said that chlorine is not good for the skin. For example, it has been proposed to attach a dechlorination filter device to a shower or bathtub, and such products are widely sold and widely used in general households.
[0009]
Therefore, chlorination is never preferred.
In particular, recently, the number of patients with atopic dermatitis is increasing, and it is said that the chlorine content is not particularly good for such people.
[0010]
Therefore, research on the above problems has been energetically pushed forward by the present inventors. As a result, it came to the revelation that electrolysis water, especially anode electrolysis water might be effective for Legionella bacteria countermeasures.
[0011]
Then, the anode electrolyzed water was added to the bath water in which Legionella was propagated, and the propagation of Legionella was observed. As a result, the inventors have found that anode electrolyzed water is extremely effective in suppressing Legionella bacteria.
[0012]
However, it has been found that the following problems occur when the electrolytic device is simply incorporated in the bathtub.
[0013]
In other words, it has been found that the amount of chlorine contained in the anodic electrolyzed water is small compared with the chlorine disinfection method by supplying chlorine, but it is not sufficient for patients with atopic dermatitis.
[0014]
Furthermore, it has been found that when anodic electrolyzed water of a simple electrolyzer is supplied to the bathtub, metal parts are incorporated in the bathtub, and the metal parts corrode quickly.
[0015]
Therefore, the technique of simply replenishing the anode electrolyzed water into the bathtub is not applicable to patients such as atopic dermatitis even if it is a countermeasure against Legionella bacteria, and various parts of the bathtub are corroded. It has been found that it is not possible to adopt from the problem that it is easy to do and the durability is lowered.
[0016]
Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that the proliferation of Legionella can be effectively suppressed, the chlorine content that causes a bad environment for the skin is greatly suppressed, and corrosion is unlikely to occur, and the durability of the bath It is to provide a technology that has excellent features.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above-mentioned problem is a bathtub apparatus comprising a bathtub, an electrolysis apparatus, and a conduit for guiding anode electrolyzed water from the anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus to the bathtub,
The anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus is provided with an anode electrode,
The anode electrode is provided with respect to a cation exchange membrane, which is solved by a bathtub device.
[0018]
In particular, a bathtub apparatus comprising a bathtub, an electrolysis apparatus, and a conduit for guiding anode electrolyzed water from the anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus to the bathtub,
The anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus is provided with an anode electrode,
The anode electrode is solved by a bath apparatus characterized by being arranged with respect to a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane.
[0019]
Among the above apparatuses, the problem is solved by a bathtub apparatus in which an anode electrode is disposed on a diaphragm in which an anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane are laminated. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a bath apparatus in which the anode electrode is brought into close contact with the cation exchange membrane.
[0020]
That is, in particular, by providing both the cation exchange membrane and the anion exchange membrane with respect to the anode electrode, the chlorine content contained in the anode electrolyzed water discharged from the anode chamber is greatly suppressed. For example, the concentration of chlorine ions and hypochlorous acid became extremely low, such as 1 to 2 ppm, and this solved a great problem for patients with atopic dermatitis. In addition, the oxidizing substances contained in the anode electrolyzed water discharged from the anode chamber are greatly suppressed, which greatly reduces the corrosion of metal parts used in various parts of the bathtub. . When a fluorine resin is used as the cation exchange membrane, the effect is remarkable when an anion exchange membrane is used in combination. And in addition to having such features, the propagation of Legionella, which is the greatest purpose, was also effectively suppressed.
[0021]
You may make it supply tap water to an electrolysis apparatus. However, in the case of a so-called circulation system such as a 24-hour bath, it is possible to eliminate waste by supplying bathtub water to the electrolyzer. Accordingly, a circulation / water supply mechanism for circulating and supplying water in the bathtub is provided in the anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus, and the water in the bathtub is supplied to the anode chamber by this circulation / water supply mechanism and electrolysis is performed in the anode electrolysis. It is preferable that water is supplied into the bathtub through the conduit.
[0022]
By the way, in the circulation system, not only to circulate, but to prevent a decrease in bath temperature in this circulation system, an electric heating type heating means in which a nichrome wire is incorporated in a chromium-plated copper tube. Is provided in the circulation system.
[0023]
In the case of having such a heating means, it was initially considered that the heating means would be preferable from the viewpoint of thermal efficiency at the end of the circulation system, that is, the position immediately before the circulating water was returned from the circulation system into the bathtub. . And the position of an electrolysis apparatus and a heating means incorporated the electrolysis apparatus and the heating means in the circulation system so that heating might be performed in the post process of an electrolysis apparatus. However, in this case, it has been found that the heating means is easily corroded and the durability is lowered. That is, it has been found that the heating means is adversely affected by the oxidizing component contained in the anode electrolyzed water.
[0024]
Therefore, in the case where the electrolysis apparatus and the heating means are incorporated in the circulation system, the electrolysis apparatus is provided in the subsequent process of the heating means. As a result, the anode electrolyzed water discharged from the anode chamber is once introduced into the bathtub, and the water in the bathtub is circulated and led to the heating device, but it takes time to reach the heating means from the anode chamber. In particular, it takes a long time to stay in the bathtub, during which time the oxidative component disappears, or the water in the bathtub becomes very thin, which greatly reduces the risk of corroding the heating means. there were.
[0025]
In addition, since the bath water is circulated and used, it is preferable that a filter is provided in this circulation system. The filter is preferably provided in a circulation / water supply mechanism between the water supply port of the anode chamber and the bathtub. This is because the anode chamber is provided with an ion exchange membrane, etc., and when various kinds of dust generated in the bathtub, especially hair and dirt adhere to this ion exchange membrane, the function of the ion exchange membrane is reduced, This is because the features of the present invention are hardly played.
[0026]
In the present invention, the electrolysis apparatus includes a two-chamber type comprising an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, and a three-chamber type having an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and an intermediate chamber between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. There is. In the present invention, a three-chamber type having an intermediate chamber is preferable, but a two-chamber type is also effective.
[0027]
Moreover, the said subject is solved also by the bathtub operating method characterized by using the said bathtub apparatus and supplying the anode electrolyzed water by the said electrolysis apparatus in a bathtub. In particular, the problem is solved by a bath operation method in which anode electrolyzed water is supplied into the bath so that the chlorine concentration is 20 ppm or less, further 5 ppm or less, especially 2 ppm or less (the lower limit is about 0.1 ppm).
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The bathtub apparatus according to the present invention is a bathtub apparatus comprising a bathtub, an electrolysis apparatus, and a conduit for guiding anode electrolyzed water from the anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus to the bathtub, and the anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus Is provided with an anode electrode, and the anode electrode is disposed with respect to the cation exchange membrane. In particular, a bathtub apparatus comprising a bathtub, an electrolysis apparatus, and a conduit for guiding anode electrolyzed water from the anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus to the bathtub, wherein an anode electrode is provided in the anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus The anode electrode is provided with respect to the cation exchange membrane and the anion exchange membrane. In particular, an anode electrode is disposed on a diaphragm in which an anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane are laminated. Further, the anode electrode is brought into close contact with the cation exchange membrane. It is conceivable to supply tap water to the electrolyzer, but in the present invention, since the form of the circulating bath is taken into consideration, in particular, bath water is supplied to the electrolyzer. That is, a circulation / water supply mechanism for supplying water in the bathtub to the anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus is provided. Water in the bathtub is supplied to the anode chamber by this circulation / water supply mechanism, and the electrolyzed anode electrolyzed water is supplied to the anode chamber. It is comprised so that it may be supplied in a bathtub via a conducting path. In such a circulation system, in order to prevent a decrease in bath temperature, an electric heating type heating means having a nichrome wire or the like is provided. However, the relationship between the heating means and the electrolysis apparatus is such that the heating means is provided on the upstream side and the electrolysis apparatus is provided on the downstream side in the circulation system. In the circulation system, a filter is provided for circulation use of the bath water. The relationship between the filter and the electrolyzer is that the filter is provided on the upstream side and the electrolyzer is provided on the downstream side in the circulation system. And the relationship between a filter, a heating means, and an electrolysis apparatus is comprised so that the circulating bath water may circulate through paths, such as bathtub->filter-> heating means-> electrolysis apparatus (anode chamber)-> bathtub. Of course, a circulation system may be used in which part of the bathtub water that has passed through the heating means is supplied to the electrolysis apparatus, and the remaining bathtub water is returned directly into the bathtub without passing through the electrolysis apparatus. The electrolyzer may be either a two-chamber type consisting of an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, or a three-chamber type in which an intermediate chamber is incorporated between the anode chamber, the cathode chamber, and the anode chamber. Can be used.
[0029]
The bathtub operation method according to the present invention is a bathtub operation method that uses the bathtub device and supplies anode electrolyzed water from the electrolytic device into the bathtub. In particular, this is a bath operation method for supplying anode electrolyzed water into the bath so that the chlorine concentration is 20 ppm or less, further 5 ppm or less, especially 2 ppm or less (the lower limit is about 0.1 ppm).
[0030]
More specific description will be given below.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bathtub apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a main part of an electrolysis apparatus used in the bathtub apparatus of FIG.
[0031]
In each figure, 1 is a resin bathtub, for example. And the circulation mechanism which circulates the bathtub water in the bathtub 1 is provided. That is, 2 is a filter provided in the circulation system of bath water, 3 is a pump provided in the circulation system, 4 is an electric heater type heating device provided in the circulation system (a nichrome wire is placed in a chromium-plated copper pipe) Built-in). As can be seen from FIG. 1, the bath water in the bath is circulated through the filter 2 and the heating device 4, and dirt such as hair and dirt is removed by the filter 2 in the middle of the bath water. The reduced amount is heated by the heating device 4 so that it can be comfortably put in the bath at any time for 24 hours. In addition, since such a structure is conventionally well-known, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0032]
In the present embodiment, the electrolysis apparatus D is provided in the circulation system. In particular, as can be seen from FIG. 1, a branch passage is provided in the middle of the circulation pipe between the heating device 4 and the bathtub 1, and a part of the bath water after passing through the heating device 4 enters the anode chamber 11 of the electrolysis device D. The circulation path is configured such that the anode electrolyzed water is guided and discharged into the bathtub 1. That is, a part of the bath water after passing through the heating device 4 is led to the anode chamber 11 of the electrolysis device D, and the anode electrolyzed water discharged from the outlet of the anode chamber after electrolysis is the remainder of the bath water after passing through the heating device 4 And this combined water is configured to be returned into the bathtub 1.
[0033]
The electrolyzer D is, in particular, a three-chamber electrolyzer configured as shown in FIG.
11 is an anode chamber, 12 is a cathode chamber, and 13 is an intermediate chamber provided between the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 12.
Between the intermediate chamber 13 and the anode chamber 11, an anion exchange membrane 14 is provided on the intermediate chamber 13 side, and a cation exchange membrane 15 made of a fluororesin is provided on the anode chamber 11 side in close contact with each other. A cation exchange membrane 16 is provided between the intermediate chamber 13 and the cathode chamber 12. That is, the anode chamber 11 and the intermediate chamber 13 are separated by a diaphragm in which the anion exchange membrane 14 and the cation exchange membrane 15 are closely integrated (stacked). Further, the cathode chamber 12 and the intermediate chamber 13 are separated by a diaphragm made of the cation exchange membrane 16. An anode electrode 17 is provided in close contact with the surface of the cation exchange membrane 15 so as to face the anode chamber 11. A cathode electrode 18 is provided in close contact with the surface of the cation exchange membrane 16 so as to face the cathode chamber 12. These electrodes 17 and 18 are made of platinum-plated titanium and are perforated plates in which a large number of holes are formed. Therefore, the component passing through the diaphragm is transported from the intermediate chamber 13 to the anode chamber 11 or the cathode chamber 12 through the hole portion of the electrode plate.
[0034]
Reference numeral 19 denotes an intermediate chamber liquid tank. And, for example, saturated saline solution (chlorine ion-containing water) is filled.
[0035]
In the bathtub apparatus configured as described above, the pump 3 was operated to circulate bath water in the bathtub 1 (the temperature of the water in the bathtub was 40 ° C.). A part of the circulating bath water is introduced into the anode chamber 11 from the inlet portion 11a of the anode chamber 11, and the anode electrolyzed water after electrolysis is returned into the bathtub 1 from the outlet 11b of the anode chamber 11. I did it. Electrolysis was performed by applying a predetermined voltage between the electrodes so that an electrolysis current of 4 A flows, and anode electrolyzed water was supplied into the bathtub 1.
[0036]
When operated as described above, the pH and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) of the bath water in the bath 1 after 24 hours were examined. As a result, it was found that the pH was about 4.8 and the ORP was about 650 mV after 3 hours from the start of energization. And after examining the bacteria in the bath water, no bacteria were found at all. Before the anode electrolyzed water was supplied into the bath, the pH of the bath water was about 7.5, the ORP was about 250 mV, and the number of germs per ml was about 500. From this, it can be understood that the present invention is effective as a countermeasure against Legionella bacteria.
[0037]
Moreover, when the chlorine content density | concentration of the bathtub water in the bathtub 1 was investigated, this was about 2 ppm, and the big problem was not recognized for the patient with atopic dermatitis.
[0038]
Moreover, although the said bathtub apparatus was operated continuously for one month and the corrosion condition of the iron plate immersed in the bathtub was observed, corrosion was not recognized at all.
[0039]
On the other hand, as a comparative example, an electrolytic device having the same three-chamber type electrolytic device but having no cation exchange membrane 15 was used instead of the electrolytic device. That is, a diaphragm consisting only of an anion exchange membrane 14 is provided between the anode chamber 11 and the intermediate chamber 13, and a diaphragm consisting only of the cation exchange membrane 16 is provided between the cathode chamber 12 and the intermediate chamber 13. The anode electrode 17 is provided in close contact with the surface of the anion exchange membrane 14 so as to face the anode chamber 11, and the cathode electrode 18 is provided on the surface of the cation exchange membrane 16 so as to face the cathode chamber 12. Was used in the same manner as in the above embodiment.
[0040]
Similarly, in this comparative example, no germs were observed in the bath water. Therefore, it was effective as a countermeasure against Legionella.
[0041]
However, when the chlorine content concentration of the bathtub water in the bathtub 1 is examined, it exceeds about 20 ppm, which is a high concentration compared to the above embodiment. Therefore, it is not preferable for patients with atopic dermatitis.
[0042]
Moreover, when the bathtub apparatus of this comparative example was continuously operated for one month and the corrosion condition of the iron plate immersed in the bathtub was observed, a corrosion tendency was observed. Therefore, a problem occurs in the durability of the bathtub device.
[0043]
Considering the above, the comparative example in which the anion exchange membrane and the cation exchange membrane are not laminated on the anode electrode plate of the electrolysis apparatus is effective as a countermeasure against Legionella bacteria, From the viewpoint of the above-mentioned embodiment, it is not preferable for a person with weak skin, such as a patient with atopic dermatitis, and the problem of inferior durability due to early corrosion of the bathtub apparatus is recognized. In addition to being effective in suppressing Legionella, it does not cause major problems for those with weak skin, and it is also rich in the durability of the bathtub.
[0044]
The electrolysis apparatus used in the above embodiment is the same, but the electrolysis apparatus D provided between the pump 3 and the heating apparatus 4 was tried. That is, the anode electrolyzed water immediately after electrolysis was tried to be supplied to the heating device 4. In this case as well, it is effective as a countermeasure against Legionella bacteria, and the concentration of chlorine in the bathtub water in the bathtub 1 is also low as in the case of the above embodiment. Some corrosion tendency was observed. Therefore, from the viewpoint of the durability of the bathtub apparatus, it is preferable that the electrolysis apparatus D is provided in a subsequent process rather than the heating apparatus.
[0045]
In addition, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where chlorine ion containing water was supplied to the intermediate | middle chamber 13, it is the same also when the aqueous solution containing an organic acid is supplied. Further, an aqueous solution containing both chlorine ions and organic acids may be supplied. Further, the case where chlorine ion-containing water is supplied to the cathode chamber 12 has been described, but the same applies when an aqueous solution containing an organic acid is supplied. Further, an aqueous solution containing both chlorine ions and organic acids may be supplied.
[0046]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a bathtub apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a main part of the electrolysis apparatus used in the bathtub apparatus of FIG.
[0047]
The bathtub apparatus of this embodiment is basically the same as the bathtub apparatus of the above embodiment. However, in this embodiment, a two-chamber electrolyzer is used instead of a three-chamber electrolyzer. Since other than this is the same, detailed description is omitted.
[0048]
The outline of the electrolysis apparatus used in this embodiment is shown in FIG. 4, and the anode chamber 23 and the cathode chamber 24 are separated by a diaphragm in which the cation exchange membrane 21 and the anion exchange membrane 22 are closely integrated (stacked). And the anode electrode 25 is provided in close contact with the cation exchange membrane 21. The cathode electrode 26 may be provided in close contact with the anion exchange membrane 22 or may be provided separately. However, when not closely contacting, it is necessary to supply a high concentration of electrolyte to the cathode chamber 24 in order to reduce the electrolysis voltage. For this reason, the cathode electrode 26 is more closely contacted with the anion exchange membrane 22. preferable. Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. The electrolysis apparatus used in the present embodiment is also characterized in that a cation exchange membrane 21 and an anion exchange membrane 22 are disposed with respect to the anode electrode 25. The anode electrode 25 and the cathode electrode 26 are made of platinum-plated titanium and are perforated plates in which a large number of holes are formed, as in the case of the above embodiment.
[0049]
Even in the present embodiment, the same features as in the previous embodiment were achieved.
[0050]
In addition, when this embodiment and the thing of the said embodiment are contrasted, the said embodiment was more preferable in the point that there is little chlorine content.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
Propagation of Legionella can be effectively suppressed, the chlorine content that causes a bad environment for the skin is greatly suppressed, and corrosion is hardly caused and the durability of the bathtub is excellent.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bathtub apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a three-chamber type electrolysis apparatus used in the bathtub apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a bathtub apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a two-chamber type electrolysis apparatus used in the bathtub apparatus according to the second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathtub 2 Filter 3 Pump 4 Heating apparatus 11, 23 Anode chamber 12, 24 Cathode chamber 13 Intermediate chamber 15, 16, 21 Cation exchange membrane 14, 22 Anion exchange membrane 17, 25 Anode electrode 18, 26 Cathode electrode

Claims (9)

A bathtub apparatus comprising a bathtub, an electrolysis apparatus, and a conduit for guiding anode electrolyzed water from the anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus to the bathtub,
The anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus is provided with an anode electrode,
The bathtub apparatus, wherein the anode electrode is disposed with respect to a cation exchange membrane. A bathtub apparatus comprising a bathtub, an electrolysis apparatus, and a conduit for guiding anode electrolyzed water from the anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus to the bathtub,
The anode chamber of the electrolysis apparatus is provided with an anode electrode,
The bath device characterized in that the anode electrode is disposed with respect to a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an anode electrode is disposed on a diaphragm formed by laminating an anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane. The bathtub apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an anode electrode is brought into close contact with the cation exchange membrane. The bathtub apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cation exchange membrane is a fluorine-based cation exchange membrane. A circulation / water supply mechanism that circulates and supplies water in the bathtub is provided in the anode chamber. Water in the bathtub is supplied to the anode chamber by this circulation / water supply mechanism, and the anode electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the anode chamber passes through the conduit. The bathtub apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bathtub apparatus is configured to be supplied into the bathtub. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a bath water heating means that circulates in a circulation / water supply mechanism between a water supply port of the anode chamber and the bathtub. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a filter for bathtub water is provided in a circulation / water supply mechanism between a water supply port of the anode chamber and the bathtub. A method of operating the bathtub device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A bathtub operation method characterized by supplying anode electrolyzed water into a bathtub.

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