JP2010150630A - Ozone water producing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ozone water producing apparatus capable of avoiding the futile use of a cleaning liquid and keeping the cleaning liquid in an appropriate conccentration. <P>SOLUTION: The ozone water producing apparatus 1 is provided with: a cleaning liquid circulation path 12 provided with a cathode chamber 6 of an electrolytic cell 3, a detergent tank 7 and a circulation pump 8 to be interposed; a dissolving part 30 forming the cleaning liquid by dissolving a cleaning agent 9; liquid level detecting means 51, 52 for detecting the liquid level in the cleaning liquid tank 7; cleaning liquid discharge means 14, 43 for discharging the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 7; cleaning liquid supply means 13a, 13b, 42 for supplying the cleaning liquid prepared in the dissolving part 30 to the cleaning liquid tank 7; and a control means controlling the cleaning liquid discharge means 43 and the cleaning liquid supply means 42 corresponding to the liquid level detected in the liquid level detecting means 51, 52 to supply the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid tank 7 or to discharge the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ozone water generator that directly generates ozone water from water by a water electrolysis method using a solid electrolyte membrane.

Ozone is expected to be used and effective in various fields such as food-related, sewerage, human waste treatment, bathrooms, hospitals, elderly facilities, livestock, and fisheries due to effects such as sterilization, deodorization, and decolorization. Conventionally, ozone water is generated directly by electrolyzing water such as well water and tap water using a solid electrolyte membrane and electrodes as one of the devices that generate ozone water, which is water in which ozone is dissolved. A generator is used. In this apparatus, ozone is generated together with oxygen from the anode chamber side in the electrolytic cell partitioned into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber by a solid electrolyte membrane, and the liquid becomes alkaline as hydrogen gas is generated on the cathode chamber side. . On the cathode chamber side, cations such as Na ⁺ ions, Ca ²⁺ ions, and Mg ²⁺ ions pass through the solid electrolyte membrane from the anode chamber side. Among these, Ca ²⁺ ions and Mg ²⁺ ions are alkaline and bind to OH ⁻ ions or carbonate ions in which carbon dioxide in the air dissolves to form poorly soluble hydroxides and carbonates, which are deposited on the electrodes. It is known to significantly reduce the electrolysis performance.

To solve this problem, a water softener filled with Na-type ion exchange resin is provided on the upstream side of the ozone water generating device, and Ca ²⁺ ions and Mg ²⁺ ions, which are hardness components in tap water, are ion-exchanged to Na ⁺ ions. A method employing this method is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

However, the ozone water generating apparatus that performs the pretreatment of raw material water described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that an auxiliary apparatus such as a water softener filled with Na-type ion exchange resin is required and the apparatus becomes complicated.
In addition, there is a method to prevent the precipitation of sparingly soluble salts by supplying an acidic cleaning solution directly to the raw water supplied to the cathode chamber side of the electrolytic cell. Since it is necessary to provide it separately, the apparatus and its handling become complicated.
Therefore, an ozone water generating device and an ozone water generating method that are easy to handle and can reduce maintenance costs and initial costs have been desired.

As such an ozone water generating method, a raw material water supplying step of supplying raw water to the anode chamber in an electrolytic cell partitioned into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber by a solid electrolyte membrane, and supplying a cleaning liquid to the cathode chamber A cleaning process for cleaning the cathode electrode disposed in the cathode chamber, and an elution process for generating the cleaning liquid by gradually dissolving a cleaning agent containing an organic acid and molded into a solid state Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
According to this configuration, ozone is generated by electrolysis of H ₂ O from the anode electrode arranged in the anode chamber in the raw water supply step. In the elution step, the cleaning agent is gradually eluted by its solubility to produce a cleaning solution having a substantially constant concentration. Even if the raw material water permeates through the solid electrolyte membrane and moves to the cathode chamber side, the cleaning solution on the cathode chamber side becomes thin, so that the cleaning agent is gradually eluted by its solubility. It becomes a cleaning solution. In the cleaning process, since the cleaning liquid is supplied to the cathode chamber and the cathode chamber is kept in an acidic state, Ca ²⁺ ions and Mg ²⁺ ions contained in the raw water are not precipitated as poorly soluble salts in the cathode electrode. Can be maintained in a dissolved state.
As described above, the ozone water generating method disclosed in Patent Document 2 and the ozone water generating apparatus for carrying out the method solve the technical problems of those disclosed in Patent Document 1, are easy to handle, and are maintained and managed. It is very useful as a thing that can reduce the cost and the initial cost.

Japanese Patent No. 3269784 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-666

  However, the ozone water generating method and the ozone water generating device described in Patent Document 2 have further technical problems as described below.

(1) The cleaning agent may be consumed excessively.
The ozone water generation apparatus described in Patent Document 2 is an electrolysis system provided with “an electrolytic cell partitioned into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber by a solid electrolyte membrane”, so that water from the anode side to the cathode side is used. The movement is unavoidable, and as the water moves, the amount of water in the cleaning liquid tank increases and the cleaning water spills out. That is, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, high-concentration cleaning water in which the cleaning agent is dissolved to the saturation concentration spills out. In this case, the cleaning agent is consumed wastefully.
(2) It is difficult to maintain the concentration.
When a cleaning agent having a high solubility is used, there is a possibility that an excessively concentrated cleaning liquid may be generated. For example, the required concentration of the cleaning solution is usually sufficient to be a concentration equal to or lower than the solubility of the cleaning agent (saturated solution concentration), but even in this case, the concentration of the cleaning solution is always the concentration of the saturated solution in the method described in Patent Document 2. Become. Therefore, it is impossible to maintain the concentration of the cleaning liquid at an appropriate concentration lower than that of the saturated solution.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is an ozone water generation apparatus by an underwater electrolysis method using a solid electrolyte membrane, which is easy to handle and can reduce maintenance costs and initial costs. An object of the present invention is to provide an ozone water generator capable of avoiding wasteful consumption of the cleaning agent and (2) maintaining the concentration of the cleaning liquid at an appropriate concentration.

  The ozone water generating apparatus according to the present invention has the following features to achieve the above object. That is, the ozone water generating apparatus of the present invention includes the following features alone or in combination as appropriate.

  The first feature of the ozone water generating apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an ozone water generating apparatus that generates ozone water by electrolyzing raw material water, and is partitioned by a solid electrolyte membrane. An electrolytic cell having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, in which the raw material water is supplied to the anode chamber, a cleaning liquid tank capable of storing a cleaning liquid, the cathode chamber, the cleaning liquid tank, and a circulation pump are interposed. A cleaning liquid circulation channel, a dissolving part for generating a cleaning liquid by dissolving a cleaning agent containing at least an organic acid or a neutral salt, and a liquid level detecting means for detecting a liquid level inside the cleaning liquid tank; The cleaning liquid discharging means for discharging the cleaning liquid inside the cleaning liquid tank from the cleaning liquid tank, the cleaning liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid generated in the dissolving section to the cleaning liquid tank, and the liquid level detecting means. Depending on the knowledge has been liquid level, and control means for controlling said cleaning liquid supplying means and the cleaning liquid discharge means is that with the.

According to this configuration, it is possible to discharge the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank or supply the cleaning liquid from the dissolving portion to the cleaning liquid tank according to the liquid level (level of the liquid level) of the cleaning liquid tank.
Here, since the concentration of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank is lower than the concentration of the cleaning liquid in the dissolving part, when the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning liquid tank, compared with the case where the cleaning liquid is discharged from the dissolving part, the dissolved cleaning The discharge of the agent can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to supply the cleaning liquid tank in the same amount as the cleaning agent corresponding to the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid (contained in the discharge solution) in advance, and an excessive supply is unnecessary. Thereby, useless consumption of the cleaning agent can be avoided.
Further, since the cleaning liquid in the dissolving portion can be automatically supplied to the cleaning liquid tank at a predetermined timing according to the liquid level of the cleaning liquid tank, the concentration of the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank to the cathode chamber can be maintained at an appropriate concentration.
Thereby, the production | generation of sufficient ozone water can be maintained stably.
Since the concentration of the cleaning liquid is automatically adjusted, handling is easy and the management cost can be reduced. In addition, since there is no need to install an accessory device such as a water softener, the initial cost can be reduced.

  A second feature of the ozone water generator according to the present invention is that the cleaning liquid supply means is configured to supply at least a part of the cleaning liquid discharged from the cathode chamber to the cleaning liquid tank through the dissolving portion. It is to become.

According to this configuration, since the cleaning liquid passing through the cleaning liquid circulation channel is used for the generation of the cleaning liquid in the dissolving portion, it is not necessary to supply the liquid from outside the system through which the cleaning liquid circulates.
In addition, since the cleaning liquid whose temperature has been raised by the circulation pump is used for the generation of the cleaning liquid in the dissolving part, it is easy to dissolve the cleaning agent in the dissolving part without providing any special heating means.

  Further, a third feature of the ozone water generating apparatus according to the present invention is that the dissolving portion is configured in a cleaning agent tank different from the cleaning solution tank, and the cleaning agent tank is a bottom surface of the cleaning agent tank. From the upper surface of the cleaning agent tank is partitioned into a first tank and a second tank by a partition plate having a gap, and the cleaning agent is stored in the first tank, When the cleaning liquid in the first tank is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank, the cleaning liquid in the first tank flows over the partition plate to the second tank and is then supplied to the cleaning liquid tank. It has been done.

  According to this configuration, the cleaning agent can be dissolved in the first tank in advance, and the undissolved cleaning agent (solid cleaning agent) is kept in the first tank for the undissolved portion. Can do. That is, dissolution can be promoted and undissolved cleaning agent can be prevented from flowing out into the cleaning liquid tank. This facilitates management of the concentration of the cleaning liquid through the cleaning liquid circulation channel.

  Further, a fourth feature of the ozone water generating apparatus according to the present invention is that the dissolving part is constituted by a cleaning agent tank attached to the cleaning solution tank, and the cleaning agent tank and the cleaning solution tank are: The cleaning agent tank is erected in a substantially vertical direction from the bottom surface and is partitioned by a partition plate having a gap from the top surface of the cleaning agent tank, the cleaning agent is stored in the cleaning agent tank, and the cleaning agent When the cleaning liquid in the tank is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning agent tank flows over the partition plate and is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank.

According to this configuration, it becomes possible to dissolve the cleaning agent in advance in the cleaning agent tank, and for the undissolved portion, keep the undissolved cleaning agent (solid cleaning agent) in the cleaning agent tank. Can do. That is, dissolution can be promoted and undissolved cleaning agent can be prevented from flowing out into the cleaning liquid tank. This facilitates management of the concentration of the cleaning liquid through the cleaning liquid circulation channel.
In addition, since the dissolving part is constituted by a cleaning agent tank attached to the cleaning liquid tank, the entire apparatus can be made compact.
Furthermore, when the cleaning liquid obtained by dissolving in the cleaning agent tank is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning agent tank is configured to be supplied to the cleaning liquid tank over the partition plate. There is no need for connecting piping between the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning agent tank. For this reason, the precipitation of salt in the connection pipe does not block the connection pipe and prevent the supply of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning agent tank to the cleaning liquid tank.

  The fifth feature of the ozone water generator according to the present invention is that an on-off valve is interposed in the flow path between the discharge side of the circulation pump and the cathode chamber, A return flow path is provided that branches from the flow path between the on-off valve and is connected to the melting portion.

  According to this configuration, when generation of ozone water is unnecessary, the concentration of the cleaning liquid can be adjusted while the operation of the circulation pump is continued by closing the on-off valve.

  The sixth feature of the ozone water generator according to the present invention is that a conductivity meter for detecting the conductivity of the cleaning liquid is provided in the cleaning liquid circulation channel.

  According to this configuration, the concentration of the circulating cleaning liquid can be grasped, and it becomes possible to supply the cleaning agent from the cleaning agent tank into the cleaning liquid circulation channel in accordance with the decrease in the conductivity, and consequently the decrease in the concentration of the cleaning liquid. .

  According to the present invention, handling is easy, maintenance costs and initial costs can be reduced, wasteful consumption of the cleaning liquid can be avoided, and the concentration of the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank to the cathode chamber is set appropriately. At a high concentration.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an ozone water generator 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The ozone water generating apparatus 1 of the first embodiment includes an electrolytic cell 3 partitioned into an anode chamber 5 and a cathode chamber 6 by a solid electrolyte membrane 4, a cleaning liquid tank 7 capable of storing a cleaning liquid, and a circulation pump 8. Device. The arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the flow directions of raw water (hereinafter referred to as raw water) containing at least one of Ca ²⁺ ions and Mg ²⁺ ions, ozone water, and cleaning liquid. The ozone water generator 1 is an apparatus that produces ozone water by electrolyzing raw material water supplied from the outside to the anode chamber 5 in the electrolytic cell 3. The produced ozone water is connected to the anode chamber 5. Discharge from the channel 11. The cathode chamber 6, the cleaning liquid tank 7, and the circulation pump 8 are interposed in the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12.
The flow path 10 into which the raw material water from the outside flows is a flow path connected to the anode chamber 5 of the electrolytic cell 3. The raw material water supplied to the anode chamber 5 through the flow path 10 is electrolyzed by the DC voltage applied to the anode chamber 5 and the cathode chamber 6 of the electrolytic cell 3 via the anode electrode 5a and the cathode electrode 6a. Is done. Thereby, ozone water is manufactured on the anode chamber 5 side. At this time, cations such as Ca ²⁺ ions and Mg ²⁺ ions contained in the raw water and a part of the raw water pass through the solid electrolyte membrane 4 and move to the cathode chamber 6 side. When cleaning the cathode electrode 6 a disposed in the cathode chamber 6, the acidic cleaning liquid is passed through the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12 that connects the cleaning liquid tank 7 and the cathode chamber 6 of the electrolytic cell 3 by the circulation pump 8. Circulate. Here, on the cathode chamber 6 side, OH ⁻ ions are generated by electrolysis of water, and these OH ⁻ ions and cations such as Ca ²⁺ ions and Mg ²⁺ ions that have moved from the anode chamber 5 side are hardly soluble. There is a possibility that salt is formed and deposited around the cathode electrode disposed in the cathode chamber 6. However, since these compounds do not precipitate when the liquid is in an acidic condition, the acidic chamber is circulated through the cleaning fluid circulation channel 12 interposed in the cathode chamber 6 as described above, whereby the cathode chamber is obtained. 6 prevents the poorly soluble salt from precipitating.

The acid concentration of the cleaning solution does not need to be high, and inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid can be used as the acid. Organic acids such as acids are preferred. However, not only citric acid but also organic acids such as succinic acid, gluconic acid, lactic acid, fumaric acid and DL malic acid can be used. On the other hand, the concentration of the cleaning liquid gradually decreases as a part of the raw material water passes through the solid electrolyte membrane 4 and moves to the cathode chamber 6 side in the generation process of ozone water, and the solubility of Ca ²⁺ ions and the like decreases. there is a possibility. Therefore, the ozone water generator 1 has the following configuration for maintaining the concentration of the cleaning liquid through the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12.

  First, the ozone water generating apparatus 1 is provided with a cleaning agent tank 30 (dissolving part) in which a cleaning agent 9 in the form of powder of citric acid is charged. The powdery cleaning agent 9 is put into the cleaning agent tank 30 so as to remain partly undissolved. That is, a larger amount of the powdery cleaning agent 9 than the amount at which the cleaning liquid in the cleaning agent tank 30 reaches a saturated concentration is charged. The cleaning agent 9 is not limited to powder and may be granular. In addition, when the amount of cleaning agent that decreases as the cleaning liquid is discharged can be grasped by the cleaning liquid discharging means described later, the same amount of cleaning agent may be added.

The cleaning agent 9 may be citric acid or an organic acid having high Ca solubility, such as fumaric acid, succinic acid, gluconic acid, lactic acid, malic acid and the like. Further, in order to increase the electrolyte concentration of the cleaning liquid and facilitate the electrolytic reaction, it is also possible to use a mixture of NaCl, Na ₂ SO ₄ , KCl, K ₂ SO ₄ or the like as the electrolyte.
In particular, when ozone water is generated using raw water with low electrical conductivity, it is possible to efficiently generate ozone water by using a cleaning agent in which the organic acid and the neutral salt are mixed. It becomes. In addition, when raw | natural water is a pure water or the thing of the purity close to it, ozone water can be efficiently produced | generated only with the said neutral salt. As the neutral salt, NaCl, Na ₂ SO ₄ , KCl, K ₂ SO _{4 and the} like are suitable.

  The cleaning agent tank 30 branches from a branching point A downstream of the cleaning solution circulation channel 12 downstream of the cathode chamber 6 and upstream of the cleaning solution tank 7, and is interposed in branch channels 13 a and 13 b that communicate with the cleaning solution tank 7. Further, an electromagnetic valve 41 is interposed in the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12 downstream from the branch point A and upstream from the cleaning liquid tank 7, and in the branch channel 13 a between the branch point A and the cleaning agent tank 30. An electromagnetic valve 42 is interposed. That is, at least a part of the cleaning liquid discharged from the cathode chamber 6 can be supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 7 through the cleaning agent tank 30 by opening / closing control of the electromagnetic valve 41 and the electromagnetic valve 42 by a control means (not shown). In other words, the cleaning liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid tank 7 is configured by the branch flow paths 13a and 13b provided with the cleaning agent tank 30 and the electromagnetic valve 42 provided in the branch flow path 13a. It can be said that it is.

  Further, a discharge flow path 14 is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 7, and an electromagnetic valve 43 is interposed in the discharge flow path 14. That is, the cleaning liquid inside the cleaning liquid tank 7 can be discharged by opening / closing control of the electromagnetic valve 43 by a control means (not shown). In other words, it can be said that the discharge flow path 14 and the electromagnetic valve 43 constitute cleaning liquid discharge means for discharging the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 7.

  A liquid level sensor 51 and a liquid level sensor 52 are provided as liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level inside the cleaning liquid tank 7. Here, both the liquid level sensor 51 and the liquid level sensor 52 issue a signal of “ON” (operation) when the liquid level is higher than the position of each sensor, and otherwise, “ It is assumed that a signal indicating "OFF" (non-operation) is issued (a signal indicating "ON" (operation) is not issued). Further, the liquid level sensor 51 is provided at a position lower than the liquid level sensor 52. The liquid level sensor 51 is provided to detect the lower limit of the liquid level. The liquid level sensor 52 is provided for detecting the upper limit of the liquid level.

<Driving state of ozone water generator 1>
First, in a normal state (hereinafter referred to as “normal circulation state”), the electromagnetic valve 41 is open and the electromagnetic valves 42 and 43 are closed.
In the normal circulation state, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 7 circulates through the cleaning liquid circulation flow path 12.

Then, when the liquid level in the cleaning liquid tank 7 rises due to the movement of the raw material water from the anode chamber 5 side to the cathode chamber 6 side and the liquid level sensor 52 in the cleaning liquid tank 7 is turned “ON”, control means (not shown). Opens the electromagnetic valve 43, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 7 is drained. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a cleaning liquid discharge state.
The control means can be configured using a computer, PLC (programmable controller), etc., to which the liquid level sensors 51, 52 and the electromagnetic valves 41, 42, 43 are electrically connected.

  When the liquid level drops and the liquid level sensor 51 is turned “OFF” through the cleaning liquid discharge state, the control means closes the electromagnetic valve 43. Further, the control means opens the electromagnetic valve 42 and closes the electromagnetic valve 41 so that the cleaning liquid circulating in the cleaning liquid circulation flow path 12 flows into the cleaning agent tank 30. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a density adjustment state.

In the concentration adjustment state, in the cleaning agent tank 30, when the water level rises due to the inflow of the cleaning liquid and reaches the outlet to the branch flow path 13b connected to the cleaning liquid tank 7, the cleaning liquid passes through the branch flow path 13b. It flows out to the tank 7.
In addition, due to the inflow of the cleaning liquid, the cleaning agent 9 remaining without being dissolved gradually dissolves, and a cleaning liquid having a relatively high concentration is generated. Therefore, in the concentration adjustment state, a relatively high concentration of cleaning liquid is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 7. Then, it is diluted in the cleaning liquid tank 7 to a predetermined concentration.
This density adjustment state is continued for a predetermined time. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control means opens the electromagnetic valve 41 and closes the electromagnetic valve 42. And it transfers to the normal circulation state mentioned above.

<About the liquid flowing in the ozone water generator 1>
Various data regarding the liquid flowing in the ozone water generator 1 are as follows.
(1) Raw water supply to the ozone water generator: 3 L / min
(2) Concentration of generated ozone water: 10 mg / L
(3) Type of cleaning liquid: Citric acid + NaCl solution (4) Flow rate of circulating cleaning liquid: 0.7 L / min
(5) Amount of circulating cleaning liquid: 4 L

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the transition of the amount of the cleaning liquid, the amount of the cleaning agent, and the concentration of the cleaning liquid when the drainage of the cleaning liquid and the addition of the cleaning agent are performed periodically.

<Effects of First Embodiment>
As described above, the ozone water generator 1 generates ozone water by electrolyzing raw water, and has an anode chamber 5 and a cathode chamber 6 partitioned by a solid electrolyte membrane 4. The electrolytic bath 3 to which the raw material water is supplied to the anode chamber 5, the cleaning liquid tank 7 capable of storing the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid circulation passage 12 in which the cathode chamber 6, the cleaning liquid tank 7 and the circulation pump 8 are interposed. And by gradually dissolving the powdery cleaning agent 9 of citric acid, a cleaning agent tank 30 for generating a cleaning liquid, and liquid level sensors 51 and 52 for detecting the liquid level inside the cleaning liquid tank 7, A discharge flow path 14 for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 7 from the cleaning liquid tank 7, a solenoid valve 43 provided in the discharge flow path 14, and a branch from the cleaning liquid circulation flow path 12 are connected to the cleaning agent tank 30. And the cleaning agent tank 3 Branch flow paths 13a and 13b for supplying the cleaning liquid generated at 0 to the cleaning liquid tank 7, an electromagnetic valve 42 provided in the branch flow path 13a, and a branch point from the cleaning liquid circulation flow path 12 to the branch flow path 13a The electromagnetic valves 41, 42, 43 are controlled in accordance with the electromagnetic valve 41 provided in the cleaning liquid circulation passage 12 between the A and the cleaning liquid tank 7 and the liquid levels detected by the liquid level sensors 51, 52. And a control means for supplying the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 7 to the cleaning liquid tank 7 or discharging the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 7.

With this configuration, it is possible to discharge the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 7 or supply the cleaning liquid from the cleaning agent tank 30 to the cleaning liquid tank 7 according to the liquid level (level of the liquid level) of the cleaning liquid tank 7.
Here, since the concentration of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 7 is lower than the concentration of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 30, when the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning liquid tank 7, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning liquid tank 30. Compared to the above, discharge of the dissolved cleaning agent 9 can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to supply the cleaning agent tank 30 with the same amount of the cleaning agent corresponding to the amount of cleaning liquid discharged (contained in the discharging liquid) in advance, and an excessive supply becomes unnecessary. Thereby, useless consumption of the cleaning agent 9 can be avoided.
In addition, since the cleaning liquid in the cleaning agent tank 30 can be automatically supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 7 at a predetermined timing according to the liquid level in the cleaning liquid tank 7, the concentration of the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 7 to the cathode chamber 6 is set to an appropriate concentration. Can be maintained.
Thereby, the production | generation of sufficient ozone water can be maintained stably.
Since the concentration of the cleaning liquid is automatically adjusted, handling is easy and the management cost can be reduced. In addition, since there is no need to install an accessory device such as a water softener, the initial cost can be reduced.

  Further, by opening the electromagnetic valve 42, at least a part of the cleaning liquid discharged from the cathode chamber 6 passes through the cleaning agent tank 30 via the branch flow paths 13 a and 13 b branched from the cleaning liquid circulation flow path 12, and the cleaning liquid tank 7. Can be supplied.

With this configuration, since the cleaning liquid passing through the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12 is used for the generation of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning agent tank 30, it is not necessary to supply liquid from the outside (outside the system through which the cleaning liquid circulates).
In addition, since the temperature of the cleaning liquid flowing through the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12 is increased by the circulation pump 8, the cleaning agent 9 can be easily dissolved in the cleaning agent tank 30 without providing any special heating means.

  In this embodiment, the powdery cleaning agent 9 is put into the cleaning agent tank 30. However, in order to more reliably prevent the undissolved cleaning agent from flowing out of the cleaning agent tank 30, the powdery or granular cleaning agent is used. A detergent obtained by solidifying the agent may be added.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an ozone water generator 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The ozone water generator 1A of the second embodiment has many configurations in common with the ozone water generator 1 of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the cleaning agent tank is different. Specifically, the cleaning agent tank 30A in the ozone water generating apparatus 1A is different in that the inside thereof is divided into a first tank 31 and a second tank 32. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The cleaning agent tank 30 </ b> A (dissolving part) is configured separately from the cleaning liquid tank 7. The cleaning agent tank 30A is erected in a substantially vertical direction from the bottom surface of the cleaning agent tank 30A, and is divided into a first tank 31 and a second tank 32 by a partition plate 33 having a gap from the upper surface of the cleaning agent tank 30A. It is delimited. The cleaning agent 9 is stored in the first tank 31.

The branch channel 13a branched from the branch point A of the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12 is connected to the cleaning agent tank 30A so that the cleaning liquid discharged from the cathode chamber 6 is supplied to the first tank 31 of the cleaning agent tank 30A. Has been.
Further, the branch flow path 13b connected from the cleaning agent tank 30A to the cleaning solution tank 7 extends from the second tank 32 of the cleaning agent tank 30A to the cleaning solution tank 7.
Note that the branch flow path 13 b is connected to the second tank 32 at a position lower than the upper end of the partition plate 33.

  According to this configuration, in the concentration adjustment state in which the electromagnetic valve 42 is opened by the control means, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the branch flow path 13a to the first tank 31, so that the water level of the first tank 31 is increased. Then, the cleaning liquid in the first tank 31 flows over the partition plate 33 and flows into the second tank 32. As a result, the water level in the second tank 32 rises, the cleaning liquid in the second tank 32 flows into the branch flow path 13 b, and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 7.

<Effects of Second Embodiment>
As described above, in the ozone water generating apparatus 1A of the second embodiment, the cleaning agent tank 30A is configured separately from the cleaning solution tank 7, and the cleaning agent tank 30A is substantially vertical from the bottom surface of the cleaning agent tank 30A. The first tank 31 and the second tank 32 are partitioned by a partition plate 33 having a gap from the upper surface of the cleaning agent tank 30A. When the cleaning agent is stored in the first tank 31 and the cleaning liquid in the first tank 31 is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 7, the cleaning liquid in the first tank 31 overflows the partition plate 33 and enters the second tank 32. The liquid is then supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 7.

  According to this configuration, the undissolved cleaning agent 9 can be stopped in the first tank 31. That is, the undissolved cleaning agent 9 is prevented from flowing out to the cleaning liquid tank 7 and the management of the concentration of the cleaning liquid through the cleaning liquid circulation passage 12 is facilitated.

  Further, when the cleaning liquid in the first tank 31 is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 7, the cleaning liquid in the first tank 31 flows over the partition plate 33 and flows into the second tank 32, which is very configured. Is simple. That is, it is possible to prevent the outflow of the cleaning agent with a simple configuration as compared with the case where the outflow of the cleaning agent 9 is prevented by the configuration in which a plurality of tanks are connected by piping.

  A plurality of partition plates 33 may be installed in the cleaning agent tank 30A, and the cleaning agent tank 30A may be divided into three or more. For example, when two partition plates are installed in one cleaning agent tank and divided into three tanks, the cleaning agent 9 is arranged in the first tank to which the cleaning liquid is supplied from the branch flow path 13a, and the partition plate is passed over. And is supplied from the first tank to the second tank, similarly supplied from the second tank to the third tank, and supplied from the third tank to the cleaning liquid tank 7 via the branch channel 13b. be able to. The same configuration can be made when three or more partition plates are installed. In this case, it is possible to prevent the undissolved cleaning agent 9 from flowing out into the cleaning liquid tank 7 more reliably.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an ozone water generator 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The ozone water generator 1B of the third embodiment shares many configurations with the ozone water generator 1A of the second embodiment, but differs in the configuration of the cleaning agent tank. Note that the same members as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The difference will be specifically described as follows.
In the ozone water generating apparatus 1 </ b> B, a cleaning agent tank 30 </ b> B (dissolving part) is attached inside the cleaning liquid tank 7.
Further, the cleaning agent tank 30B and the cleaning solution tank 7 are erected in a substantially vertical direction from the bottom surface of the cleaning agent tank 30B, and are separated from the upper surface of the cleaning agent tank 30B by a partition plate 34 having a gap. The cleaning agent 9 is stored in the cleaning agent tank 30B.

  The branch flow path 13a branched from the branch point A of the cleaning liquid circulation flow path 12 is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 7 so that the cleaning liquid discharged from the cathode chamber 6 is supplied to the cleaning agent tank 30B. When the cleaning liquid in the cleaning agent tank 30B is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 7, the cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning agent tank 30B via the branch flow path 13a flows over the partition plate 34 and is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 7. Is done.

<Effect of the third embodiment>
The ozone water generator 1B of the third embodiment is configured such that the cleaning agent tank 30B is provided in the cleaning solution tank 7 and the cleaning solution overflowing from the cleaning agent tank 30B is accumulated in the cleaning solution tank 7.

  According to this configuration, the undissolved cleaning agent 9 can be prevented from flowing out into the cleaning liquid tank 7 as in the ozone water generating apparatus 1A of the second embodiment.

  Furthermore, since the cleaning agent tank 30B is attached to the inside of the cleaning solution tank 7 (because the cleaning agent tank 30B and the cleaning solution tank 7 are integrated), not only the entire apparatus can be made compact, but both tanks Therefore, it is possible to eliminate clogging due to precipitation of the cleaning liquid in the piping line.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an ozone water generator 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The ozone water generator 1C of the fourth embodiment shares many configurations with the ozone water generator 1B of the third embodiment. However, in the configuration for supplying the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid tank 7 when the cleaning agent is dissolved, There is a difference. Note that the same members as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the ozone water generating apparatus 1 </ b> C of the fourth embodiment, the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12 extending from the cathode chamber 6 is directly connected to the cleaning liquid tank 7.
A flow rate adjusting valve 44 and an electromagnetic valve 46 are interposed in the cleaning liquid circulation passage 12 between the discharge side of the circulation pump 8 and the cathode chamber 6.
Further, the liquid is branched from the cleaning liquid circulation passage 12 between the discharge side of the circulation pump 8 and the flow rate adjusting valve 44 at the branch point B, and is circulated to the cleaning agent tank 30B provided in the cleaning liquid tank 7. A return flow path 35 is provided which is connected to be able to supply the cleaning liquid discharged from the pump 8.
A three-way electromagnetic valve 45 is provided in the return flow path 35.
The ozone water generating device 1 </ b> C includes a bypass flow path 36 that branches from the return flow path 35 via the three-way electromagnetic valve 45 and is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 7.

  Further, unlike the third embodiment, the cleaning liquid tank 7 is provided with only one liquid level sensor 52. The liquid level sensor 52 is provided to detect the upper limit of the liquid level. Further, the cleaning liquid discharge port (connecting portion to the discharge flow path 14) in the cleaning liquid tank 7 is provided at the liquid level at the normal time (the initial filling amount of the cleaning liquid).

The ozone water generating apparatus 1 </ b> C is configured to adjust the flow rate of the cleaning liquid by adjusting the flow rate adjusting valve 44 and the three-way electromagnetic valve 45.
In the normal circulation state, the electromagnetic valve 46 is opened, and the flow rate adjusting valve 44 is opened after being set to a predetermined opening so that a predetermined flow rate flows. At this time, the three-way solenoid valve 45 is switched so that the cleaning liquid branched from the branch point B and flowing through the flow path 35 flows only into the bypass flow path 36. Accordingly, in the normal circulation state, the cleaning liquid circulates through the cleaning liquid circulation flow path 12 and a part of the cleaning liquid circulates through the flow path 35 and the bypass flow path 36 without passing through the cathode chamber 6.
Note that the three-way solenoid valve 45 may be controlled so as to completely block the passage of the cleaning liquid from the branch point B to the cleaning liquid tank 7 and the cleaning agent tank 30B. In this case, the cleaning liquid circulates only through the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12 in the normal circulation state.

In the normal circulation state, when the liquid level in the cleaning liquid tank 7 rises and the liquid level sensor 52 is turned “ON”, the cleaning liquid discharge state is entered, the electromagnetic valve 43 is opened, and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning liquid tank 7.
The cleaning liquid discharge state in which the electromagnetic valve 43 is opened ends when a predetermined time has elapsed after the liquid level sensor 52 is turned “ON”, and the electromagnetic valve 43 is closed.
If the liquid level drops to the discharge port of the discharge flow path 14 before a predetermined time has elapsed after the liquid level sensor 52 is turned “ON”, the drainage is automatically stopped.

When a predetermined time elapses after the liquid level sensor 52 is turned “ON”, the three-way electromagnetic valve 45 installed in the return flow path 35 from the discharge port of the circulation pump 8 to the cleaning liquid tank 7 is controlled to the cleaning liquid tank 7. From the bypass flow path 36 to the flow path 35 to the cleaning agent tank 30B. Thereby, dissolution of the cleaning agent 9 is started by a part of the circulating cleaning liquid.
Also during this time, the cleaning liquid supplied to the cathode chamber 6 side passes through the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12 and returns to the cleaning liquid tank 7 instead of the cleaning agent tank 30B and circulates.

Here, when an operation for stopping the generation of ozone water is performed, the electromagnetic valve 46 is completely closed, and the supply of the cleaning liquid to the cathode chamber 6 is stopped.
Even in this case, the operation of the circulation pump 8 is continued. As in the case of ozone water generation, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the liquid level sensor 52 is turned “ON”, the three-way electromagnetic valve 45 is controlled, and the cleaning agent tank 30 </ b> B from the bypass flow path 36 to the cleaning liquid tank 7. It switches to the flow path 35 to. As a result, the cleaning liquid circulates through the flow path 35 and the bypass flow path 36 without passing through the cathode chamber 6, and is maintained at a predetermined concentration.

  When the operation of restarting the generation of ozone water is performed, the ozone water generation apparatus 1C is driven in a normal circulation state. That is, the electromagnetic valve 46 is opened and the supply of the cleaning liquid to the cathode chamber 6 side is resumed.

<Effects of Fourth Embodiment>
In the ozone water generating apparatus 1C of the fourth embodiment, a flow rate adjusting valve 44 and an electromagnetic valve 46 are interposed in the cleaning liquid circulation passage 12 between the discharge side of the circulation pump 8 and the cathode chamber 6, and the circulation pump 8 is provided with a return flow path 35 branched from a branch point B of the cleaning liquid circulation flow path 12 between the discharge side 8 and the flow rate adjustment valve 44 and connected to the cleaning agent tank 30B.

  According to this configuration, even when ozone water generation is stopped during the dissolution of the cleaning agent 9, the operation of the circulation pump 8 can be continued by closing the electromagnetic valve 46, and the dissolution of the cleaning agent 9 can be continued. That is, even when the supply of the raw material water to the anode chamber 5 is stopped (when generation of ozone water is unnecessary), the cleaning agent 9 can be continuously dissolved until a predetermined concentration is reached, and the concentration of the cleaning liquid can be adjusted. .

  Further, the cleaning liquid discharge port (connecting portion to the discharge flow path 14) in the cleaning liquid tank 7 is provided at the liquid level at the normal time (the initial filling amount of the cleaning liquid).

  According to this configuration, when the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 7 is discharged, the discharge automatically stops when the liquid level decreases to the discharge port. Therefore, a liquid level sensor for detecting the lower limit of the water level is unnecessary, and excessive cleaning liquid discharge due to abnormality of the liquid level sensor or the like can be prevented.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an ozone water generator 1D according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
The ozone water generator 1D of the fifth embodiment has many configurations in common with the ozone water generator 1 of the first embodiment. However, in the ozone water generating apparatus 1D of the fifth embodiment, the conductivity meter 61 is provided in the cleaning liquid tank 7 and at a position where it is immersed in the cleaning liquid (in contact with the cleaning liquid). The form of the ozone water generator 1 is different in that it is not provided.
A conductivity meter 61 provided in the cleaning liquid tank 7 detects the conductivity of the cleaning liquid in the tank, and the detected conductivity is transmitted to a control means (not shown). In the ozone water generation device of the first embodiment described above, the concentration adjustment state is configured to continue for a predetermined time. However, in the ozone water generation device of the fifth embodiment, the concentration adjustment state is set to the conductivity meter 61. It is comprised so that it may continue according to the electrical conductivity of the washing | cleaning liquid detected by.
That is, after the density adjustment state is reached (usually, the conductivity is smaller than a predetermined value at this time), the control means is not limited as long as the conductivity transmitted from the conductivity meter 61 is smaller than the predetermined value. The concentration adjustment state in which the electromagnetic valve 41 is closed and the electromagnetic valve 42 is opened is maintained. When the conductivity transmitted from the conductivity meter 61 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and the concentration of the cleaning agent is equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration, the control means opens the electromagnetic valve 41 and closes the electromagnetic valve 42. And it transfers to a normal circulation state.
Further, when the conductivity transmitted from the conductivity meter 61 becomes smaller than a predetermined value, the control means is configured to close the electromagnetic valve 41 and open the electromagnetic valve 42 to shift to the concentration adjustment state. Also good.
<Effect of Fifth Embodiment>
With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the concentration of the cleaning liquid in accordance with the conductivity of the cleaning liquid, and it is possible to more accurately manage the concentration of the cleaning liquid. The conductivity meter 61 may not be provided inside the cleaning liquid tank 6, but may be provided at any position inside the cleaning liquid circulation channel 12 so as to be in contact with the cleaning liquid.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as long as they are described in the claims.

It is the schematic which shows the ozone water production | generation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows transition of the washing | cleaning liquid amount etc. in the ozone water generating apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the ozone water production | generation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the ozone water generating apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the ozone water generating apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the ozone water production | generation apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Ozone water production | generation apparatus 3 Electrolyzer 4 Solid electrolyte membrane 5 Anode chamber 6 Cathode chamber 7 Cleaning liquid tank 8 Circulation pump 9 Cleaning agent 12 Cleaning liquid circulation flow path 30 Cleaning agent tank (dissolution part)
51, 52 Liquid level sensor 61 Conductivity meter

Claims (6)

An ozone water generating device that generates ozone water by electrolyzing raw water,
An electrolytic cell having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber partitioned by a solid electrolyte membrane, the raw material water being supplied to the anode chamber;
A cleaning liquid tank capable of storing a cleaning liquid, the cathode chamber, the cleaning liquid tank, and a cleaning liquid circulation passage provided with a circulation pump;
Dissolving a cleaning agent containing at least an organic acid or a neutral salt to generate a cleaning solution;
A liquid level detection means for detecting the liquid level inside the cleaning liquid tank;
Cleaning liquid discharging means for discharging the cleaning liquid inside the cleaning liquid tank from the cleaning liquid tank;
Cleaning liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid generated in the dissolving section to the cleaning liquid tank;
Control means for controlling the cleaning liquid discharge means and the cleaning liquid supply means according to the liquid level detected by the liquid level detection means;
Ozone water generator equipped with. 2. The ozone water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid supply unit is configured to be able to supply at least a part of the cleaning liquid discharged from the cathode chamber to the cleaning liquid tank through the dissolving portion. The dissolving portion is configured in a cleaning agent tank different from the cleaning liquid tank,
The cleaning agent tank is erected in a substantially vertical direction from the bottom surface of the cleaning agent tank, and is partitioned into a first tank and a second tank by a partition plate having a gap from the upper surface of the cleaning agent tank,
The cleaning agent is stored in the first tank,
When the cleaning liquid in the first tank is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank, the cleaning liquid in the first tank flows over the partition plate to the second tank and is then supplied to the cleaning liquid tank. The ozone water generating device according to claim 1 or claim 2. The dissolving portion is configured in a cleaning agent tank attached to the cleaning solution tank;
The cleaning agent tank and the cleaning solution tank are erected in a substantially vertical direction from the bottom surface of the cleaning agent tank, and separated from the upper surface of the cleaning agent tank by a partition plate having a gap,
The cleaning agent is stored in the cleaning agent tank,
The cleaning liquid in the cleaning agent tank is configured to be supplied to the cleaning liquid tank over the partition plate when the cleaning liquid in the cleaning agent tank is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank. The ozone water generator described in 1. An on-off valve is interposed in the flow path between the discharge side of the circulation pump and the cathode chamber,
The ozone water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a return flow path that branches from a flow path between a discharge side of the circulation pump and the on-off valve and is connected to the dissolving portion. .   The ozone water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a conductivity meter for detecting the conductivity of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid circulation channel.

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