CH718650A9 - A device, a plant and a method for the electrolysis of brine. - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for the electrolysis of brine is provided, the device comprising a single-chamber electrolyzer. The single-chamber electrolyzer comprises: a liquid inlet for receiving a homogenized dilute brine with controlled concentration, dilution and temperature; at least one pair of electrodes, each pair defining an anode and a cathode for facilitating electrolysis of the homogenized brine; and a liquid outlet for discharging electrolyzed water from the electrolyzer. The device also includes a power source for providing direct current to the electrodes for carrying out the electrolysis and a control device for detecting the change in the voltage applied to the electrodes. A method for the electrolysis of brine is also provided

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices, systems and methods for the electrolysis of brine.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Chlorinated water is a main component of disinfectants and cleaning agents. Chlorinated water is generally made by either adding chlorine gas to water or by mixing bleach with water. However, it is difficult to control the amount of chlorine concentration that diffuses into the water. In addition, the conventional methods are unsafe for the people involved in the process.

In order to overcome the above disadvantages, the brine is electrolysed using a conventional two-chamber electrolyser. In addition to the chlorine water, highly reactive caustic soda, chlorine gas and hydrogen gas are formed as by-products of the reaction, which are extremely unsafe for manual handling. Therefore, various precautionary measures must be taken by the operator.

In addition, the conventional devices for brine electrolysis are set up so that they produce chlorinated water with a fixed proportion of brine solution. In particular, the initial operating conditions cannot be altered to achieve different chlorine concentrations in the electrolyzed water.

There is therefore a need for an apparatus, system and method for the electrolysis of brine which overcomes the above deficiencies.

TASKS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure that are met by at least one embodiment herein are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus, a system and a method for the electrolysis of brine.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus, system and method for electrolyzing brine to produce electrolyzed chlorinated water that is safe to handle.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device, a system and a method for the electrolysis of brine of different concentrations.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus, a plant and a method for the electrolysis of brine, which enable additives to be added to the electrolyzed chlorinated water in situ in order to improve the composition of the chlorinated water.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for the electrolysis of brine, the apparatus comprising: o a single chamber electrolyzer comprising: • a liquid inlet for receiving a homogenized dilute brine of controlled concentration, dilution and Temperature; • at least one pair of electrodes, each pair defining an anode and a cathode to facilitate electrolysis of the homogenized brine; and • a liquid outlet for discharging electrolyzed water from the electrolyzer; o a power source to provide direct current to the electrodes to perform the electrolysis; and o a control device for detecting the change in the voltage provided for the electrodes

In an embodiment of the device of the first aspect, the electrolyser has at least one float switch which is arranged to detect the level of the brine before the electrolysis starts and which is further arranged to monitor the level of the electrolyzed water during and after of electrolysis in the chamber.

In an embodiment of the device of the first aspect, a control valve is provided at the liquid outlet of the chamber, the control valve being arranged to discharge electrolyzed water with a certain residual chlorine concentration, NaOCl concentration and HOCl concentration through the liquid outlet.

In an embodiment of the device of the first aspect, the control device for checking the voltage is controlled locally.

In an embodiment of the device of the first aspect, the control means for checking the voltage is remotely controlled.

In an embodiment of the device of the first aspect, the chamber is made of an inert polymeric material, typically polypropylene.

In an embodiment of the device of the first aspect, the device is portable.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for the electrolysis of brine, the method comprising the following steps: • providing a single-chamber electrolyzer with a liquid inlet, at least one pair of electrodes, a liquid outlet, a power source connected to the electrodes and a controller; • feeding a homogenised, diluted brine with a controlled concentration, dilution and temperature into the electrolyser; • Ensure that the level of the homogenized diluted brine in the electrolyser is at a predetermined level; • supplying a 12V DC power supply to the electrodes to enable electrolysis of the homogenized dilute brine; • Determining the concentration of residual chlorine and free radicals in the electrolyzed water; and • discharging the electrolyzed water from the outlet when the residual chlorine concentration reaches a predetermined value.

In one embodiment of the method of the second aspect, the electrolyzed water contains 0 to 95% sodium hypochlorite.

In an embodiment of the method of the second aspect, the electrolyzed water contains 5 to 10% hypochlorous acid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A device and a plant for the electrolysis of brine will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS

100 Device 10 Electrolyser chamber 12 Liquid inlet 14 Liquid outlet 16 Vent tube 18 Inlet valve 20 Anode 22 Cathode 24 DC power source

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments are provided so that those skilled in the art will fully and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure. Numerous details are set forth relating to specific components and methods in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known methods, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

[0026] The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. As used in this disclosure, the forms "a", "an" and "the" include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "including," "including," and "having" are open-ended transitional clauses and therefore specify the presence of particular features, elements, modules, units, and/or components, but do not prohibit the presence or addition of any other feature(s). , elements, components and/or groups thereof.

When an element is referred to as "attached," "connected," or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly attached, connected, or coupled to the other element.

A preferred embodiment of an apparatus (100) of the present disclosure for electrolyzing brine will now be described with reference to FIG. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and scope of the present disclosure.

The device (100) is defined by a single electrolyzer chamber (10) having a liquid inlet (12), a liquid outlet (14) and a vent tube (16).

The electrolyzer chamber (10) comprises at least a pair of an anode (20) and a cathode (22) disposed in the single electrolyzer chamber (10). In one embodiment, the electrolyzer chamber (10) includes a plurality of pairs of anodes (20) and cathodes (22) disposed within the electrolyzer chamber (10).

In one embodiment, the anode (20) is a boron doped diamond (BDD) electrode while the cathode (22) is a stainless steel electrode.

The BDD electrode is a stable electrode that has a service life of more than 10 years.

In a preferred embodiment, it is desirable that the saturated brine be diluted with a predetermined amount of water to prevent damage to the electrolyzer chamber (10) and electrodes due to the high salt concentration of the brine.

The liquid inlet (12) is set up in such a way that it receives a diluted brine mixture with a predetermined concentration and quantity. An inlet valve (18) is connected to the liquid inlet (12). The inlet valve (18) regulates the flow rate of the diluted brine that is discharged into the electrolyser chamber (10).

After uptake of the brine, a current of 12V is passed through the electrodes to facilitate electrolysis of the diluted brine mixture.

The electrolysis of the diluted brine is described as follows:

The dilute brine is a conductive liquid containing free ions. Each electrode attracts ions whose charge is opposite to that of the electrode. More specifically, positively charged ions move to the stainless steel cathode (22) while negatively charged ions move to the BDD anode (20). The end product of the electrolysis process is nearly neutral, electrolyzed chlorinated water containing 0 to 95% sodium hypochlorite and 5 to 10% hypochlorous acid. In one embodiment, the chlorine concentration in the electrolyzed chlorine water is 1000ppm. The pH of the chlorinated water is between 7.39 and 8.95.

Furthermore, the electrolyzed water contains easily dissolved free ozone radicals, hydroxyl radicals and other radicals, which are released after a few fractions of a second. In addition, hydrogen gas is released as a by-product of the electrolysis process. The hydrogen gas and free radicals are vented out of the chamber (10) through the vent tube (16).

The electrolyzed chlorinated water is then fed through the liquid outlet (14) into a storage tank.

In one embodiment, the electrolyzed chlorinated water can be recirculated into the electrolyser chamber (10) to achieve a higher chlorine concentration in the electrolyzed water of up to 10,000 ppm.

The present disclosure further provides a system comprising the device (100) and a controller (not shown).

The controller is set up so that it is connected to the inlet valve (18) and the direct current source (24). The controller is arranged to store a set of predetermined rules and threshold parameter values corresponding to the diluted brine flow rate, the salt concentration, and the current and voltage of the power supplied by the DC power source (24). The controller is configured to generate processing commands based on the rules and the values. The controller is also set up to vary the inflow volume and the concentration of the brine mixture in order to change the chlorine concentration in the electrolysis water. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to vary the concentration of the brine mixture to produce 100% chlorine-infused electrolyzed water. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to vary the concentration of the brine mixture to produce electrolyzed water with a reduced concentration of chlorine diffused therein. The controller is additionally configured to monitor voltage reversal in the device (100) to ensure longer electrode life.

In a preferred embodiment, the equipment of the present disclosure facilitates the on-site addition of additives to the electrolyzed water, which improves the cleaning properties and aesthetics of a formulation made using the electrolyzed water formed in the electrolyzer. The additives are selected from a group consisting of stabilizers, surfactants, degreasers, fragrances, thickeners, colors, defoamers, or a combination thereof.

The apparatus (100) and equipment facilitates the production of electrolyzed chlorinated water capable of eliminating 99.99% of microbes such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Because the pH of the electrolyzed water is adjusted to be between 7.39 and 8.95, it is safe for manual handling, non-caustic to human skin, safe for the eyes, and inherently non-toxic. In addition, the device (100) ensures that no highly reactive compositions are produced as by-products.

The electrolyzed chlorinated water is safer than most conventional disinfectants and detergents. The evaporation rate of the electrolyzed water produced by the system according to the present disclosure is relatively low and has a relatively higher shelf life.

The plant is further arranged to monitor the temperature of the solution by means of temperature sensors (not shown) in order to carry out the electrolysis properly and to increase the lifetime of the electrodes.

[0047] The present disclosure further provides a method of electrolyzing brine.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL PROGRESS

The disclosure described herein has several technical advantages, including but not limited to the realization of an apparatus, plant and method for electrolysis of brine that; • Produces electrolyzed, chlorinated water that is safe to use; • are suitable for the electrolysis of brine of different concentrations; and • Allows the on-site addition of additives to the electrolyzed chlorinated water to improve the composition of the chlorinated water.

The present embodiments and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are provided only to provide an understanding of how to implement the embodiments described herein and to enable those skilled in the art to implement the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments discloses so fully the general nature of the embodiments contained herein that others may readily modify such specific embodiments and/or adapt them for different applications without departing from the general concept, and by applying the current state of knowledge therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and should be understood within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description rather than limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments have been described herein in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0052] The use of the phrase "at least" or "at least one" indicates the use of one or more elements or components or amounts, such as use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure, to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results to reach.

Any discussion of materials, devices, items, or the like, included in this specification is for the sole purpose of providing context for the disclosure. It is not to be construed as an admission that any or all such matters are part of the prior art or were well known in the art relevant to the disclosure as it existed prior to the priority date of this application.

Although significant emphasis has been placed herein on the components and fittings of the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the disclosure, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure, with the understanding that the foregoing descriptions are intended to be illustrative of the disclosure and not limiting.

Claims (10)

A device for the electrolysis of brine, the device comprising: • a single-chamber electrolyser comprising: o a liquid inlet to receive a homogenized dilute brine with controlled concentration, dilution and temperature; o at least one pair of electrodes, each pair defining an anode and a cathode to facilitate electrolysis of the homogenized brine; and o a liquid outlet for discharging electrolyzed water from the electrolyzer; • a power source to provide direct current to the electrodes to perform the electrolysis; and • a control device for detecting the change in the voltage provided for the electrodes. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrolyzer is an airtight chamber. 3. The device according to claim 1, comprising a first sensor for measuring the residual chlorine concentration in the electrolyzed water. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the anode is a boron-doped diamond electrode or the cathode is a stainless steel electrode. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a recirculation loop for returning electrolyser water to the chamber, the apparatus preferably further comprising a second electrolyser chamber in which the electrolysed water from the first electrolyser chamber is fed to the second chamber, to carry out a second electrolysis of the electrolyzed water received from the first electrolyzer chamber. 6. A method for the electrolysis of brine, the method comprising the following steps: • providing a single-chamber electrolyser with a liquid inlet, at least one pair of electrodes, a liquid outlet, a power source connected to the electrodes and a control device; • feeding a homogenised, diluted brine with a controlled concentration, dilution and temperature into the electrolyser; • Ensure that the level of the homogenized diluted brine in the electrolyser is at a predetermined level; • supplying a 12V DC power supply to the electrodes to enable electrolysis of the homogenized dilute brine; • Determining the concentration of residual chlorine and free radicals in the electrolyzed water; and • Draining the electrolyzed water from the outlet when the residual chlorine concentration reaches a predetermined value. 7. The method of claim 6, including the step of sensing the voltage fluctuations occurring during the electrolysis process, and preferably further including the step of changing the concentration of the homogenized brine based on the voltage fluctuations. 8. The method of claim 6, including the step of circulating the electrolyzed water back to the chamber to increase the residual chlorine concentration therein, or the step of circulating the electrolyzed water to a second chamber to increase the residual chlorine concentration therein. 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the residual chlorine concentration in the electrolyzed water is about 1000 ppm. 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the pH of the electrolyzed water is in the range of 7.39 and 8.8.