CN1903739A

CN1903739A - Sodium hypochlorite generator and water purification method

Info

Publication number: CN1903739A
Application number: CNA2005100870744A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 钟世荣
Original assignee: ZHUOJING CONSULTANT CO Ltd
Current assignee: Precious Swimming Pool Product Of Intelligence Ltd Liability Part-Nership
Priority date: 2005-07-26
Filing date: 2005-07-26
Publication date: 2007-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-26
Also published as: CN100515960C

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved sodium hypochlorite generator for cleaning water. It mainly includes a container for holding salt and water; a floating device which is connected with said container and is used for making said container be floated in water or fixed on water pool wall; an electrolytic device including at least one electrolytic cell; a power supply device which is fixed on the floating device, connected with the described power supply device and is used for supplying power to said container; and a flow channel which is used for making the described salt water be flowed out from said container, passed through the described electrolytic device and fed into the water to be cleaned. Said invention also provides a method for cleaning water by utilizing production of sodium hypochlorite and/or metal ions.

Description

Sodium hypochlorite generator and water purification method

Technical Field

The invention relates to a water purifier, in particular to a sodium hypochlorite generator for purifying water.

The invention also relates to a sodium hypochlorite and metal ion generator which is formed by combining the sodium hypochlorite generator and the metal ion generator and is used for purifying water.

The invention also relates to a metal ion generator for purifying water.

The invention also relates to a method for purifying water by generating sodium hypochlorite and/or metal ions.

Background

The molecules of water are composed of hydrogen and oxygen: h₂The shape of the O molecule is approximately composed of a tetrahedron, with the oxygen atom approximately in the center of the tetrahedron, two corners of the tetrahedron being hydrogen atoms and one electron (two in total) of the hydroxyl between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms, i.e., the two corners are slightly positive, the remaining two corners of the tetrahedron being two outer electrons of the oxygen atom, i.e., the two corners are slightly negative, and thus the water molecule is a molecule with a directional electrode. In the case of pure water, the positive and negative poles of a water molecule are each more stable when they are adjacent to one or more other water molecules of the opposite electrode.

When the solvent is dissolved in water, the water molecules with the directional electrodes are respectively arranged to the directional electrodes of the solvent molecules according to the positive and negative poles. The two atoms of sodium chloride are used, the sodium atom end is provided with a little positive pole, the negative pole position of the water molecule is close tothe sodium atom end, the chlorine atom end is provided with a little negative pole, and the positive pole position of the water molecule is close to the chlorine atom end. Most of sodium compounds and chlorine compounds are easily dissolved in water because the synthetic force of the compounds composed of the two atoms is based on the tensile force formed by the electrode arrangement of water molecules in water, so that the compounds are easily decomposed into Na ions in water⁺And Cl^-。

Na⁺And Cl^-Both of these ions are relatively stable in water, i.e., they do not readily recombine into compounds with their counter-voltage ions when surrounded by the charged electrode aspect of a water molecule. I.e. in high-concentration brine, there is a large amount of Na⁺And Cl^-The ions are surrounded by water molecules with an electrical polarity. The ions with electric polarity also have tension on water molecules, so that part of the water molecules are ionized into H⁺And OH^-。

An electrolytic cell is a device that induces a redox reaction by means of an electric current, that is, a device that converts electric energy into chemical energy. The electrolytic cell comprises: (1) a direct current power supply; (2) two electrodes, wherein the electrode connected to the positive pole of the power supply is called the anode and the electrode connected to the negative pole of the power supply is called the cathode; (3) electrolyte solution or molten electrolyte. The conductive substance of the electrolyte is as follows: when the electrolyte solution (or molten electrolyte) is electrified, electrons flow into the cathode of the electrolytic cell from the negative electrode of the power supply along the lead, and cations of the electrolyte move to the cathode to obtain the electrons to perform a reduction reaction; the anions of the electrolyte move to the anode and lose electrons (some of the metal atoms constituting the anode lose electrons) to undergo an oxidation reaction, and the electrons flow out of the anode of the electrolytic cell and flow back to the positive electrode of the power supply along a lead. Thus, the current passes through the electrolyte solution (or the molten electrolyte) by virtue of the directional movement of anions and cations in the electrolyte solution (or the molten electrolyte), so that the conducting process of the electrolyte solution (or the molten electrolyte) is the electrolysis process of the electrolyte solution (or the molten electrolyte).

If the electrolyte next to the electrode body is a flowing liquid, some of the generated positive or negative ions will be carried away from the electrode body, so that this micro-half-action continues without the need for electrical conductors and happens occasionally.

Copper is a relatively stable metal which is generally relatively difficult to oxidize, but when copper or copper alloys are placed in seawater, corrosion occurs to oxidize the copper, with an average salt content of about 3.5% in seawater, i.e., 35 grams per liter of water, and in high salinity water, above the average salt content of seawater, the Cl produced is higher^-Ions react with the copper pointer to form [ CuCl]⁺. Under the action of the pulling force of water with directional electrode, [ CuCl]]⁺And also dissolve in water as copper ions. The copper probe is carried away by partial negative electrons and positive copper ions as the seawater flows, so that the trace copper oxidation can continuously occur.

Silver is relatively stable with respect to other metals, i.e. silver does not oxidize when combined with other metals, i.e. copper first oxidizes when silver alloys, such as copper silver alloys. Of course, if there are silver and copper metal probes in the water, andthere is no chemical or electrical contact between the two, the two metals will each react with a high concentration of brine. Therefore, a pure silver probe will have a large amount of Cl in seawater^-The negative ions produce oxidation as with the copper metal described above, producing AgCl. Also because of the water-soluble nature of chloride, AgCl also dissolves in water as silver ions. The copper probe is carried away by partial negative electrons and positive copper ions as the seawater flows, so that the trace silver oxidation can continuously occur.

At present, a plurality of methods for purifying water are used, for example, chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, potassium permanganate, iodine, chlorine dioxide, trichloroisocyanuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, bromine chloride and other bactericides can be used for sterilization or virus killing, and metal ions such as silver, copper, zinc and the like can be used for sterilization or algae killing. Accordingly, there have been proposed a generator or a metal ion generator, etc. for producing chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite or metal ions.

Among all biocides, chlorine gas is most economical, so purifying water to neutralize pathogens and harmful bacteria in water, and chlorine gas is used in many cases. Chlorine gas destroys the cells of pathogens or the enzyme system of cells (enzymes), and the residual hypochlorous acid (HOCl) after chlorine gas hydrolysis can also be maintained for a longer period of time until the residues disappear. The U.S. environmental protection agency specifies that the chlorine content of drinking water is between 0.2 and 0.5mg per liter. Although the price of chlorine is relatively inexpensive for this other biocide, the purchase of chlorine over the years has been used as a monetary alternative to decontaminating a pool. Furthermore, chlorine gas itself is a toxic gas, and the money, labor and resulting hazards required to handle andstore chlorine gas are as well as other related toxic chemicals used as water purification, for example: chlorine pills (chlor tablets), oxidizing agents (oxidaizers), algicides (algaecides) or algistats (algainhibitors), require double care.

When chlorine gas or chlorine atoms are generally used for cleaning and sterilization, they are present as chlorine-containing compounds, and are not necessarily chlorine gas. Effective containing chlorineThere are roughly two classes of compounds: 1. sodium hypochlorite is the primary source when produced in liquid form, and when liquids (e.g., drinking water) are easily cleaned; and 2, is made into powder or tablet, and is dissolved in water when used, and comprises Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (C)₃Cl₂N₃NaO₃) Or sodium trichloroisocyanurate.

Us patent No.5,362,368 discloses a chlorine generator comprising an electrolytic cell for producing chlorine; a brine tank for supplying saturated brine to the anode chamber of the electrolytic cell; and a hydrochloric acid supply tank for storing hydrochloric acid of sufficient concentration to ensure that the pH of the anolyte brine is below 4.0. In practice, the brine tank stores solid sodium chloride, which is soluble in the brine to replenish the anolyte brine as chloride ions are consumed during electrolysis. The liquid between the hydrochloric acid supply tank and the brine tank is in communication so that the brine can be maintained at a constant volume during electrolysis.

In the prior art, such chlorine generators have durability problems, and also require complex chemical production and leak-proof disposal. Such generators typically require high installation costs and consume a large amount of power to operate. The electrodes used in the prior art require 110 or 220 volts of electricity to produce chlorine, which is another device that uses electricity in addition to the water pump because if chlorine is produced only and the water pump is not turned on, chlorine will not be pumped into the water and the cost of electricity to the customer is increased. From a safety point of view, the presence of power switching devices in the vicinity of the chlorine production can, in certain circumstances, cause the risk of electric shock, and these power switching devices can also lead to device failure due to short circuits, i.e. failure of the device to produce chlorine, and maintenance to cause other problems. Typically, the cell has fewer gaps between the electrode plates, and calcium build-up on the electrode plates narrows the gaps and eventually causes short circuits, requiring replacement of the cell about every two years or less. Pool owners are disappointed by the expense of maintenance, repair, and operation of successive operations if they consider that it would be cost effective to produce chlorine from commercially available facilities without the need to purchase expensive chlorine.

Other chlorine production plants use alternate electrode methods to hopefully remove the accumulated calcium, but this method has limited success and changing the position of the positive and negative electrodes of the cell on a continuous basis shortens the useful life of the cell. Still other chlorine production plants are installed separately from the location where the chlorine is produced and where water is stored and purified, so that a water pump is required to transport the chlorine to the water. This design would increase the workload of the pump and speed its consumption, and increase energy costs; furthermore, if the water pump is closed, the water cannot be purified continuously. Other plants for chlorine production require the addition of large amounts of salt, for example 300 kg of salt in a domestic cell, but the electrodes of the cell may still become calcified and stop functioning. The addition of large amounts of salt affects the calcium content of the water and thus the stucco in the pond. And the higher salt content in water also increases the electric shock hazard: clean water is not a good electrical conductor, but salt water is a good electrical conductor. Carriers carrying high concentrations of chemicals are subject to increased leak-proof treatment, otherwise the leaked chemicals may generate chlorine gas and cause a risk. These leak-proof devices are likely to be expensive.

The metal ion water purifier can introduce metal ions such as copper, zinc, silver and the like into water according to a certain amount. Copper is the best recognized fungicide, and it prevents the metabolism of algal cells; silver destroys enzyme balance of bacteria and viruses, thereby playing a role in sterilization and algae removal; under the influence of electric field and zinc ion, zinc can make the crystal habit of mineral composition dissolved in water produce permanent change, and in the whole system the scale can not be produced, and the zinc is a strong reducing agent, and can be combined with active oxygen dissolved in lower layer of water. The zinc ion plays a role in cathodic protection of iron in water, and because zinc can reduce ferric iron, the original iron rust is reduced into ferrous oxide to be dissolved in water, the treated water has the effects of scale prevention, effective prevention of rust corrosion in pipelines and scale removal, rust removal and oxygen removal.

Us patent No.4,337,136 discloses an apparatus for generating metal ions to purify water: a pair of electrode plates made of silver-copper metal are installed on the bottom of a floating vessel. The floating container can float on the surface of the water body to be purified according to the requirement, and a dry battery is arranged in the floating container. The dry battery is in circuit connection with the two electrodes through a time control switch and a current reversing switch. When direct current passesthrough the two electrode plates, water is electrolyzed, silver and copper ions are produced, and metal ions thereof are destroyed in the water and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and algae.

Silver is the least effective and expensive water purifying agent, and the highest safe level in water is 0.5mg per liter, which renders silver ineffective as a water purifying agent, but effective as an algistatic agent in small doses. In fact, some devices in the prior art use metal ions or metal oxides alone for water purification. However, if the metal ions or metal oxides used are below those specified by the U.S. environmental protection agency, which specifies a maximum copper content of 1mg per liter and a maximum silver content of 0.5mg per liter, the effect is insufficient to destroy pathogens harmful to humans. If the amount of metal used is above this limit, the purified water, whether it is public water, drinking water, bath water or swimming pool water, is harmful to public health because of the opportunity for metal to be inhaled by the human body. The prior art metal ion generators are worn out because the electrodes used would quickly become calcified, which further causes time consuming maintenance and even monetary expenses.

From the above, in the prior art, the chlorine generator has the problems of complex equipment, high installation and maintenance cost, large power consumption, high production cost and operation cost and the like; meanwhile, the content of chlorine or metal ions in water cannot exceed a set standard, so that a certain contradiction exists between effective water purification and control of the content of chlorine or metal ions in water.

The prior art can not provide a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, low running cost, long-lived and effectual hypochlorite generator, does not have the embodiment yet, can utilize hypochlorite generator and metal iongenerator water purification in coordination to obtain high-efficient, low operation and low cost of maintenance and effectual water purifier.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hypochlorite generator for water purification that is free of calcification, reduces production and operating costs, and is long-lived and effective.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sodium hypochlorite and metal ion generator, which combines the sodium hypochlorite generator and the metal ion generator to cooperate with water purification, so as to achieve the purpose of effectively purifying water, and simultaneously, making the content of sodium hypochlorite and metal ions in water lower than the specified standard, and achieving the purpose of reducing operation and maintenance costs and being durable.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved metal ion generator for purifying water, which can effectively sterilize and kill algae without consuming power and reducing the production and operation costs.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for purifying water by generating sodium hypochlorite and/or metal ions.

The above objects are merely for convenience of explanation of the subject matter of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the various aspects of the present invention, either for full or sole purpose in one embodiment.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved hypochlorite generator for purifying water, said hypochlorite generator being cooperatively constructed by one or more of a container for holding salt (i.e. sodium chloride, hereinafter the same) and water to produce brine; a floating device on which the container is mounted to float in the water or to be fixed to the wall of the pool; the electrolytic device consists of at least one electrolytic cell, wherein two adjacent electrodes, namely an anode and a cathode, are arranged in the electrolytic cell; a power supply device which is arranged on the floating device, is connected to the electrolysis device and supplies power to the electrolysis device; and a flow path for the brine from the container to flow through the electrolysis device to the water to be purified. When current passes through the electrode plates in the electrolytic cell, brine between the electrode plates undergoes a chemical reaction to generate sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen, wherein the sodium hypochlorite can be used for purifying water, and the hydrogen rises between the electrode plates of the electrolytic cell to enable the liquid to flow upwards. Excess salt should be added to the vessel so that during the electrolysis to produce sodium hypochlorite, solid salt is maintained in the vessel at all times to maintain a constant high concentration of brine produced in the vessel.

The high strength brine of the present invention has a concentration near saturation, and specifically, a concentration of about 250,000 PPM. At room temperature (25 ℃), the saturated solubility of NaCl is about 270,000PPM, and this saturated solubility is not much affected by the temperature of the water.

The electrolytic cell generally comprises: (1) a direct current power supply; (2) two electrodes, wherein the electrode connected to the positive pole of the power supply is called the anode and the electrode connected to the negative pole of the power supply is called the cathode; (3) electrolyte solution or molten electrolyte.

The sodium hypochlorite generator is further characterized by comprising a biased buoyancy plate arranged in the container. The bias buoyancy plate can be used for sensing the weight change of salt in the container and sliding up and down in the container, and when the weight of the salt in the container is reduced, the bias buoyancy plate slides up to keep the constant high concentration of the brine in the electrolytic cell.

The principle of the biased buoyancy plate is that the specific gravity of the brine is higher than that of the clean water, and when the brine consumes salt during electrolysis, the brine in the adjacent electrolysis chamber is diluted to reduce the specific gravity of the brine container, and the buoyancy plate is pushed upwards to maintain the brine concentration in the electrolysis chamber within a preset range.

The sodium hypochlorite generator is further characterized by comprising one or more control devices, and the generation speed of hydrogen and sodium hypochlorite is controlled by controlling water flow and/or current, so that the speed of the sodium hypochlorite flowing into water to be purified through the flow channel is controlled. The current control device can be a potentiometer and/or other electronic or circuit device capable of limiting the current flow so as to control the generation speed of the hydrogen and the sodium hypochlorite, wherein the potentiometer can be replaced by a resistor with a constant resistance value. The means for controlling the flow of water may be a sliding latch mounted in the vicinity of the outlet door of the circulation channel, controlling the effective flow of water through the outlet door, to control the rate of production of sodium hypochlorite.

The sodium hypochlorite generator is also characterized in that the power supply device is one or more solar cells, and the power supply device can also be different dry cell combinations.

In a preferred embodiment,the power supply and the means for controlling the current are exposed to the water surface and the power supply should not be covered by other means. This is because when the power supply device is a solar cell, if the solar panel on the top is directly irradiated by sunlight, the power generation efficiency is better, and the power generation efficiency is reduced due to the refraction and reflection of water when the solar panel sinks in water.

In the present invention, the portion floating out of the water is also designed with a waterproof function so that the present invention can be operated when water flows in the pool so that water wets the top of the present invention. Therefore, it can be understood that when the power supply device and the current control device are below the water surface, the normal use of the sodium hypochlorite generator of the invention is not influenced.

On the premise that the problem of convenient operation is solved, the sodium hypochlorite generator can also be submerged in water. For example, the solar power generation device is arranged at a place which is not covered by other devices, the device for controlling the current is arranged at a place which is easy to be contacted by an operator, the generated sodium hypochlorite and the like can flow out of the water pool through a channel for liquid circulation, and the operator can take out the sodium hypochlorite generator of the invention from the side of the water pool easily.

In the present invention, the positions of the respective portions may be interchanged as different embodiments as long as a practical design is achieved. The design rationality should also be considered with respect to the relative positions of the flotation device and the saltwater device. Firstly, the liquid flow communication problem is that a small amount of gas generated in the electrolytic process can drive the liquid flow upwards, so that asaline container serving as a device for supplying electrolyte should be arranged at a lower position of an electrolytic cell, and the liquid flow is approximately upwards at a position near an electrolytic chamber; secondly, regarding the consideration of the gravity center of the whole invention, if the floating device is arranged below the salt water container, the gravity center of the invention is higher and the invention is easy to turn over. In view of the above, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the brine container is disposed at a position below the electrolytic cell and the floating device.

According to another object of the invention, the invention provides a sodium hypochlorite and metal ion generator, which combines the sodium hypochlorite generator and the metal ion generator to be cooperated with water purification. The invention is realized by installing one or more metal probes in the container of the sodium hypochlorite generator, wherein the metal probes and saline water generate chemical action to generate metal ions, and the metal ions flow into water to be purified through the flow channel. The metal probe is preferably mounted on the periphery of the container, and may be made of a single metal such as copper, silver, zinc, or an alloy thereof, and may have various shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the metal probe is not connected to the power supply by a wire, i.e. the metal probe does not need to be energized but is immersed in a high concentration of saline to achieve the purpose of generating metal ions. In a preferred embodiment, the total number of silver probes and copper probes installed is two to ten, including at least one copper probe and one silver probe.

The sodium hypochlorite and metal ion generator is characterized in that the device for controlling current and/or water flow of the sodium hypochlorite generator is arranged in the sodium hypochlorite and metal ion generator, and can simultaneously control the speed of the sodium hypochlorite and the metal ions flowing into water to be purified through the flow channel. The control device can be a potentiometer and/or an electronic or circuit device capable of limiting current flow so as to control the generation speed of hydrogen, sodium hypochlorite and metal ions, wherein the potentiometer can be replaced by a resistor with a constant resistance value. The control device may also be a sliding latch mounted adjacent the outlet door of the flow channel to control the effective flow rate through the outlet door to control the rate at which sodium hypochlorite and metal ions flow through the flow channel into the water to be purified.

According to still another object of the present invention, there is provided an improved metal ion generator, which is comprised of: comprises a container for holding salt and water to produce brine; at least one metal probe installed in the container for chemically reacting with the brine to generate metal ions; one or more water flow passages formed in the container to allow brine to communicate with water to be purified and to allow metal ions to flow into the water to be purified through the passages; a biased buoyancy plate mounted in the container, said biased buoyancy plate being slidable up and down in the container in response to changes in the weight of salt in the container, and slidable up and down in the container when the weight of salt in the container is reduced, so that the metal probe is continuously supplied with brine. In one embodiment, the biased buoyancy plate is a float. In a preferred embodiment, the metal ion generator generates metal ions by merely immersing in a high concentration of saline without being energized, and thus the metal ion generator of the present invention can be provided without a power supply. The metal probe may be made of a single metal such as copper, silver, zinc, or an alloy thereof, and may have various shapes.

The metal ion generator is characterized by comprising a floating device which is connected with the container so as to enable the container to float in water or be fixed on the wall of the water pool.

According to still another object of the present invention, there is provided a method for purifying water by operating the above-described sodium hypochlorite generator to produce sodium hypochlorite and/or metal ions. The sodium hypochlorite generator is characterized by comprising a container, a floating device, a power supply device, an electrolysis device and a circulation channel. The method comprises the following steps:

the sodium hypochlorite generator is floated in the water to be purified or fixed on the wall of a pool for containing the water to be purified by using a floating device;

putting salt and water into the container to generate brine, and filling the electrolytic device with the brine, wherein the concentration of the brine is high;

a power supply device fixed on the floating device supplies power to a plurality of pairs of electrode plates in the electrolysis device, which are in contact with the saline water, so that the saline water between the electrode plates is subjected to chemical reaction to generate sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen;

the generated sodium hypochlorite flows to the water to be purified through a flow passage;

the hypochlorite generator may further comprise means for controlling the flow of water and electric current, whereby the method further comprises the steps of:

through the device of regulation control rivers and electric current to the speed of the aquatic of control sodium hypochlorite through the circulation passageway flow to needs purification is controlled to the production speed of sodium hypochlorite.

In a preferred embodiment, the power supply means and the means for controlling the current are exposed to the water.

The hypochlorite generator may further comprise a biased buoyancy plate, whereby the method further comprises the steps of:

as the weight of the salt in the vessel is reduced by depletion, the biased buoyancy plate slides upwardly to continually provide brine in contact with the electrode plates.

The sodium hypochlorite generator may further comprise one or more metal probes mounted in the container to constitute a sodium hypochlorite and metal ion generator, whereby the method further comprises the steps of:

the metal probe and saline water are subjected to chemical reaction to generate metal ions;

the metal ions flow into the water to be purified through the flow channel;

the means for controlling the flow and current of water can be adjusted to adjust the rate at which the metal ions flow through the flow channel into the water to be purified.

Initially the brine concentration in the brine container is higher than a predetermined concentration. The solid salt is placed by directly placing the excessive solid salt in a container, because the whole sodium hypochlorite generator is placed in water and sinks under the water surface, and water slowly flows in. Since excess salt is not completely soluble in water, it will continue to dissolve into the water after electrolysis and dilution with salt, and the brine concentration in the container will remain around 250,000 PPM. When salt is added, there are several options, one of which is to extract the entire hypochlorite generator from the water and replace the invention in the water after adding salt.

In conclusion, the technical effects of the invention are as follows:

(1) the sodium hypochlorite generator for purifying water provided by the invention has a simple structure and low raw material cost, so that the production and maintenance cost can be reduced; the sodium hypochlorite generator comprises a bias buoyancy plate arranged in the container, and the bias buoyancy plate can sense the weight change of salt in the container to slide up and down, so that the operation cost can be reduced; the sodium hypochlorite generator is powered by a solar cell or a dry cell, so that the power can be saved.

(2) According to the sodium hypochlorite and metal ion generator provided by the invention, one or more metal probes are arranged in the sodium hypochlorite generator, and the sodium hypochlorite generator and the metal ion generator are combined, so that the purposes of effectively purifying water, enabling the content of sodium hypochlorite and metal ions in water to be lower than a specified standard, reducing the operation and maintenance cost and achieving the purpose of durability are achieved.

(3) The invention provides a metal ion generator for purifying water, which can effectively sterilize and algae, does not need power consumption and can reduce the production and operation cost.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show the interaction of various parts to facilitate the explanation of the gist of the present invention. The drawings are side views or sectional views of various water purifiers according to the present invention. The drawings are not intended to limit the practice of the invention but rather to encompass a variety of possible and equivalent designs.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a sodium hypochlorite and metal ion generator in one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a sodium hypochlorite and metal ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 can also be used to illustrate the embodiment of the invention with respect to two further generators, when certain parts of fig. 1 are removed, so that the three generators can be better compared and that the various variants with respect to the invention can be freely combined. While the copper and/or silver metal probe portion of fig. 1 is removed near the bottom of the container 18, fig. 1 is useful for illustrating the sodium hypochlorite generator provided by the present invention; fig. 1 can also be used to illustrate the metal ion generator provided by the present invention, when the electrolytic cell, the power supply means, the means for controlling the current, etc. at the upper part of the generator in fig. 1 are removed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 1, after removing the metal probes 28, 30, 43, fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a sodium hypochlorite generator in one embodiment of the present invention. Sodium hypochlorite generator 1 (referred to simply as device 1) operates using solar energy for neutralizing pathogens, harmful bacteria and viruses in water to disinfect, sterilize and purify water 11 in which it is located. In a preferred embodiment, the hypochlorite generator 1 floats on water, but the hypochlorite generator can also be mounted on the wall of a water basin.

In a preferred embodiment, a photovoltaic panel (photovoltaic panel)12 using solar energy provides sufficient electrical power to the hypochlorite generator for operation. However, other different power supply devices, such as different combinations of dry cells, may be used. The solar panels 12 provide electrical current to two non-sacrificial electrode plates 14 and 16 in the cell, the electrolysis of which, when the plates 14 and 16 are energized, produces sodium hypochlorite, as described in more detail below. In a preferred embodiment, the non-sacrificial electrode plates 14 and 16 are made of a treated titanium alloy. Electrode plate 14 and electrode plate 16 may be an anode and a cathode, respectively, depending on the installation of the supply line. The electrode plates 14 and 16 are secured within a permeable electrolytic cell 22 to allow water to freely flow adjacent the electrode plates. The electrolytic cell is mounted in the upper position of the container 18 of the sodium hypochlorite generator.

At the start of operation, the vessel 18 is loaded with a large amount of salt and water, thereby producing a high strength brine, which may be a saturated or near saturated brine, such as a near saturated brine having a strength of up to 250,000PPM (parts per million). The high concentration brine surrounds the electrode plates 14 and 16, which can prevent calcification of the electrode plates and prolong the service life of the electrode plates, and the electrode plates do not need to be replaced after years of use. A power supply device, such as a solar panel 12, connected to the electrode plates 14 and 16 to make the electrode plates first used, because when current flows through, water molecules are electrolyzed to generate hydrogen bubbles, and the generated hydrogen bubbles rise upwards to make brine between the electrode plates flow; the brine flows upward through the flow channel 25 to a position between the electrode plates 14 and 16, and the brine continues to be electrolyzed to generate sodium hypochlorite, and the water containing hypochlorite ions and/or metal ions flows into the water 11 as indicated by the water flow path 15.

When the saline water flows between the two electrode plates, the generation of the molecular electrolysis can effectively produce sodium hypochlorite to clean and sterilize the water body. The electrolytic reaction is as follows:

the water flow path 15 carries the generated sodium hypochlorite through an outlet door 24 of the container 18, thereby efficiently utilizing solar energy and inexpensive salt as raw materials for producing sodium hypochlorite. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet door 24 may be fitted with a sliding upper latch 26 to regulate the rate of water flow through the outlet door.

In a preferred embodiment, the floatation device 32 holds the entire device 1 such that the water purification device floats on the water 11. A potentiometer 34 or other electronic or circuit device 36 that limits the flow of current can control the rate of production of sodium hypochlorite. In another embodiment, a fixed resistance resistor may be substituted for potentiometer 34. In another embodiment, the position of the sliding bolt 26 may also be used to control the effective flow through the exit door 24 to control the rate of sodium hypochlorite production.

In a preferred embodiment, there is an annular slidable float 38 in the device 1 mounted at the bottom 40 of the device. When the container 18 is filled with salt 20, the weight of the salt presses the float 38 to the bottom of the container 18. When the salt dissolves in the water to become brine and electrolyzes to produce sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen, the weight of the salt 20 is reduced causingthe float 38 to rise upwardly, thereby maintaining a high concentration of salt solution between the electrode plates 14 and 16, the high concentration of sodium chloride solution being helpful in preventing severe calcification as in the prior art.

Calcification is due to the fact that, in addition to the major half-effect on the electrode, other minor half-effects also occur, there being small amounts of calcium compounds in water and in salt (NaCl), which compounds in the prior art half-act with the electrode to form calcifications, i.e. [ CaHCO]which are readily soluble in water₃]⁺Converted into light calcium carbonate which is not easily dissolved in water, and the water-insoluble compound is attached to the electrode to form a porous non-conductor in a pine shape, which is an obstacle to continuous electrolysis.

The prior art (e.g., U.S. patent No.5,362,368) uses an acidic material to dissolve and remove the precipitated calcium carbonate, while the present invention uses another means to prevent electrode calcification. Because the high-concentration brine used in the invention contains high-concentration Na⁺And Cl^-Salt concentration of 250,000PPM (parts per million) in contrast to Ca²⁺With HCO₃ ^-The number of ions is far apart. Due to [ CaHCO]₃]⁺And Na⁺The concentration of [ CaHCO]differs by a factor of thousand or hundred₃]⁺Conversion to CaCO₃The chance of electrode calcification can be prevented with very low probability.

Initially the brine concentration in the reservoir 18 is higher than the predetermined concentration. The solid salt is placed by directly placing the excess solid salt in the container 18, and the whole device 1 is placed in water and sinks under the water surface, and water slowly flows in. Because excesssalt is not completely soluble in water, it will continue to dissolve into the water after electrolysis and dilution with salt, and the brine concentration in the container 18 will remain at about 250,000 PPM. When salt is to be added, there are several options, one of which is to lift the entire apparatus out of the water and replace the apparatus 1 in the water after adding salt.

As shown in fig. 1, in sodium hypochlorite generator 1, the power supply means and the means for controlling the electric current are exposed to the water surface, and the power supply means should not be covered by other means. This is because when the power supply device is a solar cell, if the solar panel on the top is directly irradiated by sunlight, the power generation efficiency is better, and the power generation efficiency is reduced due to the refraction and reflection of water when the solar panel sinks in water.

In another embodiment of the present invention, sodium hypochlorite and metal ion generator 2 (referred to simply as device 2) comprises a combination of a sodium hypochlorite generator and a metal ion generator operated by solar energy, which functions to neutralize pathogens, harmful bacteria and viruses in water, while inhibiting algae growth, thereby disinfecting, sterilizing and purifying water 11 in which they are located. The only difference between the configuration of the device 1 and the device 2 is that in the device 2, a metal probe is installed in the container 18, and thus has a function of generating metal ions. One of the characteristics of the invention is that the metal ion generator does not need to be connected with the solar power supply device through an electric wire. One or more metal probes, preferably copper probes 28 and/or silver probes 30, which may also be made of the same metal, are mounted in the container 18, preferably around the perimeter of the container 18. In a preferred embodiment, the metal probe is made of an alloy comprising 99.9% copper and 0.1% silver, but other materials are possible, for example, the alloy may comprise copper, silver, magnesium, zinc or other metals, so long as the metal ions produce algae growth inhibiting or bactericidal effects in the public or drinking water. More preferably, each metal probe may be composed of a different alloy. While each metal probe may be of various shapes, for example, in one embodiment, metal probe 43 is a ring probe that surrounds the inside wall of container 18. The high concentration brine chemically reacts with the metal probes, such as probes 28 and 30, to release metal ions, which are transported into the water by the water flow or bubbles generated by the flow of the brine through electrode plates 14 and 16 as described above. The metal probes, e.g., 28 and 30, may serve as anodes in the metal ion generation process. Interfering with the metabolism of algal cells using copper; silver destroys enzyme balance of bacteria and viruses, and zinc is used for descaling, derusting and deoxidizing, thereby playing roles of sterilizing, killing algae and purifying water. In the preferred embodiment, there are about two to ten metal probes 28 and 30, which are removable and replaceable. The metal content of the water can also be made below the relevant safety level when part of the metal probe is removed.

By-products of the electrolysis process occurring between the two electrode plates 14 and 16 within the electrolytic cell 22 include hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hydrogen gas (H)₂). Hypochlorous acid has a slight influence on the pH of water, and this side effect is that sodium Carbonate (sodium Carbonate) or sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) can be used for neutralization in water. Sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are both inexpensive chemicals and are readily available on the market. The small amount of hydrogen is thus emitted in the air without harm.

In different embodiments, different variations are possible. In one embodiment of the present invention, the metal ion generator 3 (referred to as device 3 for short) is designed as a very inexpensive algae inhibitor for inhibiting the growth of algae in water, and is composed of a container 18, a metal probe, a sliding latch 41, a water flow passage, and optionally a biased buoyancy plate 38. The device 3 can be floated on the water surface or can be arranged at other places. The shape of the pool can also be designed into an open shape, a closed shape, a sphere, a fish shape or other shapes which are suitable for the pool. At the start of operation, container 18 is loaded with a large amount of salt and water, thereby producing a high concentration of brine, and container 18 is optionally equipped with one or more metal probes 28, 30 and 43, which are brought into contact with the brine to undergo a chemical reaction to produce metal ions. Since no electrolysis is used and no hydrogen bubbles are generated, metal ions need to flow through another channel into the water. In one embodiment, a sliding latch 41 is used to select whether the water flow path 37 or the water flow path 39 is used. The water flow channel 37 with a finer bore may be used when the water temperature is high, for example above 21 ℃. A water flow passage 39 having a large passage may be used when the water temperature is low. Other water flow channels, conduits or the like can be designed to allow metal ions to flow into the water and diffuse the metal ions into the water rapidly to effectively inhibit the growth of algae. In a preferred embodiment, a float 38 is mounted in the container and slides up and down in the container in response to changes in the weight of salt in the container and slides up as the weight of salt in the container decreases, thereby pushing salt upward so that the metal probe is constantly supplied with brine.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes in the size, shape, materials used, mechanical arrangement, and details of the device, which are described and illustrated herein, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is to be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", and "vertical" are used in the description to refer to the drawing or the ground, and are intended to be limited by the operating, mounting, transporting, packaging, and aesthetic features of the device. The drawings attached are only intended to illustrate the principles of the invention and one embodiment thereof, and are not intended to serve as a production layout. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description of the invention will appreciate that the relative sizes of the various components and the positioning of the devices in actual production may vary considerably, and that such variations are merely in accordance with the invention.

The embodiments that are based on the invention can be designed in different combinations to utilize the basic inventive principles of this invention, so that the description does not describe all embodiments by way of limitation, but rather illustrates the inventive principles.

Claims

1. A sodium hypochlorite generator for purifying water, comprising:

a container capable of holding sodium chloride and water to produce brine;

a floating device, on which the container is mounted, so that the container floats on the water surface or is fixed on the wall of the pool;

an electrolysis device comprising at least one electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolytic cell comprises a pair of adjacent electrode plates, namely an anode plate and a cathode plate;

a power supply device which is arranged on the floating device, is connected to the electrolysis device and supplies power to the electrolysis device; and

a flow path for the brine from the container to flow through the electrolysis device to the water to be purified.

2. The hypochlorite generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said container is provided with a biased buoyancy plate which slides up and down in the container in response to changes in the weight of the salt in the container.

3. The hypochlorite generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more metal probes are installed in said container to generate metal ions and sodium hypochlorite simultaneously.

4. The hypochlorite generator as claimed in claim 3, wherein said metal probe is not connected to said power supply means.

5. The hypochlorite generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hypochlorite generator comprises one or more means for controlling the flow of electric current to control the flow of electric current.

6. The hypochlorite generator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means for controlling the electric current is a potentiometer or a resistance resistor of constant value.

7. The hypochlorite generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hypochlorite generator comprises one or more means for controlling the flow of water to control the flow rate of the water.

8. Sodium hypochlorite generator as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said metal probes arecopper probes and/or silver probes.

9. Sodium hypochlorite generator as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said metallic probe is made of an alloy containing 99.9% copper and 0.1% silver.

10. The hypochlorite generator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the total number of copper and silver probes is two to ten, including at least one copper probe and one silver probe.

11. The hypochlorite generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power supply means is a solar cell or a combination of different dry cells.

12. A method for purifying water by using the sodium hypochlorite generator of claim 1, wherein the sodium hypochlorite generator comprises a container, a floating device, a power supply device, an electrolysis device and a flow channel, and the method comprises the following steps:

the generated sodium hypochlorite flows to the water to be purified through the flow channel.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the sodium hypochlorite generator further comprises a biased buoyancy plate, the method further comprising the steps of:

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said hypochlorite generator further comprises means for controlling the flow and/or flow of water, said method comprising the steps of:

the device for controlling water flow and/or current is adjusted to control the generation speed of sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen, so that the speed of the sodium hypochlorite flowing into the water to be purified through the flow channel is controlled.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the sodium hypochlorite generator further comprises one or more metal probes mounted in a container, the method comprising the steps of:

the metal ions flow into the water to be purified through the flow channel;

the speed of the metal ions flowing through the flow channel into the water to be purified is adjusted by adjusting the device for controlling the water flow and/or the current.

16. A metal ion generator for purifying water, comprising:

a container capable of holding salt and water to produce brine;

a floating device connected with the container to float the container in water or fix the container on the wall of the pool;

one or more metal probes disposed within the container for chemically reacting with the brine to produce metal ions; and

one or more water flow passages are formed in the container to allow the brine to communicate with the water to be purified and to allow the metal ions to flow through the passages into the water to be purified.

17. The metal ion generator of claim 16, wherein a biased buoyancy plate is installed in the metal ion generator, and the biased buoyancy plate slides up and down in the container in response to a change in weight of the salt in the container.