JP2000093966A - Electrolytic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the generation of discarding water, to efficiently utilize chlorine ions and to facilitate handling, in an electrolytic apparatus equipped with an electrolytic cell partitioned into at least two chambers by at least one diaphragm, by setting at least one chamber to a batch chamber and making the batch chamber detachable from a main body. SOLUTION: An electrolytic cell is partitioned into a flowing water chamber 2 and a batch chamber 3 by a diaphragm l and an electrode 4 is arranged to the flowing water chamber 2 while an electrode 5 is arranged to the batch chamber 3 and a batch soln. 8 is stored in the batch chamber 3. Water to be electrolyzed enters the flowing water chamber 2 from an inlet 6 to be taken out of an outlet 7 after electrolysis. The batch soln. 8 is not taken out to the outside during an electrolytic process. When alkali water is desired to be formed, voltage is applied by a power supply 9 so that the electrode 4 becomes a cathode and the electrode 5 becomes an anode and, when acidic water is desired to be formed, voltage is applied so that the electrode 4 becomes an anode and the electrode 5 becomes a cathode. By constituting at least the batch chamber 3 storing the batch soln. 8 so as to make the same detachable from the electrolytic cell, the batch soln. 8 can be more simply replaced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention does not produce waste water,
The present invention relates to an electrolyzer that can efficiently use chlorine ions and easily exchange a liquid, and particularly relates to an electrolyzer used for an ion water conditioner and a sterilization washing water generator used for hand washing and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrolysis apparatus having a batch chamber has a structure in which the batch chamber is integrated with an electrolytic cell. Also,
An electrolyzer for an ion water conditioner without a batch chamber continuously takes out acidic water and alkaline water while continuously passing water through both the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. In addition, an electrolyzer for a germicidal washing water generator, which generates ionic water having a germicidal action and uses it for hand washing, etc., mixes chloride such as salt into tap water, and uses this as raw water for both the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. While continuously passing water through the chamber, the chlorine ions in the raw water are changed into hypochlorous acid in the anode chamber to impart bactericidal power, thereby obtaining germicidal washing water.

[0003]

In the conventional electrolysis apparatus having a batch chamber, the exchange and replenishment of the batch solution are performed directly to the electrolysis tank. This has the disadvantage that the workability of replacement and replenishment is poor. In addition, there are problems such that the replenishable solution is restricted, and the user may touch the acidified or alkaline solution.

[0004] In a conventional ion water conditioner without a batch chamber, for example, even when only alkaline water is used, acidic water always flows out. The acidic water in this case can be used by being pumped, but is often drained as so-called waste water. The generation ratio of alkaline water and acidic water is usually about 3: 1, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of water saving.

In a conventional electrolytic cell for producing sterilized water, several tens of p
Hundreds of ppm of chloride ions (chloride) must be mixed into tap water to produce pm of hypochlorous acid, and most of the chloride is discharged with sterile water without being used. Further, in the conventional electrolytic cell for producing sterilized water, alkaline water always flows out. This alkaline water is often drained as it is as so-called waste water. The production ratio of acidic water and alkaline water is usually about 3: 1,
It is not preferable from the viewpoint of water saving. In some cases, the generated alkaline water is mixed with acidic water to obtain neutral sterilized water. In this case, there is a drawback that the sterilization rate of hypochlorous acid is reduced because the waste water is neutral without being generated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrolysis apparatus which does not generate waste water, can efficiently use chlorine ions, and is easy to handle.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Action / Effect The invention according to claim 1 for achieving the above object is directed to an electrolytic apparatus having an electrolytic cell partitioned into at least two chambers by at least one diaphragm. , Wherein at least one chamber is a batch, and the batch chamber is detachable from the main body. In the present invention, by setting the chamber that generates unnecessary water as a batch, waste water is not generated and water can be saved. Further, by making the batch chamber detachable from the main body, the workability of replacing and replenishing the batch liquid is improved. Further, if the batch chamber is made into a cartridge, replacement and handling become easier, and the user can safely handle without having to worry about touching the used batch liquid which has become acidic or alkaline. Thereby, the restriction on the type of the batch liquid is also eased.

According to a second and third aspect of the present invention, in the electrolyzer according to the first aspect, an electrolytic cell batch chamber, a diaphragm and / or an electrode are integrated to be detachable from a main body. Features. In the present invention, by integrating the batch chamber with the diaphragm and / or the electrode and making it detachable from the main body, handling such as exchange of the batch liquid can be simplified. If the life of the diaphragm and / or the electrode and the batch solution are matched, the diaphragm and / or
Alternatively, the electrodes can be replaced. In addition, if a combination of a batch solution, a diaphragm, and / or an electrode is prepared as a cartridge for each ion water of interest, ion water suitable for various uses can be generated and separated only by replacing the cartridge. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electrolysis apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, tap water is stored in the batch chamber. In the present invention, handling such as replacement and replenishment can be performed easily and safely by using the batch liquid as tap water.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electrolysis apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, an aqueous chloride solution is stored in the batch chamber. In the present invention, when producing sterilizing washing water, hypochlorous acid can be easily produced by storing the aqueous chloride solution in the batch chamber and gradually releasing chlorine ions to the counter electrode chamber via the diaphragm. Also,
By storing chlorine ions in the batch chamber, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified as compared with the case where a separate tank is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electrolysis apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the electrode of the counter electrode chamber of the batch chamber is brought into close contact with the diaphragm. In the present invention, when producing sterilizing cleaning water, the electrodes of the sterilizing cleaning water generating chamber are brought into close contact with the diaphragm, so that chlorine ions can be used efficiently. In this case, since chlorine ions are gradually released only in the vicinity of the anode through the diaphragm, hypochlorous acid can be generated more efficiently than when chlorine ions are directly mixed into the whole raw water.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electrolysis apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the diaphragm is an ion exchange membrane. In the present invention, alkaline water and acidic water can be efficiently generated by using the ion exchange membrane as the diaphragm.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electrolyzer according to any one of the first to third aspects, the diaphragm is an MF film. In the present invention, by using the MF membrane as the diaphragm, a large amount of the electrolyte in the batch solution such as chloride ions can be gradually released to the counter electrode.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is an embodiment of an electrolysis apparatus according to the present invention, and is a view showing an electrolysis apparatus in which an electrolytic cell is divided into two chambers by one diaphragm. The electrolytic cell is the diaphragm 1
, And is divided into a flowing water chamber (counter electrode chamber) 2 and a batch chamber 3. An electrode 4 is arranged in the flowing water chamber 2, and an electrode 5 is arranged in the batch chamber 3. The batch liquid 3 is stored in the batch chamber 3. The water to be electrolyzed enters the flowing water chamber 2 from the inlet 6, is electrolyzed, and is taken out from the outlet 7. The batch liquid 8 is not taken out during the electrolysis process. When it is desired to generate alkaline water, the power supply 9 turns the electrode 4 into a cathode,
A voltage is applied so that the electrode 5 becomes an anode. When it is desired to generate acidic water, a voltage is applied so that the electrode 4 functions as an anode and the electrode 5 functions as a cathode.

In the case of producing sterilizing washing water, the batch chamber 3
Stores an aqueous chloride solution. Chloride ions in the batch chamber 3 are gradually released to the flowing water chamber 2 through the diaphragm 1. Running water room 2
Is slowly oxidized on the anode 4 to become hypochlorous acid. The electrolyzed water enters the flowing water chamber 2 through the inlet 6 and is electrolyzed, and is sterilized and washed with hypochlorous acid at the outlet 7.
Taken out of

FIG. 2 shows an electrolysis apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the electrodes 4 and 5 in FIG. The electrodes 4 and 5 have a gas-liquid permeable structure such as porous, punched metal, expanded metal and the like.

In the present invention, in the electrolytic cell shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, at least the batch chamber 3 for storing the batch liquid 8 is configured to be detachable from the electrolytic cell so that the batch liquid 8 can be exchanged. It can be performed more easily. Further, by integrating the batch chamber 3 with the diaphragm 1 and / or the electrode 5 and making it detachable from the main body, the diaphragm and the electrode can be replaced at the same time.

In particular, if the detachable batch chamber is made into a disposable cartridge type, the user can replace it without worrying about touching the acidic or alkaline batch liquid 8. If a membrane and an electrolyte are prepared as a cartridge for each target ion water, ion water suitable for each can be prepared.
It is possible to generate and separate them only by exchanging cartridges while using the same main body.

FIG. 3 shows an electrolysis apparatus according to the specific embodiment of FIG. 2, in which the electrodes 4 and 5 are brought into close contact with the diaphragm 1, and the batch chamber 3 for storing the batch liquid 8 is separated from the diaphragm 1 and the electrodes 4. 5
And an electrolysis device configured to be detachable from the main body. The batch chamber 3 is provided with a male terminal 10 that conducts with the electrodes 4 and 5, and by inserting this into a female terminal 11 provided on a main body that conducts with a power supply,
Power is supplied to the electrodes. The shape of the terminal is not limited to a rod,
What is necessary is just to be able to secure electricity supply, such as a flat plate and a key type. Instead of terminals, contact between metal surfaces may be used. Although not shown in the drawing, it is desirable that the joint surface between the batch chamber 3 and the main body be sealed with a sealing means such as an O-ring or packing to prevent liquid leakage. It is desirable that the batch chamber 3 and the main body are fixed by fixing means such as claws.

A preferred embodiment of the electrolyzer will be further described. As the diaphragm 1, an MF membrane or an ion exchange membrane is used. M
The F membrane is suitable for large sustained release of electrolyte. The use of the ion exchange membrane can prevent the back diffusion of hydrogen ions or hydroxyl ions from the batch chamber to the flowing water chamber. Thereby, fractionation of pH becomes easy, and more efficient electrolysis becomes possible.

The electrodes 4 and 5 are formed by fixing a platinum group mixed oxide catalyst on a titanium substrate. When hypochlorous acid is generated, a mixed catalyst of platinum and iridium oxide is preferable. The electrodes 4 and 5 may be arranged separately from the diaphragm 1 as shown in FIG. 1 or may be closely attached to the diaphragm 1 as shown in FIG. By using the contact type, operation at a lower voltage becomes possible. In the case of a close contact type, the electrodes 4 and 5 are made porous, formed of punching metal,
It is necessary to secure water flow by devising such as forming with expanded metal.

In the case of producing sterilizing washing water, the chlorine ions slowly released from the batch chamber 3 can be converted to hypochlorous acid in the vicinity of the anode by bringing the anode 4 into close contact with the diaphragm 1.

Although an aqueous solution of various electrolytes is used for the batch liquid 8, it is not always necessary to use a concentrated electrolyte. Although the batch liquid 8 needs to be periodically replaced, it is most preferable to use tap water from the viewpoint of easy handling.

When producing sterilizing washing water, it is preferably an aqueous chloride solution. As the chloride aqueous solution, an alkali chloride such as a salt or hydrochloric acid is used, but a saline solution is most preferable from the viewpoint of easy handling.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electrolysis apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electrolytic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an electrolysis apparatus according to the specific embodiment of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... diaphragm, 2 ... flowing water chamber (counter electrode chamber), 3 ... batch chamber, 4,
5 ... electrode, 6 ... electrolyzed water inlet, 7 ... ionized water outlet, 8 ...
Batch liquid, 9 ... power supply

Continued on the front page (72) Nobuhiro Shono 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture Inside Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Katsumi Nishimura 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka No. 1 Toto Kiki Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An electrolytic apparatus comprising an electrolytic cell partitioned into at least two or more chambers by at least one diaphragm, wherein at least one chamber is a batch and the batch chamber is detachable from a main body. . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the batch chamber and the diaphragm or the electrode are integrated so as to be detachable from the main body.
An electrolyzer according to item 1. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the batch chamber, the diaphragm and the electrode are integrated so as to be detachable from the main body.
An electrolyzer according to item 1. 4. The electrolytic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein tap water is stored in the batch chamber. 5. The electrolytic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an aqueous chloride solution is stored in the batch chamber. 6. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an electrode of a counter electrode chamber of the batch chamber is brought into close contact with the diaphragm. 7. The electrolytic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is an ion exchange membrane. 8. The electrolytic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is an MF membrane.