JP2001009453A - Electrolytic water maker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain weakly acidic water without discarding strongly basic water in an electrolytic water maker for electrolyzing water to generate strongly acidic water and strongly basic water. SOLUTION: Two electrolytic cells 1 and 2 are provided, and the strongly basic water generated in the cell 1 is supplied to the cell 2 and again electrolyzed therein to generate strongly acidic water and strongly basic water. The strongly acidic water generated in the cell 1 is mixed with the strongly acidic water and strongly basic water generated in the cell 2, and the mixture is finally discharged as weakly acidic water. When a part of the strongly basic water is added to the strongly acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell to generate the weakly acidic water, most of the strongly acidic water has to be discarded, however the raw water is totally converted to weakly acidic water efficiently by this method.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus for electrolyzing water to which an electrolytic auxiliary has been added to generate acidic water or basic water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art While supplying water (generally tap water) containing an electrolytic aid such as salt (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl) to an electrolytic cell in which an anode and a cathode are opposed to each other. An electrolyzed water generating apparatus which applies a DC voltage during the electrolysis and electrolyzes this water to generate acidic water or basic water is generally known. In that case, on the anode side, hypochlorous acid which is a sterilizing component
(HClO) and hypochlorous acid ions (ClO ^-), dissolved chlorine (. Which shall be collectively referred to as these free residual chlorine) containing, for example, pH2.7 following strong acidic water is produced, whereas, the cathode-side In
For example, strongly basic water having a pH of 11 or more is generated.

[0003] In such an electrolyzed water generating apparatus, generally, a separating means such as a separation plate or a separation passage for preventing generated strong acid water and strong basic water from being mixed with each other is provided in the electrolytic cell. Water and strongly basic water are separately taken out of the electrolytic cell and used, but do not have the above-mentioned separation means, and mix strongly acidic water and strong basic water in the electrolytic cell to form weakly basic water. Some are designed to be taken out. Before the electrolysis, the supply water on the neutral or slightly acidic side tends to be weakly basic due to the electrolysis because the acidic chlorine and carbonic acid dissolved in the water gasify slightly during the electrolysis process and air It is caused by dissipating inside.

[0004] For the use of electrolyzed water, acidic water having a bactericidal action may be either strongly acidic water or weakly acidic water (pH 5 to 6).
It is used for medical sterilization, hand disinfection, etc., basic water with a washing action is used for cleaning instruments as strong basic water, and as weakly basic water (around pH 8) for washing and maintaining freshness of food. .

[0005]

As described above, the weakly basic water can be prepared by mixing the strongly acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell with the strongly basic water. It can be made by mixing slightly basic water with basic water. However, the strongly basic water used at that time is a part of the amount generated, and is often discarded. However, as described later, strong basic water has use as washing water,
Its usage is not very high. That is, in the electrolyzed water generator, although strongly basic water is generated at the same time as the strongly acidic water, the amount of the strongly acidic water is usually larger than that of the electrolyzed water, and therefore, only half of the generated electrolyzed water can be used. It has been pointed out that the other half is thrown away, which is inefficient and not good for the environment.

On the other hand, hypochlorous acid has the property of reacting with lipids and proteins to change its composition into bound chlorine, and when oils and fats or amino acids are attached to the object to be sterilized, the sterilizing action is drastically reduced. Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to wash out fats and oils and proteins before sterilization with strongly acidic water. In contrast, strongly basic water is sodium hydroxide (Na
Since it contains a large amount of OH), it has a cleaning effect on proteins and lipids. Therefore, the object to be sterilized to which proteins and lipids are attached,
For example, in the case of sterilizing cooking utensils and sinks of processed meat, oils and fats and proteins are washed away with strongly basic water or a detergent and then strongly acidic water is sprayed. In that case, as a work process, after performing a washing operation with strongly basic water or a detergent, a sterilization operation is performed with strongly acidic water, which causes a problem that the operation is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made under the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to use strongly basic water generated simultaneously with strongly acidic water without waste and to attach proteins and lipids. An object of the present invention is to simplify an operation of sterilizing an object.

[0008]

According to the present invention, first and second electrolytic cells are provided, and strongly basic water generated in the first electrolytic cell is supplied to the second electrolytic cell. Electrolyze to produce strongly acidic water and strongly basic water, and mix these strongly acidic water and strongly basic water with the strongly acidic water generated in the first electrolytic cell to produce weakly acidic water. (Claim 1). According to the first aspect, all of the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generation device can be turned into weakly acidic water, and wasteful wastewater is not generated.

Similarly, the present invention provides a first electrolytic cell and a second electrolytic cell, and supplies strongly acidic water generated in the first electrolytic cell to the second electrolytic cell to perform electrolysis. Along with generating strongly acidic water and strongly basic water, mixing these strongly acidic water and strongly basic water with the strongly basic water generated in the first electrolytic cell to produce weakly basic water. (Claim 2). According to the second aspect, weakly basic water used for washing and maintaining freshness of food can be generated without waste.

In the apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, if a flow control valve is inserted into an electrolytic water discharge pipe of the first electrolytic cell, strong acid water or strong base discharged from the first electrolytic cell. Adjust the flow rate of the water to adjust the pH of the final mixed water.
Can be easily adjusted (claim 3).

[0011] Next, the present invention is characterized in that the water supplied to the electrolytic cell contains free residual chlorine, whereby strong basic water containing free residual chlorine is generated on the cathode side of the electrolytic cell. (Claim 4). That is, according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to produce strong basic water containing free residual chlorine having a bactericidal action, and this strong basic water has a washing action for proteins and lipids, and also has a bactericidal action. As a result, the washing operation and the sterilization operation can be performed simultaneously with one piece of water.

The apparatus according to claim 4 is characterized in that the first and second two
The two electrolytic cells are provided, and strongly acidic water generated in the first electrolytic cell is supplied to the second electrolytic cell to be electrolyzed, and strong acid containing free residual chlorine is provided on the cathode side of the second electrolytic cell. It can be configured to generate basic water (claim 5). According to the fifth aspect, the strongly basic water containing no free residual chlorine can be separately taken out from the first electrolytic cell and used.

[0013] Similarly, the apparatus according to claim 4 is provided with first and second electrolytic cells, and strongly acidic water and strong basic water generated in the first electrolytic cell are mixed with each other. The mixed water is supplied to the second electrolytic cell and electrolyzed to generate strong basic water containing free residual chlorine on the cathode side of the second electrolytic cell. 6). According to the sixth aspect, all the strongly basic water produced contains free residual chlorine.

In the apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the strongly acidic water generated on the anode side of the electrolytic cell and the strongly basic water generated on the cathode side are partially mixed with each other, and the mixed water is mixed with the electrolytic cell. By returning to the water supplied to the cathode, strongly basic water containing free residual chlorine can be generated on the cathode side (claim 7). According to the seventh aspect, the number of the electrolytic cells is one, and the apparatus is downsized.

In the seventh aspect, the mixed water of the strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water is returned, but only the strongly acidic water generated on the anode side of the electrolytic cell is partially supplied to the electrolytic cell. It is also possible to generate strong basic water containing free residual chlorine on the cathode side by returning the water to water (claim 8).

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts in each embodiment.
In FIG. 1, first and second two electrolytic cells 1 and 2 are provided, and two electrodes 3 and 4 are installed in each of the electrolytic cells 1 and 2 so as to face each other. Electrodes 3 and 4 of each electrolytic cell 1 and 2
, A positive and negative voltage is applied from a DC power supply 5, respectively, and the electrolytic cell 1 is supplied with water to which an electrolytic auxiliary material containing chlorine such as salt is added from a water inlet on the left side of the figure as indicated by an arrow. . The water is electrolyzed while passing between the electrodes 3 and 4, and strongly acidic water is generated on the anode 3 side, and strongly basic water is generated on the cathode 4 side. The strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water are separated from each other by a separator plate 6 so as not to mix with each other.
Is discharged from the discharge port on the right side of FIG.

The strongly basic water discharged from the first electrolytic cell 1 is supplied to a second electrolytic cell 2, where it is further electrolyzed into strongly acidic water and strongly basic water and discharged. And the first
The strongly acidic water from the electrolytic cell 1 and the strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water from the second electrolytic cell are finally mixed by the mixing tap 7.
The conduit between the first electrolytic cell 1 and the mixing tap 7 is provided with a third line.
Is inserted. Here, the water supplied to the second electrolytic cell 2 is a strongly basic water discharged from the first electrolytic cell 1, so that the strong basic water of the second electrolytic cell 2 generated by further electrolysis is used. The alkaline water has a high alkalinity, and the mixed water of the strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water in the second electrolytic cell 2 shows weak basicity. Therefore, when this weakly basic mixed water is added to the strongly acidic water from the first electrolytic cell 1, the final mixed water becomes weakly acidic. Therefore, the weakly acidic water is taken out from the mixing tap 7 and used as shown in the figure.

According to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, all raw water supplied to the first electrolytic cell 1 is used as weakly acidic water, and no waste water is generated. A flow control valve 8 is inserted in the middle of the strongly acidic water pipe leading to the mixing tap 7, and the flow control valve 8 is used to adjust the amount of the strong acid water from the first electrolytic cell 1. , Weakly acidic water taken out of the mixing tap 7
pH can be adjusted. According to the experiment, for example, a weakly acidic product water having a pH of 5.5 to 6.0 with respect to a raw water pH of 6.8 could be obtained.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment according to the second aspect. In FIG. 2, the strongly acidic water discharged from the first electrolytic cell 1 is supplied to the second electrolytic cell 2, where it is further electrolyzed into strongly acidic water and strongly basic water and discharged.
The strongly basic water from the first electrolytic cell 1 and the strongly acidic and strongly basic water from the second electrolytic cell are finally mixed by the mixing tap 7. A flow control valve 8 according to claim 3 is inserted in a conduit between the first electrolytic cell 1 and the mixing tap 7. Here, since the water supplied to the second electrolytic cell 2 is strongly acidic water discharged from the first electrolytic cell 1, the water is supplied to the second electrolytic cell 2 to be further electrolyzed. Has a high acidity,
The mixed water of the strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water in the second electrolytic cell 2 shows weak acidity. Therefore, when this weakly acidic mixed water is added to the strongly basic water from the first electrolytic cell 1, the final mixed water shows weak basicity. Therefore, from the mixing tap 7,
As shown, weakly basic water is taken out and used.

According to the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, all of the raw water supplied to the first electrolytic cell 1 is used as weakly basic water. The pH of the weakly basic water taken out from the mixing tap 7 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of the water. According to the experiment, for example, it was possible to obtain weakly basic water having a pH of 8.0 to 8.5 with respect to a raw water of pH 6.8. 1 and 2 are shown separately, but the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrodes 3 and 4 of the first electrolytic cell 1 is reversed by using a power supply switch (not shown), Since the strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water can be alternately discharged from the discharge port of one electrolytic cell 1, the same apparatus can be used for the apparatus shown in FIGS. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to selectively take out generated water from weakly acidic to weakly basic using the same apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment according to claim 5, in which first and second two electrolytic cells 1 and 2 are provided and their construction is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. Is the same as In FIG. 3, the strongly acidic water from the first electrolytic cell 1 is supplied to a second electrolytic cell 2, where it is further electrolyzed into strongly acidic water and strongly basic water and separately taken out. here,
The strongly acidic water supplied from the first electrolytic cell 1 to the second electrolytic water 2 contains free residual chlorine. This strongly acidic water is further electrolyzed in the second electrolytic cell. At that time, the free residual chlorine contained therein is distributed to the anode 3 side and the cathode side 4 as they are. Then, the strongly basic water containing the free residual chlorine is taken out of the second electrolytic cell 2.

The strongly basic water taken out from the second electrolytic cell 2 has a bactericidal action by free residual chlorine in addition to the original washing action, and is used to wash away proteins and lipids and sterilize with the same water. It can be performed in one step. The second
The strongly acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell 2 has a higher free residual chlorine concentration than the supply water from the first electrolytic cell 1. Further, the strongly basic water taken out of the first electrolytic cell 1 does not contain free residual chlorine, and is used for washing or the like as necessary.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment according to claim 6, wherein FIG. 4 shows that the strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water generated in the first electrolytic cell 1 are separated by a separation plate 6. When they are separately taken out of the tank, mixed with the mixing tap 9 and supplied to the second electrolytic tank 2, FIG. 5 shows that the strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water are mixed in the first.
Is mixed in the electrolytic cell 1 and supplied to the second electrolytic cell 2 as it is. In any case, the mixed water supplied to the second electrolytic cell 2 contains free residual chlorine, and the strongly basic water produced by further electrolyzing the mixed water into the second electrolytic cell 2 is the same as that in FIG. Contains free residual chlorine. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, since the strongly basic water in the first electrolytic cell 1 is not taken out, if the strong basic water containing no free residual chlorine is unnecessary, the embodiment of FIG. 4 or FIG. It is good to do.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment according to claim 7, in which there is one electrolytic cell. In this embodiment, a part of each of the strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water taken out of the electrolytic cell 1 is mixed with each other by the mixing tap 10 and returned to the water supplied to the electrolytic cell 1. The mixed water returned to the electrolytic cell 1 contains free residual chlorine in strongly acidic water, and the strong basic water in the electrolytic cell 1 generated by further electrolysis contains free residual chlorine.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment according to claim 8. In this embodiment, only the strongly acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell 1 is partially returned to the electrolytic cell 1. Also in this embodiment, the strong acidic water returned to the electrolytic cell 1 contains free residual chlorine, and the strong basic water of the electrolytic cell 1 generated by further electrolysis contains free residual chlorine.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, the first and second electrolytic cells are provided, and the strongly basic water or the strongly acidic water generated in the first electrolytic cell is supplied to the second electrolytic cell. Is further electrolyzed, and by mixing the strongly acidic water or the strongly basic water from the first electrolytic cell with the strongly acidic water or the strongly basic water from the second electrolytic cell, all the raw water supplied is It can be used as a weakly acidic water or a weakly basic water, and the problem of waste and environmental pollution caused by the generation of waste water can be solved.

Further, according to the present invention, the water supplied to the electrolytic cell contains free residual chlorine to produce a strongly basic water containing free residual chlorine, thereby having both the functions of washing and sterilization. By generating epoch-making electrolyzed water, it is possible to greatly reduce labor by disinfecting an object to which proteins and lipids have conventionally been attached in two steps.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrolyzed water generator showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electrolyzed water generation device showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electrolyzed water generator showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electrolyzed water generator showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electrolyzed water generator showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electrolyzed water generator showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electrolyzed water generator showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st electrolysis tank 2 2nd electrolysis tank 3 Anode 4 Cathode 5 DC power supply 6 Separation plate 7 Mixer tap 8 Flow control valve 9 Mixer tap 10 Mixer tap

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kakiuchi 1-1, Tanabe Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Naoyuki Tsuzaki 1, Tanabe Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture No. 1 F term in Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (reference) 4D061 DA03 DB07 DB08 EA02 EB01 EB04 EB16 EB39 ED12 GC18

Claims (8)

[Claims] An electrolytic cell provided with two electrodes facing each other is supplied with water to which an electrolytic aid is added, and a direct current voltage is applied between the electrodes to electrolyze the water. An electrolyzed water generating apparatus for generating strongly acidic water and generating strongly basic water on the cathode side, wherein the first and second two electrolytic cells are provided, and the strongly basic water generated in the first electrolytic cell is provided. Is supplied to the second electrolytic cell and electrolyzed to generate strongly acidic water and strongly basic water, and the strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water are combined with the strongly acidic water generated in the first electrolytic cell. An electrolyzed water generator characterized by mixing water and generating weakly acidic water. 2. An electrolytic cell provided with two electrodes facing each other is supplied with water to which an electrolytic auxiliary is added, and a direct current voltage is applied between the electrodes to electrolyze the water, and to the anode side In an electrolyzed water generator for generating strongly acidic water and generating strongly basic water on the cathode side, the first and second two electrolytic cells are provided, and the strongly acidic water generated in the first electrolytic cell is removed. The solution is supplied to the second electrolytic cell and electrolyzed to produce strongly acidic water and strongly basic water, and the strongly acidic water and strongly basic water and the strongly basic water generated in the first electrolytic cell are produced. An electrolyzed water generator, wherein water is mixed to generate weakly basic water. 3. The electrolyzed water generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a flow rate control valve is inserted into an electrolyzed water discharge pipe of the first electrolyzer. 4. An electrolytic cell provided with two electrodes facing each other is supplied with water to which an electrolytic aid is added, and a direct current voltage is applied between the electrodes to electrolyze the water. In an electrolyzed water generator for generating strongly acidic water and generating strongly basic water on the cathode side, the water supplied to the electrolytic cell contains free residual chlorine, so that the cathode side contains free residual chlorine. An electrolyzed water generating apparatus characterized by generating strongly basic water. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing first and second two electrolytic cells,
The strongly acidic water generated in the first electrolytic cell is supplied to the second electrolytic cell to be electrolyzed to generate strong basic water containing free residual chlorine on the cathode side of the second electrolytic cell. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second electrolytic cells are provided.
The strongly acidic water and the strongly basic water generated in the first electrolyzer are mixed with each other, and the mixed water is supplied to the second electrolyzer to be electrolyzed, and the mixed solution is electrolyzed to the cathode side of the second electrolyzer. 5. An electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein strong basic water containing free residual chlorine is generated. 7. A method in which strongly acidic water generated on the anode side of the electrolytic cell and part of strongly basic water generated on the cathode side are mixed with each other, and the mixed water is returned to water supplied to the electrolytic cell. 5. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein strong basic water containing free residual chlorine is generated on the cathode side. 8. A process in which a part of the strongly acidic water generated on the anode side of the electrolytic cell is returned to the water supplied to the electrolytic cell, thereby producing a strongly basic water containing free residual chlorine on the cathode side. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: