JP2002018442A - Water treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that in a water treatment apparatus using an electrolytic cell for sterility by an electrochemical reaction, scale (mainly calcium. magnesium and oxides, hydroxides, etc., of them) adhere to an electrode plate. SOLUTION: With the electrolytic cell filled with a cleaning solution effective for removing the scale adhered to the electrode plate, the state is kept for a prescribed time to clean the electrode plate by an electrode cleaning means, and the solution used for cleaning the electrode plate is discharged after the cleaning.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to various types of water tanks, from large water tanks such as pools and bathtubs to small water tanks such as water tanks arranged on the roof of buildings and bathtubs for general households. The present invention relates to a novel water treatment apparatus capable of sterilizing treated water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, pools installed indoors and outdoors, or bathtubs in inns and public baths are regularly maintained in order to maintain the quality of the water.
It is necessary to throw in an aqueous solution of high-grade salmon powder) or sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO) for sterilization. In the past, however, this work was done manually by employees of pools and baths, and since aqueous solutions of khaki and sodium hypochlorite were irritating, especially when throwing in during business hours, You have to be careful with your work,
There is a problem that it takes a lot of labor to perform the processing. In particular, since khaki is a solid powder,
It takes time to dissolve and make the concentration uniform, during which time
There was also a problem that the pool and bathtub could not be used.

[0003] Further, in the case of a water tub placed on the roof of a building or a bath tub for general household use, at present, only the sterilizing power of chlorine ions contained in tap water is used. In the case of an aquarium, one of the social problems is that water quality deteriorates due to propagation of algae inside. In addition, in the case of a general home tub, it is usually approximately 1 to 1.
It seems that there is no problem in terms of water quality because the water is replaced every two days. There is a concern about deterioration. An object of the present invention is to treat the water to be treated stored in the various water tanks as described above,
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel water treatment apparatus that can easily and efficiently perform a sterilization treatment.

[0004]

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has invented a water treatment apparatus for guiding the water to be treated stored in each of the above-mentioned water tanks to an electrolytic tank and sterilizing the water by an electrochemical reaction. In the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the water to be treated is supplied to the electrolytic cell having the electrodes, and the water to be treated is subjected to an electrochemical reaction (so-called electrolysis). Hypochlorite ions, chlorine gas, HCIO, and the like are generated by the applied electrochemical reaction, and these are dissolved in the water to be treated, whereby the water to be treated is sterilized.

As described above, in a water treatment apparatus using an electrolytic cell for sterilization by an electrochemical reaction, there is a problem that scales (mainly calcium, magnesium, oxides and hydroxides thereof) adhere to an electrode plate. There is. When the scale is deposited between the electrode plates, the performance of the electrode plates is reduced, the efficiency of the sterilization process is reduced, and there is a problem that an effective sterilization process cannot be performed.

As a method of preventing the scale from adhering to the electrode plate, the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrode set is reversed, so that the scale deposited on the surface is ionized again.
It can be dissolved and removed to some extent. But,
There is also a problem that the life of the electrode plate is shortened as the number of polarity inversions increases.

[0007] In addition, a high-concentration sterile liquid is produced in an electrolytic cell,
In a so-called batch type electrolytic cell in which the sterilizing solution is stored in a storage tank and the sterilizing solution is supplied to the water treatment path as needed, an electrode made of a material such as palladium (Pd) having a high chlorine generation efficiency is used for the electrode plate. In some cases, however, the polarity of such an electrode cannot be reversed because of the problem of elution of the electrode when the polarity is reversed.

Therefore, for example, there is no other way but to take measures such as taking out the electrode plate from the electrolytic cell at regular intervals and mechanically cleaning it with a brush or the like. An object of the present invention is to solve the problems described above and to provide a novel water treatment apparatus that can perform sterilization treatment simply, efficiently, and safely.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention The invention according to claim 1 is an electrolytic cell connected to a water tank for storing the water to be treated, introducing the water to be treated from the water tank, and being provided in the middle. In the inside, a current is passed through an electrode set composed of at least two electrode plates to produce a sterilizing solution having a sterilizing action, and a water treatment path for returning the produced sterilizing solution to a water tank, and controlling the power supply to the electrode plates. A control means for operating a water treatment path, wherein the control means has an electrode cleaning means, and the electrode cleaning means removes a cleaning liquid having a function of removing scale attached to the electrode plate in the electrolytic cell. In a state filled with
The water treatment apparatus is characterized in that the state is maintained for a predetermined time, the electrode plate is cleaned, and after the cleaning is completed, the cleaning liquid used for cleaning the electrode is drained.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the water treatment apparatus of the first aspect, the electrode cleaning means drains the sterilizing solution in the electrolytic tank and then fills the electrolytic tank with the cleaning liquid to wash the electrode plate. It is a water treatment apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the water treatment apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the electrode cleaning means stops power supply to the electrode plate when cleaning the electrode plate.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the water treatment apparatus according to the first aspect, the electrode cleaning means is provided with an electrode cleaning means which is supplied to the electrolytic cell by a cleaning liquid produced by the cleaning agent and the water to be treated from the water tank. A water treatment apparatus characterized by performing washing of a plate.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the water treatment flow apparatus of the first aspect, the electrolytic cell contains an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions and having an action of promoting an electrochemical reaction by energizing an electrode plate. A water treatment apparatus characterized in that a sterilizing solution having a sterilizing action is produced by applying an electric current to an electrode plate and electrolytically treating an electrolyte in a filled state.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the electrode plate is cleaned by the cleaning solution (for example, an inorganic acid or an organic acid) by the electrode cleaning means. By immersing the electrode plate in the cleaning liquid for a predetermined time, the cleaning liquid dissolves or exfoliates the scale deposited on the electrode plate, and then is drained and removed together with the cleaning liquid. Thus, the efficiency of the sterilization process can be kept almost constant at all times by making the most of the capability of the electrode plate.

[0015] In addition, hydroxides such as calcium and magnesium have a reduced solubility in water due to an increase in temperature or an increase in pH, and are likely to precipitate and deposit as a scale on portions other than the electrodes. The cleaning liquid also allows these scales to be removed.

According to the configuration of the second or third aspect, the problem that toxic chlorine gas is generated by mixing the cleaning liquid and the sterilizing liquid can be prevented. That is, for example, in the case of a batch-type electrolytic cell, a high-concentration sterilizing solution is always filled in the electrolytic cell, and even in the case of a circulation-type electrolytic cell, a low-concentration sterilizing solution is present in the electrolytic cell. are doing. These sterilizing solutions are composed of hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hypochlorite ion (ClO) generated by an electrochemical reaction caused by energization of the electrode plate.
-) Or the like, and may have an alkaline or weakly alkaline pH. When an acidic water such as an inorganic acid or an organic acid is introduced into the electrolytic cell as a cleaning liquid, these may react and generate a large amount of chlorine gas.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, all the sterilizing solution in the electrolytic cell is discharged before the cleaning liquid is supplied to the electrolytic cell, so that generation of chlorine gas can be prevented. Become.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the power supply to the electrode plate is stopped during the cleaning of the electrode plate, a large amount of chlorine gas is prevented from being generated during the cleaning of the electrode plate. It is possible to do.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to supply the water to be treated from the water tank into the electrolytic cell, and to dissolve the cleaning agent (liquid, powder, tablet, etc.) in the water to be treated to generate the cleaning liquid. become able to. As a result, generally used cleaning agents (for example, for cleaning electric pots and water bottles)
Can be used, and it is possible to provide a low-cost water treatment apparatus that is easy to handle.

Further, the higher the temperature of the cleaning liquid, the more efficient the cleaning action by the cleaning liquid. The heated water pool and bath tub heat the water to be treated with a heat exchanger etc. in order to keep it at a relatively high temperature and constant water temperature.By dissolving the detergent in such high temperature water to be treated, The cleaning action is further improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the scale can be easily removed even in a so-called batch type cleaning tank which has conventionally been manually cleaned with a brush or the like. Can be reduced.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a simplified view showing a structure in which a water treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in a large water tank 2 such as a pool or a bath tub. As shown in the figure, a large amount of water W to be treated is constantly supplied to a water tank 2 by a circulation pump 23 in which a filter 21 for sand filtration and a heat exchanger 22 for heating the water to be treated are assembled. A main circulation path 20 for circulating in a direction indicated by a dashed line arrow is installed in the water treatment path 1 of the water treatment apparatus 1. , And after passing through an electrolytic cell T1 containing a first electrode set E1 composed of a plurality of electrode plates E1a... At a junction J2 on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 22, the flow returns to the main circulation path 20 again. They are connected to join.

On the way from the branch point J1 to the electrolytic cell T1 in the water treatment path 10, a stop valve B1, a pressure reducing valve B2 for reducing the pressure, a circulating pump P1 for circulating the water to be treated, and a control for adjusting the flow rate. , A conductivity sensor S1 for measuring the total concentration of ions in the water to be treated, a filter F1 for filtering the water to be treated, and an ion exchange resin F2 for removing ions that cause scale. Have been.

In addition, a regulating valve B4 for adjusting the flow rate is provided at a position between the regulating valve B3 and the conductivity sensor S1.
And a residual chlorine sensor S2 for measuring the residual chlorine concentration
And a branch path 10b leading to the drain port 10a through the connection. The residual chlorine sensor S2 is arranged as described above because, due to its structure, it is necessary to keep flowing a very small amount of water to be treated, which is smaller than the amount of water flowing through the water treatment path 10.

In the course of the water treatment path 10 from the electrolytic cell T1 to the junction J2, a stop valve B5, a circulation pump P2 for circulating the water to be treated, and a check valve B for preventing backflow are sequentially arranged.
6, and a pressure gauge S3 for measuring the pressure of the water to be treated is connected between the electrolytic cell T1 and the stop valve B5.

A drain valve B10 is connected to a drain pipe provided in the electrolytic cell T1, and is connected to a drain port (not shown).

In the example shown in the figure, the water treatment path 10 has an auxiliary electrolytic cell T2 containing a second electrode set E2 composed of a plurality of electrode plates E2a. In a state filled with an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions and having an action of accelerating an electrochemical reaction, the second electrode set E2 is energized to electrolytically treat the electrolyte for a certain period of time. And a supply path 11 for supplying the produced sterilizing liquid to the water treatment path 10.

More specifically, the ion exchange resin F2 and the electrolytic cell T
After branching off from the water treatment path 10 at a position between the two and passing through the constant flow pump P5, the electric valve B7, the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2, and the constant flow pump P3, the pressure gauge S3 and the stop valve B5 The supply path 11 is formed so as to join the water treatment path 10 again at a position between.

Further, the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2 is provided with a supply path 12 for adding an electrolyte such as a saline solution. In particular,
A solution tank T3 connected to the auxiliary electrolytic tank T2 via a metering pump P4 and an electromagnetic valve B8 is provided. This solution tank T
An aqueous solution that contributes to the electrochemical reaction of water (for example, N
aCl aqueous solution, calcium chloride aqueous solution, hydrochloric acid, etc.) are stored, and these aqueous solutions are supplied to the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2 via the supply path 12 by the metering pump P4.

A drain port 1 is provided at the bottom of the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2.
The drain port 13 is connected to a drain pipe 14 provided with a solenoid valve B9. Further, a drug inlet 15 is formed on the upper surface of the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2, and a cleaning agent is charged using the drug inlet at the time of electrode cleaning described later.

When the amount of the sterilizing solution in the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2 decreases below a certain level or runs out, the electric valves B7 and B8 are opened, and the pump P
4, P5 is driven to take in the water to be treated W from the water treatment path 10 as shown by the dashed arrow in the figure, and the solution tank T3
And an aqueous electrolyte solution is supplied from the above, and an electrolytic solution is prepared in the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2.

A portion of the supply path 11 downstream of the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2 is provided with a sterilizing liquid produced by applying an electric current to the second electrode set E2 to electrolytically process the electrolyte. The pump P3 is used to supply the water to the water treatment path 10 at a constant flow rate as shown by a double solid line arrow in the drawing.

A sterilizing solution having a sterilizing action containing hypochlorous acid and its ions, or a chlorine-containing compound such as chlorine gas is produced by the electrochemical reaction by the second electrode set E2. As the electrode plates E1a and E2a constituting the first and second electrode sets E1 and E2, for example, gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd) are formed on the entire surface of a titanium (Ti) substrate. , Platinum-iridium (P
A thin film of a noble metal such as t-Ir) coated by a plating method or a baking treatment is used.

In the electrolytic cell, electrolysis is performed by applying a direct current to the electrode set. In electrolysis, the following potential chemical reaction occurs between the electrodes, and this reaction generates hypochlorous acid (HClO), hypochlorite ion (ClO-), chlorine gas, or a very short time in the reaction process. The water to be treated is sterilized by the generated active oxygen (O2-) or the like.

[0035]

Embedded image

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the water treatment apparatus 1 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the water treatment apparatus 1 serves as control means for operating the respective units constituting the water treatment path 10 and the supply path 11 while individually controlling the energization of the first and second electrode sets E1 and E2. Is provided. The control unit 30 includes a timer 31 for defining an operation time period, an operation stop time period, an electrode cleaning operation, and the like to be described later, and an initial value such as an amount of water stored in the pool 2 and a reference chlorine concentration. And a memory 32 in which is registered.

The control unit 30 receives detection signals from various sensors provided in the water treatment apparatus 1 described with reference to FIG. That is, the residual chlorine sensor S1 and the conductivity sensor S2
And the detection signal of the pressure gauge S3 is provided to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 responds to these given detection signals,
The operation of the water treatment device 1 is controlled according to a predetermined operation program. Specifically, a control signal is provided to the driver 33, and the driver 33 controls the power supply such as the power supply output (power supply current) and the power supply time to the electrode sets E1 and E2 based on the supplied signal. Valves B1 to B5, B7,
The opening and closing and adjustment of B8, B9, and B10, and the drive control of each of the pumps P1 to P5 are performed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control of electrode cleaning, which is maintenance of the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2, in the control operation performed by the control unit 30. By the control of FIG. 3, the scale attached to the electrode plate E2 is automatically cleaned. This will be specifically described according to the flowchart of FIG.

When the administrator of the water treatment apparatus starts the electrode cleaning operation, the control unit 30 temporarily stops the power supply to the electrode set E2 (step 1), closes the solenoid valves B7, B8, B10, and sets the pumps P3, P4 and P5 are stopped (step 2). Next, the solenoid valve B9 is opened, and after the sterilizing solution in the electrolytic cell is drained from the drain port 13 until the water level h becomes empty, the solenoid valve B9 is closed (steps 3, 4, and 5).

A cleaning agent (liquid, powder, tablet, etc.) is manually inserted into the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2 from the chemical inlet 15 (step 6), and waits until the start key is operated by the administrator (step 7). .

When the start key is operated, the solenoid valve B7
Is opened and the pump P5 is driven to supply the water to be treated W to the auxiliary electrolytic cell (step 8). The cleaning agent is satisfactorily dissolved by the flow of the water to be treated W, and a cleaning liquid is generated. Then, when the water level reaches the predetermined water level h1, the solenoid valve B7 is closed and the pump P5 is stopped (steps 8, 9, 10).
When the auxiliary electrolytic bath T2 is filled with the cleaning liquid up to the predetermined water level h1, by maintaining the state for a predetermined time t1 (for example, 10 minutes), the scale attached to the electrode plate E2 is cleaned with the cleaning liquid (steps 11 and 12). ).

Next, the solenoid valve B9 is opened to drain the cleaning liquid from the drain port 13 (step 13).
Is opened and the pump P5 is driven to introduce the to-be-processed water W into the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2, and the electrode plate E2 is rinsed with running water for a predetermined time t2 (about 5 minutes in this case) (steps 14 and 15). . Then, when a predetermined time t2 for rinsing with running water of the electrode plate E2 has elapsed, the electromagnetic valve B7 is closed, the pump P5 is stopped (Step 16), and the electromagnetic valve B9 is closed to complete electrode cleaning (Step 17).

As described above, by immersing the electrode plate in the cleaning liquid for a predetermined time, the cleaning liquid dissolves or exfoliates the scale deposited on the electrode plate, and is then drained and removed together with the cleaning liquid. . Thus, the efficiency of the sterilization process can be kept almost constant at all times by making the most of the capability of the electrode plate.

As the cleaning agent, for example, an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, or an organic acid such as nitric acid is used.

In the above-described embodiment, since it is difficult for the administrator to determine the timing of introducing the medicine, for example, if all the sterilizing liquid in the electrolytic cell is drained and the solenoid valve B9 is closed (step 5 in FIG. 3). ), The notifying means (not shown) may notify the administrator of the timing of the medicine injection. With this configuration, the cleaning agent is supplied at an appropriate time during the electrode cleaning, so that the cleaning agent is uniformly dissolved in the water to be treated, and the cleaning time is performed without excess or shortage.
The cleaning operation of the electrode plate is performed well.

Further, a chemical tank for storing the cleaning agent may be separately provided, and the cleaning agent may be automatically supplied from the tank to the electrolytic cell by a supply device. With this configuration, the cleaning agent is surely supplied at an appropriate time during electrode cleaning, so that the cleaning agent is uniformly dissolved in the water to be treated, and the cleaning time is performed without excess or shortage. The maintenance work load is reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the electrode cleaning for the auxiliary electrolytic cell T2 has been described. However, the electrode cleaning can be similarly performed for the electrolytic cell T1.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the water treatment apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of control performed by a control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water treatment apparatus 20 Water treatment path T1, T2 Electrolyzer (auxiliary electrolyzer) 30 Control means E1, E2 Electrode plate

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Inamoto 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Minoru Kishi 2-5-2 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka No. 5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Minoru Nakanishi 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka 2-5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tamotsu Kawamura 2 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka 5-5-5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 4D061 DA05 DA07 DB10 EA02 EB02 EB04 EB18 EB20 EB30 EB37 EB39 ED13 FA08 FA13 GA02 GA06 GA30 GC12 GC16 GC20

Claims (5)

[Claims] The present invention is characterized in that a water tank is connected to a water tank for storing the water to be treated, the water to be treated is introduced from the water tank, and an electric current is supplied to an electrode set composed of at least two electrode plates in an electrolytic tank provided on the way. In a water treatment apparatus that produces a sterilizing solution having a sterilizing action, a water treatment path for returning the produced sterilizing solution to the water tank, and a control unit that activates the water treatment path while controlling the energization of the electrode plate. The control means has an electrode cleaning means, and the electrode cleaning means fills the electrolytic tank with a cleaning liquid having a function of removing scale attached to the electrode plate, and maintains the state for a predetermined time to maintain the state of the electrode plate. A water treatment apparatus for performing washing and draining a washing liquid used for electrode cleaning after washing is completed. 2. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrode cleaning means drains the sterilizing solution in the electrolytic cell and then cleans the electrode plate by filling the electrolytic cell with the cleaning liquid. . 3. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrode cleaning means stops energizing the electrode plate when cleaning the electrode plate. 4. The electrode cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode cleaning means cleans the electrode plate with a cleaning liquid supplied to the electrolytic cell and formed by a cleaning agent and water to be treated from the water tank. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic cell contains an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions and having an action of promoting an electrochemical reaction by energizing the electrode plate. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sterilizing solution having a sterilizing action is produced by performing the sterilization.