JP2011255347A - Electrolytic water generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrolytic water generator for generating electrolytic water of a desired pH.SOLUTION: This electrolytic water generator 1 includes a water purifying section 4 having a nano filter 41 for generating concentrated water and treated water, and an electrolytic section 5 that has at least one pair of electrodes 54 and 55 and electrolyzes the treated water. The electrolytic water generator 1 includes a water quality controlling means for controlling the water quality of the treated water.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that generates alkali ion water by electrolysis.

  Conventionally, a water purifier is known in which raw water is passed through activated carbon for water treatment having alkaline ash remaining in pores and acidic gas adsorbed in the pores (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this patent document 1, the alkaline ash and acid gas are neutralized, and the salt generated by the neutralization is dissolved in water to suppress an increase in pH of the outflow water at the initial stage of water flow.

JP 2000-308823 A

  However, in such a conventional technique, the pH of the effluent water depends on the amount of salt dissolved by neutralization. For example, when the quality of raw water is different, the amount of salt dissolved by neutralization is different. It will change and the pH of the effluent will be different. Therefore, when electrolyzed water is generated by electrolyzing water purified by the conventional technique, electrolyzed water having a desired pH cannot be obtained.

  Then, an object of this invention is to obtain the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which can produce | generate electrolyzed water of desired pH.

  In the present invention, there is an electrolyzed water generating apparatus, a water purification unit having a nanofilter that generates concentrated water and treated water, an electrolyzing unit that has at least a pair of electrodes and electrolyzes the treated water, And water quality control means for controlling the quality of the treated water.

  According to the present invention, there is provided water quality control means for controlling the quality of the treated water produced by permeating the nanofilter, and the water quality control means controls the quality of the treated water electrolyzed in the electrolysis section. Thus, the generated electrolyzed water can be set to a desired pH. That is, according to this invention, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which can produce | generate the electrolyzed water of desired pH can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram schematically showing an electrolyzed water generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram schematically showing an electrolyzed water generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following several embodiment and its modification contain the same component. Therefore, in the following, common reference numerals are given to those similar components, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 2, a water discharge unit 3 attached to the housing 2, and a nanofilter 41 that generates concentrated water and treated water. And a water purification unit 4 disposed in the housing 2, and an electrolytic cell (electrolysis unit) 5 having an anode plate 54 and a cathode plate 55 (at least a pair of electrodes) for electrolyzing treated water. Yes.

  The electrolyzed water generating device 1 generates alkaline ionized water or acidic water from raw water, and generates electrolyzed water by being attached to a faucet (not shown) provided on a sink such as a kitchen or kitchen. Alkaline ion water or acidic water (electrolyzed water) generated by the apparatus 1 can be discharged from the water discharge section 3. In addition, this electrolyzed water production | generation apparatus 1 may be installed on a sink, and is good also as what is called a built-in type installed in the inside of a sink.

  The water purification unit 4 has a main water passage P0 into which tap water that is raw water is introduced, and a nanofilter 41 is disposed in the main water passage P0. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pre-processing part 40 is arrange | positioned in the upstream of the nano filter 41, and the water pre-processed in the said pre-processing part 40 is introduced into the nano filter 41.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, the pre-filter 42, the supply pump 43, the first activated carbon filter 44, the second activated carbon filter 45, and the nano filter 41 are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the main water passage P0. Has been.

  The pre-filter 42 captures and removes relatively large foreign substances such as large particles and dust mixed in tap water introduced into the main water passage P0 by, for example, a nonwoven fabric (not shown). . The pre-filter 42 is provided to prevent a reduction in pumping capacity due to the mixing of fine particles into the supply pump 43, and need not be provided.

  The water passing through the prefilter 42 and reaching the supply pump 43 is pressurized (for example, 0.4 MPa) by the supply pump 43 and is pumped downstream. The supply pump 43 generates reverse osmosis pressure of the nanofilter 41 by increasing the pressure of water from which dust or the like has been removed and pumping the water downstream.

  Then, the water pressurized by the supply pump 43 and pumped downstream is introduced into the first activated carbon filter 44 and the second activated carbon filter 45 to remove free residual chlorine.

  The first and second activated carbon filters 44 and 45 contain activated carbon filters (not shown), which remove components dissolved in water, particularly off-flavors and odors, or halogenated carbon such as trihalomethane. Is. In the present embodiment, the second activated carbon filter 45 uses a fibrous activated carbon filter.

  In addition, a heavy metal removing agent for removing heavy metals may be mixed in the activated carbon filter so that harmful heavy metals such as lead can be adsorbed and removed by the heavy metal removing agent. In addition, by decomposing and removing residual chlorine in water with the activated carbon filter, bacteria can easily propagate on the downstream side. To prevent this, at least one of the first activated carbon filter 44 and the second activated carbon filter 45 is used. Further, an antibacterial agent containing a metal having antibacterial properties such as silver may be mixed.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, water pretreated by the prefilter 42, the supply pump 43, the first activated carbon filter 44, and the second activated carbon filter 45 is introduced into the nanofilter 41. Yes. That is, in the present embodiment, the pre-processing unit 40 is formed by the pre-filter 42, the supply pump 43, the first activated carbon filter 44, and the second activated carbon filter 45.

  And the water pre-processed in the pre-processing part 40 is introduce | transduced into the nano filter 41, and concentrated water and treated water are produced | generated. In the present embodiment, the pressure sensor 7 is provided on the upstream side of the nanofilter 41.

  The nanofilter 41 is made of an organic substance (for example, trihalomethane, musty odor, agricultural chemicals, etc.), heavy metal ions (for example, lead, chromium, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, etc.), and low molecular weight ion components such as sodium and calcium. Is to be removed. And the water which permeate | transmitted the NF film | membrane is supplied to the electrolytic cell (electrolysis part) 5 as the treated water from which these substances were removed, and the water which does not permeate | transmit the NF film | membrane concentrates as the concentrated water containing the above-mentioned substance. It is introduced into the water passage P1.

  Since the NF membrane has larger pores than the RO membrane, the nanofilter 41 using the NF membrane can remove particles, organic substances, and heavy metals with a high removal rate, but has a low molecular weight ion component. Has the property of remaining in the permeate to some extent. As this NF membrane, particles, organic substances and heavy metals can be removed at a high removal rate of 90% or more, and low molecular weight ionic components have characteristics of remaining about 10 to 30% in the permeated water. It is preferable to use it. In this case, the conductivity of the treated water in which the low molecular ions remain can be about 20 μS / cm or more. And by using such a nano filter 41, since the low molecular weight ionic component can remain in the purified water introduced into the electrolytic cell 5, the purified water is electrolyzed without adding an electrolysis aid. Alkaline ion water can be generated. Note that the removal rate of the NF film and the residual rate of the low molecular weight ion component are not limited to those described above, and NF films having other removal rates and residual rates may be used.

  Further, the concentrated water produced by the nanofilter 41 passes through the concentrated water passage P1 and is discharged to the outside from the drainage channel P5 provided with the drainage adjustment valve 9. In this embodiment, the concentrated water passageway is used. A circulation pump 8 is disposed at P1, and the concentrated water passage P1 is branched into a drainage channel P5 and a circulation water channel P4. Then, the concentrated water whose pressure has been increased by the circulation pump 8 is pumped to the upstream side of the nanofilter 41 in the main water passage P0 through the circulation water passage P4 so that it can be introduced into the nanofilter 41 again. That is, the annular flow path 11 is formed by the concentrated water passage P1, the circulation pump 8, the circulation water path P4, and the upstream side of the nanofilter 41 of the main water passage P0. In this way, in the present embodiment, the concentrated water is circulated to the upstream side of the nanofilter 41 by forming the annular flow path 11, but part of the concentrated water is discharged to the outside through the drainage channel P <b> 5. Is done. The amount of the concentrated water discharged to the outside is set by controlling the drainage adjustment valve 9.

  And the treated water which permeate | transmitted the NF film | membrane of the nano filter 41 is supplied to the electrolytic cell (electrode part) 5. FIG.

  The electrolytic cell 5 is provided with an anode chamber 52 and a cathode chamber 53 partitioned by an electrolytic diaphragm 51. The anode chamber 52 is provided with an anode plate (anode) 54, and the cathode chamber 53 has a cathode plate. A (cathode) 55 is provided. The anode plate 54 and the cathode plate 55 are disposed at positions facing each other with the electrolytic diaphragm 51 interposed therebetween.

  Further, the main water flow path P0 on the downstream side of the nano filter 41 is branched into a first branch path P2 connected to the anode chamber 52 and a second branch path P3 connected to the cathode chamber 53, and the treated water that has passed through the water purification unit 4 is passed. Is introduced into the anode chamber 52 through the first branch P2 and introduced into the cathode chamber 53 through the second branch P3. At this time, the amount of treated water introduced into the anode chamber 52 and the cathode chamber 53 is distributed at a predetermined rate, and in this embodiment, the amount introduced into the anode chamber 52 and the amount introduced into the cathode chamber 53. The ratio is 1: 4. The ratio of the amount introduced into the anode chamber 52 and the amount introduced into the cathode chamber 53 is not limited to 1: 4, and may be other ratios.

  The treated water introduced into the anode chamber 52 and the cathode chamber 53 is electrolyzed by applying a voltage to the anode plate 54 and the cathode plate 55, and the treated water introduced into the anode chamber 52 becomes acidic water. Then, the treated water introduced into the cathode chamber 53 is supplied as alkaline ion water from the acidic water outlet 56 to the second discharged water currant 39 from the alkaline water outlet 58. Thus, the acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell (electrode unit) 5 can be taken out from the first water discharge currant 37, and the alkaline ionized water generated in the electrolytic cell (electrode unit) 5 is second Can be taken out from the water discharge currant 39.

  In addition, although acid water and alkali ion water are produced | generated by electrolyzing in this way in the electrolytic cell 5, it is alkali ion water used exclusively for drinking, and acid water is used for another special use. Anything other than is discarded.

  In the present embodiment, the supply pump 43, the pressure sensor 7, the drainage adjustment valve 9, the circulation pump 8, and the anode plate 54 and the cathode plate 55 of the electrolytic cell 5 are connected via wirings H1, H2, H3, H4, and H5. It is connected to the control device 6 and controlled by the control device 6. The control device 6 is connected to an external power source (not shown) via a wiring H6.

  Here, in this embodiment, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 is provided with water quality control means for controlling the quality of treated water.

  Specifically, an electrical conductivity measuring means for measuring the electrical conductivity of the treated water is provided, and based on the measured electrical conductivity of the treated water, the water quality control means is operated to control the quality of the treated water. ing.

  In this embodiment, the electrical conductivity of the treated water is measured by the electrodes (anode plate 54 and cathode plate 55) installed in the electrolytic cell 5.

  In this embodiment, the water quality control means includes a supply pump as a supply pump output adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the supply pump 43 or the flow rate (output) supplied by the supply pump 43.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as a water quality control means, a drainage adjustment valve (drainage amount adjustment means) 9 that adjusts the drainage amount of concentrated water, and a circulation pump (circulation flow rate adjustment means) 8 that adjusts the circulation flow rate of the concentrate water. I have.

  The electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 having such a configuration controls the quality of treated water as follows.

  First, when the electrical conductivity of the treated water measured by the electrical conductivity measuring means, that is, the electrodes (the anode plate 54 and the cathode plate 55) is higher than a predetermined value (for example, about 800 μS / cm), the supply pump output is adjusted. The means operates to increase the rotational speed of the supply pump 43. Thus, by increasing the rotation speed of the supply pump 43, the flow rate of the water supplied by the supply pump 43 or the supply pressure of the pump increases. As a result, the amount of concentrated water generated by the nanofilter 41 increases, the amount of ions that permeate the NF membrane decreases, and the electrical conductivity of the treated water decreases.

  If the reduction in the electrical conductivity of the treated water by the supply pump output adjusting means is not sufficient, the drainage amount adjusting means is activated. Specifically, by increasing the degree of opening of the drainage regulating valve 9 and increasing the drainage ratio of concentrated water (the ratio of the drainage amount to the ring flow rate), the amount of ions that permeate the NF membrane is reduced, and the treated water is reduced. Reduce electrical conductivity.

  At this time, it is preferable to control the rotation speed of the supply pump 43 so that the supply pressure of water to the nanofilter 41 does not decrease.

  Furthermore, when the above control is insufficient, the circulating flow rate adjusting means is operated. Specifically, by increasing the flow rate of the concentrated water that is circulated by the circulation pump 8, the apparent drainage ratio of the concentrated water is increased, thereby reducing the amount of ions that permeate the NF membrane, and the electric power of the treated water. Reduce conductivity.

  In addition, when the electrical conductivity of the treated water measured by the electrodes (the anode plate 54 and the cathode plate 55) is lower than a predetermined value (for example, approximately 20 μS / cm), the opposite operations are performed. When performing these series of operations, it is preferable to control by the control device 6 so that the pressure does not become excessively high or low, and the flow rate is not too high or too low.

  By the way, when the electrical conductivity (water quality) of the treated water is controlled by a combination of a plurality of water quality control means, a chattering phenomenon in which the electrical conductivity value of the treated water repeatedly fluctuates up and down may occur due to the interference of each control means. There is sex.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 is provided with water quality adjusting means that adjusts the quality of the treated water to be within a predetermined range. Specifically, chattering is prevented from occurring by setting a certain time lag in the control by each water quality control means or by setting an upper limit value and a lower limit value in a range that can be controlled by each water quality control means. I am doing so.

  In the present embodiment, control is performed so that the electrolysis of the treated water is not performed until the electrical conductivity of the treated water falls within a predetermined range (for example, approximately 20 to 800 μS / cm). In addition, when the electrical conductivity of the treated water deviates from a specified value (for example, approximately 20 to 800 μS / cm) during the electrolysis of the treated water, the electrolysis of the treated water is controlled to be stopped immediately. Yes.

  Thus, by providing the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 with water quality control means for controlling the quality of the treated water, it becomes possible to keep the electrical conductivity of the treated water within a predetermined range, and the acidic water and the alkaline ionized water. It becomes possible to control pH more accurately.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 is provided with water quality control means for controlling the quality of treated water. Therefore, it becomes possible to keep the electrical conductivity of the treated water within a predetermined range. That is, the amount of ions contained in the treated water for electrolysis can be made substantially constant, and the amount of ions contained in the acidic water and alkaline ionized water generated in the electrolytic cell (electrolysis unit) 5 is almost constant. It becomes the amount of. As a result, it becomes possible to make the pH of acidic water and alkaline ion water substantially constant. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the pH of acidic water and alkaline ionized water (electrolyzed water) more accurately. At this time, acidic water and alkaline ionized water (electrolyzed water) having a desired pH can be generated by appropriately setting the electrical conductivity of the treated water.

  In addition, since the electrical conductivity of the treated water can be set to a desired value regardless of the electrical conductivity of the raw water, the acidic water and alkaline ionized water (electrolyzed water) that are generated when installed in different regions and places. ) Can be prevented from being different.

  In the present embodiment, as the water quality control means, at least one of supply pump output adjustment means, drainage amount adjustment means, and circulation flow rate adjustment means is used. Therefore, the quality of treated water can be easily controlled.

  Furthermore, since it is not necessary to separately add chemicals or the like to adjust the pH, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for adding chemicals, the configuration can be simplified, and costs can be reduced. Become.

  In addition, since the electrodes (anode plate 54 and cathode plate 55) installed in the electrolytic cell 5 also serve as an electrical conductivity measuring means for measuring the electrical conductivity of the treated water, the electrolyzed water generating device is also from this point. 1 can be simplified.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, the electrolyzed water production | generation apparatus 1 is provided with the water quality adjustment means which adjusts the quality of the treated water so that it may be in the predetermined range. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a chattering phenomenon in which the value of the electrical conductivity of the treated water repeatedly fluctuates up and down during the water quality control of the treated water.

  At this time, a certain time lag is provided for the control by each water quality control means (supply pump output adjusting means, drainage amount adjusting means and circulating flow rate adjusting means), or the upper limit value and the lower limit value are within the range that can be controlled by each water quality control means. Is set. Therefore, it is possible to prevent each water quality control unit from operating excessively, to reduce the load on the electrolyzed water generating device 1, and to extend the life of the device.

(Second Embodiment)
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. That is, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1 </ b> A includes a housing 2, a water discharge unit 3 attached to the housing 2, and a nanofilter 41 that generates concentrated water and treated water, and is disposed in the housing 2. The water purification unit 4 includes an anode 54 and a cathode 55 (at least a pair of electrodes), and an electrolytic cell (electrolysis unit) 5 that electrolyzes treated water.

  Further, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1A is provided with supply pump output adjusting means, drainage amount adjusting means, and circulation flow rate adjusting means as water quality control means for controlling the quality of treated water.

  Furthermore, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1A is provided with water quality adjusting means for adjusting the quality of the treated water to be within a predetermined range.

  Here, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1A is provided with water quality detecting means for detecting the quality of treated water. .

  In the present embodiment, the water quality sensor 10 is used as the water quality detection means, and the water quality sensor 10 is provided between the nanofilter 41 and the electrolytic cell (electrolyzer) 5. That is, the water quality sensor 10 detects the quality of the treated water that has passed through the NF membrane of the nanofilter 41.

  As the water quality sensor 10, a pH meter, an electrical conductivity meter, a pressure meter that measures the osmotic pressure of the NF membrane (which has a correlation with the electrical conductivity of treated water), and the like can be used.

  Thus, by providing the water quality sensor 10 for detecting the quality of the treated water in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 1A, not only the electrical conductivity of the treated water is measured by the electrodes (the anode plate 54 and the cathode plate 55), Since the water quality of the treated water can also be measured by the water quality sensor 10, the quality of the treated water can be detected with higher accuracy.

  The water quality of the treated water may be detected only by the water quality sensor 10.

  Also according to this embodiment described above, the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, the electrolysis water production | generation apparatus 1A can determine the purification degree of treated water by providing the water quality sensor (water quality detection means) which controls the quality of treated water, various pumps, It is possible to control the valve and adjust the water quality appropriately.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, an example using a pair of electrodes (anode and cathode) is illustrated, but it is sufficient that at least a pair of electrodes are provided, and three or more electrodes may be used.

  In addition, the water purification unit including the pretreatment unit and other detailed specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) can be appropriately changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A Electrolyzed water production | generation apparatus 4 Water purification part 41 Nano filter 5 Electrolyzer (electrolysis part)
8 Circulation pump (circulation flow rate adjustment means)
9 Drainage adjustment valve (Drainage adjustment means)
10 Water quality sensor (water quality detection means)
43 Supply pump (pump output adjusting means)
54 Anode plate (a pair of electrodes)
55 Cathode plate (a pair of electrodes)
P5 drainage channel

Claims (8)

A water purification unit having a nanofilter for producing concentrated water and treated water;
An electrolysis unit having at least a pair of electrodes and electrolyzing the treated water;
Water quality control means for controlling the quality of the treated water;
An electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising: The water purification unit includes a supply pump for supplying water,
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water quality control unit is a supply pump output adjusting unit that adjusts an output of the supply pump.   The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the supply pump output adjusting means adjusts a flow rate of water supplied by the supply pump.   The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the supply pump output adjusting means adjusts the pressure of the supply pump. The electrolyzed water generating device includes a drainage channel for draining the concentrated water,
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water quality control means is a drainage amount adjusting means for the concentrated water. The electrolyzed water generating device includes a circulation pump that circulates the concentrated water to the nanofilter,
The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the water quality control means is a circulating flow rate adjusting means for the concentrated water by the circulation pump.   The electrolyzed water generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electrolyzed water generating device includes a water quality detecting unit that detects the quality of the treated water.   The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electrolyzed water generating device includes a water quality adjusting unit that adjusts the quality of the treated water to be within a predetermined range. apparatus.

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