JP2012091121A - Apparatus for producing electrolytic water - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for producing electrolytic water having a trilocular type electrolytic cell, in which diaphragms are brought into close contact with respective electrodes (an anode and a cathode) and these zero gaps are stably held without applying load to the diaphragms.SOLUTION: The apparatus for producing the electrolytic water includes an anode 12 chamber 11 in which the anode is arranged, a cathode chamber 14 in which the cathode 15 is arranged and an intermediate chamber 13 which is separated from the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14 by diaphragms 16, 17. The apparatus for producing the electrolytic water further includes: a salt water tank 3 which holds an aqueous electrolyte solution and in which atmospheric pressure is applied onto a liquid surface of the aqueous electrolyte solution; a circulation means which comprises a pump 4 and supply piping 5 and carries out circulation supply of the aqueous electrolyte solution from the salt water tank 3 to the intermediate chamber 13; and discharge piping 6 for returning the aqueous electrolyte solution from the intermediate chamber 13 to the salt water tank 3. In the salt water tank 3, an outlet position of the discharge piping 6 is made higher than an upper end position of the electrolytic cell 1, so that positive pressure is give to the intermediate chamber 13 by water head.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing electrolyzed water by electrolyzing an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte, and more particularly to an electrolyzed water producing apparatus using a three-chamber electrolytic cell as an electrolytic cell.

  By electrolyzing an aqueous solution using a salt containing halide ions such as sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl) as an electrolyte, acidic electrolyzed water is obtained from the anode side, and alkaline electrolyzed water is obtained from the cathode side. Is obtained. The acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water are collectively referred to as electrolyzed water. The acidic electrolyzed water thus produced contains free chlorine such as hypochlorous acid, and thus has a strong bactericidal effect against various bacteria including Escherichia coli. In recent years, the food industry field, the medical field, Widely used in agriculture and other fields. Moreover, since alkaline electrolyzed water contains a large amount of hydroxide ions and exhibits strong alkalinity, it is known that it has a strong detergency against dirt containing oil and protein.

  As a method for producing electrolyzed water, a three-chamber electrolytic cell in which two electrolytic membranes having an ion exchange function are used and the electrolytic cell is divided into a cathode chamber, an intermediate chamber and an anode chamber is used. There is a method of electrolysis. The cathode chamber is provided with a cathode, the anode chamber is provided with an anode, and the intermediate chamber is located between the cathode chamber and the anode chamber and separated from the cathode chamber and the anode chamber by a diaphragm. In the electrolyzed water production apparatus using such a three-chamber electrolytic cell, a high concentration aqueous electrolyte solution is circulated through the intermediate chamber, so that a cation and an anion are respectively supplied to the cathode chamber and the anode chamber through the diaphragm. Can be stably supplied, and electrolyzed water can be stably generated. At that time, raw water containing no electrolyte is supplied to the electrode chambers (that is, the cathode chamber and the anode chamber) in an amount corresponding to the electrolytic water supplied to the outside from the electrode chambers. Compared to a two-chamber electrolytic cell in which the cathode chamber and the anode chamber are separated by a single diaphragm, the three-chamber electrolytic cell is less likely to contain impurities such as undecomposed electrolyte in the generated electrolytic water. Therefore, in the case of acidic electrolyzed water, it is possible to reduce risks such as reduction due to decomposition of hypochlorous acid, which is an active ingredient, and corrosion of metals when using electrolyzed water.

  As the diaphragm, a film made of a polymer material is generally used, and such a film is easily bent and easily deformed. Unlike the case of using a two-chamber electrolytic cell in which electrodes are arranged on both sides of one diaphragm and the diaphragm can be sandwiched between the electrodes, in the three-chamber electrolytic cell, one side of the diaphragm is in contact with the electrode Therefore, it is difficult to hold the diaphragm, and the diaphragm is likely to be deformed due to fluctuations in the pressure of treated water between the intermediate chamber and each electrode chamber. If the deformation is repeated, the deterioration of the diaphragm may be accelerated. In addition, if the distance between the electrode and the diaphragm is large in each electrode chamber, the voltage drop between them becomes large during electrolysis, resulting in an increase in electrolysis voltage and a decrease in electrolysis efficiency. An increase in the electrolysis voltage and a decrease in electrolysis efficiency may also accelerate the deterioration of the electrodes and the diaphragm. Therefore, in order to stably operate the electrolyzed water production apparatus having a three-chamber electrolytic cell over a long period of time, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, the diaphragm and the electrode are fixed in close contact with each other. It is necessary to maintain a zero gap between the diaphragm and the electrode. In addition, when manufacturing electrolyzed water by making a diaphragm and an electrode closely_contact | adhere, the thing of a porous shape, for example, the thing by a punching metal, or a mesh shape is used as an electrode.

  In order to maintain the zero gap between the diaphragm and the electrode, the simplest method is to introduce a support into the electrolytic cell and mechanically press the diaphragm. However, the area where the support presses the diaphragm is small. If it is too large, the diaphragm may be damaged due to a local load on the diaphragm. On the other hand, when the area where the support holds the diaphragm is too wide, the diaphragm in the part where the support is in contact does not contribute to electrolysis, so the electrolytic current density in the part where the support is not in contact is low. When it becomes large, the load of the part increases, and there is a risk of shortening the life of the diaphragm and the electrode. Even when the area of the support that holds the diaphragm is appropriate, even when the structure of the support is such that the flow of treated water in each electrode chamber or intermediate chamber is hindered, the electrolysis efficiency is reduced and electrolysis is performed. An increase in voltage is brought about. Therefore, it is necessary to select an appropriate shape as a support for maintaining the zero gap between the diaphragm and the electrode in the three-chamber electrolytic cell and introduce it appropriately into the electrolytic cell. Even if the diaphragm is fixed to the electrode by the support, it is difficult to maintain the zero gap if the pressure in the cathode chamber or the anode chamber is higher than the pressure in the intermediate chamber.

  In general, since salt water is circulated and supplied to the intermediate chamber by a circulation pump, Patent Document 2 discloses that a diaphragm is provided in the outlet pipe of the salt water from the intermediate chamber to increase the pressure in the intermediate chamber and to attach the diaphragm to each electrode. A configuration is disclosed. However, with the method of restricting the outlet pipe from the intermediate chamber, it is difficult to adjust the pressure when the circulation rate of salt water fluctuates, and the pressure applied to the diaphragm when the pressure cannot be adjusted properly May become too large, leading to damage to the diaphragm.

JP 2000-246249 A JP-A-7-155760 JP 2010-133007 A

  In an electrolyzed water production system using a three-chamber electrolytic cell, in order to improve electrolysis efficiency, prolong the life of the diaphragm, and stably generate electrolyzed water over a long period of time, the zero gap between the diaphragm and the electrode is stable. Therefore, there is a need for an effective method for maintaining a zero gap without applying a large load to the diaphragm.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyzed water production apparatus that uses a three-chamber electrolytic cell, can maintain a zero gap without imposing a large load on the diaphragm, and can be stably operated over a long period of time.

  The electrolyzed water production apparatus of the present invention includes an anode chamber provided with a porous anode, a cathode chamber provided with a porous cathode, and a second diaphragm separated from the anode chamber by a first diaphragm. An electrolyzed water production apparatus having a three-chamber electrolytic cell configured to have an anode abutting against a first diaphragm and a cathode abutting against a second diaphragm. A tank for holding the aqueous electrolyte solution supplied to the chamber, a supply pipe for connecting the tank to the intermediate chamber, and a pump for supplying the aqueous electrolyte solution provided in the supply pipe, and circulatingly supplying the aqueous electrolyte solution from the tank to the intermediate chamber And a discharge pipe for returning the aqueous electrolyte solution from the intermediate chamber to the tank, atmospheric pressure is applied to the liquid surface of the aqueous electrolyte solution in the tank, and the outlet on the tank side of the discharge pipe is the upper end of the electrolytic cell. Higher than position The pressure in the intermediate chamber is higher than that of the anode chamber and the cathode chamber due to the water head pressure due to the height difference between the outlet on the tank side and the upper end position of the electrolytic cell, and the zero gap between the first diaphragm and the anode and the second diaphragm A zero gap between the cathode and the cathode is maintained.

  The present invention maintains the zero gap between the diaphragm and each electrode while reducing the load on the diaphragm and the electrode by making the intermediate chamber a positive pressure by using the hydraulic head pressure, and the diaphragm is stably attached to the electrode. Can be fixed, can prevent deterioration of the diaphragm due to repeated deformation, can improve the efficiency of electrolysis, and by these operations, the electrolyzed water production apparatus having a three-chamber electrolyzer can be operated stably over a long period of time There is an effect that can be made.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows arrangement | positioning of a support body, a diaphragm, and an electrode. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of a support body, a diaphragm, and an electrode. It is a front view which shows arrangement | positioning of a support body, a diaphragm, and an electrode. It is a figure which shows the structure of the electrolyzed water manufacturing apparatus comprised so that the pressure in each electrode chamber might become smaller than the pressure in an intermediate chamber by the ejector effect. 3 is a graph showing a change in electrolytic voltage with time in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. It is a graph which shows the time change of the electrolysis voltage in Example 2 and Comparative Example 2.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The electrolyzed water production apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a three-chamber electrolytic cell 1 that generates electrolyzed water. The electrolytic cell 1 includes an anode chamber 11 provided with an anode 12, an intermediate chamber 13, and a cathode chamber 14 provided with a cathode 15. The anode chamber 11 and the intermediate chamber 13 are partitioned by a diaphragm 16 made of, for example, an anion exchange membrane, and the diaphragm 17 made of, for example, a cation exchange membrane, for example, between the intermediate chamber 13 and the cathode chamber 14. It is partitioned by. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the diaphragm 16 is in close contact with the anode 12 and the diaphragm 17 is in close contact with the cathode 15. Although not shown, a DC voltage can be applied by an external DC power supply so that the anode 12 is positive (+) and the cathode 15 is negative (-). The anode 12 and the cathode 15 are configured as porous electrodes, and are made of, for example, a metal mesh or a punching metal.

  A salt water tank 3 is provided for supplying an aqueous solution using sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or the like as an electrolyte to the intermediate chamber 13, that is, salt water. The salt water is intermediately supplied from the salt water tank 3 through a supply pipe 5 by a pump 4. It is supplied to the lower end of the chamber 13, and salt water is returned to the salt water tank 3 from the upper end of the intermediate chamber 13. That is, the salt water is circulated and supplied between the intermediate chamber 13 and the salt water tank 3 by the pump 4 provided in the supply pipe 5, and the salt water flows from the bottom to the top in the intermediate chamber 13.

  The salt water tank 3 has an upper portion communicating with the atmosphere, for example, by providing an air communication port in a portion serving as a lid of the salt water tank 3, so that the salt water tank 3 has a liquid surface. Will be subject to atmospheric pressure. An outlet (return port) of the salt water discharge pipe 6 from the intermediate chamber 13 is opened at a position slightly higher than the level of the salt water in the salt water tank 3. The outlet of the discharge pipe 6 is positioned higher than the upper end of the electrolytic cell 1 so that a positive pressure can be applied to the intermediate chamber 13 by the water head pressure. In the figure, the height difference between the upper end of the electrolytic cell 1 and the outlet of the salt water return pipe is indicated by h, and the water head pressure corresponding to the height difference h is applied to the intermediate chamber 13. become.

  In order to make the concentration of the electrolyte in the salt water circulated to the intermediate chamber 13 constant, for example, in order to make the circulating salt water a saturated salt water, the salt water tank 3 has a solid electrolyte (for example, solid sodium chloride). ) May be entered.

  Tap water is supplied to the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14 as raw water to the lower ends of the electrode chambers. As raw water, for example, well water may be used in addition to tap water. The acidic electrolyzed water generated in the anode chamber 11 by the electrolytic reaction is supplied to the outside from the upper end of the anode chamber 11, and the alkaline electrolyzed water generated in the cathode chamber 14 is supplied to the outside from the upper end of the cathode chamber 14. It has become. Therefore, the flow of water in each electrode chamber is also directed from the bottom to the top.

  In this electrolyzed water production apparatus, tap water is supplied to the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14 while circulating salt water to the intermediate chamber 13 by the pump 4, and a DC voltage is applied between the anode 12 and the cathode 15, thereby The cations in the solution in the chamber 13 pass through the diaphragm 17 and move to the cathode chamber 14 side, and the anions pass through the diaphragm 16 and move to the anode chamber 11 side. As a result, acidic electrolyzed water is obtained from the anode chamber 11 and alkaline electrolyzed water is obtained from the cathode chamber 14 by a known reaction relating to electrolyzed water generation. At this time, since the intermediate chamber 13 is positive with respect to the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14 due to the water head pressure based on the height difference h, the diaphragms 15 and 16 are in close contact with the anode 12 and the cathode 15, respectively. The gap is retained.

  In the electrolyzed water production apparatus of the present embodiment, the pressure applied to the intermediate chamber 13 is easily set only by determining the height difference h, compared to the case where the throttle pipe is provided at the outlet pipe of the salt water from the intermediate chamber to increase the pressure in the intermediate chamber. In addition, the risk due to clogging of piping can be reduced. The height difference h may be determined in accordance with the pressure required to bring the diaphragms 15 and 16 into close contact with the anode 12 and the cathode 15 in consideration of the pressure fluctuation range in the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14.

  In the electrolyzed water production apparatus described above, the intermediate chamber 13 is set to a positive pressure using the water head pressure, and the zero gap between the diaphragm and the electrode is maintained. By the way, in the operating state, a flow of liquid is generated in the anode chamber 11, the intermediate chamber 13, and the cathode chamber 14, and an area where the pressure is locally reduced is generated due to the influence of this flow. In that region, the zero gap between the diaphragm and the electrode may not be satisfactorily maintained.

  Therefore, in the electrolyzed water production apparatus shown in FIG. 1, supports may be introduced into the anode chamber 11, the intermediate chamber 13, and the cathode chamber 14, respectively, so that the diaphragm is securely adhered to the electrodes. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the support, the diaphragm, and the electrodes when the support is provided as described above. In FIG. 2, for the sake of explanation, the structure of the support 20 for bringing the diaphragm 16 into close contact with the anode 12 is shown, and the front side in the drawing is the intermediate chamber 13 side. The same configuration can also be used to bring the diaphragm 17 into close contact. In FIG. 2, the arrows indicate the direction of water flow. FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the anode 12, the cathode 15, the diaphragms 16 and 17, and the support body 20 as viewed from above with the lid portion of the electrolytic cell 1 removed. FIG. 4 is a front view corresponding to the direction of the intermediate chamber 13 when viewed from the cathode chamber 14 side, and the portion indicated by the solid line shows the support 20 in front of the cathode 15, that is, in the cathode chamber 14. A broken line indicates a support 20 in the intermediate chamber 13, that is, a support for pressing the diaphragm 17 beyond the cathode 15 and the diaphragm 17.

  The support 20 is located in the electrolytic cell 1 and directly contacts and holds the electrodes (anode 12 and cathode 15) and the diaphragms 16 and 17, and particularly maintains a zero gap between the diaphragms 16 and 17 and the electrodes. It is. In the illustrated example, the support 20 extends in the vertical direction (that is, the water flow direction) in the electrolytic cell 1 so that the flow of water in the electrode chamber or the intermediate chamber is not hindered, and the side surface abuts on the electrode or the diaphragm. A support body is constituted by a plurality of prisms 21 and a cylinder 22 that intersects the plurality of prisms 21 perpendicularly. Such a support 20 is introduced into any of the anode chamber 11, the intermediate chamber 13, and the cathode chamber 14. The support 20 in the anode chamber 11 contacts the anode 12, and the support 20 in the cathode chamber 14 contacts the cathode 15. Further, the support 20 in the intermediate chamber 13 abuts both diaphragms 16 and 17 by a pair of opposing side surfaces of the prism 21. What is important here is that the position of the prism 21 on the support on the diaphragm side and the position of the prism 21 on the support on the electrode side do not overlap so that an excessive load is not applied to the diaphragm. In the illustrated example, the positions of the prisms 21 are staggered.

  Such a support 20 is made of an insulating material while having corrosion resistance to salt water and electrolyzed water. For example, the support is made of vinyl chloride resin. In the case shown here, the support is configured so as to be separable from the electrolytic cell 1, but besides this, for example, it is directly bonded to the electrolytic cell 1 or integrated with the electrolytic cell 1. A shaped support can be used.

  In the example shown here, since the intermediate chamber 13 is already set to a positive pressure by the action of the hydraulic head pressure as described above, the support does not need to strongly press the diaphragm against the electrode. The thing of the grade which contact | abuts is sufficient.

  Further, in the electrolyzed water production apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the pressure applied to the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14 is applied to the intermediate chamber 13 by using the ejector effect, in order to further ensure the zero gap between the diaphragm and the electrode. It can be set as the structure made still lower than a pressure. FIG. 5 shows an electrolyzed water production apparatus using such an ejector effect.

  The electrolyzed water production apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a mechanism for diluting acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water discharged from the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14, respectively, with respect to the apparatus shown in FIG. . Dilution water pipes 25 and 26 through which the dilution water always flows are provided, and the end of the electrolysis water pipe 23 that discharges the acidic electrolyzed water from the upper end of the anode chamber 11 opens to the side surface of the dilution water pipe 25. In the illustrated example, the dilution water flows from the top to the bottom in the dilution water pipes 25 and 26. By increasing the flow rate of the dilution water at this position by, for example, reducing the inner diameter of the dilution water pipe 25 at the connection with the electrolyzed water pipe 23, the acidic electrolyzed water is discharged from the electrolyzed water pipe 23 to the dilution water pipe 25 side by the ejector effect. As a result, the pressure in the anode chamber 11 decreases. Similarly, the end of the electrolyzed water pipe 24 that discharges alkaline electrolyzed water from the upper end of the cathode chamber 14 is also open to the side surface of the diluted water pipe 26, and alkaline electrolyzed water is discharged from the electrolyzed water pipe 24 to the diluted water pipe 26 by the ejector effect. As a result, the pressure in the cathode chamber 14 is reduced. Since the ejector effect does not reach the intermediate chamber 13, the pressure applied to the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14 is smaller than the pressure applied to the intermediate chamber 13 as compared with the case where only the hydraulic head pressure is used. The zero gap with the electrode can be maintained more reliably. Diluted acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water are obtained from the ends of the diluted water pipes 25 and 26, respectively.

  In the electrolyzed water production apparatus shown in FIG. 5 as well, in order to maintain the zero gap between the diaphragm and the electrode more satisfactorily, a support is provided in the anode chamber 11, the intermediate chamber 13 and the cathode chamber 14 in the same manner as described above. May be introduced.

  Next, an example in which the above-described three-chamber electrolyzed water generating apparatus is actually manufactured and electrolyzed water is manufactured will be described.

Example 1
(1) Anion exchange membrane An anion exchange membrane was used as the diaphragm 16, and this anion exchange membrane was obtained by the procedure described in paragraph 0135 of JP 2010-133007 A (Patent Document 3). I used something. However, the size of the anion exchange membrane was 12 cm long and 11 cm wide.

(2) Cation Exchange Membrane A cation exchange membrane is used as the diaphragm 17, and a fluorinated cation exchange membrane (DuPont Nafion N-115, thickness 127 μm) is 12 cm long and 11 cm wide. What was cut into pieces was used.

(3) Electrolyzed water producing apparatus An electrolyzed water producing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 was produced using each ion exchange membrane shown in (1) and (2) above as a diaphragm. As the anode 12, a punching metal electrode having a titanium substrate coated with iridium oxide and platinum was selected, and as the cathode 15, a punching metal electrode having a titanium substrate coated with platinum was used. Each electrode has a hole with a diameter of 3 mm on the surface so that the effective area is 100 cm ² and the aperture ratio is 47.2%. The anode 12 and the cathode 15 are disposed so as to be in close contact with the anion exchange membrane (diaphragm 16) and the cation exchange membrane (diaphragm 17), respectively, and the electrolytic cell 1 is partitioned to produce a three-tank electrolytic cell. did. The volume of the intermediate chamber 13 was 50 cm ³ , and the volumes of the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14 were each 100 cm ³ . Saturated saline is used as the aqueous electrolyte solution supplied to the intermediate chamber 13, and the intermediate chamber 13 discharges the supply piping 5 for passing the saturated saline in the salt water tank from the lower portion to the upper portion of the intermediate chamber. A pipe 6 was provided. The anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14 were provided with supply and discharge pipes for passing tap water from the bottom to the top of the tank. Note that the position of the outlet (return port) on the side of the salt water tank 3 of the discharge pipe 6 for returning the saturated saline from the intermediate chamber 13 to the salt water tank 3 is from the electrolytic water outlet (the upper end of the electrolytic cell 1) in the electrolytic cell 1. Also, it was made to be 180 mm upper. That is, the height difference h was set to 180 mm.

  Saturated saline was circulated through the intermediate chamber 13 at 400 mL / min by the pump 4. Tap water was passed through each of the anode chamber 11 and the cathode chamber 14 at a flow rate of 1 L / min. In this state, constant current electrolysis with an electrolysis current of 14 A was performed, and the change in electrolysis voltage in 2 minutes from the start of operation was measured at intervals of 4 seconds. The results are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the electrolysis voltage continued to rise for about 20 seconds from the start of electrolysis, and then stabilized at about 7.7 V.

Example 2
The test was performed under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the support 20 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 was introduced into the anode chamber 11, the intermediate chamber 13, and the cathode chamber 14. The change in the electrolysis voltage during 2 minutes from the start of operation at this time was measured. The results are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the electrolysis voltage continued to rise for about 20 seconds from the start of electrolysis, and then stabilized at about 5.4V.

  In Example 2, the electrolysis voltage when the electrolysis was stabilized was about 2.3 V lower than that in Example 1, and the electrolysis efficiency was improved. This is because the support 20 introduced into the electrolytic cell 1 further improves the adhesion between the diaphragm, which is an ion exchange membrane, and the electrode, and reduces the resistance during electrolysis.

<< Comparative Example 1 >>
Although it is the electrolyzed water apparatus apparatus similar to Example 1, the position of the return port to the salt water tank 3 side of the saturated brine discharge pipe 6 from the intermediate chamber 13 is made 300 mm lower than the electrolyzed water outlet in the electrolyzer. Using an electrolytic cell, electrolysis was performed under the same electrolysis conditions as in Example 1, and the change in electrolysis voltage during 2 minutes from the start of operation was measured. The results are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the electrolysis voltage continued to rise for about 20 seconds from the start of electrolysis, and then stabilized at about 19.7V.

  In Comparative Example 1, the electrolysis voltage when electrolysis was stabilized was about 14.3 V higher than that in Example 2, and the electrolysis efficiency was remarkably reduced by that amount. This is because, when no water head pressure is applied to the intermediate chamber 13, the adhesion between the diaphragm (ion exchange membrane) and the electrode is lowered, the zero gap is not maintained, and the resistance during electrolysis is greatly increased. It is because it will do.

<< Comparative Example 2 >>
Although it is the electrolyzed water apparatus apparatus similar to Example 2, the position of the return port to the salt water tank 3 side of the saturated saline discharge pipe 6 from the intermediate chamber 13 is made 300 mm lower than the electrolyzed water outlet in the electrolyzer. Using an electrolytic cell, electrolysis was performed under the same electrolysis conditions as in Example 2, and the change in electrolysis voltage during 2 minutes from the start of operation was measured. The results are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the electrolysis voltage continued to rise for about 20 seconds from the start of electrolysis, and then stabilized at about 17.7V.

  In Comparative Example 2, the electrolysis voltage when the electrolysis was stabilized was about 12.3 V higher than that in Example 2, and the electrolysis efficiency was reduced accordingly. This is because, when no water head pressure is applied to the intermediate chamber 13, the adhesion between the diaphragm (ion exchange membrane) and the electrode is lowered, the zero gap is not maintained, and the resistance during electrolysis is greatly increased. It is because it will do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrolysis tank 3 Salt water tank 4 Pump 6 Discharge piping 11 Anode chamber 12 Anode 13 Intermediate chamber 14 Cathode chamber 15 Cathode 16, 17 Diaphragm 20 Support body 21 Rectangular column 22 Column 23, 24 Electrolyzed water piping 25, 26 Diluted water piping

Claims (5)

An anode chamber provided with a porous anode, a cathode chamber provided with a porous cathode, and an intermediate space separated from the anode chamber by a first diaphragm and separated from the cathode chamber by a second diaphragm. An electrolyzed water production apparatus having a three-chamber type electrolytic cell configured to contact the first diaphragm and the cathode to contact the second diaphragm;
A tank for holding an aqueous electrolyte solution supplied to the intermediate chamber;
A circulation means for supplying the electrolyte aqueous solution from the tank to the intermediate chamber, the supply pipe connecting the tank to the intermediate chamber and a pump provided in the supply pipe for feeding the electrolyte aqueous solution;
A discharge pipe for returning the aqueous electrolyte solution from the intermediate chamber to the tank;
With
An atmospheric pressure is applied to the liquid surface of the aqueous electrolyte solution in the tank,
The outlet on the tank side of the discharge pipe is at a position higher than the upper end position of the electrolytic cell, and the pressure in the intermediate chamber is caused by the water head pressure due to the height difference between the outlet on the tank side and the upper end position of the electrolytic cell. An electrolyzed water production apparatus characterized in that it is higher than the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, and maintains a zero gap between the first diaphragm and the anode and a zero gap between the second diaphragm and the cathode. .   The electrolyzed water production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first diaphragm is made of an anion exchange membrane, and the second diaphragm is made of a cation exchange membrane. A first support provided in the anode chamber and in contact with the anode; a second support provided in the cathode chamber and in contact with the cathode; and the first and second diaphragms provided in the intermediate chamber. And a third support that presses the first and second diaphragms toward the anode and the cathode, respectively,
The contact position of the first support with respect to the anode does not overlap the contact position of the third support with respect to the first diaphragm, and the contact position of the second support with respect to the cathode The electrolyzed water production apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a contact position of the third support with respect to the second diaphragm does not overlap.   The first support includes a plurality of pillar members whose side surfaces abut on the anode and extend in the flow direction in the anode chamber, and the second support includes the side surfaces abutting on the cathode and A plurality of pillar members extending in the flow direction in the cathode chamber are provided, and the third support has a pair of side surfaces in contact with the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, respectively, and the flow direction in the intermediate chamber The electrolyzed water manufacturing apparatus of Claim 3 provided with the several pillar member extended in this. Means for supplying raw water to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber;
A first electrolyzed water pipe for discharging acidic electrolyzed water from the anode chamber;
A first dilution water pipe through which dilution water for diluting the acidic electrolyzed water flows;
A second electrolyzed water pipe for discharging alkaline electrolyzed water from the cathode chamber;
A second dilution water pipe through which dilution water for diluting the alkaline electrolyzed water flows;
With
The terminal of the first electrolyzed water pipe is opened to the side surface of the first dilution water pipe, and the anode chamber has a pressure lower than the pressure applied to the intermediate chamber by the ejector effect by the dilution water,
The terminal of the second electrolyzed water pipe is opened at a side surface of the second dilution water pipe, and the cathode chamber has a pressure lower than the pressure applied to the intermediate chamber by the ejector effect of the dilution water. Item 5. The electrolyzed water production apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

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