JP2012217906A - Active oxygen generator and hot water supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an active oxygen generator which can surely prevent gaseous hydrogen or the like from being discharged outside and further which can generate active oxygen with high efficiency with simple constitution.SOLUTION: The active oxygen generator is provided with a cathode 2 and an anode 3 connected to a power source 5, an electrolytic cell 1 accommodating the cathode 2 and the anode 3, a minute bubble generating part 9 provided at an upstream side of the electrolytic cell 1 and a gas phase introduction part 15 connected with the electrolytic cell 1 and the minute bubble generating part 9. The electrolytic cell 1 electrolyzes water 4 entered from an inflow port 6 by the cathode 2 and the anode 3 and active oxygen-containing water 4 is made to flow out of an outflow port 7. The minute bubble generating part 9 takes gas sucked from a suction port 11 into the water 4 as minute bubbles 10 and minute bubble 10-containing water 4 is made to flow in the electrolytic cell 1 from the inflow port 6. The gas phase introduction part 15 sucks gas in the electrolytic cell 1 from the suction port 11 to the minute bubble generating part 9.

Description

  The present invention relates to an active oxygen generator that generates active oxygen by electrolyzing water, and a hot water supply device that includes the active oxygen generator.

As a method for generating active oxygen, one using a discharge or a photocatalyst has been conventionally known.
In the case of using the discharge, the generating device has a drawback that a large amount of electric power is required. In addition, there is a drawback that extremely high safety against high voltage input is required. On the other hand, those using a photocatalyst have a drawback that a light source that emits ultraviolet rays is required, and the size of the generation apparatus is increased. In addition, there is a drawback that various safety measures are required to prevent the human body from being irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

  On the other hand, as a method for easily generating active oxygen with low input, a method based on electrolysis of water is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such a production apparatus, the cathode and the anode are immersed in water, and a voltage is applied between both electrodes to electrolyze water and generate active oxygen.

  Patent Document 1 also describes that the generation efficiency of active oxygen is improved by including a conductive polymer material in the cathode. The conductive polymer is excellent in oxidation-reduction reactivity, and generates oxygen by reducing oxygen by donating electrons to dissolved oxygen in water. If a reduction potential is electrically applied to Ponianiline having such a redox ability to continuously supply electrons, active oxygen continues to be generated in water.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-99863

  When active oxygen is generated by electrolysis of water, hydrogen gas is generated at the cathode and oxygen gas is generated as a by-product. Moreover, in the production | generation apparatus using the electrolysis of water, if an applied voltage is made high in order to raise the production | generation efficiency of active oxygen, chlorine gas will generate | occur | produce at an anode. Hydrogen gas is flammable and chlorine gas is toxic to the human body. For this reason, in such a production | generation apparatus, it was necessary to take the countermeasure for not discharging | emitting hydrogen gas and chlorine gas outside.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its object is to reliably prevent hydrogen gas and the like from being discharged to the outside with a simple configuration and to generate highly efficient active oxygen. It is providing the active oxygen generator which can perform, and the hot-water supply apparatus provided with such an active oxygen generation tank value.

  The active oxygen generator according to the present invention electrolyzes the cathode and anode connected to a predetermined voltage applying means and the water flowing in from the inflow port by the cathode and anode, and causes the water containing active oxygen to flow out from the outflow port. The electrolytic cell and the gas sucked from the suction port are taken into the water as fine bubbles, and the fine bubble generating unit that causes the water containing the fine bubbles to flow into the electrolytic cell from the inlet, and connected to the electrolytic cell and the fine bubble generating unit, A gas phase introduction part for sucking the gas in the electrolytic cell from the suction port to the fine bubble generating part.

  A hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention is a hot water supply apparatus provided with the active oxygen generation device, wherein the hot water supply pipe is connected to the hot water storage tank, the reheating pipe connected to the water supply pipe and the bathtub, and the reheating pipe. The active oxygen generator is connected in series to a water supply pipe or a reheating pipe.

  Further, a hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention is a hot water supply apparatus provided with the active oxygen generation device, a water supply pipe connected to the hot water storage tank, a reheating pipe connected to the water supply pipe and the bathtub, and a reheating pipe. The active oxygen generator is connected in parallel to the water supply pipe or the reheating pipe.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent hydrogen gas or the like from being discharged to the outside with a simple configuration when generating active oxygen. Moreover, highly efficient active oxygen production | generation can be performed.

It is a figure which shows the cross section of the active oxygen generator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural change of polyaniline by oxidation-reduction reaction. It is a figure which shows the cross section of the active oxygen generator in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the hot water supply apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  In order to explain the present invention in more detail, it will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a diagram showing a cross section of an active oxygen generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolytic cell 1 accommodates a cathode 2 containing a conductive polymer on the surface and an anode 3 having conductivity. In FIG. 1, the electrolytic cell 1 is provided with a pair of the cathode 2 and the anode 3, but two or more pairs of the cathode 2 and the anode 3 may be provided in the electrolytic cell 1.

  In the electrolytic cell 1, water 4 is stored therein, and a part (or all) of the cathode 2 and the anode 3 are immersed in the water 4 in the electrolytic cell 1. The cathode 2 and the anode 3 are connected to a power source 5 (voltage applying means), and are configured to apply a predetermined voltage.

  6 is an inlet of the electrolytic cell 1, and 7 is an outlet of the electrolytic cell 1. The water 4 flows into the inside of the electrolytic cell 1 from the inlet 6 and flows out to the outside (downstream) of the electrolytic cell 1 from the outlet 7. The cathode 2 is disposed on the inlet 6 side in the electrolytic cell 1 and the anode 3 is disposed on the outlet 7 side. Further, the cathode 2 and the anode 3 are disposed so as to face each other.

On the upstream side of the electrolysis unit 8 having the above configuration, a fine bubble generation unit 9 is installed.
The fine bubble generating unit 9 has a function of mixing the gas phase in the liquid phase and generating the fine bubbles 10 in the liquid phase. The fine bubble generating unit 9 takes in the gas sucked from the suction port 11 into the water 4 as the fine bubbles 10. The fine bubbles 10 taken into the water 4 have a diameter of 0.01 to 100 μm, for example. And the fine bubble production | generation part 9 makes the water 4 containing the fine bubble 10 flow in into the electrolytic cell 1 from the inflow port 6. FIG.

  The main part of the fine bubble generating unit 9 is constituted by, for example, the inlet 12 of the water 4, the narrowed portion 13, the outlet 14, and the suction port 11. The constriction part 13 consists of the part which narrowed the pipe line. The flow rate of the water 4 flowing in from the inflow port 12 is increased in the narrowed portion 13. Then, using the pressure reduction phenomenon (usually called Bernoulli's theorem) when the water 4 passes through the constricted portion 13, the gas is sucked from the suction port 11 and the fine bubbles 10 are introduced into the water 4. Since the outlet 14 is connected to the inlet 6 of the electrolytic cell 1, the fine bubbles 10 generated at the narrowed portion 13 are sent to the electrolytic cell 1 together with the water 4.

  Such a generation method of the fine bubbles 10 is called a Venturi type. In this method, fine bubbles can be injected into the water 4 (liquid phase) without using a pump or the like. In addition, in order to increase the flow velocity in the constriction part 13, in the fine bubble production | generation part 9, you may form the flow path in which a swirl flow generate | occur | produces in a pipe line.

Other methods for generating the fine bubbles 10 include a cavitation method and a pressure dissolution method.
When the cavitation method is employed, bubbles are generated using cavitation by sending a gas-liquid mixture into the pump and applying ultrasonic vibration, for example. Moreover, when employ | adopting a pressure dissolution type, gas is pressurized with a pump etc. and it dissolves in water. In the pressure dissolution type, the apparatus becomes larger than other methods, but a large amount of gas can be dissolved in water.
In the fine bubble generating unit 9, a cavitation type or a pressure dissolution type may be adopted.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a gas phase introduction unit for supplying gas to the fine bubble generating unit 9. In addition, even if the fine bubble generating unit 9 employs any of the venturi type, the cavitation type, and the pressure dissolution type, the fine bubble generating unit 9 is formed with a suction port 11 for sucking a gas. . When the venturi-type fine bubble generating unit 9 is employed as in the present embodiment, the suction port 11 communicates with the constriction unit 13, and one end of the gas phase introduction unit 15 is constricted via the suction port 11. Connected to the unit 13.

  A pipe line 16 of the gas phase introduction part 15 having one end connected to the constriction part 13 is divided into pipe lines 17 and 18 above the electrolytic cell 1. One end of the pipe line 17 opens to the upper inner surface (for example, the ceiling surface of the internal space) of the electrolytic cell 1. That is, the electrolytic cell 1 and the fine bubble generating unit 9 are connected by the gas phase introducing unit 15 (the pipe lines 17 and 16). The other pipe 18 opens at the end outside the electrolytic cell 1. This end of the duct 18 constitutes an outside air port for taking in outside air. A valve 19 is provided at the end of the pipe 18 to prevent the backflow of the water flow.

  The pipe line 18 in which the outside air port is formed at the end extends downward (obliquely downward) from the connection part with the pipe line 16 (and 17). That is, the outside air port is arranged at a position below the connection portion.

  In the active oxygen generator having the above configuration, when the water 4 flows into the fine bubble generator 9 from the inlet 12, the water 4 is mixed with the gas supplied from the suction port 11 when passing through the constricted portion 13. Thus, the fine bubbles 10 are generated inside. The water 4 containing the fine bubbles 10 flows into the electrolytic cell 1 through the outlet 14 and the inlet 6. And the water 4 which flowed into the inside of the electrolytic cell 1 is electrolyzed by the cathode 2 and the anode 3 to which a voltage is applied, and active oxygen is generated at that time. That is, when the water 4 containing the fine bubbles 10 passes between the cathode 2 and the anode 3, electrons are supplied to the dissolved oxygen in the water 4 through the conductive polymer of the cathode 2 to generate active oxygen. The water 4 containing active oxygen flows out of the electrolytic cell 1 from the outlet 7 and sterilizes and decomposes dirt in the pipe connected downstream of the electrolytic cell 1.

  Further, when active oxygen is generated, hydrogen gas is generated at the cathode 2 and oxygen gas is generated at the anode 3 as by-products. The hydrogen gas generated at the cathode 2 and the oxygen gas generated at the anode 3 rise from the generation location and move from the water surface to the upper space in the electrolytic cell 1. Part of the generated gas (hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, etc.) accumulated in the upper part of the electrolytic cell 1 flows into the gas phase inlet 15 from an opening formed in the ceiling surface of the electrolytic cell 1. In the gas phase introduction unit 15, the generated gas that has flowed into the pipe line 17 is sent to the pipe line 16 side (the one end side of the gas phase introduction part 15) together with the outside air sucked from the outside air port. The bubble generator 9 is caused to suck. That is, the hydrogen gas generated at the cathode 2 and the oxygen gas generated at the anode 3 are dissolved as fine bubbles 10 in the water 4 in the narrowed portion 13 on the upstream side.

Since the pipe line 18 extends downward and the outside air port is arranged at a position lower than the connection part with the pipe line 16 (and 17), the generated gas flowing into the gas phase introduction part 15 from the electrolytic cell 1 However, it is not discharged from the outside air port.
Moreover, you may form in the said connection part the storage part for retaining a predetermined amount of generated gas.

For the anode 3 constituting the electrode, a conductive material having corrosion resistance such as platinum titanium, iridium, titanium, and carbon is used. The base material of the anode 3 has a surface resistance value of 10 ⁻³ to 10 ⁵ Ω / cm, for example. Since the current flows more easily as the surface resistance value is lower, the reaction at both electrodes is promoted. When the surface resistance value is 10 ⁵ Ω / cm or more, the energization current is several tens of μA at the maximum, and the amount of active oxygen produced is at a level that is hardly detectable.

  On the other hand, as the base material of the cathode 2, a conductive material such as carbon, platinum-supported titanium, or conductive resin is used. An insulating material such as PET, ABS, or PP may be used as the base material of the cathode 2. The conductive polymer contained on the surface of the substrate is a redox polymer. Examples of the redox polymer contained on the substrate surface of the cathode 2 include polyaniline, polythiophene, polypyrrole, and polyacene. In addition, you may comprise the base material itself of the cathode 2 with a conductive polymer.

A redox polymer is a substance that is produced regardless of a polymerization method such as chemical polymerization or electrical polymerization, and reversibly changes to an oxidized state or a reduced state by exchange of electrons. In order to generate active oxygen, a configuration in which polyaniline having the best oxygen reducing action is supported on the cathode 2 is preferable. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structural change of polyaniline due to an oxidation-reduction reaction. As shown in FIG. 2, when the polyaniline undergoes a structural change from a reduced form to an oxidized form, the dissolved oxygen is reduced by one electron to generate a superoxide anion (O ₂ ⁻ ), which is a kind of active oxygen (formula 1).
O ₂ + PAn (red) → O ₂ ⁻ + PAn (ox) (1)
Examples of active oxygen generated by such a generation reaction include substances such as hydroxy radicals and hydrogen peroxide in addition to the superoxide anion.

Below, the case where polyaniline is employ | adopted as a redox polymer is demonstrated to an example.
When polyaniline is coated on an insulating substrate, the surface resistance value is usually 10 ³ Ω / sq or more. For this reason, in order to apply polyaniline on the base material of the cathode 2, the voltage input value must be increased. When the surface resistance as an electrode is high, hydrogen or oxygen generated by electrolysis of water inhibits generation of active oxygen.

The surface resistance value of the base material of the cathode 2 is 10 ⁻³ to 10 ³ Ω by supporting polyaniline on a conductive base material or a conductive base material to which a current carrying auxiliary material such as carbon or metal is dispersed and added. / Sq or so. Moreover, the surface resistance of polyaniline can be reduced by adding an organic acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid or sulfonic acid to polyaniline. Thus, the electrode 2 having a surface resistance of 10 ⁻³ to 10 ³ Ω / sq can be used by adding an additive to polyaniline.

  If it is the active oxygen generator which has the said structure, the gas generated by electrolyzing the water 4 can be dissolved again in the water 4 on the upstream side of the electrolytic cell 1. For this reason, hydrogen gas etc. are not discharged | emitted outside and it becomes possible to provide a safe apparatus.

Further, in the present active oxygen generator, the oxygen gas generated at the anode 3 is dissolved again in the water 4 on the upstream side of the electrolytic cell 1, so that the water 4 having a high oxygen concentration can be supplied into the electrolytic cell 1. it can.
Since the amount of oxygen gas generated as a by-product is twice that of hydrogen gas, a gas having a high oxygen concentration is supplied from the gas phase introducing unit 15 to the fine bubble generating unit 9. For this reason, the probability that oxygen will contact the surface of the cathode 2 increases, and the production amount of active oxygen can be increased. In addition, since the cathode 2 and the anode 3 are opposed to each other and the cathode 2 is arranged on the inlet 6 side, the fine bubbles 10 efficiently pass through the surface of the cathode 2. For this reason, the reaction of generating active oxygen on the surface of the cathode 2 can be promoted.

  Thus, with this active oxygen generator, highly efficient active oxygen generation can be performed safely.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section of the active oxygen generator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes a diaphragm provided inside the electrolytic cell 1. The diaphragm 20 is for separating the reaction product (for example, hydrogen gas) at the cathode 2 and the reaction product (for example, oxygen gas) at the anode 3. The diaphragm 20 is comprised by the reverse osmosis membrane and filtration membrane which consist of resin or glass fiber.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the electrolytic cell 1 is divided into an upstream space 21 and a downstream space 22 by a diaphragm 20. Of the electrodes, only the cathode 2 is installed in the space 21 partitioned by the diaphragm 20. Of the electrodes, only the anode 3 is installed in the space 22. For this reason, when hydrogen gas is generated at the cathode 2 by electrolysis of the water 4, the hydrogen gas accumulates in the upper portion of the space 21. Further, oxygen gas generated at the anode 3 accumulates in the upper portion of the space 22. Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas can be separated in the electrolytic cell 1 by the diaphragm 20.

  In the gas phase introducing unit 15, a cathode side conduit that leads from the space 21 to the fine bubble generating unit 9 (the suction port 11) and an anode side conduit that leads from the space 22 to the fine bubble generating unit 9 (the suction port 11) And are provided.

  Specifically, in the gas phase introduction part 15, a pipe line 23 having one end connected to the constriction part 13 is divided into pipe lines 24 and 25 above the space 21 of the electrolytic cell 1. The end of the pipe line 24 opens to the upper inner surface (for example, the ceiling surface of the space 21) on the upstream side of the electrolytic cell 1. That is, the cathode side conduit is constituted by the conduits 23 and 24. The pipe 25 extends to the side, and then is divided into pipes 26 and 27 above the space 22 of the electrolytic cell 1. The end of the pipe line 26 opens to the upper inner surface (for example, the ceiling surface of the space 22) on the downstream side of the electrolytic cell 1. That is, the anode side pipe line is constituted by the pipe lines 23, 25, and 26. The end of the pipe line 27 opens outside the electrolytic cell 1. This end of the conduit 27 constitutes an outside air port for taking in outside air. A valve 19 for preventing a reverse flow of the water flow is provided at the end of the pipe line 27.

  28 is a valve for opening and closing the cathode side pipe line, and 29 is a valve for opening and closing the anode side pipe line. Specifically, the valve 28 is provided at a connection portion between the pipe line 24 and the pipe line 23 (and 25). The valve 29 is provided at a connection portion between the pipe line 26 and the pipe line 25 (and 27).

  By opening and closing the valves 28 and 29, the anode side pipe line can be shut off and the cathode side pipe line can be opened. In such a case, in the gas phase introducing unit 15, the hydrogen gas flowing into the pipe line 24 is sent to the pipe line 23 side (one end side of the gas phase introducing unit 15) together with the outside air sucked from the outside air port. The fine bubble generating unit 9 is caused to suck. At this time, oxygen gas is not supplied from the pipeline 26 to the pipeline 25. That is, hydrogen gas generated at the cathode 2 is dissolved as fine bubbles 10 in the water 4 in the narrowed portion 13 on the upstream side.

  Further, by opening and closing the valves 28 and 29, the cathode side pipe line can be shut off and the anode side pipe line can be opened. In such a case, the gas phase introduction unit 15 sends the oxygen gas flowing into the pipeline 26 to the pipelines 25 and 23 side (one end side of the gas phase introduction unit 15) together with the outside air sucked from the outside air port, and the suction port 11 causes the fine bubble generator 9 to suck. At this time, hydrogen gas is not supplied from the pipeline 24 to the pipeline 23. That is, oxygen gas generated at the anode 3 is dissolved as fine bubbles 10 in the water 4 in the narrowed portion 13 on the upstream side.

  In this way, by opening and closing the valves 28 and 29, hydrogen gas generated at the cathode 2 and oxygen gas generated at the anode 3 are selectively introduced into the gas phase introducing unit 15, and the fine bubbles are generated by the fine bubble generating unit 9. Can be For example, when the cathode side pipe line is shut off and the anode side pipe line is opened, water 4 having an extremely high dissolved oxygen concentration can be supplied to the surface of the cathode 2 in the electrolytic cell 1. For this reason, the production amount of active oxygen can be increased. On the other hand, when the anode side conduit is shut off and the cathode side conduit is opened, hydrogen having reducing ability can be supplied to the surface of the anode 3 in the electrolytic cell 1. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the oxidation of the anode 3 and to extend the life of the electrode. That is, it becomes possible to continuously generate active oxygen.

  Further, the electrolytic cell 1 is provided with detection means 30 for detecting the absorbance of the surface of the cathode 2. The absorbance spectrum of polyaniline contained as a conductive polymer on the surface of the cathode 2 has peaks at around 350 nm and around 600 nm. Polyaniline shows a reduced type when the peak around 350 nm is strong, and an oxidized type when the peak around 600 nm is strong. For this reason, the structural state of polyaniline can be known from the detection result of the detection means 30.

  For example, when it is found from the detection result of the detection means 30 that the polyaniline contained in the cathode 2 is biased toward the reduction structure, the oxygen gas in the space 22 is supplied to the fine bubble generating unit 9 and the constricted portion In 13, fine bubbles 10 having a high oxygen concentration are generated. That is, by closing the valve 28 and opening the valve 29, the cathode side pipe line is shut off and the anode side pipe line is opened. On the other hand, when it is found from the detection result of the detection means 30 that the polyaniline contained in the cathode 2 is biased to the oxidized structure, the hydrogen gas in the space 21 is supplied to the fine bubble generating unit 9 and the constricted portion In 13, fine bubbles 10 having a high hydrogen concentration are generated. That is, by closing the valve 29 and opening the valve 28, the anode side pipe line is shut off and the cathode side pipe line is opened. In this way, by keeping the polyaniline structure in a semi-oxidized state at all times, the generation efficiency of active oxygen can be maintained in a high state.

  The opening / closing control of the valves 28 and 29 may be performed by a control unit (not shown). In such a case, the control unit appropriately performs the opening / closing control based on the absorbance (detection result) detected by the detection unit 30.

  Furthermore, if it is the active oxygen generator of the said structure, the water 4 with a high oxygen concentration and the water 4 with a high hydrogen concentration can be supplied in the bathtub arrange | positioned downstream of the electrolytic cell 1, for example. The former can be expected to have a warm bath effect and a metabolism promoting effect, and the latter can be expected to have an antioxidant effect.

  Others have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and the same effects can be achieved.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the present embodiment, a case where the active oxygen generator is incorporated in a hot water supply device will be described. In the present embodiment, the active oxygen generator may have any configuration of the first and second embodiments.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, 31 is a hot water storage tank for storing hot water boiled by a heat source device, 32 is a bathtub, and 33 is an adapter serving as a hot water supply / water supply port to the bathtub 32. The hot water storage tank 31 and the adapter 33 (tub 32) are connected by a water supply pipe 34 and a reheating pipe 35.

  One end of the water supply pipe 34 is connected to the hot water storage tank 31, and the other end is connected to the reheating pipe 35. Hot water and tap water in the hot water storage tank 31 flow down through the water supply pipe 34. The reheating pipe 35 is connected to the water supply pipe 34 and the bathtub 32. A pump 36 that circulates the water in the bathtub 32, the active oxygen generator 37, and a heat exchanger 38 that heats the water are incorporated in the reheating pipe 35.

Next, the operation of the hot water supply apparatus will be described.
Hot water boiled in the hot water storage tank 31 is supplied into the bathtub 32 through the water supply pipe 34 and the reheating pipe 35. When the water (hot water) stored in the bathtub 32 is replenished, the water in the bathtub 32 is taken into the retreat pipe 35 by the pump 36, heated by the heat exchanger 38, and then returned to the bathtub 32. At the time of reheating, water is circulated by the pump 36 until the temperature of the water reaches a set value, and the water is moved between the bathtub 32 and the reheating pipe 35.

  After the hot water supply to the bathtub 32, when the faucet of the bathtub 32 is pulled out and the water level in the bathtub 32 is lowered, the pump 36 is driven. Thereby, the water in the bathtub 32 is taken into the reheating pipe 35, and the water circulates between the bathtub 32 and the reheating pipe 35. Further, when the faucet of the bathtub 32 is pulled out and the water level in the bathtub 32 is lowered, a voltage is applied between the cathode 2 and the anode 3 in the active oxygen generator 37. For this reason, while taking water in the reheating pipe 35 and circulating the water, active oxygen is generated in the electrolytic cell 1 and the reheating pipe 35 (and the bathtub 32) is sterilized.

  Thereafter, when the water level in the bathtub 32 becomes lower than the position of the adapter 33 (the intake position of the reheating pipe 35), the operations of the pump 36 and the active oxygen generator 37 are stopped. That is, the circulation of water by the pump 36 and the generation of active oxygen by the active oxygen generator 37 are stopped. In addition, water is poured from the water supply pipe 34 to the reheating pipe 35, and rinse cleaning in each pipe is performed. Such a series of controls is performed by, for example, a control unit (not shown).

  If it is the hot water supply apparatus of the said structure, high concentration active oxygen can be supplied in the reheating pipe 35 at the time of the drainage from the bathtub 32, and the disinfection in a piping and the decomposition | disassembly of a dirt can be performed.

  4 shows a case where the pump 36, the active oxygen generator 37, and the heat exchanger 38 are connected in series to the reheating pipe 35. However, the active oxygen generation apparatus 37 is connected in parallel to the reheating pipe 35. It may be connected. In such a case, for example, valves are installed at the inlet and outlet of the active oxygen generator 37.

  With such a configuration, for example, the valve is controlled so that water passes through the active oxygen generator 37 only when draining from the bathtub 32, and in the active oxygen generator 37, a voltage is applied between the cathode 2 and the anode 3. Can be constantly applied. That is, active oxygen can be generated in advance in the electrolytic cell 1 at times other than when draining from the bathtub 32, and high-concentration active oxygen is supplied when draining from the bathtub 32 (when cleaning the piping). It becomes possible. Thus, by providing the active oxygen generation device 37 connected in parallel to the reheating pipe 35 with the pump, the generation efficiency of active oxygen other than during cleaning can be improved.

  The active oxygen generator 37 may be connected to the water supply pipe 34 in series or in parallel.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrolysis tank 2 Cathode 3 Anode 4 Water 5 Power supply 6, 12 Inlet 7, 14 Outlet 8 Electrolysis part 9 Fine bubble production | generation part 10 Fine bubble 11 Suction port 13 Constriction part 15 Gas-phase introduction part 16, 17, 18, 23 , 24, 25, 26, 27 Pipe line 19, 28, 29 Valve 20 Diaphragm 21, 22 Space 30 Detection means 31 Hot water storage tank 32 Bathtub 33 Adapter 34 Water supply pipe 35 Reheating pipe 36 Pump 37 Active oxygen generator 38 Heat exchanger

Claims (11)

A cathode and an anode connected to a predetermined voltage application means;
Electrolyzing water flowing in from the inlet by the cathode and the anode, and an electrolytic cell for allowing water containing active oxygen to flow out from the outlet;
A fine bubble generating unit that takes in the gas sucked from the suction port into the water as fine bubbles, and causes the water containing the fine bubbles to flow into the electrolytic cell from the inlet,
A gas phase introduction unit connected to the electrolytic cell and the fine bubble generating unit, and sucking the gas in the electrolytic cell from the suction port to the fine bubble generating unit;
An active oxygen generator comprising: A diaphragm provided in the electrolytic cell, and dividing the interior of the electrolytic cell into a first space in which the cathode is installed and a second space in which the anode is installed;
With
The gas phase introduction part includes:
A first valve that opens and closes a conduit from the first space to the suction port;
A second valve for opening and closing a conduit from the second space to the suction port;
The active oxygen generator according to claim 1, comprising: Detection means for detecting the absorbance of the surface of the cathode;
The active oxygen generator according to claim 2, comprising: A control unit that controls opening and closing of the first valve and the second valve based on a detection result of the detection unit;
The active oxygen generator according to claim 3, comprising: The gas phase introduction part includes:
A first pipe having one end connected to the fine bubble generating unit;
A second pipeline and a third pipeline separated from the first pipeline;
With
The second pipe opens to the upper inner surface of the electrolytic cell,
5. The active oxygen generator according to claim 1, wherein the third pipe line extends downward from a connection portion with the first pipe line and opens outside the electrolytic cell 1.   The said fine bubble production | generation part takes in the gas attracted | sucked from the said suction port as fine bubbles in water by the system of any of a venturi type, a cavitation type, and a pressure dissolution type. Active oxygen generator.   The active oxygen generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a predetermined redox polymer is contained on a surface of the cathode. A hot water supply apparatus comprising the active oxygen generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A water supply pipe connected to the hot water storage tank;
Reheating piping connected to the water supply piping and bathtub;
A pump and a heat exchanger connected to the reheating pipe;
With
The active oxygen generator is a hot water supply apparatus connected in series to the water supply pipe or the reheating pipe. When the faucet of the bathtub is removed, the pump is driven to circulate the water in the bathtub, and a voltage is applied between the cathode and the anode of the active oxygen generator, and the faucet is removed. Control means for stopping the operation of the pump and the active oxygen generator when the water level in the bathtub reaches a predetermined position after
With
The hot water supply apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the active oxygen generator is connected in series to the reheating pipe.   The hot water supply according to claim 9, wherein the control means causes the water supply pipe to inject water into the reheating pipe after the water level in the bath reaches a predetermined position and stops the operation of the pump and the active oxygen generator. apparatus. A hot water supply apparatus comprising the active oxygen generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A water supply pipe connected to the hot water storage tank;
Reheating piping connected to the water supply piping and bathtub;
A pump and a heat exchanger connected to the reheating pipe;
With
The active oxygen generator is a hot water supply apparatus connected in parallel to the water supply pipe or the reheating pipe.

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