JP2015500402A - Double diaphragm electrolyzer assembly and method for producing a cleaning solution free of residual salts and at the same time producing a disinfecting solution with predetermined levels of free active chlorine and PH - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrolytic cell assembly that produces dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and dilute hypochlorous acid (HOCL) solutions having cleaning and disinfecting properties. The electrolytic cell has two insulating terminal members for the cylindrical electrolytic cell, and has at least two cylindrical electrodes and two coaxial cylindrical diaphragms disposed between the electrodes. A method for producing dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and dilute hypochlorous acid (HOCL) solutions of different volumes and concentrations includes recirculating an aqueous sodium chloride solution or an aqueous potassium chloride solution to the central chamber of the cylindrical cell. Supplying the filtered soft water to the cathode chamber and the anode chamber of the cylindrical electrolytic cell. [Selection figure] None

Description

  The present invention relates to a cylindrical electrolytic cell assembly for simultaneously producing dilute sodium hydroxide and dilute hypochlorous acid solutions used as cleaning and disinfecting solutions by electrolysis of aqueous salt solutions. The method is that the cathode chamber, electrolyte chamber and anode chamber are separated by two cylindrical diaphragms, thereby preventing the presence of residual salts in the cleaning and disinfecting solution, while disinfecting solution PH and free form. It is possible to change the effective chlorine content.

  Electrolyzers are used to produce cleaning and disinfecting solutions from salt water. The electrolyzer is also used to produce a disinfectant for sterilizing water or other solvents. There are many types of electrolytic cells for this purpose. The basic feature of these electrolytic cells is two concentrically arranged cylindrical electrodes, with one diaphragm separating the space between the two electrodes and defining an anode chamber and a cathode chamber. The electrolyte solution, such as brine, passes through the anode and cathode chambers separately or sequentially. When salt water is electrolyzed in this way under suitable conditions, it can produce environmentally and human-friendly cleaning and disinfecting solutions with high concentrations and long shelf life.

  In general, the electrolyte passes separately through the anode and cathode chambers, producing a dilute hypochlorous acid solution as a disinfectant and dilute sodium hydroxide as a cleaning solution. Alternatively, a neutral disinfectant can be generated when the electrolyte passes sequentially through the anode and cathode chambers.

  The diaphragm is made of either a permeable ceramic or an ion exchange membrane. The diaphragm allows the electrolyte to diffuse between the anode and cathode, but prevents the electrolytic products at the anode and cathode from dispersing towards each other and returning to the starting material or unwanted by-products.

  The acidic disinfectant is generated by passing a salt solution through an electrolytic cell composed of an anode chamber, a cathode chamber and a separator. The resulting product contains free active chlorine (FAC) in the form of a mixture of oxidizing species, mainly hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and sodium hypochlorite, and the resulting product has its PH degree, FAC content And is characterized by redox levels. Such reactive species have a limited lifetime, so the pH of the solution is usually kept constant, but its biocide effectiveness decreases with time. The electrolytic cell is composed of a plurality of cylindrical electrodes and one cylindrical ceramic diaphragm, or the electrolytic cell is composed of a plurality of planar electrodes and one ion-permeable membrane sheet as a separator.

The use of an insoluble ion permeable membrane or a ceramic membrane between electrodes has been announced for over 100 years. For example, in Patent Document 1-2, a concentric cylindrical electrode and an ion permeable membrane are used to separate electrolytes. An electrolytic cell is described that is capable of passing through an anode chamber and a cathode chamber.

  A three-chamber electrolytic cell has the following advantages: When using a two-chamber electrolytic cell such as Patent Documents 3, 4 or 5, reducing species such as dissolved hydrogen gas formed in the cathode chamber are diaphragms. Tend to move through the anode chamber. However, the central chamber in a three-chamber electrolyzer controls the diffusion of reducing species from the cathode chamber to the anode chamber, and thereby provides a stronger oxidizing anode water.

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The following electrolysis reaction takes place in the electrolytic cell of FIG.
At the anode:

At the cathode:

These reactions increase the oxygen concentration of the anolyte solution and increase the hydrogen concentration of the catholyte solution, while the essential properties of the electrolyzed water remain unchanged. Furthermore, the movement of hydrogen ions produced at the anode towards the cathode is limited, and then an electrolysis reaction [3] occurs in addition to reaction [1] and reaction [2].

  This reaction suggests that the pH of the cathode water tends to shift to the alkaline region. The hydrogen ions generated in the anode chamber in the reaction [1] partially remain in the anode chamber. In the two-chamber electrolytic cell of FIG. 1, the anolyte is easily charged with hydrogen ions, while the cathode is charged with hydroxide ions. In other words, the charged water generated in the electrolytic cell of FIG. 1 may not be suitable for surface cleaning of glass, mirrors, metals, etc., or for semiconductor or resin processing.

  In order to improve the efficiency of cleaning or surface treatment, it is required that the anode water is more oxidizing and / or acidic and the cathode is more reducing and / or alkaline. However, the electrolytic cell of FIG. 1 is difficult to make an effective solution.

  The three-chamber electrolytic cell of FIG. 2 is designed to solve the above problem, in which a central chamber is added between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. If an electrolytic cell consisting of three rooms is used, soft water can be easily electrolyzed.

  Another advantage of a three chamber electrolytic cell is that no electrolyte is supplied to the anode and cathode chambers. Although the efficiency of the two-chamber cell is greatly improved, not all electrolyte passing through the cathode chamber is converted to sodium hydroxide. Similarly, not all electrolyte passing through the anode chamber is converted to hypochlorous acid and / or hypochlorite ions.

As a result, both the cleaning and disinfecting liquid produced in the two-chamber electrolyzer contains residual salts. The presence of salts in both cleaning and disinfecting liquids limits their use for surface treatment because salts are corrosive, spotting the surface and leaving deposits on the surface. As a result, most cleaning and disinfection processes involve an additional rinse with tap water.
The present invention solves the problem of salt adhesion, thereby allowing surface cleaning and disinfection that does not require additional rinsing.

US Patent 590,826 US Patent 914,856 US Patent 7,374,645 US Patent 7,691,249 US Patent 7,828,942 US Patent 8,002,955

  The present invention is directed to a cylindrical double diaphragm cell assembly comprising a cathode chamber, an anode chamber and an electrolyte chamber. The present invention is a cylindrical electrolysis of the type having at least two cylindrical electrodes arranged coaxially, one electrode arranged in the other electrode and two diaphragms arranged coaxially between the at least two electrodes. An insulating end member for the bath is provided.

  The filtered soft water that has passed through the cathode chamber functions as a cleaning agent for all surfaces, fabrics, fabrics, and carpets. The filtered soft water that has passed through the anode chamber functions as a disinfectant for all hard surfaces.

  Electrolysis at the anode of soft water produces hydrogen ions, where there are no anions as counter ions, unlike acidic solutions prepared by adding acids such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid. Anodic water produced by electrolyzing soft water indicates that the solution is charged. Furthermore, hydrogen ion itself is an electron acceptor and thus indicates one of the oxidizing species. Therefore, the redox potential of the anode water tends to shift to the inactive side with respect to oxidation. In other words, the redox sensor shows a positive value. During electrolysis at the soft water cathode, water is reduced at the cathode. This occurs because water is more easily reduced than sodium ions. Electrolysis at the cathode changes the H + / OH- balance around the cathode, making the solution more basic and the cathode redox potential becomes negative.

  When the two-chamber electrolyzer of FIG. 1 is used, the cathodic water is not necessarily suitable for actual cleaning or surface treatment without rinsing the surface with distilled water, reverse osmotic pressure water (RO) or tap water. Absent. Anodic water is not necessarily suitable for disinfection of hard surfaces whose surfaces are not subsequently rinsed with distilled water, RO or tap water. Therefore, the improvement of the electrolytic cell is very important for practical use.

Specifically, the key factors for producing an effective cleaning and disinfecting agent are the apparent current density (current (A) / apparent area of the entire electrode (cm ² )), fluid velocity along the electrode surface, and The actual current density (effective current density; current (A) / actual electrode area (cm ² )). As the fluid velocity increases, hydrogen ions and other electrolyte species generated on the electrode surface move faster.

  Depending on the different flow patterns passing through the electrolytic cell, a variety of different disinfectants can be produced in the electrolytic cell of the present invention. For example, soft water is supplied to the anode and cathode chambers, and the electrolyzed solution can then be recovered separately from each chamber. Alternatively, the soft water may be sequentially supplied to both the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. Other factors that can be used to change the disinfecting solution include the voltage applied to the electrodes, the power absorbed, the electrode coating, and the physical dimensions of the electrodes, the electrode geometry and the distance between the electrodes, and the membrane Spacing and material. The membrane material is also an important property because it affects the mobility of ions moving between the electrodes.

  One of the objects of the present invention is to supply a cylindrical electrolytic cell capable of supplying dilute sodium hydroxide and dilute hypochlorous acid simultaneously and adjusting the contents of PH and free chlorine.

  Another object of the present invention is to disclose a method and apparatus that can prevent the presence of residual salts in cleaning and disinfecting solutions while changing the PH and free effective chlorine content of the disinfecting solution. It is to be.

  Another object of the present invention is to improve cleanliness. Because the cleaning solution produced by the electrolyzer is effective to clean all surfaces by removing microparticles or the like from the surface, and the disinfecting solution produced from the electrolyzer is microbial and viral Is effective in disinfecting all hard surfaces.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cleaning and disinfecting solution that is effective in cleaning and disinfecting resins or the like, in particular resins for beverages, dairy products and medical devices.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning and disinfecting solution in which no special chemicals remain after cleaning and disinfection.

  Other objects and further advantages and advantages associated with the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, examples, and claims.

(Prior Art) For example, it is a diagram of a cylindrical electrolytic cell consisting of two rooms described in Patent Documents 3-6. FIG. 3 is a diagram of a three-chamber cylindrical electrolytic cell that uses two diaphragms to form a central chamber through which electrolyte circulates. (Prior Art) A typical two-chamber cell assembly is centered between a port to one electrode chamber in one end cap and a port to another electrode chamber in the other end cap. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the surface on an axis | shaft. A three-chamber cell assembly was cut in the plane on the central axis between the port to one electrode chamber in one end cap and the port to the other electrode chamber in the other end cap. It is sectional drawing. (Prior Art) It is a side view of a terminal member consisting of one section into which an electrolytic cell consisting of two rooms is to be inserted. (Prior Art) An end plug consisting of a single section with only the inserted tube cut along one face of the central shaft. It is a side view of the terminal member which consists of multiple divisions by which the electrolytic cell which consists of three rooms should be inserted. It is the figure which looked at the end member which consists of multiple divisions from the upper side of the electrolytic cell which consists of three rooms. (Prior Art) This is a general flow pattern in an electrolytic cell consisting of two rooms. It is a general flow pattern in an electrolytic cell consisting of three rooms. (Prior Art) An alternative flow pattern in a two-room electrolytic cell. An alternative flow pattern in a three-room electrolytic cell. It is a figure of a salt water storage room and a peristaltic pump for circulating an electrolyte solution.

  The present invention is directed to the construction of an optimal cylindrical electrolytic cell that simultaneously produces a disinfectant solution with a cleaning solution. Diluted sodium hydroxide is more basic and free of residual salts, so the solution can be used to clean any surface without the need to rinse the surface later with distilled water, reverse osmotic pressure water (RO) or tap water Is possible. Diluted hypochlorous acid does not contain residual salts and its free available chlorine content and PH can be adjusted. As a result, PH and free active chlorine are “individually” for disinfection of certain surfaces in consideration of chlorine usage and in accordance with various disinfection processes established by regulatory agencies such as FDA, EPA, USDA and CDC. The surface can be effectively disinfected using a disinfectant that is "conforming to". Certain surfaces require a more acidic disinfectant, while other surfaces are damaged by the acidity of the disinfectant. In these cases, the more neutral PH hypochlorous acid is preferred. Moreover, by not containing residual salts, the disinfectant can be used on any surface without rinsing the surface with distilled water, reverse osmotic pressure water (RO) or tap water.

  A three-room electrolytic cell is shown in FIGS. A cylindrical electrode (1) is placed in a cylindrical diaphragm (2), which is placed inside a second cylindrical diaphragm (3), where two end members (99 ), The second cylindrical diaphragm (3) is placed inside the second electrode (4), and the end member (99) is one tube cap (6), port A cap (7), port B It consists of a cap (8) and a port C cap (9).

  The four-compartment design of the end member (99) allows the entire assembly (100) to be oriented and sealed. The tube cap (6) seals the outer electrode (4) with the end member (99) using an O-ring (12). The tube cap (6) is glued or screwed onto the outer electrode (4). When the tube cap (6) is screwed onto the outer electrode (4), the tube end of the external electrode has a male screw and fits a female screw provided on the tube cap (6).

  The port A cap (7) allows port A to flow soft water through the port A end in the fitting (17) into the chamber A defined by the space between the anode (4) and the diaphragm (3). Characterized by the ability to enter and exit from room A through the port A terminal in the fitting (17) of the opposite port A cap (7).

  The port B cap (8) is a chamber B in which port B allows the flow of saturated brine through the port B end in the pipe fitting (17) and defined by the space between the diaphragm (2) and the diaphragm (3). Features the ability to enter and exit from room B through the port B terminal in the fitting (17) of the opposite port B cap (8).

  The port C cap (9) is a chamber C in which the port C is defined by the space between the inner electrode (1) and the diaphragm (2) through the soft water flow through the port C end in the fitting (17). It is characterized by the ability to enter and leave the room C out through the port C terminal in the fitting (17) of the opposite port C cap (9).

  The four compartments of the end member (99) are glued together or pressed together using an O-ring (13) to seal each compartment on top of each other.

  The tube cap (6) is glued or screwed onto the outer electrode (4). The port A cap (7) is glued or pressed against the tube cap (6). The tube cap (6) is provided with a groove for the O-ring (13), and the port A cap (7) is pressed onto the tube cap (6). The port B cap (8) is glued or pressed against the port A cap (7). The port A cap (7) is provided with a groove for the O-ring (13), and the port B cap (8) is pressed onto the port A cap (7). The port C cap (9) is glued or pressed against the port B cap (8). The port B cap (8) is provided with a groove for the O-ring (13), and the port C cap (9) is pressed onto the port B cap (8).

  The tube cap (6), port A cap (7), port B cap (8) and port C cap (9) use three stainless steel bolts (18), washers (19) and nuts (20). Bolted. Each compartment of the end member (99) has three holes (21) to facilitate the accommodation of stainless steel bolts (18), washers (19) and nuts (20). The sealing of each section of the end member (99) is such that pressure is applied slowly and smoothly without applying torque, and a positive seal is obtained without damaging the ceramic diaphragms (2) and (3). This is accomplished by pressing each compartment of the end member (99) onto each other.

  One of the electrode (1) and the electrode (4) is an anode, and the other is a cathode. This choice may be determined by whether the anode or cathode chamber should be preferentially the outer chamber, taking into account the ease of manufacture or the nature of the electrolysis process to be performed. These considerations include the relative volume to the electrode-diaphragm spacing, the desired space of the diaphragm (2) and diaphragm (3), and the balance of electrolyte flow in room B and soft water flow in room A and room C. Includes a request.

  The tubes of the internal electrode (1) and the external electrode (4) are made of an electrically conductive material, preferably titanium.

  In the metal electrode tube, the tube surface facing the diaphragm (2) and the diaphragm (3) is coated with mixed metal oxide. The metal of the two electrodes may be titanium or stainless steel. Both metals may be coated with mixed metal oxides. The cathode may be an uncoated metal, but the anode must be a metal coated with a mixed metal oxide. In a preferred arrangement, the outer electrode tube (4) is the anode, the inside of which is coated with mixed metal oxide, and the inner electrode tube (1) is the cathode, which is not coated.

  The outer electrode (4) is shown in FIG. 2, which has an electrical connector (10) soldered to the outside of the outer electrode tube (4). The inner electrode (1) has an electrical connector (11) at its end, which is part of the inner electrode (1) and extends out from the outside of the upper end member (99). Although not necessary for the functionality of the electrolyzer assembly, the outside of the outer electrode (4) is insulated by a rubber sleeve (5), which is heat-shrinked on the outer electrode (4), and has the required length. It was cut. As another option, an insulating coated tube (5) or tube is glued to the outside of the outer electrode (4).

  The anode and cathode are separated by two diaphragms (2) and (3). Preferably, these diaphragms are ceramics containing alumina and zirconium. The thickness of the diaphragm can vary within a wide range depending on the application in which the electrolytic cell assembly (100) is used, but the diaphragms (2) and (3) are fragile and have a membrane pressure of 1.5-2 mm for most applications. preferable.

The relative diameter of the outer electrode (4), inner electrode (1), diaphragm (2) and diaphragm (3) is such that the diameter of the outer electrode (4) is larger than the diameter of the diaphragm (3). The diameter may be varied under the single requirement that the diameter of the diaphragm (2) is greater than the diameter of the diaphragm (2) and that the diameter of the diaphragm (2) is greater than the diameter of the inner electrode (1). The actual diameter may vary depending on the desired characteristics of the cell assembly (100). In this regard, the diameter may vary to optimize the rate of electrolysis, the rate of flow through the cell assembly, and other needs of the system in which the cell assembly is used.
Similarly, the relative lengths of the outer electrode (4), the inner electrode (1), the diaphragm (2), and the diaphragm (3) are such that the length of the outer electrode (4) is shorter than the length of the diaphragm (3). It may vary under the single requirement of this embodiment that the length of (3) is shorter than the length of the diaphragm (2) and the length of the diaphragm (2) is shorter than the length of the inner electrode (1). The length of the outer electrode (4), the inner electrode (1) and the diaphragm (2), the length of the diaphragm (3) is the ease of assembly and of the cell assembly in the system in which the cell assembly is used. It may be determined by factors such as the shape to maximize performance.

  The upper and lower end members (99) are interchangeable and are made of an insulating material, preferably polyvinyl chloride. Each end member (99) consists of four compartments: a tube cap (6), a port A cap (7), a port B cap (8) and a port C cap (9).

  The four sections of the end member (99) can be formed by casting or machining. Port (17) is for inflow into or out of soft water rooms A and C. Port (17) is for inflow or outflow from room B of electrolyte. All compartments of the end member (99) have three or more holes that facilitate the accommodation of three or more stainless steel bolts (18), washers (19) and nuts (20). 18) The four sections of the end member (99) are pressed together by the washer (19) and the nut (20).

  The three compartments of the end member (99), the tube cap (6), the port A cap (7), and the port C cap (9) have grooves and the O-ring forms a seal between the compartments. Promote. If the tube cap (6) is screwed onto the external electrode (4) and stainless steel bolts (18), washers (19) and nuts (20) are used, the three bolts are the cell assembly. Provides (100) structural integrity. When the tube cap (6) is glued onto the external electrode (4), the three compartments of the end member (99) are also glued together.

  Two holes (22) with female threads are formed together in the opposing tube cap (6). This allows the electrolytic cell assembly (100) to be mounted on a plate or bracket. The plate or bracket may be plastic or stainless steel as long as the metal is insulated from one or both electrodes. A suitable molding process for the mounting plate or bracket is a polyvinyl chloride processed sheet, which is commercially available as PVC.

  One important feature of the end member (99) is that the inner diameter of all compartments of the end member (99) closely matches the outer diameter of the four tubes (1), (2), (3) and (4). Thus, a good seal is obtained when an adhesive is used as the sealant. O-rings (12), (14) when the tube cap (6) is screwed onto the outer electrode (4) and the other compartments of the end member (99) are squeezed over each other. ), (15) and (16) provide a good seal with tubes (1), (2), (3) and (4) and four end caps (6), (7), (8) and (9) It is important to form a good seal between the four compartments themselves using an O-ring (13). The relatively fragile diaphragms (2), (3) require the use of O-rings (14), (15) to form a seal so that the diaphragm is not broken during assembly. During assembly, the length of the electrolytic cell assembly (100) needs to be defined by the length imposed by the external electrode tube (4). The diaphragms (2), (3) have O-rings (14) at both ends, even if one end of the diaphragm (2), (3) rests on the port B cap (8) and port C cap (9). It must be long enough to seal with (15).

  The second important feature of end member cap (99) is the presence of three ports. Port A begins with a fitting (17) on the outer surface of the port A cap (7), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and inside the outer electrode tube (4) and outside the diaphragm (3) Allowing the flow of soft water through the room A defined by Port C begins with a fitting (17) on the outer surface of the port C cap (9), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and the inside of the diaphragm (2) and the outside of the inner electrode (1) Allowing the flow of soft water through the room C defined by Port B begins with the fitting (17) on the outer surface of the port B cap (8), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and by the inside of the diaphragm (3) and the outside of the diaphragm (2) Allows the flow of the electrolyte solution through the defined room B. The outside of port A, port B, port C is a pipe fitting (17) that receives tubes that flow into or out of the cell assembly (100).

  These pipe fittings (17) may be flareless pipe fittings, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, or hose barbs, or other connections suitable for the system in which the cell assembly (100) is incorporated. An instrument may be used. The orientation of the port should be such that it promotes a steep spiral flow between the room A, room B and room C spaces around the inner electrode tube (1), diaphragm (2), (3) .

  The end member (99) allows its structure to seal the cell assembly, a pressing force is applied to the outer electrode (4), and unless a large pressing force is applied to the diaphragms (2) and (3), Other configurations may be used. The different types of end members (99) may be combined in any combination as long as the appropriate length of tubing is selected and the compartments of the end members (99) are sealed together by pressure or adhesion. While a suitable end member (99) is shown and described, it will be apparent that the invention is not so limited. Changes, changes, modifications, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

  Another important feature of the present invention is the construction of the salt water storage chamber (98) and the electrolyte from the salt water storage chamber (98) through room B to the salt water storage chamber (98) as shown in FIG. Use of a pump (23) for circulation. The salt water storage chamber (98) preferably consists of a transparent plastic tube (24) and two end members (25) and (26), which are made of polyvinyl chloride, commercially available as PVC. The transparent tube (24) is glued between the end members (25) and (26). The end member (25) has a male thread so that the cap (27) can be screwed onto the end member (25). The end member (25) also has a port (28) to which a tube for discharging the electrolyte solution into the room B can be connected via a fitting (17). The end member (26) has a port (29) at the bottom of the end member (26) to which a tube for injecting soft water can be connected via a fitting (17). The end member (26) has another port (30) with a valve (31) at the bottom of the end member (26). By opening the valve (31), the electrolyte can be drained from the salt water storage chamber (98). Ports (29) and (30) are constructed so that the openings of ports (29) and (30) are located above the full line of salt water. This feature is important in two respects. First, when granular salt is added to the salt water storage chamber (98) by opening the cap (27), the openings are on the sides of these elevated ports (29) (30) so that the salt Does not enter port (29) (30). Secondly, only the electrolyte is drained when the valve (31) is opened, and the salt water storage chamber (98) is collected at the bottom of the salt water storage chamber (98) above the end member (26). It remains filled with salt.

  The end member (26) has a third port (32) at the bottom of the end member (26), and a tube for injecting the electrolyte from the pump (23) is connected to the end member (26) via the pipe joint (17). Can connect. The port (32) is constructed such that its opening is located below the full line of salt water. This feature is important in two respects. First, when granular salt is added to the salt water storage chamber (98) by opening the cap (27), the salt does not enter the port (32) because the opening is on the side of the port (32). Second, the electrolyte from the pump (23) is circulated through the brine layer, which saturates the electrolyte. The electrolyte is circulated through a pump, which is preferably a variable speed peristaltic pump, a fitting (17) connecting the tube from the salt water storage chamber (98) to the pump (23), and a pump It has two pipe joints (17) with a pipe joint (17) connecting the tube from (23) to the electrolytic cell assembly (100).

  The salt water concentration can be adjusted by adding granular salt and soft water to the salt water storage chamber (98). The electrolyte is preferably formed by opening the cap (27) and adding granular sodium chloride to the brine storage chamber (98). In addition to granular sodium chloride, granular potassium chloride can also be used. The electrolyte is preferably an aqueous saturated salt solution. Saturation of the electrolyte is ensured by circulating the electrolyte through a brine storage chamber (98) filled with a certain minimum amount of brine. The electrolyte is circulated from the bottom of the salt water storage chamber (98) through the salt layer at the bottom of the salt water storage chamber (98).

  This three-chamber cylindrical cell can be used in different flow patterns, thereby changing the volume of the cleaning and disinfecting solution, and changing the PH and free active chlorine content. A typical flow pattern allows about 30-70% soft water to pass through the anode chamber and 70-30% soft water to pass through the cathode chamber. The volume of soft water that passes through the anode or cathode chamber can be limited by closing the valve mounted on the outlet tube of the anode chamber, and the volume of soft water that passes through the cathode chamber is mounted on the outlet tube of the cathode chamber It can be limited by closing the valve.

  Another alternative flow pattern is a pattern in which 100% of the soft water passes through the anode or cathode chamber. Approximately 70-100% of the electrolyzed solution exiting the anode or cathode chamber is again directed to the anode or cathode chamber, while 0-30% of the electrolyzed solution is returned to the sodium hydroxide storage container. Collected or discharged as a useful byproduct. This flow pattern in which 70-100% of the electrolyzed solution is collected in a hypochlorous acid storage container is preferred when there is little or no by-product usage, in which case the main product volume is maximized.

  One preferred flow pattern is to first pass soft water through the cathode chamber, where the outlet tube is loaded with a T-tube and about 20% diluted sodium hydroxide flows to the storage tank and about 80 % Dilute sodium hydroxide reenters the anode chamber. The result of this preferred option flow pattern is that about 80% of the soft water undergoes electrolysis at the cathode, followed by electrolysis at the anode to produce a neutral PH disinfectant. Re-introducing more diluted sodium hydroxide into the anode chamber increases the PH of diluted hypochlorous acid, and re-injecting less dilute sodium hydroxide into the anode chamber decreases the PH of diluted hypochlorous acid. Let The volume of diluted sodium hydroxide entering the anode chamber is controlled by a valve mounted on the outlet tube of the cathode chamber between the tee and the sodium hydroxide storage container.

  Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to realize the objects of the invention and to obtain the above objects and advantages and what is inherent therein. The examples, methods, procedures, and techniques described herein are presently representative of preferred embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art, which are within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred cases, the invention as claimed should not be limited to these specific embodiments. Various modifications apparent to those skilled in the art in the mode described for carrying out the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (28)

A method for producing an electrolysis solution using an electrolytic cell,
Here the electrolytic cell has a cylindrical outer electrode separated from a cylindrical inner electrode by two cylindrical diaphragms, one concentrically disposed in the other, forming a cathode chamber, a central chamber and an anode chamber And
The method
Providing a pair of end members;
Wherein the space between the tubular inner electrode and the diaphragm and the space between the diaphragm and the tubular outer electrode define an anode chamber and a cathode chamber;
The space between the two diaphragms defines an electrolyte chamber, and one of the electrodes functions as an anode and the other functions as a cathode;
Supplying a saturated salt solution to the central chamber of the electrolytic cell, and supplying soft water to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, and applying a current between the electrodes;
Consists of
Wherein each said end member provides a sealing engagement between the four compartments of said end member and each said cylindrical electrode and said two cylindrical diaphragms;
The end member has a lateral inlet through its outer wall, the inlet comprising a pipe joint for tangential feed of liquid to the inside of the end member, and three pairs for fluid inflow or outflow Are located in the upper and lower end members, each port comprising an external fitting for connection of a hose or pipe, and a first pair of ports at opposite ends of the assembly. A port addresses the space between the outer electrode tube and the outer diaphragm from the inside, and a second pair of ports at opposite ends of the assembly are the outer diaphragm and the inner diaphragm. And a third pair of ports at opposite ends of the assembly address the space between the inner electrode tube and the inner diaphragm from the inside.
A method characterized by that.   The method of claim 1, wherein the two diaphragms are cylindrical ceramic membranes or cylindrical polymer ion exchange membranes.   The anode and the cathode, or both, are made of a titanium substrate activated with a mixed metal oxide film structure, and the mixed metal oxide is made of ruthenium, iridium, titanium, tantalum, rhodium and a combination thereof. The method of claim 1.   The end member comprises four stackable compartments of complementary shape and has at least one seal forming mechanism at the interface of all adjacent compartments, wherein the seal forming mechanism is a sealant or a compressible ridge, The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is a gasket or an O-ring.   The end member is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the gasket and O-ring are ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), nitrile rubber (BUNA-N), fluorocarbon (FKM and any other fluorocarbon) or plastic 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the assembly is formed from a combination of rubber and rubber.   The method of claim 1, wherein an electrolyte is circulated through the central chamber, and the electrolyte is a sodium chloride solution or a potassium chloride solution.   The electrolyte is saturated by circulating the electrolyte through one intermediate chamber filled with sodium chloride or potassium chloride, and the intermediate chamber is filled with granular sodium chloride or granular potassium chloride in the storage chamber. The method of claim 1, wherein the method can be opened to fill, and the intermediate chamber is an external brine storage chamber and is not part of the cylindrical cell.   The electrolyte is circulated between the central chamber and the salt water storage chamber using a variable speed peristaltic pump, and the pump is connected to the salt water storage chamber via a main supply system formed from a flexible and elastic material. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method is connected to the central room.   The method according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate chamber is pressurized with soft water, and the electrolyte in the intermediate chamber can be drained by opening a valve.   2. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is salt water and the method further comprises isolating an alkaline cleaning solution having a negative redox potential in the range of 600-1200 mV.   The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is brine and the method further comprises isolating an acidic disinfecting solution having a positive redox potential in the range of 600-1200 mV.   The method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the liquid exiting the cathode chamber is supplied to the anode chamber and another portion is collected in a storage tank or drained.   A portion of dilute sodium hydroxide (NAOH) solution is subsequently fed through the anode chamber to produce a more neutral PH hypochlorous acid (HOCL) solution. The method according to 1.   14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pH of the disinfecting solution is adjusted by redirecting a volume of sodium hydroxide (NAOH) through the anode chamber.   Soft water is supplied to both the anode chamber and the cathode chamber at the lower end member of the electrolytic cell, and cleaning solution (NAOH) and disinfecting solution (HOCL) are obtained from the upper terminal member of the electrolytic cell. The method according to claim 1.   The helical supply of soft water is supplied to the anode and cathode chambers using tangential inlet and outlet ports, and the helical supply of electrolyte is supplied to the center using tangential inlet and outlet ports. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is supplied to a room.   The method of claim 1, wherein the current is a direct current and is applied between electrodes.   The free active chlorine content is adjusted by changing the voltage, the volume of soft water passing through the anode and cathode chambers, the concentration of salt water, and the current between the electrodes is at least 20 amps. The method of claim 1.   The cathode chamber has an inlet fitting that connects through a particular section of the lower end member tangentially to a tube connected to the cathode chamber via an opening, and the anode chamber has the lower end member The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an inlet fitting connected through an opening to a tube tangentially passing through a specific section of the member and connected to the cathode chamber.   One particular section of the lower end member has an inlet fitting that connects through an opening to a pipe that passes through the particular section of the lower end member and connects to the central chamber. The assembly of claim 19.   The cathode chamber has an outlet fitting that connects through a particular section of the upper end member tangentially to a tube connected to the cathode chamber via an opening, and the anode chamber has the upper end The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet fitting connected through an opening to a tube tangentially passing through a specific section of the member and connected to the cathode chamber.   One particular section of the upper end member has an outlet fitting that connects through an opening to a pipe that passes through the particular section of the upper end member and connects to the central chamber. The assembly of claim 21.   2. The port of claim 1, wherein the port addresses the space adjacent to a location where the electrode tube is inserted into the end member through the end member or through the electrode tube. Assembly.   The assembly of claim 1, wherein the inlet port directs the flow of fluid at an angle of 0-15 degrees with respect to a face of the sheet of the end member.   The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the diluted sodium hydroxide as cleaning solution produced is suitable for cleaning all surfaces including fabrics, fabrics and carpets.   Diluted hypochlorous acid as a produced disinfectant is suitable for disinfecting all hard surfaces including glass, mirrors, plastics, wood, ceramics, granite, metals and laminates. The method described in 1.   The cleaning and disinfecting solution produced is due to residual salts due to the electrolyte being circulated through the central chamber and the electrolyte not being supplied to the cathode chamber and the electrolyte not being supplied to the anode chamber. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is not included. 28. The absence of residual salts means that no residue appears on the surface comprising the fabric that has been cleaned and disinfected with diluted sodium hydroxide and diluted hypochlorous acid solution produced. The method described in 1.

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