JP2018118241A - Sanitation device and hot water supply equipment with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sanitation device capable of achieving high oxidization and its maintenance.SOLUTION: A plurality of electrodes (2, 3, 4) disposed in the electrolytic cell 1, and electric power means 5 for applying electric power to the electrodes (2, 3, 4), in which water inflow into the electrolytic cell 1 characterized in that has a function of generating hypochlorous acid and ozone and/or a function of generating hypochlorous acid and metal ions by electrolysis, and is characterized by having a very high oxidizing power and immediate effect, the high oxidizing power possessed by ozone, the oxidizing power and durability possessed by hypochlorous acid, and the sustainability of the disinfecting power possessed by metal ions. It is possible to provide a sanitary device capable of oxidizing multiple components such as sebum, fungus, organic matter, etc in the water to be treated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sanitary device that oxidizes and decomposes water to be treated containing bacteria and organic matter.

  Conventionally, in this type of equipment, a silver electrode is installed in an electrolytic cell, and silver ions are dissolved in water to be treated by electrolysis using the silver electrode as a positive electrode. It is known to sterilize water (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, hypochlorous acid is generated by electrolyzing the water to be treated in the container by passing an electric current between a pair of electrodes in the electrolytic cell, and sterilizing the water to be treated by the oxidizing power of hypochlorous acid. There has also been proposed an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that performs the above (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2011-43258 A JP-A-11-10158

  However, the conventional structure for dissolving silver ions has a problem that the oxidizing power is lower than that of hypochlorous acid and ozone, so that it takes time for sterilization and the difficultly decomposed components cannot be decomposed. In addition, a large amount of silver ions reacts with ultraviolet rays and the like, and for example, when applied to washing clothes, it causes darkening of clothes, and when applied to sterilization of bath water, darkening of bathtubs. It can be a cause.

  Also, when hypochlorous acid is used, it is difficult to decompose sebum due to its limited oxidizing power, and when bathing agents are used, the effect of purifying bath water is greatly improved. There is also a problem of lowering.

  This invention solves the said conventional subject, and it aims at providing the sanitary device which can implement | achieve and maintain the high oxidizing power.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a sanitary device of the present invention includes a plurality of electrodes disposed in an electrolytic cell, and power means for applying power to the electrodes, and flows into the electrolytic cell. It is characterized by having the function of generating hypochlorous acid and ozone and / or the function of generating hypochlorous acid and metal ions by electrolyzing water.

  Thereby, it is possible to provide a sanitary device that can purify sebum, fungus, organic matter, and the like contained in the water to be treated with a very high oxidizing power possessed by radicals generated by the generation of hypochlorous acid and ozone.

  In addition, by generating hypochlorous acid and metal ions, sebum, fungi, organic matter, etc. contained in the water to be treated, due to the sterilization sustainability of the oxidizing power and metal ions possessed by hypochlorous acid A sanitary device capable of purifying water can be provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sanitary device that can achieve and maintain a high oxidizing power.

Configuration diagram of a sanitary device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Correlation diagram between current applied to the sanitary device, ozone concentration and hypochlorous acid concentration Correlation diagram between current applied to the sanitary device after inversion and hypochlorous acid concentration Correlation diagram between the concentration of hypochlorous acid and silver ions produced by the sanitary device and the sterilization rate Configuration diagram of a water heater according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention

  A first invention comprises a plurality of electrodes disposed in an electrolytic cell, and a power means for applying power to the electrodes, and electrolyzes water flowing into the electrolytic cell, thereby A sanitary device having a function of generating chloric acid and ozone and / or a function of generating hypochlorous acid and metal ions.

  As a result, hypochlorous acid and ozone are generated, and further, hypochlorous acid and ozone are reacted to generate radicals, so that the oxidizing power of radicals higher than that of ozone alone can be utilized and hardly decomposed. Components such as sebum, fatty acids, and nonenal can be decomposed.

  That is, radicals have higher oxidizing power than ozone alone. For example, when used for sterilization, radicals also have an immediate effect of instant sterilization. It can be sterilized in a short time of 1000 or more, and in addition to this, hypochlorous acid has oxidation persistence that can maintain the oxidizing power for 30 minutes or more, so sebum, fungi, This is because even if a multi-component such as an organic substance is contained, all components can be oxidized, that is, the multi-component treatment can be performed, so that an effect of maintaining the sterilization effect in the long term can be added.

  In addition, by generating hypochlorous acid and metal ions, sebum and fungi contained in the water to be treated can be obtained by the sterilization sustainability of the oxidizing power and metal ions possessed by hypochlorous acid. Sanitary devices that can purify water and organic matter can be provided.

  That is, hypochlorous acid has oxidation durability that can maintain the oxidizing power for 30 minutes or more, so even if the treated water contains multiple components such as sebum, fungi, and organic matter, On the other hand, oxidation treatment, that is, multi-component treatment can be performed, and in addition to this, metal ions such as silver, copper, and zinc can be converted into hypochlorous acid by generating metal ions such as silver, copper, and zinc. This is because the effect of maintaining the sterilization effect over a long period of time can be added since it remains without disappearing in water.

  According to a second invention, in particular, in the sanitary device according to the first invention, the electrode catalyst formed on the surface of the metal substrate of the electrode that simultaneously generates the hypochlorous acid and the ozone is a tantalum oxide, Alternatively, tantalum oxide and platinum are used.

  Accordingly, ozone can be generated with high efficiency at a low current density, so that the oxidation treatment can be realized with power saving and the power means can be downsized.

  By forming tantalum oxide or tantalum oxide and platinum on the electrode catalyst, it is possible to generate both hypochlorous acid and ozone simultaneously from one electrode, thus generating radicals with high efficiency. can do.

  Furthermore, since hypochlorous acid, ozone, and radicals can be generated from one main electrode, it is not necessary to use a special electrode as the second electrode used as the cathode, and cost reduction can be realized.

  By forming the cathode using a metal such as silver, three active species such as hypochlorous acid, ozone, and metal ions can be generated with two electrodes.

  The third invention, in particular, in the sanitary device of the first or second invention, comprises a reversing means for inverting the polarity of the electrode, and generates the hypochlorous acid and the ozone at a predetermined electrode, The inversion means is controlled so that the metal ions and the hypochlorous acid are generated by other electrodes.

  Thereby, it comprises with the electrode for ozone production | generation, and the electrode for hypochlorous acid production | generation, and each active species can be produced | generated highly efficiently by controlling by the inversion means.

  Furthermore, since the amount of each active species can be controlled by changing the reversal control time, the oxidation treatment can be performed with high efficiency. As a result, the oxidation treatment time can be shortened and energy saving can be improved. realizable.

  In addition, by reacting the generated ozone and hypochlorous acid, for example, in the water to be treated, radicals can be generated in the water to be treated, and the water to be treated can be oxidized. In addition, if metal ions are produced, the metal ions can be sterilized continuously even at a constant concentration.

  In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the sanitary device of the first or second aspect of the present invention, the sanitary device further includes a polarity reversing unit that reverses the polarity of the electrode, and before the hypochlorous acid and the ozone are generated, The inversion means is controlled so as to generate chlorous acid.

  This makes it possible to efficiently generate active species that can realize immediate oxidation effect and oxidation sustainability according to the purpose of treating the water to be treated.

  That is, when immediate oxidation effect is required, hypochlorous acid is first generated, and components that can be sterilized or decomposed with hypochlorous acid are pre-oxidized and then reacted with hypochlorous acid. By generating ozone, radicals and ozone can be generated, and the water to be treated can be efficiently oxidized.

  On the other hand, when oxidation sustainability is required, pretreatment of the water to be treated with ozone using the rapid oxidation effect of ozone first, followed by generation of hypochlorous acid to generate radicals, and ozone Hypochlorous acid can be produced in the water to be treated, and the hypochlorous acid can be present in the water to be treated. By doing so, hypochlorous acid remains in the water to be treated for a certain period, so that the water to be treated having oxidizing power can be generated.

  The fifth invention is particularly characterized in that any one of the first to fourth sanitary devices is configured to generate metal ions in addition to the hypochlorous acid and the ozone.

  As a result, when generating hypochlorous acid, ozone, and metal ions, the radicals possess extremely high oxidizing power and immediate effect, ozone possesses high oxidizing power, and hypochlorous acid possesses oxidizing power. Because of the sustainability of the sterilization power possessed by metal ions, even if the treated water contains multiple components such as sebum, fungi, and organic matter, a sanitary device that can oxidize all components can be provided. It is.

  Furthermore, even if ozone and hypochlorous acid disappear from the water, the metal ions do not decrease the activity, and thus it is possible to efficiently sterilize.

  In particular, the sixth invention is the sanitary device according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, the bathtub, the heating means for heating the water in the bathtub, and the water in the bathtub is in the bathtub and the heating means. A circulatory flow path that circulates between the circulatory means and a circulator disposed in the circulatory flow path, and the sanitary device is disposed downstream of the circulator in the circulatory flow path. It is a water heater characterized by being made.

  Thereby, the sebum component contained in the water of a bathtub, a microbe, etc. can be oxidized, and bathtub water can be cleansed. Therefore, the bath water can be used for washing and bathing the next day.

  In addition, the adhesion of bacteria and sebum attached to the bathtub can be suppressed, and as a result, the bathtub can be removed, so the bathtub can be easily cleaned by washing the shower after draining the bathtub. can do.

  Furthermore, by circulating the water in the tub that has been oxidized in the circulation channel, sterilization in the circulation channel and adhesion of sebum components can be suppressed. As a result, the circulation of water in the tub The cleanliness in the flow path can be improved.

  In particular, silver ions and hypochlorous acid achieve a sterilizing effect at a low concentration, and do not lead to blackening.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a sanitary device according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary device 10 supplies power to the electrolytic cell 1, the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3, the first electrode 2, the second electrode 3, and the third electrode 4. It is comprised from the electric power means 5 which applies.

  Then, ozone and hypochlorous acid are simultaneously generated by the first electrode 2, hypochlorous acid is generated by the second electrode 3, and silver ions that are metal ions are generated by the third electrode 4. Furthermore, a polarity reversing means 6 for inverting the polarities of the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 is provided.

  Here, in the case where ozone and hypochlorous acid are simultaneously generated by the first electrode 2 and silver ions are simultaneously generated by the third electrode 4, the first electrode 2 and the third electrode are generated. The polarity switching means 6 is controlled so that 4 is an anode and the second electrode 3 is a cathode, and the power means 5 has a first operation mode in which power is applied.

  In addition, when hypochlorous acid is generated by the second electrode 3 and silver ions are generated by the third electrode 4 at the same time, the second electrode 3 and the third electrode 4 are the anode, the first electrode The electrode 2 has a second operation mode in which the polarity switching means 6 is controlled so that the electrode 2 becomes a cathode, and the power means 5 applies power.

  In the case where ozone and hypochlorous acid are generated simultaneously by the first electrode 2 and hypochlorous acid is generated simultaneously by the second electrode 3, the first electrode 2, second hypochlorite is generated. A third operation mode is provided in which the polarity changing means 6 is controlled so that the electrode 3 becomes an anode and the third electrode 4 becomes a cathode, and the power means 5 applies power.

  That is, the first to third operation modes can be realized by one sanitary device 10 by controlling the diverting means 6 so that the generation times are different.

  In addition, although the operation mode of the 1st-3rd operation mode can be implement | achieved in one sanitary device 10 by varying the generation | occurrence | production time by controlling the diverting means 6, 2nd operation mode and 3rd Even if the diverting means 6 is controlled so as to execute only the operation mode and hypochlorous acid and silver ions or ozone and hypochlorous acid are generated at the same time, the purification and sterilization effect can be achieved. Can be achieved.

  The first electrode 2, the second electrode 3 and the third electrode 4 are arranged in the axial direction of the electrolytic cell 1. At this time, the water to be treated flows from the lower part of the electrolytic cell 1 and is discharged from the upper part.

  This is to prevent the ozone gas and chlorine gas generated when the water to be treated is electrolyzed by the first electrode 2, the second electrode 3, and the third electrode 4 from accumulating in the electrolytic cell 1. is there. The sanitary device 10 electrolyzes water to be treated in the electrolytic cell 1 and efficiently generates ozone, hypochlorous acid, and metal ions simultaneously.

  Below, the 1st electrode 2, the 2nd electrode 3, and the 3rd electrode 4 which comprise the electrolytic cell 1 of the sanitary device 10 are demonstrated concretely.

  The first electrode 2, the second electrode 3 and the third electrode 4 are formed by attaching electrode catalysts 2b, 3b and 4b to the surfaces of the metal substrates 2a and 3a and 4a. In addition, as the metal substrates 2a, 3a, and 4a are thicker, it is possible to suppress the influence of warping and bending that occurs during installation in the electrolytic cell 1.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, titanium (Ti) having a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm is used as the metal substrates 2a, 3a, and 4a. The first electrode 2 is formed by adhering an electrode catalyst 2b made of a tantalum oxide (TaOx) layer of about 1000 nm on the surface of the metal substrate 2a.

  On the other hand, the second electrode 3 is formed by attaching an electrode catalyst 3b made of, for example, a 1000 nm platinum (Pt) layer or an alloy layer of platinum (Pt) and iridium (Ir) to the surface of the metal substrate 3a. Yes. In addition to the above, the electrode catalyst 3b may include, for example, a noble metal or a noble metal oxide.

  The third electrode 4 is formed by adhering silver to the electrode catalyst 4b on the surface of the metal substrate 4a. In addition to the above, the metal substrate 4a and the electrode catalyst 4b may be formed of a single metal plate, for example, a 0.4 mm silver plate.

  Hereinafter, in the first electrode 2 of the first embodiment, the mechanism of ozone generation by tantalum oxide used as the electrode catalyst will be described.

  First, a thin depletion layer is formed at the interface between the surface of tantalum oxide that is the electrode catalyst 2b and the cleaning water. Next, the electrons generated by the reaction of the first electrode 2 pass through the depletion layer formed on the tantalum oxide surface by the tunnel effect.

  As a result, the potential at which electrons are transferred is equal to or higher than the oxidation-reduction potential of ozone. As a result, it is considered that the ozone generation reaction is performed more efficiently and ozone can be generated.

  Conventionally, for example, lead dioxide, diamond, platinum or the like has been used as the electrode catalyst 2b for generating ozone.

  However, in the case of lead, there are concerns about the impact on the environment and the human body. In the case of diamond or platinum, there are problems such as high cost and low ozone generation efficiency.

  Therefore, in Embodiment 1, tantalum oxide is used as the electrode catalyst 2b. Tantalum oxide can generate ozone at a lower current density than conventional platinum. Further, tantalum oxide has a feature that ozone generation efficiency increases as the current density decreases.

  Furthermore, tantalum oxide has a high oxygen overvoltage. Therefore, ozone and hypochlorous acid can be generated at a voltage exceeding about 1.5 V, for example, without generating oxygen at a low voltage. In particular, compared with conventional platinum, tantalum oxide can generate ozone with about ¼ power. As a result, when applied to home appliances, energy savings can be further improved.

  As described above, by using tantalum oxide for the electrode catalyst 2b, ozone and hypochlorous acid can be efficiently generated simultaneously by the following reaction.

  Therefore, by reacting ozone with hypochlorous acid, for example, as shown in (Chemical Formula 1), (Chemical Formula 2), and (Chemical Formula 3), hypochlorous acid radicals and the like can be generated. In addition, hydroxyl radicals and oxygen radicals can be generated by reactions other than (Chemical Formula 3).

  With the above configuration, bacteria, organic matter, sebum components, and the like can be oxidized by contacting the water to be treated with ozone, hypochlorous acid, or silver ions that are generated when passing through the electrolytic cell 1. . In addition, since ozone and hypochlorous acid generated in the electrolytic cell 1 have oxidizing power even after passing through the electrolytic cell 1, it is oxidized without mixing through the electrolytic cell 1 by mixing with water to be treated. Water to be treated can be purified.

  In particular, when ozone and hypochlorous acid are simultaneously generated by the first electrode 2 and silver ions are generated by the third electrode 4 at the same time, the first electrode 2 and the third electrode 4 are generated. In the first operation mode controlled by the reversing means 6 so that is the anode and the second electrode 3 is the cathode, three types of ozone, hypochlorous acid, and silver ions that are metal ions are generated simultaneously. It is possible. In particular, since ozone has high oxidizing power and immediate effect, for example, it is possible to oxidatively decompose sebum components that are difficult to oxidatively decompose.

  In addition, since ozone is highly reactive, when treating water to be treated which contains bacteria, it preferentially acts on sebum decomposition, and sterilization is difficult. On the other hand, hypochlorous acid has low reaction selectivity and has an oxidation persistence, so that it can be sterilized even in treated water in which sebum and the like are mixed.

  However, since the oxidizing power is low, it is difficult to decompose sebum. Therefore, by producing both ozone and hypochlorous acid, it is possible to oxidize even in the water to be treated which has both sustainability and immediate effect and is mixed with sebum, bacteria and the like.

  Furthermore, hypochlorous acid reacts with ozone to generate hypochlorite radicals with high oxidizing power, and separable components such as sebum, fatty acids and nonenal can be decomposed.

  In addition, the sanitary device shown in FIG. 1 is composed of the three electrodes of the first electrode 2, the second electrode 3, and the third electrode 4, but any one electrode is not disposed, and any By using only these two electrodes, at least two kinds of active species such as ozone, hypochlorous acid and silver ions can be generated to achieve purification and sterilization effects at a reduced cost.

  For example, the third electrode 4 is not provided, but only the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are configured, and a reversing means 6 for reversing the polarity of the electrodes is provided so that the first electrode 2 is the anode, The power means 5 applies power by using the second electrode 3 as a cathode or the first electrode 2 as a cathode and the second electrode 3 as an anode, and silver ions are not generated. Hypochlorous acid and ozone Sanitary devices that can be sterilized and purified, and can be reduced in size and cost even if they are generated with two electrodes at different times of generation and hypochlorous acid. Can provide. In addition, it is good also as a structure which does not provide the inversion means 6, but uses the 2nd electrode 3 as a conductor, and only produces | generates hypochlorous acid and ozone simultaneously.

  In addition, the first electrode 2 is not provided, but only the second electrode 3 and the third electrode 4 are configured, and a reversing means 6 for reversing the polarity of the electrodes is provided so that the first electrode 2 is the anode, 2 is used as a cathode, or the first electrode 2 is used as a cathode and the second electrode 3 is used as an anode. The power means 5 applies power, does not generate ozone, and generates hypochlorous acid and silver ions. The sanitary device can be provided with reduced size and reduced cost even if the generation time is different from the generation time and the two electrodes are used to generate bacteria.

  Further, the second electrode 3 is not provided, but only the first electrode 2 and the third electrode 4 are configured, and a reversing means 6 for reversing the polarity of the electrodes is provided so that the first electrode 2 is the anode, 3 is the cathode, or the first electrode 2 is the cathode and the third electrode 4 is the anode, and the power means 5 applies power to generate hypochlorous acid, ozone, radicals, and silver ions. Even if the generation time is different from that of the generation, the sanitary device can be provided with a reduction in size and cost. In this case, it is possible to generate three types of ozone, hypochlorous acid, and silver ions that are metal ions.

  In the sanitary device of FIG. 1, the polarity of the current applied to the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 was reversed to generate ozone, hypochlorous acid, and silver ions. It is also possible to suppress the scale component from adhering to the first electrode 2, the second electrode 3, or the third electrode 4.

  When the first electrode 2 and the third electrode 4 are connected to the anode, the second electrode 3 is connected to the cathode and the electrolysis is performed by applying electric power, cations such as calcium and magnesium contained in the water to be treated are removed. Will be attracted electrically.

  That is, by electrolysis, the surface of the second electrode 3 becomes alkaline, and calcium and magnesium in the water to be treated are precipitated on the surface of the second electrode 3 as calcium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide. Alternatively, calcium or magnesium adheres to the surface of the second electrode 3 as calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate by reaction with carbonate ions.

  Therefore, the polarity of the current applied to the second electrode 3 is reversed by the reversing means 6 to electrolyze the washing water. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production and adhesion | attachment etc. of scale components, such as calcium hydroxide produced | generated on the surface of the 2nd electrode 3, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate, can be suppressed. Moreover, the scale component adhering to the surface of the second electrode 3 can be removed.

  Specifically, the pH in the vicinity of the electrode becomes strongly acidic due to the inversion of the electrode. Therefore, the scale can be removed from the electrode surface by dissolving the scale deposited on the electrode surface or by peeling it off from the electrode interface. Therefore, scale electrode adhesion can be suppressed, so that blockage due to scale adhesion can be prevented, and deterioration of electrode performance due to scale adhesion can be suppressed, and stable performance and durability can be ensured.

  In the sanitary device shown in FIG. 1, a platinum (Pt) layer or an alloy layer of platinum (Pt) and iridium (Ir) is used as the electrode catalyst 3b of the second electrode 3, but other noble metals or The same effect can be obtained even if a noble metal oxide is included.

  Below, the manufacturing method of the 1st electrode 2 and the 2nd electrode 3 is demonstrated concretely.

  For example, when platinum is used as the noble metal, the first electrode 2 is prepared by first preparing a solvent adjusted so that the mixing ratio of, for example, isopropyl alcohol and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether is 4: 1.

Then, hexachloroplatinic acid hexahydrate and tantalum ethoxide are dissolved in the prepared solvent so that the total concentration of platinum and tantalum is 1.45 mol / l (mol / liter).

  In this case, as will be described later, the mixing ratio of platinum and tantalum is such that the tantalum content is 75 mol% or more and the remaining portion is platinum among the constituent ratio of tantalum oxide and platinum inside the electrode catalyst 2b. . Thereby, a preferable electrode for generating ozone can be formed.

  The first electrode 2 is produced by applying an electrode catalyst 2b of tantalum oxide having a thickness of 1 nm to several hundreds of nm to the surface of the metal substrate 2a and firing it. In this case, it is preferable that the thickness of the electrode catalyst 2b of the first electrode 2 is, for example, 500 nm or more. Thereby, the membrane performance of the electrode catalyst 2b and the adhesion strength between the membranes are improved. Furthermore, the electrode life of the first electrode 2 and the ozone generation efficiency are improved.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the first electrode 2 is formed by applying the electrode catalyst 2b made of tantalum oxide of 30 nm to the surface of the metal substrate 2a 25 times and baking it. The firing temperature is desirably 300 to 700 ° C. Thereby, the adhesion between the metal substrate 2a and the electrode catalyst 2b is improved, and a dense electrode catalyst 2b can be formed.

  Furthermore, it is more desirable to calcine the electrode catalyst 2b at a temperature of 550 to 650 ° C. Thereby, the ozone generation efficiency is improved and the electrode life can be improved. In the first embodiment, the first electrode 2 is manufactured by firing at a firing temperature of 600 ° C. and forming the tantalum oxide electrode catalyst 2 b on the metal substrate 2 a.

  Further, in order to further improve the adhesion between the metal substrate 2a and the electrode catalyst 2b and improve the electrode life and ozone generation, it is preferable to roughen the surface of the metal substrate 2a to make it rough.

  Specifically, the surface of the metal substrate 2a is subjected to, for example, blasting or etching to roughen the surface and make it rough. Thereby, the electrode catalyst 2b enters the concavo-convex portion which is a rough surface formed on the surface of the metal substrate 2a.

  As a result, the contact area between the surface of the metal substrate 2a and the electrode catalyst 2b increases, and a high anchor effect is obtained. At this time, the metal substrate 2a preferably has a surface roughness Ra of 1.5 or more. In particular, when the surface roughness Ra of the metal substrate 2a is 3, the adhesion between the metal substrate and the electrode catalyst is further improved as compared with the surface roughness Ra1.5.

  As a result of the examination, it was found that the time required for the electrode catalyst 2b to peel from the metal substrate 2a can be improved by about 1.5 times. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the metal substrate 2a is dipped in, for example, hot oxalic acid at 100 ° C. for 3 hours to etch the surface.

  In order to suppress corrosion of the metal substrate 2a and improve the electrode life, it is more preferable to form a metal layer on the metal substrate 2a. Therefore, a manufacturing method of the first electrode 2 using platinum as the metal layer in the first embodiment will be described below.

  First, titanium (Ti) is used as a metal substrate, and the surface is roughened by etching with hot oxalic acid to form a rough surface.

  Next, platinum as a metal layer was applied to the surface of the metal substrate 2a in several times, and baked to form a metal layer.

  Next, similarly, tantalum oxide was applied as the electrode catalyst 2b in several times on the metal layer made of platinum (surface) and fired to form a film of the electrode catalyst 2b. The first electrode 2 was produced by the above method.

  This makes it possible to extend the time until pitting corrosion occurs on the metal substrate 2a by about 40%. The metal layer may be iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), or niobium (Nb) other than platinum, and the same effect can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the first electrode 2 is formed by forming tantalum oxide as the electrode catalyst 2b on the surface of the metal substrate 2a using titanium. Thereby, the first electrode 2 can generate substantially the same amount of ozone in an area of, for example, ¼ compared to an electrode having another configuration (for example, a platinum electrode). As a result, the electrode and the electrolytic cell can be reduced in size and cost.

  The electrolytic cell 1 when electric power is applied by the power means 5 of the sanitary device, with the first electrode 2 as the anode and the second electrode 3 as the cathode, and the treatment flow rate of the water to be treated is 0.5 L / min. FIG. 2 shows the ozone concentration and hypochlorous acid concentration of water to be treated discharged from the water.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sanitary device can generate both ozone and hypochlorous acid at the first electrode 2 at the same time. The oxidation durability of hypochlorous acid and the high oxidation of ozone. Can have power and immediate effect.

  The electric power means 5 applies a current of 10 mA / cm 2 to the first electrode 2, and the generated electrolyzed water is added to 10 ml of treated water mixed with E. coli 100000 CFU / ml and contacted for 10 seconds to evaluate the sterilization rate did. As a result of the sterilization test, the sanitary device was able to secure a sterilization rate of 99.99%.

  On the other hand, as a result of conducting a sterilization test under the same conditions using hypochlorous acid and ozone at a concentration generated at 10 mA / cm2, the sterilization rate with hypochlorous acid was 90%, and ozone was 99%. Thus, it was confirmed that the bacteria produced at the same time ensured 100 to 1000 times sterilization performance. This is probably because hypochlorous acid and ozone reacted to generate radicals with high oxidizing power, so that bacteria could be sterilized with high efficiency in a short time.

  There is a CT value as an index for quantifying oxidizing power and immediate effect. The CT value is expressed as the product of the concentration (ppm) required for 99% sterilization and the contact time (seconds). As CT values of general intestinal bacteria, ozone is 0.01, hypochlorous acid is 0.2, OH radical is 2 × 10-6, and this result and CT value are almost correlated. It is considered that radical generation affects the sterilization rate.

  Furthermore, the silver ion produced | generated from the 3rd electrode 4 does not lose | disappear in hot water after the oxidation process of hypochlorous acid or ozone is complete | finished, but a disinfection effect can be improved further continuously.

  In Embodiment 1, silver ions are generated by the third electrode 4, but copper or zinc plates other than silver are used for the third electrode 4 to generate copper ions and zinc ions. But it has the same effect.

  Below, the structure and effect are demonstrated as an example when the silver ion is produced | generated in the 3rd electrode 4. FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the polarity of the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 is reversed by the polarity changing means 6, and the power is supplied by the power means 5 using the second electrode 3 as an anode and the first electrode 2 as a cathode. The hypochlorous acid concentration of the to-be-processed water discharged | emitted from the electrolytic vessel 1 when it applies and the process flow rate of to-be-processed water is performed at 0.5 L / min is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the sanitary device of this embodiment, the concentration of hypochlorous acid produced is about 4 times as compared with the case where the first electrode 2 is used as the anode, as before the polarity of the electrode is reversed. It is possible to improve the degree.

  This is because the second electrode 3 generates only hypochlorous acid, so that the applied power is not used for the reaction between ozone and ozone and hypochlorous acid as in the first electrode 2.

  Furthermore, ozone and hypochlorous acid are generated as shown in FIG. 2 by applying electric power by the power means 5 with the first electrode 2 as the anode and the second electrode 3 as the cathode by the reversing means 6. can do.

  When only ozone is generated, a diamond electrode or the like may be used as the electrode catalyst of the first electrode 2 with the metal substrate having the platinum (Pt) alloy layer attached to the second electrode 3.

  In addition, the amount of each active species can be controlled by changing the time for reversal by the repolarization means 6. Thereafter, ozone present in the water to be treated and hypochlorous acid react to generate radicals having high oxidizing power.

  Furthermore, by the reversing means 6, it is possible to efficiently realize oxidation immediate effect and oxidation sustainability according to the purpose of treating the water to be treated. When immediate oxidation effect is required, hypochlorous acid is first generated by using the second electrode 3 as an anode and the first electrode 2 as a cathode, and then reacting with hypochlorous acid. Generate ozone.

  By carrying out this control, components that can be sterilized or decomposed with hypochlorous acid are oxidized in advance, and then ozone and more than react with hypochlorous acid are generated, generating radicals and ozone. In addition, the water to be treated can be oxidized efficiently.

  On the other hand, when oxidation sustainability is required, the water to be treated is pretreated with ozone first, and then hypochlorous acid is generated to generate radicals. Hypochlorous acid is produced over the reaction, and hypochlorous acid is present in the water to be treated. By performing this control, hypochlorous acid remains in the water to be treated for a certain period, so that the water to be treated having oxidizing power can be generated.

  In addition, when hot water and bathing agent are used in combination in the bathtub, in order to overcome the decrease in sanitizing ability due to the reaction of bathing agent and hypochlorous acid, sterilization can be performed without being suppressed by generating silver ions. Demonstrate the effect.

  Note that the third electrode 4 does not reverse the polarity, functions only as an anode, and continues to generate silver ions.

  After adding the bathing agent to the bath water, the bath water is treated with hypochlorous acid and silver ions after adding the bacterial solution. The result of collecting the bath water after a predetermined time and measuring the number of bacteria, as shown in FIG. 4, can maintain the sterilization effect without being affected by the bathing agent if silver ions are present.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a hot water supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, the sanitary device 10, the bathtub 11, the heating means 12 for heating the water in the bathtub 11, the water in the bathtub 11 is heated in the bathtub 11 and the heating means 12 (for example, a heat source such as gas or oil, A circulation passage 13 that circulates between the hot water and a heat exchanger having a function of exchanging heat with hot water, and a circulation means 14 such as a pump disposed in the circulation passage 13. In the second embodiment, the sanitary device 10 is characterized in that it is disposed on the downstream side of the flow path of the heating means 12 and the circulation means 14.

  In the second embodiment, the purpose of disposing the sanitary device 10 is to purify the bathtub water by oxidizing water in the bathtub 11 after bathing (hereinafter referred to as bathtub water).

  That is, the bath water after bathing contains organic components such as sebum and protein such as human sweat, sebum, and dirt, and bacteria attached to the person. If this bath water is left for a day, the bacteria grow using organic components such as protein and sebum as food, causing the smell of bath water, and the fungus, sebum, and organic matter adhere to the bath 11, and the bath 11 Cause slimming.

  Therefore, the bath water after bathing is oxidized by the sanitary device 10, so that the bath water can be oxidized and the odor of the bath water and the slimming of the bath 11 can be suppressed.

  Next, a specific operation of the water heater will be described.

  Bath water in the bathtub 11 after bathing is introduced into the sanitary device 10 through the circulation channel 13 by the circulation means 14. The sanitary device 10 described in the first embodiment electrolyzes the bath water to generate hypochlorous acid and metal ions, which are mixed into the circulation flow path 13 and the bathtub 11.

  In particular, by arranging the sanitary device 10 on the downstream side of the flow path of the heating means 12 and the circulation means 14, hypochlorous acid and metal ions are consumed by adhering to the constituent members of the heating means 12 and the circulation means 14. This is to suppress this.

  Hypochlorous acid can oxidize sebum, protein, bacteria, and the like. Since especially hypochlorous acid has lasting power, it will be mixed in the bath water in the bathtub 11 without being consumed in the sanitary device 10.

  In addition, by generating metal ions such as silver, copper, and zinc, metal ions such as silver, copper, and zinc do not disappear in water like hypochlorous acid. An effect of maintaining the microbial effect can also be added.

  That is, when using both hot water and bathing agent in the bathtub, in order to overcome the decrease in sterilization ability due to the reaction of bathing agent and hypochlorous acid, in addition to hypochlorous acid, by generating silver ions, It exhibits sterilization effect without being suppressed.

  Therefore, the water in the bathtub 11 on the next day can be cleaned, and the bathtub water can be used for bathing on the next day by washing or cooking by the heating means 12 with confidence. Further, by cleaning the bathtub water, it is possible to suppress slimming of the bathtub 11 by suppressing adhesion of bacteria, sebum and the like adhering to the bathtub 11. The bathtub can be easily cleaned by rinsing in a shower or the like.

  As described above, the sanitary device according to the present invention can achieve and maintain a high oxidizing power, and thus can be applied to equipment having a sterilization function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrolysis tank 2 1st electrode 2a Metal substrate of 1st electrode 2b Electrode catalyst of 1st electrode 3 2nd electrode 3a Metal substrate of 2nd electrode 3b Electrode catalyst of 2nd electrode 4 3rd electrode 4a Metal substrate of third electrode 4b Metal substrate of third electrode 5 Electric power means 6 Polarizing means 10 Sanitary device 11 Bath 12 Heating means 13 Circulating flow path 14 Circulating means

Claims (6)

A plurality of electrodes disposed in the electrolytic cell; and a power means for applying electric power to the electrode; and electrolyzing water flowing into the electrolytic cell, thereby reducing hypochlorous acid and ozone. A hygiene device having a function of generating and / or a function of generating hypochlorous acid and metal ions. 2. The electrode catalyst formed on the surface of the metal substrate of the electrode that simultaneously generates hypochlorous acid and ozone is tantalum oxide, or tantalum oxide and platinum. Sanitary device as described in. Inverting means for reversing the polarity of the electrode, generating the hypochlorous acid and the ozone at a predetermined electrode, and generating the metal ion and the hypochlorous acid at the other electrode, The sanitary device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diverting means is controlled. Inverting means for reversing the polarity of the electrode, and before generating the hypochlorous acid and the ozone, the polarity changing means is controlled to generate the hypochlorous acid. The sanitary device according to claim 1 or 2. The hygienic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein metal ions are also generated in addition to the hypochlorous acid and the ozone. The sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a bathtub, heating means for heating water in the bathtub, and water in the bathtub between the inside of the bathtub and the heating means. A circulation channel that circulates, and a circulation means that is arranged in the circulation channel, and the sanitary device is arranged downstream of the circulation means in the circulation channel. A water heater characterized by.

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