JP2024046559A - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] The present invention aims to provide an electrolytic water generating device capable of generating electrolytic water in which the ozone concentration is controlled by the water temperature and flow rate. [Solution] To achieve this objective, a temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor are used to control the current value based on the detected water temperature, and the output to the electrodes can be controlled to achieve the target ozone concentration by correcting the controlled current value based on the detected flow rate, thereby enabling low-cost and highly accurate ozone concentration control. In addition, an electrolytic water generating device is adopted that can control the current value to the electrodes based on the water temperature, making it possible to extend the life of the electrodes and reduce power consumption, and prevents odors and ozone gas poisoning by suppressing the generation of excess ozone gas at low water temperatures. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generating device that generates ozone electrolyzed water.

Electrolyzed water is a solution containing electrolytic products such as ozone and hypochlorous acid, which are obtained by electrolyzing raw water, which is made by adding compounds as necessary to pure water or tap water, by applying a direct current voltage between multiple electrodes (anodes and cathodes) placed in the raw water. This type of electrolyzed water has sterilizing and disinfecting effects, so it is used for sanitation management of equipment and hand washing, which requires sterilization.

Conventionally, in order to control the ozone concentration of the electrolytic water that contains ozone, an apparatus for generating electrolytic water containing ozone has been used to control the ozone concentration by detecting the ozone concentration with an absorptiometer. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrolytic water generating apparatus that includes a pair of electrodes, a power control unit that supplies power between the pair of electrodes to electrolyze water to generate electrolytic water, and an electrolytic water concentration sensor that measures the ozone concentration of the electrolytic water, and the power control unit controls the ozone concentration by adjusting the power supplied between the pair of electrodes so that the ozone concentration measured by the electrolytic water concentration sensor becomes a target. In the conventional electrolytic water generating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to make the ozone water a target concentration, the ozone concentration is measured using an absorptiometer and the current flowing through the electrodes is controlled.

JP 2017-64621 A

However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires frequent calibration to control the ozone concentration with high precision. In addition, when a concentration sensor that detects the ozone concentration using an absorptiometer is used, there are problems such as a decrease in the accuracy of the concentration measurement if condensation occurs on the concentration sensor, and the high cost of the parts increases the cost.

Therefore, when highly concentrated ozonated water is generated, the electrodes are overloaded, resulting in a problem of shortened electrode life and increased power consumption. Furthermore, when the water temperature is low, excess ozone gas is generated due to excessive output, which may cause adverse effects such as odor and ozone gas poisoning.

Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, we conducted extensive research and came up with the following electrolytic water generating device.

The electrolytic water generating device according to the present invention is an electrolytic water generating device that generates electrolytic water containing ozone by electrolysis, and is characterized by comprising an electrolytic cell having at least a pair of electrodes, a temperature sensor that detects the water temperature in the electrolytic cell, and a control device that controls the current to the electrodes based on the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and by controlling the current with the control device to adjust the ozone concentration in the generated electrolytic water.

Further, an electrolyzed water generating device is adopted, which is equipped with a flow rate sensor to detect the flow rate into the electrolytic tank, and corrects the current value to the electrode based on the flow rate detected from the flow rate sensor. .

The electrolytic water generating device according to the present invention can control the output to the electrodes to achieve a target ozone concentration based on the water temperature, making it possible to control the ozone concentration with high accuracy at low cost. In addition, the current value to the electrodes can be controlled based on the water temperature, and overloading of the electrodes can be prevented, making it possible to extend the life of the electrodes and reduce power consumption. Furthermore, because the output can be controlled based on temperature, it is possible to prevent odors and ozone gas poisoning by suppressing the generation of excess ozone gas when the water temperature is low.

1 is a schematic diagram of an electrolytic water generating device. This is a calibration curve for producing ozone water with a concentration of 1.0 ppm.

The following describes the configuration of the electrolytic water generating device according to the present invention. Note that the following description is merely one embodiment, and should not be construed as being limited to the following description.

1. Electrolyzed water generating device The electrolyzed water generating device according to the present invention is an electrolyzed water generating device that can control current based on water temperature , and in the electrolytic cell, there is a voltage between at least one pair of electrodes and at least one pair of electrodes. an electrolysis unit that applies a voltage between at least one pair of electrodes to generate ozone in the raw water; a temperature sensor that detects water temperature; It includes a flow rate sensor for detection and a control section.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an electrolyzed water generating device 1 of the present invention. The electrolyzed water generating device 1 includes an electrolysis section 10, a chlorine addition section 11, and a control section 12. The electrolytic section 10 includes at least one pair of electrodes, an anode 30 and a cathode 31, and at least one pair of power supply members, a power supply member 32 and a power supply member 33, for applying a voltage between the anode 30 and the cathode 31. The anode 30 and cathode 31 are arranged facing each other. The anode 30 and the power supply member 32, and the cathode 31 and the power supply member 33 are connected to each other so that current can flow therethrough. The power supply member 32 and the power supply member 33 are connected to the power supply unit 13 via a power supply line 34 and a power supply line 35. Further, the electrolysis section 10 is connected to a raw water flow path 21 for supplying raw water to the electrolysis section water tank 15 and an electrolyzed water flow path 23 for taking out generated electrolyzed water from the electrolysis section water tank 15.

The water flow path 20 is connected to the water volume adjustment unit 14 as the water input, and the raw water flow path 21 is connected to the water volume adjustment unit 14 as the output. The raw water flow path 21 is connected to the temperature sensor 16 and the flow rate sensor 17, and the chlorine addition unit 11 is connected to the chlorine addition flow path 22. The chlorine addition flow path 22 is connected to merge with the raw water flow path 21. The control unit 12 connects at least the chlorine addition unit 11, the power supply unit 13, the water volume adjustment unit 14, the temperature sensor 16, and the flow rate sensor 17 in FIG. 1 as shown by the dashed lines by means capable of performing the control described below. Note that in the electrolytic water generating device 1, the control unit 12 can also control each part not shown in FIG. 1.

It is preferable to use a thermistor as the temperature sensor 16. Thermistors are sensitive enough to measure small changes, have high absolute accuracy, and do not suffer from reduced measurement accuracy when condensation occurs. Further, it is preferable that the temperature sensor is installed in the raw water flow path 21. Further, the flow rate sensor 17 is preferably installed in the raw water flow path 21. Further, the temperature sensor is not limited to a thermistor, and other temperature sensors may be used.

[Raw water]
When generating ozone, the raw water supplied from raw water flow passage 21 to electrolysis section water tank 15 is water supplied to raw water flow passage 21 by adjusting the amount of water flowing out from water amount adjustment section 14 per unit time to an appropriate amount relative to the water flowing in from water flow passage 20. Since tap water is pressurized, it can be adjusted to an appropriate amount by adjusting the opening of a valve such as a needle valve in water amount adjustment section 14. Note that as long as the amount of water flowing out from water amount adjustment section 14 per unit time can be adjusted to an appropriate amount, it can be used without being limited to the above.

[Control unit]
The control unit 12 can switch the current value applied to the electrolysis unit 10 based on the water temperature measured by the temperature sensor 16. Furthermore, the value of the current to be applied may be corrected based on the flow rate measured by the flow rate sensor 17. It also has an ozonated water generation mode that generates ozone and a hypochlorous acid water generation mode that generates hypochlorous acid. In the ozone water generation mode, the control unit 12 measures the water temperature with the temperature sensor 16, controls the current value based on the measured water temperature, and measures the flow rate with the flow rate sensor 17. Based on the flow rate, the current value control is corrected. When controlling and correcting the current value described above, the target ozone concentration is determined in the power supply unit 13 based on data of a calibration curve that is provided in the control unit 12 and shows the correlation between the water temperature, the current value, and the ozone concentration. It has a function of passing a current suitable for generating ozonated water between the anode 30 and the cathode 31. The data used in the control section is created with the minimum standard being at high water temperatures when the efficiency of ozone generation is low. By executing the ozonated water generation mode, the electrolyzed water generation device 1 can electrolyze the raw water in the electrolysis section water tank 15 and obtain ozonated water with a target ozone concentration from the electrolyzed water flow path 23.

The control unit 12 can determine the current value in two ways, using only the water temperature and using both the water temperature and the flow rate. When the current value is controlled using only the water temperature, and when there is no flow rate control mechanism, the flow rate can be grasped to a certain extent. The current value is selected for the water temperature by referring to the calibration curve of the correlation between the water temperature, the current value, and the target ozone concentration of 1.0 ppm based on different flow rates shown in FIG. 2, and the current value to be passed through the anode 30 and the cathode 31 is determined. The calibration curve shown in FIG. 2 for the case where the target ozone concentration is 1 ppm is represented by a line diagram using a triangular marker when the flow rate is 1.0 L/min, a square marker when the flow rate is 2.0 L/min, and a circle marker when the flow rate is 4.0 L/min. The current value to be passed through the anode 30 and the cathode 31 is not limited to the range of water temperatures in the data shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the target ozone concentration of 1 ppm is one aspect of the present invention, and the target ozone concentration can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

When controlling the current value using the water temperature and flow rate, the current value corresponding to the water temperature is selected based on the calibration curve shown in Figure 2 when the target ozone concentration is 1.0 ppm, and the current value selected is corrected based on the flow rate to determine the current value to be passed through the anode 30 and the cathode 31. Note that the current value passed through the anode 30 and the cathode 31 is not limited to the water temperature range of the data shown in Figure 2. Also, a target ozone concentration of 1.0 ppm is one aspect of the present invention, and the target ozone concentration can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Electrolysis section]
The electrolysis unit 10 includes at least one pair of an anode 30 and a cathode 31 in the electrolysis unit water tank 15. The anode 30 and the cathode 31 may be arranged in any manner as long as the raw water in the electrolysis unit water tank 15 can be electrolyzed.

The material used for the exterior part covering the electrolysis section water tank 15 can be any material that can generate electrolytic water by electrolysis in the electrolysis section water tank 15, but an insulating resin material is preferable. This is because it can be easily molded and does not hinder the electrolysis of raw water in the electrolysis section water tank 15 because no current flows through the exterior part. It is preferable to provide an opening in this exterior part for connecting the raw water flow path 21 for supplying raw water to the electrolysis section water tank 15 and the electrolytic water flow path 23 for taking out the generated electrolytic water from the electrolysis section water tank 15, and an opening for passing the power supply member 32 and the power supply member 33 through. Note that the position of the opening for connecting the raw water flow path 21 and the electrolytic water flow path 23 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 1.

The interval between the anode 30 and the cathode 31 is not particularly limited as long as it can efficiently electrolyze the raw water. However, if the distance between the anode 30 and the cathode 31 is too narrow, it will be difficult to arrange the anode 30 and the cathode 31 while maintaining the distance accurately with respect to the processing accuracy of the electrolytic section 10, the anode 30, and the cathode 31. Not desirable because it is difficult. On the other hand, if the distance between the anode 30 and the cathode 31 is too wide, it may become difficult to perform electrolysis, or a higher voltage will be required for electrolysis than in the case of a preferable distance range. Undesirable. Therefore, it is preferable to set appropriate intervals.

〔Power supply part〕
The power supply section 13 supplies the power necessary for electrolysis to the anode 30 and the cathode 31 via the power supply line 34 and the power supply line 35, and the power supply member 32 and the power supply member 33. The power supply unit 13 is controlled by the control unit 12 at a current value determined based on only the water temperature or the water temperature and flow rate, and outputs a current at a current value suitable for an appropriate ozone water concentration by electrolysis.

The embodiment of the present invention described above is one aspect of the present invention, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

When the flow rate is 1.0 L/min, the current value is controlled based on the water temperature, the water temperature is changed from 14.7 ° C. or higher to 24.0 ° C., the current value is 1.6 A, and after 10 minutes, The current value applied and the ozone concentration of the ozone water produced were measured.

The flow rate was changed from 1.0 L/min to 2.0 L/min, the current value was controlled based on the water temperature and flow rate, the water temperature was 14.7°C, the current value was 1.6 A, and after 10 minutes. , was measured in the same manner as described in Example 1.

Comparative Example

Comparative Example 1
When the flow rate was 1.0 L/min, the water temperature was changed from 14.7°C to 24.0°C, and the current value was not controlled based on the water temperature, but a current value of 1.6 A was passed through the device. After 10 minutes, the current value passed through the device and the ozone concentration of the ozone water generated were measured.

Comparative Example 2
The flow rate was changed from 1.0 L/min to 2.0 L/min, the current value was not controlled based on the water temperature and flow rate, and the water temperature was 14.7° C., and measurements were performed in the same manner as in the method described in Comparative Example 1.

〔evaluation〕
The current flow method described in Example 1 and Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 was used to measure the change in ozone concentration at water temperature and flow rate, and to evaluate whether current control was possible. In Example 1 and Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the same temperature sensor and flow rate sensor were used for measurement. In the examples and comparative examples, the target ozone concentration was set to 1.0 ppm. The surface areas of the anode and cathode through which the current flows are each 600 ^cm2 . Furthermore, the measurement of the ozone concentration has a measurement error of about 10% due to the measurement equipment.

Table 1 shows the results when no current control was performed. Table 2 shows the results when current control was performed based on water temperature and flow rate.

Table 1 shows that in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the higher the water temperature, the lower the ozone concentration and the lower the ozone generation ability. It can also be seen that the lower the water temperature, the higher the ozone concentration, and the better the ozone generation ability. From the above, it can be seen that changes in water temperature affect ozone generation ability.

Also, from Table 2, in the case of Example 1, the current value changed from 1.6 A to 2.6 A after 10 minutes. This is because the current value was changed based on the water temperature and according to the calibration curve in Figure 2. It can be seen that it can be controlled. Furthermore, it can be seen that the ozone concentration was able to suppress the concentration of generated ozonated water to within about 10% compared to an ozone concentration of 1.0 ppm. Further, in the case of Example 2, the current value changes from 1.6 A to 2.5 A due to a change in the flow rate, so it can be seen that the current value can be corrected depending on the flow rate. It is also seen that the concentration of ozonated water produced could be suppressed to within about 10% for an ozone concentration of 1.0 ppm. From the above, it is clear that by using a temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor, it is possible to control the current based on only the measured water temperature or both the water temperature and flow rate, and it is possible to generate ozonated water that maintains an arbitrary ozone concentration. Became.

The electrolyzed water generating device according to the present invention can control the output to the electrodes so as to achieve a target ozone concentration based on the water temperature, so it is possible to control the ozone concentration at low cost and with high precision. Furthermore, since the current value to the electrodes can be controlled based on the water temperature and overloading of the electrodes can be prevented, it has become possible to extend the life of the electrodes and reduce power consumption. Furthermore, since the output can be controlled based on temperature, when the water temperature is low, it is possible to prevent odor and ozone gas poisoning by suppressing the generation of excess ozone gas.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Electrolyzed water generating device 10 Electrolysis section 11 Chlorine addition section 12 Control section 13 Power supply section 14 Water volume adjustment section 15 Electrolysis section water tank 16 Temperature sensor 17 Flow rate sensor 20 Water flow path 21 Raw water flow path 22 Chlorine addition flow path 23 Electrolyzed water flow path 30 Anode 31 Cathode 32 Power supply member 33 Power supply member 34 Power supply line 35 Power supply line

Claims (2)

This is an electrolyzed water generating device that generates electrolyzed water containing ozone through electrolysis.
an electrolytic cell comprising at least one pair of electrodes;
a temperature sensor that detects the water temperature of the electrolytic cell;
Equipped with a control device that controls the current to the electrode based on the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor,
An electrolyzed water generating device characterized by adjusting the ozone concentration of generated electrolyzed water. The electrolytic water generating device according to claim 1, which is equipped with a flow sensor to detect the amount of water flowing into the electrolytic cell, and corrects the current value to the electrodes based on the flow rate detected by the flow sensor.

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