JP2587731B2 - Electrolytic reaction unit for sterile water production - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

This invention relates to sodium chloride (NaC).
1) The present invention relates to an electrolytic reaction unit of a sterilizing water producing apparatus for electrolyzing water to which a chemical solution such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) is added, and diluting the resulting electrolyzed water with raw water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The inventors of the present patent application first electrolyze a mixture of water containing sodium chloride and water containing hydrochloric acid in a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell, and obtain the resulting high-concentration hypochlorous acid. A method for producing sterilized water for diluting an aqueous solution with water was developed, and a patent application was filed as Japanese Patent Application No. 21281/1990. When the aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid is in the pH range of 3 to 7, 80
% Or more is kept in the form of hypochlorite HClO, and the bactericidal power is dramatically increased as compared with the state of pH 8 or more existing in the form of hypochlorite ion ClO (ion). We have proposed Na
By electrolyzing the water to which the Cl aqueous solution and the HCl aqueous solution are added, the above-described hypochlorous acid water can be efficiently obtained, and the sterilizing water has a very large sterilizing power, so that the raw water has a low concentration of about 30 to 60 ppm. The present invention has been accomplished by finding that a sterilizing effect equivalent to sterilizing water having a residual chlorine concentration of about 200 ppm at pH 8 can be obtained even when diluted.

[0003] By the way, since a compact dedicated electrolysis unit suitable for this method for producing sterilized water has not been developed yet, at present, it is used as a drainage pipe of a continuous flow type electrolyzed water production apparatus having a water supply pipe and a drainage pipe. A method of connecting and branching a branch pipe from a raw water pipe to mix and dilute the electrolyzed water and the raw water for dilution is being studied.

[0004]

In the apparatus having this structure, the piping for mixing is troublesome. In particular, chlorine gas (Cl ₂ ) in electrolytic water is reacted with water to produce hypochlorous acid. When connecting the gas-liquid reaction tank to the drain port of the electrolyzer unit, the raw water mixing pipe must be connected between the drain port and the gas-liquid reaction tank, so that the on-site assembly and piping are troublesome. In addition, conventional electrolytic cells use a cylindrical outer electrode as a cathode,
Since the inner electrode was used as the anode, the surface area of the positive electrode was relatively small, and the generation efficiency of electrolyzed water was not sufficient. Furthermore, since the amount of treated water passing through the electrolytic cell is relatively small, the temperature of the electrolytic cell tends to increase due to the heat generated by the electrodes, resulting in a problem of lowering the electrolysis efficiency.
On the other hand, when the pH of the hypochlorous acid water generated by the electrolysis becomes 4 or less, generation of chlorine gas Cl ₂ starts to be seen, but chlorine gas is toxic and it is necessary to absorb it as safely as possible.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a compact electrolytic reaction unit suitable for producing sterilized water by electrolyzing water to which a germicide solution has been added and diluting the obtained electrolyzed water with raw water. To provide.

A second object of the present invention is to provide the above-mentioned unit having high electrolysis efficiency.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic reaction unit for producing sterilized water capable of suppressing an increase in the temperature of an electrolytic cell.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide the above-mentioned electrolytic reaction unit for producing sterilized water which produces toxic hypochlorous acid (HClO) by reacting toxic chlorine gas contained in the electrolyzed water with water. Is to do.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object, an electrolytic reaction unit for producing sterilized water according to the present invention comprises an electrolytic cell having an inner electrode and an outer electrode which constitute a positive electrode and a negative electrode. A water supply port for a sterile water producing chemical solution is provided on one end side, and a water passage block integrally provided with a passage for passing raw water for dilution is provided on the other end side of the electrolytic cell, and a water passage of the water passage block is provided. A small hole for discharging the electrolytic solution on the partition wall between the electrolytic cells,
Preferably, an electrolytic solution discharging orifice having a small-diameter passage having a predetermined length is provided therethrough so that the electrolytic solution and the raw water for dilution are merged in the passage of the water flow block. More preferably, a common raw water pipe is branched to supply water to an electrolytic tank water supply port and a water passage of a water block, and a constant flow valve is provided upstream of the branch point. Further, in order to more reliably mix the electrolytic solution and the dilution water in the water passage block, an aspirator may be provided in the water passage of the water passage block, or a shielding cover may be provided around the orifice.

In order to achieve the second object, the present invention is achieved by using a cylindrical outer electrode as an anode and an inner electrode as a cathode.

Further, as a means for achieving the third object, in the present invention, the electrode rod of the inner positive electrode is disposed so as to extend longitudinally through the water passage of the raw water for dilution.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, a gas-liquid reaction tank is connected to a drain pipe of a water block of the electrolytic reaction unit.

[0013]

According to the present invention, sterilizing chemical solution water such as NaCl and HCl introduced from the water supply port of the electrolytic cell into the electrolytic cell is electrolyzed by a direct current applied between the two electrodes while passing through the passage between the electrodes. Electrolyzed water having a high residual chlorine concentration is generated. The electrolyzed water is discharged from the orifice of the electrolyzer to the water passage of the water block. On the other hand, the raw water for dilution is supplied to the passage of the water flow block, but the electrolytic solution in the electrolytic cell is ejected through a discharge small hole, preferably a discharge orifice having a small-diameter passage having a predetermined length. In the water channel of the water block, the raw water is smoothly mixed, diluted and discharged. When a common raw water pipe is branched to supply water to the water supply port of the electrolytic cell and the water flow block, and when a constant flow valve is provided upstream of this branch point, the raw water flow pressure upstream of the valve is reduced. Even if it fluctuates, the flow pressure of the electrolytic solution and the dilution water is kept constant, so that the mixing is further stabilized. By providing an aspirator and a shielding cover in the water passage of the water passage block, the electrolytic solution is sucked into the water passage and merged with the dilution water even when the flowing water pressure of the electrolytic cell is reduced.

When the cylindrical outer electrode is formed of a positive electrode, the electrolysis effective area of the positive electrode is increased, and the electrolysis efficiency is improved.

By making the electrode rod of the inner electrode face the water passage of the water block, the positive electrode rod is cooled by the raw water for dilution, so that the temperature rise of the electrolytic cell during electrolysis is suppressed.

When a gas-liquid reaction tank is connected to the discharge line of the water block, even if chlorine gas Cl ₂ is present in the electrolytic water, it reacts with water H ₂ O, and Cl ₂ + H ₂ O → H
C that is toxic by (ion) + Cl (ion) + HClO
l ₂ is eliminated, strong germicidal HClO is increased.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electrolytic cell 1 has a water supply port 2 at one end (lower end in the drawing) for introducing electrolyzed water to which a sterilizing water producing chemical such as NaCl or HCl is added.
And a discharge orifice 4 having a small hole for discharge, preferably a small-diameter passage 4 ′ having a predetermined length, is formed in the other end side partition (top lid) 3. Inside of the electrolytic cell 1 is a non-separated electrolytic chamber 7 in which inner electrodes 6 of different polarities are arranged inside and outside facing each other.
The electrolyzed water introduced from the water supply port 2 is electrolyzed by a direct current between the electrodes in the process of flowing through the electrolysis chamber 7 between the electrodes 5 and 6, so that the residual chlorine concentration is high and Chloric acid HClO is generated in electrolyzed water having a high abundance ratio and discharged from the small holes 4 of the canopy 3. Electrolyzer 1
On the other end side, a water flow block 8 for connecting a raw water supply pipe for dilution is integrally connected. The water block 8 has a water passage 9 communicating from a water supply port 8a to a drain port 8b. The water passage 9 and the inside of the electrolytic cell 1 communicate with the electrolytic cell 1 through the discharge small hole 4 to the electrolytic cell 1. They are assembled together. The discharge orifice 4 communicating the electrolytic cell 1 and the water passage 9 is a small-diameter opening having a small-diameter passage 4 ′ having a predetermined length such that the discharge pressure of the orifice 4 is larger than the flow pressure of the water passage 9.
This is preferably formed in a plurality. This prevents the raw water for dilution from flowing back into the electrolytic cell 1, so that the electrolyzed water and the raw water for dilution are smoothly mixed in the water passage 9 of the water flow block 8. For the same purpose, the inner surface of the partition 3 of the electrolytic cell 1 is formed in a tapered shape toward the orifice 4 so that the electrolytic water can easily flow toward the orifices 4 and 4.

More preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, a dilution water supply pipe 17 connected to the water passage 9 of the water passage block 8.
From the raw water pipe 11 to the electrolytic cell, and a constant flow valve 20 is provided upstream of the branch point. As described above, when the common raw water pipe 11 is branched to supply water to the electrolytic tank water supply port 2 and the water passage 9 of the water passage block, and the constant flow valve 20 is provided upstream of the branch point, Even if the flow pressure of the raw water upstream of the valve fluctuates, the flow pressure of the electrolytic solution and the dilution water is kept constant, so that the electrolysis can be performed without changing the diameter of the orifice 4 or the small diameter passage between the electrolytic cell and the water passage. The chemical and the dilution water are mixed in a well-balanced manner.

FIGS. 3A to 4B show an aspirator 21 in the water passage 9 and a discharge orifice near the throttle of the aspirator 21 in order to more surely join and mix the dilution water and the electrolytic solution in the water passage block 8. 4 is opened so that the electrolytic solution from the orifice 4 is sucked into the dilution water in the water passage 9. 3a and 3b show an aspirator 21 having a structure in which the tubular passage of the water passage 9 is narrowed by a reduced diameter portion 21a, and shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.
This embodiment illustrates an aspirator 21 in which the passage is narrowed by a cylindrical body 21b disposed in the water passage 9. still,
The structure of the aspirator is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but may be any other structure having a suction effect.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show yet another embodiment for preventing the backflow of dilution water into the electrolytic cell.
In this embodiment, around the opening of the orifice 4 facing the water passage 9 of the water block 8, a shielding cover 22 such as a baffle for diverting the diluting water flow is provided so that the diluting water pressure does not act on the orifice 4. is there. In this case, the shielding cover 22 is provided so as to cover the upper surface of the orifice 4 on the upstream side of the dilution water, and more preferably, so that the shielding cover 22 contacts the outer wall of the orifice 4 on the upstream side of the dilution water as shown in FIGS. Place it in

In order to relatively increase the surface area of the positive electrode, preferably, the cylindrical outer electrode 6 is used as the positive electrode and the inner electrode 5 is used as the cathode. With this configuration, the electrolysis efficiency is improved by increasing the surface of the positive electrode.

However, the arrangement of the electrodes is not limited to the above arrangement, and the outer electrodes may be used as cathodes and the inner electrodes may be used as anodes. In any case, since the flow rate of the electrolyzed water passing through the electrolyzer is relatively small, the temperature in the electrolyzer 1 may increase during electrolysis, thereby lowering the electrolysis efficiency. Then, a turbulent flow occurs near the outlet of the orifice 4 due to a temperature difference from the raw water for dilution, and smooth mixing can be prevented. To solve this problem, the inner electrode 5
The electrode rod 5a is disposed so as to protrude outside across the water passage 9 of the water flow block 8, so that the electrode rod 5a is cooled by the diluted raw water.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is characterized in that a gas-liquid reaction tank 10 is provided in the pipe on the drain port 8b side of the water flow block 8 of the electrolytic reaction unit as exemplified in the embodiment of FIGS. The gas-liquid reaction tank 10 activates the contact reaction between the electrolyzed water and the raw water for dilution. Even when chlorine gas Cl ₂ remains in the electrolyzed water, it reacts with the water to form hypochlorite HClO. It is a reaction tank. That is, in the gas-liquid reaction tank 10, C
l ₂ + H ₂ O → H (ion) + Cl (ion) + HClO
Strong H germicidal than toxic Cl ₂ is and harmless by reacting
Instead of ClO, the sterilizing power is further increased. Cl ₂ and H ₂ O
The gas-liquid reaction tank 10 shown in the figure is provided with a nonwoven fabric 10
One or two or more treatment layers filled with a fibrous material such as c are disposed in a drain passage. In particular, when a nonwoven fabric is filled, the flow resistance is small and the reaction efficiency is good.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a system for producing sterilized water incorporating the electrolytic reaction unit of the present invention.
Is connected to the water supply port 2 of the electrolytic cell 1 via a microfilter 12 and a flow meter 13. The raw water pipe 11 has a tank 1
4 through the pipe 16 so that chemicals for sterilizing water production such as NaCl aqueous solution and HCl aqueous solution are added by the pump 15.
Is connected. On the other hand, the raw water pipe 11 has a branch pipe 1
The branch pipe 17 is provided with a fluid operating valve 18 such as a flow switch and a pressure switch, and a flow meter 1.
9 is connected to a water supply port 8a of a water flow block 8 of the electrolytic reaction unit.

[0025]

According to the present invention, a sterilizing water producing apparatus is provided in which a water supply block for raw water for dilution is integrally connected to one end of the electrolytic cell, and the electrolytic water is mixed with the raw water for dilution in the water passage of the water flow block. Is compact, and piping and assembling on site are easy.
In particular, since an electrolytic solution discharge orifice having a small-diameter passage having a predetermined length is provided between the water passage of the water block and the inside of the electrolytic cell, the raw water does not flow back into the electrolytic cell.
When an aspirator or a shielding cover is provided around the orifice 4, the electrolytic solution is mixed well with the raw water in the water passage of the water block. When the outer electrode is used as the anode, the anode electrolysis area is increased, the electrolysis efficiency is improved, and the cooling of the anode is facilitated. By crossing the electrode rod of the inner electrode through the water passage of the water block, the electrolytic cell is cooled, so that the electrolytic efficiency is not lowered due to the temperature rise and the turbulence due to the temperature difference is eliminated.

Further, by providing a gas-liquid reaction tank at the drain port of the water flow block, the chlorine gas Cl _{2 in} the sterilized water becomes hypochlorite HClO, so that harmful substances are absorbed and the sterilizing power is further increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of an electrolytic reaction unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an electrolytic reaction unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3a,

FIG. 4a,

FIG. 4b and

FIG. 5a is a structural explanatory view of the inside of a water block according to another embodiment of the present invention;

3b is a perspective view of a main part of FIG. 3a.

5b is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5a.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of an electrolytic reaction unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram of a sterilizing water producing apparatus incorporating the electrolytic reaction unit of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electrolysis tank, 2 ... Water supply port, 3 ... Partition wall, 4 ... Orifice, 5 ... Inner electrode, 6 ... Outer electrode, 7 ... Electrolysis chamber,
Reference Signs List 8: water passage block, 9: water passage, 10: gas-liquid reaction tank, 10a: partition plate, 10c: non-woven fabric, 11: raw water piping, 12: microfilter, 13, 19: flow meter, 14: chemical liquid tank, 17 ... branch piping, 18 ...
Flow switch valve, 20 ... Constant flow valve, 21
... Aspirator, 22 ... Shielding cover

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideyuki Kitamura 23-15 Suzukocho, Kamaishi-shi, Iwate Prefecture Inside Nippon Steel Corporation Kamaishi Steel Works (72) Inventor Katsue Oshima 2-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. Nippon Steel Corporation (56) References JP-A-2-149395 (JP, A)

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] A water supply port for a sterile water producing chemical solution is provided at one end of an electrolytic cell in which inner and outer electrodes constituting a positive electrode and a negative electrode are arranged to face each other. Raw water for dilution is provided at the other end of the electrolytic cell. In addition to integrally providing a water block that passes through the passage,
Electrolysis for sterilizing water production, characterized in that a small hole is penetrated in a partition wall between a water passage of a water block and an electrolytic cell, and an electrolytic solution and raw water for dilution are merged in a passage of the water block. Reaction unit. 2. An orifice having a small-diameter passage having a predetermined length, wherein the small hole for discharging the electrolytic solution is provided.
An electrolytic reaction unit for producing sterilized water according to the above. 3. A diluting water supply pipe connected to a water passage of a water block is branched from a raw water pipe to an electrolytic cell, and a constant flow valve is provided upstream of the branch point. Item 3. An electrolytic reaction unit for producing sterilized water according to item 1 or 2. 4. The electrolytic reaction unit for producing sterilized water according to claim 1, wherein an aspirator is provided upstream of a drainage orifice opening of a water passage of the water passage block. 5. An electrolysis reaction for producing sterilized water according to claim 1, wherein a shielding cover for preventing inflow of a dilution water flow is provided around a drainage orifice opening of a water passage of a water block. unit. 6. The electrolytic reaction unit according to claim 1, wherein the outer cylindrical electrode is used as an anode and the inner electrode is used as a cathode. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrode rod of the inner positive electrode is disposed so as to traverse the flow path of the raw water for dilution.
7. The electrolytic reaction unit for producing sterilized water according to 4, 5, or 6. 8. A gas-liquid reaction tank is connected to a discharge pipe of a water flow block.
The electrolytic reaction unit for producing sterilized water according to 6 or 7. 9. The electrolysis for producing sterilized water according to claim 8, wherein the gas-liquid reaction tank comprises one or a plurality of treatment layers filled with a nonwoven fabric between upper and lower partition plates having small water holes. Reaction unit.