JP3426344B2 - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generator for electrolyzing raw water such as water or salt water in an electrolyzer. 2. Description of the Related Art In a device of this type, if the DC voltage applied to an electrode of an electrolytic cell is used for a long time in a positive state without switching the polarity, the surface of the negative electrode is Calcium, sodium, etc. adhere in a layered manner to lower the electric conductivity, so that desired electrolyzed water cannot be obtained. Such problems are:
For example, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-7675, the DC voltage applied to the electrodes is switched between normal and reverse at almost the same time as the supply of water to the electrolytic cell is stopped, so as to be in a reverse power state, and the residual water in the electrolytic cell is discharged. This can be solved by performing back-electrode cleaning (peeling off the above-mentioned deposits from the electrodes) until the cleaning is completed. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, a direct current voltage is applied to the electrode only when the remaining water in the electrolyzer is discharged after the water supply to the electrolyzer is stopped. The reverse voltage cleaning is performed by applying in the state, and the electrodes are sequentially exposed to the air with the drainage of the residual water, and the exposed portion is not subjected to the reverse voltage cleaning, so the reverse voltage cleaning is sufficiently performed. I can't. The time during which the residual water in the electrolytic cell is drained after the water supply to the electrolytic cell is stopped (the time during which a DC voltage is applied to the electrode in a reverse voltage state) depends on the installation conditions, such as variations between products of the apparatus and the length of piping. Because of the difference, it is difficult to set an appropriate time unless measurement is performed in advance in the installation state of the device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to address the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyzed water generation apparatus capable of performing back-and-forth electric cleaning sufficiently and accurately without setting time. [0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, the electrolytic ionic water generator is provided with a water storage tank for storing raw water such as water or salt water,
An electrolytic cell having an inlet at the bottom and an outlet at the top for electrolytically treating the internal water by applying a DC voltage to the internal electrode; and flowing the raw water from the water storage tank through a connecting pipe to the electrolytic tank. An electric pump for pressure feeding to the inlet, a rising pipe rising above the water surface of the water storage tank, a discharge pipe having an opening capable of communicating with the atmosphere and connected to the outlet of the electrolytic cell, and a power supply circuit to the electrode. Electrode switching means for switching the direction of the applied DC voltage, and a control device for controlling the operation of the electric pump and the electrode switching means, the raw water of the water storage tank is driven by the electric pump and the electrolytic cell and The residual water that is pressure-fed toward the discharge pipe and remains in the discharge pipe due to the stop of the electric pump flows back toward the water storage tank through the electrolytic cell, and the control device However, the electric pump is maintained in a driving state based on a start signal, the electrode switching means is maintained in a positive state, and an electrolytic generation maintaining means is set to an electrolyzed water generating state.The electric pump is controlled based on a stop signal. A reverse-current cleaning maintaining means for stopping and switching the electrode switching means to a reverse-current state to be in a reverse-current cleaning state, and a current value or a voltage value applied to the electrode in the reverse-current cleaning state is out of a set range. In this case, the apparatus is provided with a reverse-current cleaning ending means for terminating the reverse-current cleaning state when it becomes. In the electrolyzed water generation apparatus according to the present invention, during the electrolyzed water generation operation after the start switch is turned on, the electric pump is maintained in a driving state by the electrolysis generation maintaining means of the control device. Since the electrode switching means is maintained in the positive state, the raw water in the water storage tank is supplied to the inlet of the electrolytic cell through the connection pipe, and the DC voltage from the power supply circuit is applied to the electrode of the electrolytic cell in the positive state. Is maintained.
For this reason, the raw water supplied from the water storage tank to the electrolytic tank by the electric pump is subjected to electrolytic treatment in the electrolytic tank to become electrolytic water, discharged from the electrolytic tank to a discharge pipe, and guided to a desired location through the discharge pipe. Further, when the stop switch is turned on, the electric pump is stopped by the backwashing maintaining means of the control unit immediately after the stop switch is turned on, and the electrode switching means is switched to the reverse state. In addition, the water remaining in the discharge pipe flows backward through the electrolytic tank toward the water storage tank, and the DC voltage from the power supply circuit is applied to the electrodes of the electrolytic tank in a reverse voltage state and is maintained in the discharge pipe. Backwashing is performed when the water flows back into the water storage tank. [0007] By the way, the water level of the water remaining in the discharge pipe is reduced by the above-mentioned backflow, and when the water level is further reduced to a position where the electrodes in the electrolytic cell start to be exposed to the air, the power supply circuit is deactivated. In a voltage circuit, when a predetermined DC voltage is applied to the electrodes, the resistance value increases due to the exposure of the electrodes, the current value applied to the electrodes decreases, and the power supply circuit operates at a constant current. In the case of a circuit in which a predetermined value of current is applied to the electrode, the resistance value increases due to the exposure of the electrode, and the voltage value applied to the electrode increases. For this reason, the current value or the voltage value applied to the electrode is out of the set range, and the backwashing ending means of the control device ends the backwashing state. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus includes a water storage tank 10 for storing a required amount of raw water (tap water). The water storage tank 10
A water level sensor 11 (for detecting an upper limit water level and a lower limit water level) connected to the control device 100 is provided inside, and provided on a water supply pipe 19 (connected to a water supply) by a signal from the water level sensor 11. The electromagnetic on-off valve V1 is opened and closed so that the water level in the water storage tank 10 is maintained in a predetermined range. An overflow pipe 12 is provided in the water storage tank 10, and a connection pipe 13 branched and connected to both inlets 31 a and 31 b of the electrolytic cell 30.
Is mounted on the connection pipe 13, and an electric pump P1 whose operation is controlled by the control device 100 and flow rate adjustment valves V2 and V3 which can be manually adjusted are interposed respectively, and substantially the same amount of raw water is connected. It is configured to be supplied to both inflow ports 31 a and 31 b of the electrolytic cell 30 through the tube 13. The electrolytic cell 30 has a pair of inlets 31a, 31
b having resin b at the bottom and having a pair of outlets 31c and 31d at the upper part made of resin (deformed by overheating)
And a pair of electrodes 32 disposed opposite to each other in the tank body 31,
33 and a diaphragm 36 disposed between the electrodes 32 and 33 to form electrode chambers 34 and 35 for accommodating the electrodes 32 and 33, respectively. Is formed by firing platinum plating or platinum iridium on the surface of the electrode chamber.
4, an inlet 31a and an outlet 31c communicate with each other, and the electrode chamber 35 on the right side communicates with an inlet 31b and an outlet 31d. Further, discharge pipes 37, 38 are connected to the outlets 31c, 31d, respectively, and the discharge pipes 37, 38 have rising portions 37a, 38a which rise upward, as shown in FIG. As described above, the pipe extends to the position where the sink T is used, where each ion water is used.
Storage tank portions 37b, 38
b is formed. Further, each of the rising portions 37a, 38a provided at an intermediate portion of each of the discharge pipes 37, 38 has an upper end communicating with the atmosphere through each of the ventilation fine pipes 37c, 38c, and an outflow end of each of the discharge pipes 37, 38 has a sink. Even if submerged in T, it functions so as not to cause a problem (for example, occurrence of a siphon phenomenon when the device is stopped). In this embodiment, the bottom of the electrolytic cell 30 is
A predetermined amount L from the upper end of the overflow pipe 12 provided at
1 so that water does not accumulate in the discharge pipes 37 and 38 and the electrolytic cell 30 when the apparatus is stopped as shown in the figure. The electrodes 32 and 33 are connected to a power supply circuit 120 via an electrode switch 110. Electrode switch 11
0 corresponds to both electrodes 32,
The switching of the DC voltage applied to the power supply circuit 33 is performed. When a positive signal is received from the control device 100 in the state shown by the virtual line in FIG. Is connected to the electrode 32 and the plus electrode is connected to the electrode 33. When a reverse voltage signal is received from the control device 100 in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. Connect the negative electrode to the electrode 33 and the positive electrode to the electrode 3
2 is connected. The power supply circuit 120 converts an AC voltage into a DC voltage having a predetermined value. When an OFF signal is received from the control device 100, the DC voltage between the negative electrode and the positive electrode becomes zero, and When a turn-on signal is received, a predetermined DC voltage is applied and maintained between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. The control device 100 includes a microcomputer (not shown) for executing a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and is provided with a start-up device arranged near the sink T as shown in FIG. Based on each operation of the switch 101 and the stop switch 102 and a signal from the water level sensor 11, the operation of the electromagnetic on-off valve V1, the electric pump P1, the electrode switch 110, the power supply circuit 120, and the like is controlled. By operating each of the switches 101 and 102 while the main switch 103 is turned on, the operation described below can be obtained. In this embodiment constructed as described above, when the main switch 103 is turned on, the microcomputer of the control device 100 operates in step 20 of FIG.
1 starts the execution of the program, and the start switch 101
Is repeatedly executed until the start switch 101 is turned on, and when the start switch 101 is turned on, steps 203 to 2 are executed.
After the process of 05 (the process of setting the device in the electrolyzed water generation state) is performed, the process of step 206 (the process of maintaining the device in the electrolyzed water generation state) is repeatedly executed until the stop switch 102 is turned on. You. In step 203, an ON signal is output to the electric pump P1, and in step 204, a positive signal is output to the electrode switch 110.
At 05, an ON signal is output to the power supply circuit 120. Accordingly, the electric pump P1 is driven, the electrode switch 110 is maintained in the solid line state, and the power supply circuit 120
Receives an ON signal, a predetermined DC voltage is applied and maintained between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and the
The DC voltage is applied to and maintained in the positive and negative states 2 and 33, and the electrolyzed water generation state is maintained until the stop switch 102 is turned on. For this reason, the raw water in the water storage tank 10 is supplied to the electric pump P1, the connecting pipe 13, and the respective flow control valves V2, V3.
Is supplied to the electrode chambers 34 and 35 of the electrolytic cell 30, and the raw water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 30, and from the electrode chamber 34 of the negative electrode 32, alkaline ions of a predetermined PH in which hydroxyl ions are increased The water is guided to the sink T through the drain pipe 37, and the electrode chamber 35 of the plus electrode 33.
From there, acidic ion water of a predetermined PH with increased hydrogen ions is led to the sink T through the discharge pipe 38. When the water level in the water storage tank 10 reaches the lower limit of the set range due to the above-described operation of generating ionic water by applying a positive voltage, the water level sensor 11 is activated, and based on this, the control device 100 opens the electromagnetic on-off valve V1. A signal is output, the electromagnetic switching valve V1 is opened, and tap water is supplied to the water storage tank 10 through the water supply pipe 19. When the water level in the water storage tank 10 reaches the upper limit of the set range due to the supply of tap water,
The water level sensor 11 operates, and the control device 100
Outputs a valve closing signal to the electromagnetic on-off valve V1, the electromagnetic on-off valve V1 is closed, and supply of tap water stops. This operation is obtained separately from the operation obtained by the microcomputer of the control device 100. When the stop switch 102 is turned on in the above-mentioned electrolyzed water generation state, the step 20 in FIG.
Steps 2 and 7 are performed until the current value A applied to the electrodes 32 and 33 is out of the set range (A1 to A2) after the processing of Steps 7 and 208 (processing for putting the apparatus in the reverse-current cleaning state) is performed.
Step 09 (processing to maintain the device in the reverse-current cleaning state)
Is repeatedly executed. Note that the above current value A is shown in FIG.
Are obtained based on a signal from a current detector 131 provided in a circuit for energizing the electrodes 32 and 33 shown in FIG. In step 207, an off signal is output to the electric pump P1, and in step 208, a reverse signal is output to the electrode switch 110. Therefore, while the electric pump P1 is stopped, the electrode switch 110 is switched from the solid line state to the virtual line state, and the electrode 32 of the electrolytic cell 30 is connected to the plus electrode of the power supply circuit 120, and the electrode 33 becomes the minus electrode. The electrodes 32 and 33 are maintained until the current value A applied to the electrodes 32 and 33 is out of the set range. Therefore, the water remaining in each of the discharge pipes 37, 38 immediately after the stop of the electric pump P1 is removed from the respective electrode chambers 34, 35.
During the backflow automatically supplied by the head, backwashing is performed in a state in which the electrodes 32 and 33 in the electrolytic cell 30 are entirely submerged, and deposits such as calcium and sodium are separated from the electrodes 32 and connected together with the backflow water. The water is discharged out of the electrolytic cell 30 toward the water storage tank 10 through the pipe 13 and the electric pump P1. By the way, the water level of the water remaining in the discharge pipes 37 and 38 in the above-described reverse electric cleaning state is lowered, and this water level is further lowered to expose the electrodes 32 and 33 in the electrolytic cell 30 to the air. When the electrode reaches the position where the operation starts, the resistance value increases due to the exposure of the electrodes 32 and 33, the current value A applied to the electrodes 32 and 33 decreases, and the current value A falls outside the set range. After executing the state termination processing), the processing of step 211 is executed. In step 210, an OFF signal is output to the power supply circuit 120, and the power supply circuit 120
The DC voltage between the negative electrode and the positive electrode is zero. In step 211, it is determined whether or not the main switch 103 has been turned off.
02, it is determined whether the execution of the program is repeated or the process proceeds to step 212 to terminate the execution of the program. In the above embodiment, when the power supply circuit 120 receives an ON signal from the control device 100, a DC voltage of a predetermined value is applied and maintained between the negative electrode and the positive electrode (constant voltage circuit configuration). The end timing of the backwashing is detected by a change in the current value applied to the electrodes 32 and 33. However, when the power supply circuit 120 receives an ON signal from the control device 100, the predetermined timing is set between the minus electrode and the plus electrode. When the DC voltage is applied and the supply current is maintained at a predetermined value (constant current circuit configuration),
The operation is performed such that the end timing of the backwashing is detected by a change in the voltage value applied to the electrodes 32 and 33 (the resistance value increases due to the exposure of the electrodes and the voltage value applied to the electrodes increases). The above-mentioned voltage value is supplied to the voltage detector 13 provided in the circuit for supplying electricity to the electrodes 32 and 33 shown in FIG.
2 to be obtained based on the signal. In the above embodiment, the present invention was carried out using tap water as raw water.
It is also possible to carry out the present invention using the saline obtained by the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 76 as raw water. In the above embodiment, the electrolytic cell 30 having the diaphragm 36 is employed as the electrolytic cell. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to an electrolyzed water generating apparatus employing an electrolytic cell without a diaphragm. If an electrolytic cell without a diaphragm is used,
Since the electrode chamber is single and there is no need to divide the raw water, the connection pipe and the discharge pipe have a single configuration. As is apparent from the above description, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, backwashing is performed when water remaining in the discharge pipe flows back to the water storage tank. Since the backwashing is performed in a state where the whole electrode in the electrolytic cell is submerged, the backwashing can be sufficiently performed. Further, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention, the level of water remaining in the discharge pipe is reduced by the above-mentioned backflow, and this level is further reduced, so that the electrodes in the electrolytic cell begin to be exposed to the air. Since the electrical cleaning that occurs when reaching the position, that is, the backwashing state is terminated by a change in the current value or voltage value applied to the electrode, it is not necessary to set the backwashing time in advance, Even if there is a difference in the backflow time in the installation state based on a difference in installation conditions such as a variation between products of the apparatus or a length of a pipe, the apparatus can be implemented without any problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an electrolyzed water generation device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a state of use of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a part of a program executed by a microcomputer included in the control device of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the rest of the program. [Description of Signs] 10: water storage tank, 13: connection pipe, 30: electrolytic cell, 31
a, 31b ... inlet, 31c, 31d ... outlet, 32,
33 ... electrode, 34, 35 ... electrode chamber, 36 ... diaphragm, 37 ...
1st discharge pipe, 38 ... 2nd discharge pipe, 37a, 38a ... rising part, 110 ... electrode switcher, 120 ... power supply circuit, 100 ...
Control device, P1 ... Electric pump.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-265857 (JP, A) JP-A-7-256254 (JP, A) JP-A-7-241563 (JP, A) JP-A-7-236886 (JP) JP-A-7-22976 (JP, A) JP-A-7-157561 (JP, A) JP-A-6-328072 (JP, A) JP-A-6-304561 (JP, A) 6-304560 (JP, A) JP-A-6-57495 (JP, A) JP-A-7-328625 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) C02F 1/46

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims 1] A storage tank for storing raw water such as water or saline, and a direct current voltage to internal electrodes having an inlet at the bottom and an outlet at the top An electrolytic cell for electrolytically treating the water inside by applying a pressure, an electric pump for pumping the raw water of the water storage tank to the inlet of the electrolytic tank through a connection pipe, a rising part rising above the water surface of the water storage tank and the atmosphere. A discharge pipe having an openable communication port connected to the outlet of the electrolytic cell, an electrode switching means for switching between forward and reverse DC voltage applied to the electrode from a power supply circuit, the electric pump and the electrode switching A control device for controlling the operation of the means,
By driving the electric pump, raw water in the water storage tank is pumped toward the electrolytic tank and the discharge pipe, and residual water remaining in the discharge pipe due to stoppage of the electric pump is directed toward the water storage tank through the electrolytic tank. The control device maintains the electric pump in a driving state based on a start signal, and maintains the electrode switching means in a positive state to generate an electrolyzed water. Means, reverse electric cleaning maintenance means for stopping the electric pump based on a stop signal and switching the electrode switching means to a reverse electric state to make a reverse electric cleaning state, and applying to the electrode in the reverse electric cleaning state An electrolyzed water generation device comprising: a reverse-current cleaning termination means for terminating the reverse-current cleaning state when a current value or a voltage value falls outside a set range.