JP3498378B2 - Ion water generator - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention electrolyzes raw water such as tap water and well water to produce alkaline ionized water for drinking and medical use, and acidic ionized water for use as lotion and sterilizing wash water. The present invention relates to an ion water generator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, ion water generators have become widespread, reflecting the "health boom". This ion water generator electrolyzes tap water or the like in an electrolytic cell to generate acidic ion water on the anode side and alkaline ion water on the cathode side.

A conventional continuous electrolysis type ionized water generator will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic overall view of a conventional ionized water generator. 1 is a raw water pipe such as tap water, 2 is a faucet,
Reference numeral 3 is an ion water generator connected to the raw water pipe 1 via the faucet 2. Reference numeral 4 is a water purifier having activated carbon or a hollow fiber membrane inside, 5 is a solenoid valve opened / closed by a signal from a controller described later, 6 is a flow rate sensor for confirming water flow and instructing the controller to start control, 8 Is a diaphragm that divides the electrolytic cell 7 for electrolyzing water that has passed through the flow rate sensor 6 into a cathode chamber 7a and an anode chamber 7b, and 9 and 10 are formed by dividing the electrolyte chamber 7 into two parts, a cathode chamber 7a and an anode. Electrodes disposed in the chamber 7b, 11,
12 and 13 are raw water supply pipes, 13a is a water supply channel to the cathode chamber, 13b is a water supply channel to the anode chamber, and 14 is treated water on the electrode 9 side (when the electrode 9 is a cathode, it becomes alkaline ionized water). Alkaline ionized water discharge passage, 15 is treated water on the electrode 10 side (when the electrode 10 is an anode, it becomes acidic ionized water)
The acidic ionized water discharge passage for discharging water, 16 is a fixed throttle portion for adjusting the flow rate provided in the water supply passage 13b to the anode chamber 7b, 17 is a controller for controlling the operation of the ionized water generator 3, and 18
Is a power supply unit, and 19 is a water flow switch.

The operation of the conventional ionized water generator 3 configured as described above will be described below. The raw water that has been passed through the raw water pipe 1 by opening the faucet 2 removes impurities such as residual chlorine odor and general sterilization in the raw water by the water purifier 4, and then passes through the flow rate sensor 6 to the electrolytic cell 7. . On the other hand, power supply unit 1
The electric power supplied from 8 is controlled to a predetermined DC voltage by the controller 17 and supplied to the electrodes 9 and 10. As a result, acidic ionized water is generated in the anode chamber 7b and alkaline ionized water is generated in the cathode chamber 7a.
When a voltage is applied so that the voltage becomes a negative voltage, alkaline ionized water is continuously obtained from the alkaline ionized water discharge passage 14 and acidic ionized water is continuously obtained from the acidic ion water discharge passage 15.

[0005]

However, in the ion water generator of the prior art, the electrodes are opposed to each other inside the electrolytic cell via the diaphragm, so that the electrode area can be increased in order to reduce the current density. There was a problem that the electrolytic cell became large. Further, the configuration in which the electrolytic cell is partitioned by the diaphragm and the electrode plates are inserted into the anode chamber and the cathode chamber to perform electrolysis includes many spaces that do not substantially contribute to electrolysis in the cell.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems by increasing the electrode area to reduce the current density,
An object of the present invention is to provide a maintenance-free ion water generator that has a small volume of an electrolytic cell and is lightweight and has a long life.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the ion water generator of the present invention comprises a gas chamber and treated water by means of an electrode complex in which ion permeation electrodes are provided on both sides of an anion exchange membrane. The chamber is divided into electrolytic cells, and the ion-permeable electrode on the side facing the gas chamber is applied to the anode, and the ion-permeable electrode on the side facing the treated water chamber is applied to the cathode.

Further, in the ionized water generator of the present invention, a plurality of gas chambers and treated water chambers are alternately provided, and an electrode complex in which an ion permeation electrode is provided on each side surface of the anion exchange membrane is treated with the gas chambers. The ion-permeable electrode on the side facing the gas chamber is applied to the anode, and the ion-permeable electrode on the side facing the treated water chamber is applied to the cathode.

Further, both the gas chamber and the treated water chamber are composed of flexible spacers, and both the ion permeable electrode and the anion exchange membrane are flexible. It is desirable that all of the gas chamber, the treated water chamber and the anion exchange membrane are spirally wound.

[0010]

Since the ion water generator of the present invention comprises the anion exchange membrane and the ion-permeable electrode, the anions generated by electrolysis are captured by the anode through the cathode and the anion exchange membrane by electrophoresis, The anion can be a gas molecule.

In the ion water generator of the present invention, a plurality of gas chambers and treated water chambers are alternately provided, and an electrode complex having ion permeation electrodes provided on both sides of the anion exchange membrane is used as a gas chamber and a treated water chamber. The ion-permeable electrode on the side facing the gas chamber is applied to the anode, and the ion-permeable electrode on the side facing the treated water chamber is applied to the cathode, so the distance between the electrodes is shortened. Increase the area of the electrode and let the gas in the gas chamber
Alkaline ionized water can be produced in the treated water chamber.

Further, since the ion-permeable electrode, the gas chamber, the treated water chamber and the anion exchange membrane are each flexible and wound in a spiral shape, the electrolytic cells can be stacked, and the gas chamber and the treated water can be stacked. It is possible to reduce the volume of the chamber and increase the electrode area.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged view of an ionized water generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an electrode composite 20 is provided with an anode 22 on one side of the anion exchange membrane 21 and a cathode 23 on the other side, and the electrode composite 20 divides the electrolytic cell 24 into two. . The anode 22 and the cathode 23 are ion-permeable electrodes having a structure that allows ions to easily pass therethrough, and are made of a thin film such as a porous material or a fiber aggregate. Here, the voltage controlled to a predetermined magnitude by the controller 28 is applied to the anode 22 and the cathode 23 by the conducting wire 27.
Is applied to the anode 22 with a positive polarity and the cathode 23 with a negative polarity. The anion exchange membrane 21 is a selective permeable membrane that electrochemically permeates only anions, and is made of a material such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

When the electrolytic cell 24 filled with raw water is divided by the electrode composite body 20 and electrolyzed, gas is generated in the side chamber facing the anode 22, and the cathode 2
Electrolyte is generated in the chamber on the side facing 3. Therefore, the former will be referred to as the gas chamber 26 and the latter will be referred to as the treated water chamber 25.

Then, how the electrolysis is carried out in the electrolytic cell 24 will be described in detail below. When the raw water is supplied to the treated water chamber 25 and a predetermined amount of water is reached, the controller 2
8 starts energizing the anode 22 and the cathode 23 to electrolyze the raw water. Anions generated in raw water (Cl
^-, OH ^-, etc.) is started to move by electrophoresis in the action of the anode 22, passes through the cathode 23 and the anion exchange membrane 21 is an ion permeable electrode as shown in a of FIG. 1 anode 2
Reach 2. The anions that have reached the anode 22 are (chemical formula 1)
By the reaction shown in, chlorine gas (Cl ₂ ), oxygen gas (O 2
₂ ) and water (H ₂ O) are discharged from the anode 22 to the gas chamber 26 as shown in FIG.

[0016]

[Chemical 1]

On the other hand, cations (H ⁺ etc.) generated in raw water
Is attracted to the cathode 23, becomes hydrogen gas (H ₂ ) as shown in FIG. 1C, and is discharged from the cathode 23 to the treated water chamber 25 by the reaction shown in Chemical formula ₂ .

[0018]

[Chemical 2]

Therefore, in the treated water chamber 25, the concentration of hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) in the raw water is reduced, the pH is increased, and alkaline ionized water containing a large amount of alkali ions is produced. Here, comparing with the conventional example under the same conditions as this example except that the distance between the anion exchange membrane 21 and the cathode 23 is 2 mm, the pH of the alkaline ionic water obtained by the conventional example is 10 Exchange membrane 21 with cathode 2
In this example, in which 3 is closely attached, the pH is 11
Therefore, it was possible to obtain more alkaline ionized water. Since the gas such as chlorine gas or oxygen gas is discharged into the gas chamber 26 in this manner, the raw water can be reformed into almost 100% alkaline ionized water. In addition, the gas chamber 26
Mixed dissolves in response to the raw water in alkaline ionized water generated hypochlorous acid (HClO) - processed water chamber 25 is an electrode assembly 20 in towed from being separated from the anode 22 chlorine ions ^(Cl) There is no such thing. Further, the volume of the gas chamber 26 can be reduced to simplify the structure. Although not shown here, if a raw water supply passage is provided in a part of the treated water chamber 25 to continuously supply the raw water and an alkaline ionized water discharge passage is provided in another place, the raw water is continuously supplied. It is possible to produce only alkaline ionized water. Further, a gas supply path for gas such as air is provided in a part of the gas chamber 26 to continuously supply the gas, and an exhaust path is provided in another place to discharge chlorine gas or the like to the gas chamber 26. Oxygen gas and the like can be easily discharged to the outside of the ion water generator. The small amount of water (H ₂ O) generated in the gas chamber 26 can be washed by supplying raw water to the gas chamber 26 as needed.

Next, FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a multi-layer ion water generator according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment have the same basic operation and function, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. Here, FIG. 2 shows an ion water generator at a portion where the ion water generator shown in FIG. 1 is continuously connected in two layers. That is, the insulating layer 29 is provided on the outside.
And a plurality of gas chambers 26 and treated water chambers 25 are alternately provided, and electrode composites 20 are respectively provided between the gas chambers 26 and treated water chambers 25, and all electrodes facing the gas chambers 26 are anodes 22. All electrodes on the side facing the treated water chamber 25 are applied to the cathode 23. In the case of FIG. 2, two treated water chambers 25 and three gas chambers 26 are provided. Here, the alkaline ionized water and hydrogen gas are indicated by arrow a,
The gas is discharged as shown in b, and gases such as chlorine gas and oxygen gas are discharged in the direction shown by the arrow. Although not shown in FIG. 2, two treated water chambers 25 are connected to each other by a raw water supply pipe, and the raw water is continuously supplied by this pipe, and the alkaline ionized water discharge flow path is further connected. It is possible to continuously generate alkaline ionized water in one treated water chamber 25. In addition, the chlorine gas discharged into the gas chamber 26 by connecting the gas supply paths for gas such as air to the three gas chambers 26 to continuously supply the gas, and further connecting and providing the exhaust pipes. The oxygen gas and the like can be easily collected and discharged to the outside of the ion water generator. According to this embodiment, the effective total area of the anode 22 and the cathode 23 per unit volume of the electrolytic cell 24 can be increased, so that a large current can be applied while suppressing the current density, and strong acidic or alkaline ionized water can be easily obtained. As a result, a large amount of ionized water can be obtained, and the life of the electrode can be extended.

Further, FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a spiral ion water generator according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the spiral ionized water generator according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along the line AA '. The same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment have the same basic operation and function, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. Ion-permeable anode 2
2, the cathode 23, the gas chamber 26, the treated water chamber 25, and the anion exchange membrane 21 are provided with flexibility. The gas chamber 26 and the treated water chamber 25 are composed of spacers which will be described later in order to give flexibility. Then, this is wound in a spiral shape with the same configuration as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 32 is a central opening formed in a spiral central portion. An insulating layer 29 is provided on the outer peripheral portion. On the upper surface, the water supply pipe 33, the exhaust pipe 36, and the voltage application terminal 3
An upper lid 31 provided with Nos. 8 and 39 is mounted, and a lower lid 37 provided with a discharge flow path 34 of alkaline ionized water and an air supply path 35 is provided on the lower surface. The upper lid 3 is provided so that the raw water supplied from the water supply pipe 33 can flow only into the treated water chamber 25.
It is divided by 1. Raw water is supplied from the water supply pipe 33,
The controller 2 detects that the treated water chamber 25 is full.
The voltage is applied from 8 to the power application terminals 38 and 39 with a predetermined voltage and polarity to start electrolysis. The generated alkaline ionized water is continuously discharged from the discharge passage 34. At the same time, air is supplied from the air supply passage 35 provided in the lower lid 37 which is partitioned into the treated water chamber 25 and the gas chamber 26, and thereby the gas chamber 2
Gases such as chlorine gas and oxygen gas generated in 6 are exhaust pipe 3
Exhausted from 6. By thus continuously supplying the raw water, it is possible to continuously obtain only the alkaline ionized water without generating the acidic ionized water. By the way, the ion-permeable anode 22, cathode 23, and gas chamber 2
6. The treated water chamber 25 and the anion exchange membrane 21 are preferably made of thin films having a thickness of 2 to 3 mm or less in order to impart flexibility. The material of the anion exchange membrane 21 is plastic such as poly (tetrafluoroethylene), and it is appropriate that the anion transport number showing the amount of anions in all the ions moving in the membrane is 96% or more. . Also the gas chamber 2
It is appropriate to insert a porous or mesh-shaped spacer into the 6 and the treated water chamber 25. In this way, the gas chamber 26 and the treated water chamber 25 can be easily formed, and the strength of the electrolytic cell 24 can be increased. Further, the central port 32 is filled with activated carbon or a neutron film to form a water purifier unit, and the raw water that has passed through the water purifier unit is supplied from the water supply pipe 33 to obtain an ion water generator having a water purifier function. be able to.

Further, the treated water chamber 25, the cathode 23 and the gas chamber 2
6 and the scale adhered to the anode 22 are washed and removed, raw water is supplied to the gas chamber 26 to supply the cathode 23 and the anode 22.
The voltage opposite to that in the above-described embodiment may be applied.

Thus, the ion-permeable anode 22, cathode 23, gas chamber 26, treated water chamber 25 and anion exchange membrane 2
By winding 1 in a spiral shape, the electrode area occupied in the volume of the electrolytic cell 24 can be increased, and a compact and lightweight ion water generator can be obtained.

[0024]

As is apparent from the above, according to the present invention, since the anion exchange membrane and the ion-permeable electrode are provided, the anions generated by electrolysis pass through the cathode and the anion exchange membrane by electrophoresis. It is possible to obtain an ion water generator that is captured by the anode, discharges gas on the anode side, and can reform almost all of the raw water into alkaline ionized water, thus avoiding waste of the raw water.

Further, in the ionized water generator of the present invention, a plurality of gas chambers and treated water chambers are alternately provided, and an electrode complex in which ion permeation electrodes are provided on both sides of the anion exchange membrane is used as a gas chamber and a treated water chamber. Since each is provided between the ion-permeable electrode on the side facing the gas chamber is applied to the anode, the ion-permeable electrode on the side facing the treated water chamber is applied to the cathode,
It is possible to obtain an ion water generator having a large electrode area, a small size, a low current density and a long electrode life.

Furthermore, since the ion permeable electrode, the gas chamber, the treated water chamber and the anion exchange membrane are each flexible and spirally wound, the volume of the electrolytic cell can be reduced, and the size and weight can be reduced. It is possible to obtain a maintenance-free ion water generator with a long life.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged view of an ion water generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a multilayer ionized water generator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a spiral ionized water generator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of the spiral ionized water generator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic overall view of a conventional ionized water generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 raw water pipe 2 faucet 3 Ion water generator 4 water purifier 5 Solenoid valve 6 Flow rate sensor 7 Electrolyzer 7a Cathode chamber 7b Anode chamber 8 diaphragm 9, 10 electrodes 11, 12, 13 Water supply pipe 13a Water supply channel to cathode chamber 13b Water supply channel to anode chamber 14 Alkaline ionized water discharge channel 15 Acid ion water discharge channel 16 Fixed throttle for flow rate adjustment 17 Controller 18 power supply 19 water flow switch 20 electrode composite 21 Anion exchange membrane 22 Anode 23 cathode 24 Electrolyzer 25 treated water chamber 26 gas chamber 29 Insulation layer 31 Top cover 32 Center entrance 33 Water pipe 34 discharge flow path 35 air supply 36 Exhaust pipe 37 Lower lid 38, 39 voltage application terminals

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) C02F 1/46

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ion-permeable electrode is provided with an electrode complex provided on each side of an anion exchange membrane, and an electrolytic cell divided into a gas chamber and a treated water chamber by the electrode complex. An ion water generator characterized in that the ion permeable electrode on the side surface facing the chamber is applied to an anode and the ion permeable electrode on the side surface facing the treated water chamber is applied to a cathode. 2. An electrode complex in which a plurality of gas chambers and treated water chambers are alternately provided and ion-permeable electrodes are provided on both side surfaces of an anion exchange membrane, respectively, between the gas chambers and the treated water chambers. An ion water generator provided, wherein the ion-permeable electrode on the side surface facing the gas chamber is applied to an anode, and the ion-permeable electrode on the side surface facing the treated water chamber is applied to a cathode. . 3. The gas chamber and the treated water chamber are both composed of flexible spacers, and both the ion-permeable electrode and the anion exchange membrane are flexible. , The ion-permeable electrode, the gas chamber,
The ion water generator according to claim 2, wherein both the treated water chamber and the anion exchange membrane are spirally wound.