JP3548687B2

JP3548687B2 - Electrolyzed water generator

Info

Publication number: JP3548687B2
Application number: JP17753898A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 明彦周藤
Original assignee: Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 1998-06-24
Filing date: 1998-06-24
Publication date: 2004-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-24
Also published as: JP2000005751A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、水道水等の処理水を電気分解して電解水（アルカリ性水と酸性水）を生成する電解水生成装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
電解水生成装置の一形式として、隔膜にて区画される一対の電極室にそれぞれ電極を備える流水式の電解槽と、中間部に分岐部を有して各分岐支管にて前記各電極室にそれぞれ接続されて同電極室に処理水をそれぞれ供給する供給管と、前記各電極室にて前記処理水が電気分解されて生成されるアルカリ性水と酸性水をそれぞれ注出部に導く一対の導出管とを備えたものがあり、例えば特開平１０−２８９７０号公報にて示されている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記した公報の電解水生成装置においては、供給管の分岐部から各注出部までの各管路抵抗を略等しくする配慮がなされておらず、電解槽の各電極室での水流・水圧に差が生じることがあり、これに起因して隔膜が低圧側の電極室に向けて変位することがある。かかる場合には、所期のアルカリ性水及び酸性水が安定して得られないばかりか、隔膜が電極室内の電極に接触して損傷を受けるおそれがある。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、上記の問題に対処するため、流水式電解槽の内部に隔膜によって区画形成した一対の電極室に処理水を供給する給水管の中間に位置する分岐部に設けた一対の分岐支管を接続し、前記一対の電極室の各導出口に各電解室にて生成された電解水を注出部に導出する一対の導出管を接続した電解水生成装置において、前記各分岐支管の管路長、管路断面積及び管路方向を略等しくすると共に前記各導出管の管路長、管路断面積及び管路方向を略等しくして、前記給水管の分岐部から前記各電極室に至る各管路抵抗を略等しくすると共に前記各電極室から前記注出部に至る各管路抵抗を略等しく調整したことを特徴とする電解水生成装置を提供するものである。
【０００５】
【発明の作用・効果】
上記のように構成した本発明による電解水生成装置においては、処理水を供給する給水管の分岐部から各電極室までの各管路抵抗が略等しくなるとともに、各電極室から各注出部までの各管路抵抗が略等しくなるように調整したため、給水管の各分岐支管を通して各電極室に処理水を供給したときの各電極室での水流・水圧に差が生じず、この水流・水圧の差に起因する隔膜の変位を防止することができる。したがって、所期のアルカリ性水及び酸性水が安定して得られるとともに、隔膜の電極への接触を抑制して隔膜の電極による損傷を抑制することができる。また、本発明はその実施にあたって、上記各管路抵抗の調整手段として前記各分岐支管の管路長、管路断面積及び管路方向を略等しくすると共に前記各導出管の管路長、管路断面積及び管路方向を略等しくしたことにより、基本構成である管路自体で上記の各管路抵抗を調整できて、流量調整弁等を採用して調整する場合に比してコンパクトかつ安価に実施することができる。
【０００６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に、本発明の一実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。図１に示した本発明による電解水生成装置は、流水式の電解槽１０と、中間部に分岐部Ａを有する供給管２０と、一対の排出管３１，３２及び注出管３３，３４からなる導出管３０と、各排出管３１，３２と各注出管３３，３４の連通を切り換える流路切換弁５０とを備えている。
【０００７】
電解槽１０は、隔膜１１にて区画される一対の電極室１２，１３にそれぞれ電極１４，１５を備えたそれ自体周知の流水式電解槽であって、隔膜１１すなわち中心線Ｌに対して左右対称の構成であり、両電極１４，１５間への正電圧印加または逆電圧印加及び各印加状態での直流電源（図示省略）からの通電を制御装置（図示省略）によって制御されるようになっている。また電解槽１０は、隔膜１１を挟んで対向配置した導入口１６，１７及び導出口１８，１９を有しており、各導入口１６，１７には供給管２０の分岐支管２１，２２が接続され、また各導出口１８，１９には各排出管３１，３２が接続されている。
【０００８】
供給管２０は、各電極室１２，１３に処理水をそれぞれ供給するためのものであり、分岐部Ａより下流側の分岐支管２１，２２と、分岐部Ａより上流側の基管２３によって構成されていて、基管２３には減圧弁６１と開閉操作可能な元栓６２が介装されており、基管２３にて水道管（図示省略）に接続されるようになっている。
【０００９】
導出管３０は、各電極室１２，１３にて生成されるアルカリ性水と酸性水を各注出部すなわち各注出管３３，３４の注出口３３ａ，３４ａ（図示省略のシンク等アルカリ性水及び酸性水の使用箇所に配設されている）に導くためのものであり、電解槽１０の各導出口１８，１９に接続されるとともに流路切換弁５０の各流入口５１，５２に接続される各排出管３１，３２と、流路切換弁５０の各流出口５３，５４に接続される各注出管３３，３４によって構成されている。
【００１０】
流路切換弁５０は、電気モータ（図示省略）によって駆動されて第１位置（図１の実線にて示した状態）または第２位置（図１の仮想線にて示した状態）に切換えられて各排出管３１，３２と各注出管３３，３４の連通接続を切り換える４ポート２位置切換弁であって、各流入口５１，５２から各流出口５３，５４に至る通路抵抗が略等しい構成であり、電気モータによる切換作動は制御装置によって制御されるようになっている。なお、流路切換弁５０の切換位置は位置検出センサ（図示省略）によって検出されるようになっていて、その検出信号は制御装置に入力されるようになっている。
【００１１】
ところで、本実施形態においては、供給管２０の分岐部Ａから各電極室１２，１３までの各管路抵抗が略等しくなるとともに、各電極室１２，１３から各注出口３３ａ，３４ａまでの各管路抵抗が略等しくなるように調整してある。供給管２０の分岐部Ａから各電極室１２，１３までの各管路抵抗は、各分岐支管２１，２２の管路長、管路断面積及び管路方向（これは管路配置ともいえる）を略等しくすることによって、略等しくなるように調整されている。また、各電極室１２，１３から流路切換弁５０の各流入口５１，５２までの各管路抵抗は、各排出管３１，３２の管路長、管路断面積及び管路方向を略等しくすることによって、略等しくなるように調整されている。また、流路切換弁５０の各流出口５３，５４から各注出口３３ａ，３４ａまでの各管路抵抗は、各注出管３３，３４の管路方向が異なっているため、管路長のみを異にすること（管路長と管路断面積の少なくとも一方を異にすることでも実施可能）によって、略等しくなるように調整されている。
【００１２】
上記した本実施形態の電解水生成装置においては、供給管２０の分岐部Ａから各電極室１２，１３までの各管路抵抗が略等しくなるとともに、各電極室１２，１３から各注出口３３ａ，３４ａまでの各管路抵抗が略等しくなるように調整されているため、供給管２０の各分岐支管２１，２２を通して各電極室１２，１３に処理水を供給したときの各電極室１２，１３での水流・水圧に差が生じず、この水流・水圧の差に起因する隔膜１１の変位を防止することができる。したがって、所期のアルカリ性水及び酸性水が安定して得られるとともに、隔膜１１の電極１４または１５への接触を抑制して隔膜１１の電極１４または１５による損傷を抑制することができる。また、本実施形態においては、上述した各管路抵抗の調整手段として管路長、管路断面積、管路方向を採用したため、基本構成である管路自体で調整できて、流量調整弁等を採用して調整する場合に比してコンパクトかつ安価に実施することができる。
【００１３】
上記実施形態においては、一対の排出管３１，３２及び注出管３３，３４によってアルカリ性水と酸性水をそれぞれ注出口３３ａ，３４ａに導く導出管３０を構成するとともに、各排出管３１，３２と各注出管３３，３４の連通を流路切換弁５０によって切り換える構成を採用した電解水生成装置に本発明を実施したが、流路切換弁５０が採用されなくて各排出管３１，３２と各注出管３３，３４が一体的に構成される電解水生成装置にも本発明は同様にまたは適宜変更して実施し得るものであり、上記実施形態に限定されないものである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明による電解水生成装置の一実施形態を概略的に示す全体構成図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…電解槽、１１…隔膜、１２，１３…電極室、１４，１５…電極、２０…供給管、Ａ…分岐部、２１，２２…分岐支管、２３…基管、３０…導出管、３１，３２…排出管、３３，３４…注出管、３３ａ，３４ａ…注出口（注出部）、５０…流路切換弁。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generator that electrolyzes treated water such as tap water to generate electrolyzed water (alkaline water and acidic water).
[0002]
[Prior art]
As one type of the electrolyzed water generation device, a flow-through type electrolytic tank provided with an electrode in each of a pair of electrode chambers partitioned by a diaphragm, and a branch portion in an intermediate portion, and each branch branch pipe has a corresponding one of the electrode chambers. A supply pipe connected to each supply the treated water to the same electrode chamber, and a pair of lead-outs each leading alkaline water and acidic water generated by electrolysis of the treated water in each of the electrode chambers to an outlet. And a tube, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-10-28970.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described electrolyzed water generating apparatus, no consideration is given to making the pipe resistances from the branch portion of the supply pipe to each of the pouring sections substantially equal, and the water flow and water pressure in each electrode chamber of the electrolytic cell are reduced. Differences may occur, which may cause the diaphragm to displace toward the low pressure side electrode chamber. In such a case, not only the desired alkaline water and acidic water cannot be obtained stably, but also the diaphragm may be damaged by contact with the electrode in the electrode chamber.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to address the above-described problems, the present invention provides a pair of branch pipes provided at a branch located in the middle of a water supply pipe for supplying treated water to a pair of electrode chambers defined by a diaphragm inside a flowing water electrolytic cell. connect, in the electrolytic water generation apparatus connected to a pair of lead-out pipe which electrolytic water generated by the electrolysis chamber to derive the dispensing unit to the outlet of the pair of electrodes chamber, the tube of the respective branch branch pipes pathlength, pipe length of each of the outlet pipe with substantially equal conduits sectional area and line directions, the pipe cross-sectional area and substantially equal to pipe direction, each electrode chamber from the branch portion of the water supply pipe It intended to provide an electrolytic water generation apparatus, characterized in that the substantially equal Ku adjust each pipeline resistance leading to the front Kichu out section before Symbol respective electrode chambers with substantially equal respective pipeline resistance leading to is there.
[0005]
[Action and Effect of the Invention]
In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above, each pipe resistance from the branch portion of the water supply pipe for supplying the treated water to each electrode chamber becomes substantially equal, and each of the outlets from each electrode chamber is formed. Since each line resistance was adjusted to be substantially equal to each other, there was no difference in water flow and water pressure in each electrode chamber when treated water was supplied to each electrode chamber through each branch branch of the water supply pipe. Displacement of the diaphragm caused by a difference in water pressure can be prevented. Therefore, the desired alkaline water and acidic water can be obtained stably, and the contact of the diaphragm with the electrode can be suppressed, so that damage to the electrode of the diaphragm can be suppressed. In the practice of the present invention, the pipe length, pipe cross-sectional area and pipe direction of each branch branch pipe are made substantially equal as the means for adjusting the pipe resistance, and the pipe length and pipe length of each outlet pipe are adjusted. By making the road cross-sectional area and the pipe direction substantially equal , each of the above-mentioned pipe resistances can be adjusted by the pipe itself, which is a basic configuration, and is compact and compact compared to the case of adjusting by adopting a flow control valve or the like. It can be implemented at low cost.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The electrolyzed water generation apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a flowing water type electrolysis tank 10, a supply pipe 20 having a branch portion A in an intermediate portion, and a pair of discharge pipes 31, 32 and discharge pipes 33, 34. And a flow path switching valve 50 for switching the communication between the discharge pipes 31, 32 and the discharge pipes 33, 34.
[0007]
The electrolytic cell 10 is a well-known flowing water type electrolytic cell provided with electrodes 14 and 15 in a pair of electrode chambers 12 and 13 defined by a diaphragm 11, respectively. It has a symmetrical configuration, and a control device (not shown) controls the application of a positive voltage or a reverse voltage between the electrodes 14 and 15 and the energization from a DC power supply (not shown) in each applied state. ing. In addition, the electrolytic cell 10 has inlets 16 and 17 and outlets 18 and 19 which are arranged opposite to each other with the diaphragm 11 interposed therebetween, and branch inlets 21 and 22 of the supply pipe 20 are connected to the inlets 16 and 17 respectively. The outlets 18 and 19 are connected to discharge pipes 31 and 32, respectively.
[0008]
The supply pipe 20 is for supplying treated water to each of the electrode chambers 12 and 13, and is constituted by branch branch pipes 21 and 22 downstream of the branch section A and a base pipe 23 upstream of the branch section A. The base pipe 23 is provided with a pressure reducing valve 61 and a main stopper 62 that can be opened and closed. The base pipe 23 is connected to a water pipe (not shown).
[0009]
The outlet pipe 30 supplies alkaline water and acidic water generated in each of the electrode chambers 12 and 13 to each pouring portion, that is, pouring ports 33 a and 34 a of each pouring pipe 33 and 34 (alkaline water such as a sink (not shown) and acidic water). (Disposed at a point where water is used) and is connected to the outlets 18 and 19 of the electrolytic cell 10 and to the inlets 51 and 52 of the flow path switching valve 50. Each of the discharge pipes 31 and 32 and each of the discharge pipes 33 and 34 connected to the respective outlets 53 and 54 of the flow path switching valve 50 are configured.
[0010]
The flow path switching valve 50 is driven by an electric motor (not shown) and is switched to a first position (a state shown by a solid line in FIG. 1) or a second position (a state shown by a virtual line in FIG. 1). This is a four-port two-position switching valve for switching the communication connection between each discharge pipe 31, 32 and each discharge pipe 33, 34, and the passage resistance from each inlet 51, 52 to each outlet 53, 54 is substantially equal. The switching operation by the electric motor is controlled by a control device. The switching position of the flow path switching valve 50 is detected by a position detection sensor (not shown), and the detection signal is input to the control device.
[0011]
By the way, in the present embodiment, each pipe resistance from the branch portion A of the supply pipe 20 to each of the electrode chambers 12 and 13 becomes substantially equal, and each of the pipe resistances from each of the electrode chambers 12 and 13 to each of the spouts 33a and 34a. Adjustment is made so that the pipeline resistance is approximately equal. The line resistance from the branch portion A of the supply pipe 20 to the electrode chambers 12 and 13 is the line length, line cross-sectional area, and line direction of each branch branch pipe 21 and 22 (this can also be referred to as line arrangement). Are adjusted so that they are substantially equal. The line resistance from each of the electrode chambers 12 and 13 to each of the inlets 51 and 52 of the flow path switching valve 50 is substantially the same as the line length, cross-sectional area and line direction of each of the discharge tubes 31 and 32. By making them equal, they are adjusted to be substantially equal. In addition, the pipe resistance from each outlet 53, 54 of the flow path switching valve 50 to each outlet 33a, 34a is different from the pipe direction of each of the outlet pipes 33, 34. (This can also be implemented by changing at least one of the pipe length and the pipe cross-sectional area) so as to be substantially equal.
[0012]
In the above-described electrolyzed water generation apparatus of the present embodiment, each pipe resistance from the branch portion A of the supply pipe 20 to each of the electrode chambers 12 and 13 is substantially equal, and each of the electrode chambers 12 and 13 is connected to each of the spouts 33a. , 34a are adjusted so as to be substantially equal to each other, so that each of the electrode chambers 12 and 13 when the processing water is supplied to each of the electrode chambers 12 and 13 through each of the branch pipes 21 and 22 of the supply pipe 20. There is no difference between the water flow and the water pressure at 13, and the displacement of the diaphragm 11 due to the difference between the water flow and the water pressure can be prevented. Therefore, the desired alkaline water and acidic water can be obtained stably, and the contact of the diaphragm 11 with the electrode 14 or 15 can be suppressed, so that the damage of the diaphragm 11 by the electrode 14 or 15 can be suppressed. Further, in the present embodiment, since the pipe length, the pipe cross-sectional area, and the pipe direction are employed as the above-described means for adjusting the pipe resistance, it is possible to adjust the pipe itself, which is a basic configuration, and to use a flow control valve or the like. Can be implemented more compactly and inexpensively than in the case where adjustment is made by adopting the above method.
[0013]
In the above embodiment, the outlet pipes 31 and 32 and the outlet pipes 33 and 34 constitute the outlet pipe 30 for guiding the alkaline water and the acidic water to the outlets 33a and 34a, respectively. The present invention has been implemented in an electrolyzed water generating apparatus employing a configuration in which the communication between the discharge pipes 33 and 34 is switched by the flow path switching valve 50. However, since the flow path switching valve 50 is not employed and the respective discharge pipes 31 and 32 are connected to each other. The present invention can be applied to the electrolyzed water generation device in which the respective discharge pipes 33 and 34 are integrally formed, or the present invention can be similarly modified as appropriate, and is not limited to the above embodiment.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram schematically showing an embodiment of an electrolyzed water generation device according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electrolysis tank, 11 ... Diaphragm, 12, 13 ... Electrode chamber, 14, 15 ... Electrode, 20 ... Supply pipe, A ... Branch part, 21,22 ... Branch support pipe, 23 ... Base pipe, 30 ... Lead pipe, 31 , 32 ... discharge pipe, 33, 34 ... pouring pipe, 33a, 34a ... pouring port (pouring section), 50 ... flow path switching valve.

Claims

A pair of branch pipes provided at a branch located in the middle of a water supply pipe for supplying treated water to a pair of electrode chambers defined by a diaphragm inside the flowing water type electrolytic cell are connected, and each of the pair of electrode chambers is connected. In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus, which is connected to a pair of outlet pipes for discharging the electrolyzed water generated in each electrolysis chamber to an outlet at an outlet, a pipe length, a pipe cross-sectional area, and a pipe direction of each branch branch pipe are set. approximately equal pipe length of each outlet pipe as well as, before with conduit sectional area and substantially equal to the pipe direction, substantially equal to each pipeline resistance leading to the respective electrode chamber from the branch portion of the water supply pipe serial electrolytic water generation apparatus, characterized in that each pipeline resistance leading to the front Kichu out section from each electrode compartment has substantially equal Ku adjustments.