JP3747337B2

JP3747337B2 - Tableware cleaning and sterilization method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP3747337B2
Application number: JP15763796A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 龍夫岡崎
Original assignee: 株式会社オムコ
Priority date: 1996-01-22
Filing date: 1996-05-29
Publication date: 2006-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-29
Also published as: JPH09327670A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の利用分野】
本発明は塩化ナトリウムなどの塩化物塩を含む水を電解して得たアルカリ水と酸性水を利用して食器の洗浄と殺菌を行う食器洗い方法及びこの方法を実施する装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、食器の洗浄には各種の洗剤が使用されている。この種の洗剤は洗浄処理後の排水にいろいろな有害物質が残留しているため、特に、ホテル、大型レストランなど大量の食器を洗浄するところでは環境汚染の公害問題をおこしている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従って本発明の第１の目的は、環境及び人体に害がなく、しかも、洗浄・殺菌効果が高い食器の洗浄・殺菌方法を提供することにある。
【０００４】
また、本発明の他の目的は、上記の洗浄・殺菌方法を実施するための食器洗い装置を提供することにある。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の第１の目的を達成するために、本発明の一つの食器洗浄・殺菌方法は、塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水を有隔膜電解槽でｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水と酸性水に電解し、得られた前記強アルカリ水で食器の第１次洗浄を行うとともに、少なくとも塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水を無隔膜電解槽で電解して得たｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水で前記食器の第２次殺菌洗浄を行うことを特徴とする。
【０００６】
上記の第１の目的を達成するための本発明の他の食器洗浄・殺菌方法は、塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水を有隔膜電解槽でｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水と酸性水に電解するとともに、少なくとも塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水を無隔膜電解槽で電解して得た水と、前記有隔膜電解槽で生成された酸性水と、水道水などの原水とを混合してｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を調整し、前記ｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水で食器の第１次洗浄を行うとともに、前記次亜塩素酸殺菌水で前記食器の第２次殺菌洗浄を行うことを特徴とする。
【０００７】
上記の第１の目的を達成するための本発明のさらに他の食器洗浄・殺菌方法は、塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水を有隔膜電解槽でｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水と酸性水に電解するとともに、少なくとも塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水と有隔膜電解槽で生成された前記酸性水との混合水を無隔膜電解槽で電解して得た水に、有隔膜電解槽で生成された前記酸性水および／又は水道水などの原水を混合してｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を調整し、前記強アルカリ水で食器の第１次洗浄を行うとともに、前記次亜塩素酸殺菌水で前記食器の第２次殺菌洗浄を行うことを特徴とする。
【００１２】
上記の食器洗浄・殺菌方法において、さらに好ましくは、電解槽の陽極室で生成された酸性水の一部または全部を、塩素発生電極を使用した電解槽で電解し、これにより前記酸性水に塩素が供給されるようにしてもよい。
【００１４】
有隔膜電解槽の陰極室と陽極室に給水される水は、前記塩化物塩及び／又は水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物の成分又は濃度を異ならせて電気分解してもよい。
【００１５】
また、上記第２の目的を達成するために、本発明の一つの食器洗浄・殺菌装置は、食器を入れて洗浄・殺菌する食器洗浄槽と、塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を含む水、又はこれら塩化物塩と、水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物とを含む水を電解してアルカリ水と酸性水を生成し、各々の吐水管から各別に排出する連続式電解水生成装置と、前記電解水生成装置のアルカリ水吐水管から前記食器洗い洗浄槽に配管され、前記電解水生成装置で生成されたアルカリ水を食器洗い洗浄槽に供給するアルカリ水配管系と、前記電解水生成装置の酸性水吐水管とアルカリ水吐水管に接続され、前記電解水生成装置から排出される酸性水とアルカリ水を混合して次亜塩素酸殺菌水を生成する調合部と、この調合部から食器洗浄槽に配管され、前記次亜塩素酸殺菌水を洗浄槽に供給する殺菌水配管系と、を有している。
【００１６】
上記第２の目的を達成するための本発明の他の食器洗浄・殺菌装置は、食器を入れて洗浄・殺菌する食器洗浄槽と、塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩、又はこれら塩化物塩と、水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物を添加した水とを電解してアルカリ水と酸性水を生成し、各々の吐水管から各別に排出する連続式電解水生成装置と、前記電解水生成装置のアルカリ水吐水管から前記食器洗い洗浄槽に配管され、前記電解水生成装置で生成されたアルカリ水を食器洗い洗浄槽に供給するアルカリ水配管系と、前記電解水生成装置の酸性水吐水管から食器洗浄槽に配管され、前記次亜塩素酸殺菌水を洗浄槽に供給する殺菌水配管系と、を有している。
【００１７】
これら食器洗浄・殺菌装置の前記連続式電解水生成装置はさらに、酸性水吐水管に、塩素発生電極を使用した電解槽を介装し、前記電解水生成装置から生成された電解酸性水に塩素が供給されるようにしてもよい。
【００１８】
また、上記の装置に使用する食器洗浄槽は、食器を搬送する搬送手段と、搬送手段の搬送系路上流に臨むアルカリ水ノズルと、アルカリ水ノズルの下方に設けられたアルカリ水貯溜室と、搬送系路下流に臨む次亜塩素酸殺菌水ノズルと、この殺菌水ノズルの下方に設けられた次亜塩素酸殺菌水貯溜室と、アルカリ水貯溜室からの排水と次亜塩素酸殺菌水貯溜室からの水を混合中和して排水する排水回路とを有するのがより好ましい。
【００１９】
さらに好ましくは、食器洗浄槽のアルカリ水貯溜室からアルカリ水ノズルのアルカリ水回路に循環回路を接続してもよい。
【００２０】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の食器洗浄・殺菌方法の基本的な実施の形態（請求項１）は、塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水、又はこれら塩化物塩と、水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物とを添加した水を有隔膜電解槽で電解した水を含むｐＨ１０〜１２．５、好ましくは、ｐＨ１１．５〜１２．５の強アルカリ水で食器の第１次洗浄を行うとともに、少なくとも塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水を電解して得た水を含むｐＨ３〜７．５、好ましくはｐＨ４〜７の次亜塩素酸殺菌水で前記食器の第２次殺菌洗浄を行うものである。
【００２１】
上記により電解生成したｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水は、油落し洗浄に優れた効果があり、また、上記により電解生成したｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水は、水中の遊離残留塩素の８０％〜１００％が次亜塩素酸（ＨＣｌＯ）の形で存在するので強い殺菌力がある。従って、上記の強アルカリ水で第１次洗浄を行った後、上記の次亜塩素酸殺菌水で第２次洗浄を行うと効率が良く、しかも、洗浄排水による環境汚染の少ない食器の洗浄・殺菌ができる。
【００２２】
本発明の食器洗浄に使用される上記ｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水は、例えば下記の方法によって生成することができる。
（１）塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水（塩化物塩水溶液）を有隔膜電解槽で電解し、陰極室にｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水を生成させる方法。
（２）塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩と、水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物（例えば、メタケイ酸ナトリウムなどのポリケイ酸塩、ケイ酸ナトリウムなどのケイ酸塩、水酸化ナトリウム、水酸化カリウムなどの水酸化物塩、又はこれらの二種以上の混合物など）とを添加した水を有隔膜電解槽で電解し、陰極室にｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水を生成させる方法。
（３）塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩と、水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物添加した水を有隔膜電解槽で電解し、得られた陰極室の電解アルカリ水に前記に水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物を添加してｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水に調合する方法。
【００２３】
他方、上記ｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を調整する方法には、少なくとも塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を含む水を無隔膜電解処理をして得た水を使用する場合と、有隔膜電解処理によって得た酸性水を使用する場合がある。
【００２４】
このうち、無隔膜電解処理をして得た水を使用してｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を調整する方法にはさらに以下のような種々の実施形態がある。
第１は、請求項１のように、少なくとも塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水を無隔膜電解槽で電解してｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を得る方法である。
【００２５】
第２は、請求項２のように、少なくとも塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水を無隔膜電解槽で電解して得た水に、前記有隔膜電解槽でｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水を生成する際に同時に生成される酸性水と、水道水などの原水を混合してｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を調合する方法である。
この方法は、次亜塩素酸殺菌水のｐＨ調整が容易になり、且つ、前記強アルカリ水生成時の酸性水を利用するので水の無駄がなくなるという利点がある。
【００２６】
第３は、請求項３のように、塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水、又はこれら塩化物塩と、水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物とを添加した水を有隔膜電解槽でｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水と酸性水に電解するとともに、少なくとも塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水と、前記有隔膜電解槽で強アルカリ水を生成する際に同時に生成される酸性水との混合水を無隔膜電解槽で電解して得た水に、さらに水道水などの原水を混合してｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を調合する方法である。この場合の変形例として、無隔膜電解した水に、水道水などの原水を混合するほか、さらに、前記有隔膜電解によって得た酸性水の一部を混合してｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水に調合してもよい。
【００２７】
次に、有隔膜電解処理によって得られる陽極側の電解水を使用してｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を生成する方法には、例えば、次の方法がある。
（１）塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水又は、塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩と水に溶けてルカリ性を示す化合物を添加した水を有隔膜電解槽で電解して陰極室側にアルカリ水を生成すると同時に、陽極室側にｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を生成する方法。
（２）塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩を添加した水又は、塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩と水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物を添加した水を有隔膜電解槽で電解して陰極室側にアルカリ水を生成するとともに、陽極室側に生成される電解水に前記陰極室に生成されたアルカリ水の一部を添加してｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水に調整する方法。
なお、上記（１）、（２）のいずれの場合も、有隔膜電解槽での電解の際に生成される陰極室側のアルカリ水は、電解の時点でｐＨ１０〜１２．５に生成してもよく、また、陰極室から生成された電解後の水に前記水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物を添加してｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水に調整してもよい。
【００２８】
このように、本発明の洗浄・殺菌方法において、有隔膜電解槽によって油落し用の強アルカリ水と殺菌用の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を同時に生成するには上記（１）、（２）の方法があるが、（１）の方法がより有利である。その理由は、（２）の場合は、有隔膜電解槽で生成したアルカリ水の一部が次亜塩素酸殺菌水の調整のために消費されるため、洗浄用の強アルカリ水と殺菌用の次亜塩素酸水の生成流量比率が変化してしまい、設定した流量比で食器の強アルカリ水洗浄と次亜塩素酸水による殺菌を行いたい場合に不都合が生ずるのに対し、上記（１）の場合は、主として、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩に加えて、さらに、水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物を添加して有隔膜電解することにより、陽極室にはじめからｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸を生成し、これにより、流量比率を変化させないで、目的のｐＨの水を供給できるからである。
【００２９】
上記の有隔膜電解処理は、塩化物塩又は塩化物塩と水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物を添加した水を、電解槽の両電極室の供給水に添加して電解してもよいが、陽極室だけに上記の薬液添加水を導入し、陰極室には水道水などの普通の水を導入して電解してもよい。
【００３０】
上記各々の洗浄・殺菌方法において、水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物の好ましい例としては、メタケイ酸ナトリウムなどのポリケイ酸塩、ケイ酸ナトリウムなどのケイ酸塩、水酸化ナトリウム、水酸化カリウムなどの水酸化物塩、又はこれらの二種以上の混合物を挙げることができる。これらの化合物は食品への添加が認められており、食器類の洗浄殺菌に使用しても害のないものである。
【００３１】
次に、添付図面を参照して本発明の食器洗浄・殺菌装置を説明する。
図１は本発明による食器洗浄・殺菌装置の一つの実施形態を示すもので、特に、請求項５及び７の方法の実施に用いられる装置を例示している。すなわち、図１の食器洗浄・殺菌装置は、洗浄対象の食器等を入れて洗浄・殺菌を行う食器洗浄槽１と、この食器洗浄槽１に供給されるｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水とｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を生成する連続式電解水生成装置２と、この電解水生成装置２の電解槽１０で電解される水に、前記塩化物塩、又は塩化物塩と水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物を添加するための溶液タンク７と、連続式電解水生成装置２で生成された強アルカリ水を前記食器洗浄槽１に供給するアルカリ水配管系３と、前記電解水生成装置２で生成された酸性水と前記アルカリ水を混合して次亜塩素酸殺菌水に調製する調合部４と、この調合部４から前記食器洗浄槽１に次亜塩素酸殺菌水を供給する殺菌水配管系５を備えている。
【００３２】
図１の連続式電解水生成装置２は、異極性の電極１１、１２間を電解隔膜１３で一対の電極室１４、１５に仕切った有隔膜電解槽１０を使用し、給水管６からの水に溶液タンク７からの塩化ナトリウム、塩化カリウムなどの塩化物塩、又はこれら塩化物塩と水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物または溶液を添加した水を有隔膜電解槽１０の一側から導入して電解し、生成したアルカリ水と酸性水を一対の吐水管路８、９から各別に排出するようになっている。
【００３３】
図１の実施形態では、溶液タンク７からの前記溶液を給水管６の共通本管に接続して有隔膜電解槽１０の両電極室１４、１５に前記薬液添加水（薬液水溶液）を給水するようになっているが、溶液タンク７の配管を陽極室１４の給水支管に接続して前記薬液添加水が陽極室１４だけに供給され、陰極室１５には水道水などの通常の水が給水されるようにしてもよい。
【００３４】
有隔膜電解槽１０が、電極の極性を交互に逆転して電解を行う逆電式電解槽である場合は一対の吐水管路８、９に流路切換弁３７を介装し、有隔膜電解槽１０の電極の極性を切換えたときに吐水管路８、９の流路が切換わるようにする。
【００３５】
電解水生成装置２のアルカリ水吐水管路８には流量調整弁１６、アルカリ水タンク１７等を介装したアルカリ水配管系３が接続され、その先端は前記食器洗浄槽１に配管されている。
【００３６】
他方、電解水生成装置２のアルカリ水吐水管路８と酸性水吐水管９には、アルカリ水吐水管路８から分岐させた支管路８’を介して、アルカリ水吐水管路８の水の一部を酸性水吐水管路９の水に混合し、これにより、次亜塩素酸殺菌水を調製する調合部４が接続されている。
図１の実施例は、調合部４のアルカリ水支管路８´と酸性水吐水管路９の合流部上流側に流量調整弁１８、１９を設け、両管路８、９の流量調整ができるようにするとともに、合流部下流側に、混合調製したｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水のタンク２０を設けてある。
【００３７】
次亜塩素酸殺菌水調合部４のタンク２０と食器洗浄槽１の間には、調合した次亜塩素酸殺菌水を前記食器洗浄槽１に供給するための殺菌水配管系５が配管されている。
【００３８】
食器洗浄槽１は食器２１を乗せて移動させるベルトコンベア等の搬送手段２２を内蔵しているとともに、前記アルカリ水配管系３の先端のアルカリ水ノズル２３と前記殺菌水配管系５の先端の殺菌水ノズル２４が搬送手段２２上の食器２１に向くようにして組み付けられている。
【００３９】
図の実施例では、アルカリ水配管系３の先端のアルカリ水ノズル２３は食器洗浄槽１の搬送手段２２の上流側に向け取付けられており、このアルカリ水ノズル２３の下方にアルカリ水貯溜室２５が設けられている。
また、殺菌水配管系５の先端の殺菌水ノズル２４は食器洗浄槽１の搬送手段２２の下流側に向けて取付けられており、この殺菌水ノズル２４の下方に殺菌水貯溜室２６が設けらている。
【００４０】
アルカリ水貯溜室２５と殺菌水貯溜室２６はそれぞれドレン２７への排水管２８、２９を備えているとともに、これら両貯溜室２５、２６の排水管２８、２９を中和合流槽３０に合流させ、ドレン２７への排水が中和され、好ましくは中性となって排水されるようにしてある。
尚、排水管２８、２９からの排水は図のようにオーバフロー部材３６を介して排出されるようにしてある。
【００４１】
図の実施例ではアルカリ水配管系３はアルカリ水貯溜室２５に連通する枝管３１を有し、アルカリ水がアルカリ水貯溜室２５にも供給されるようにしてある。また、アルカリ水貯溜室２５からアルカリ水ノズル２３に連通する循環回路３２を設け、アルカリ水貯溜室２５のアルカリ水が再利用されるようにしてある。
【００４２】
アルカリ水配管系３及び殺菌水配管系５は、図のように、食器洗浄槽１になるべく近い位置にヒータ３３を設け、水温を６０゜〜８０゜Ｃ程度に加温して供給するのが望ましい。
【００４３】
図１の食器洗浄・殺菌装置は、本願請求項５、７のように、電解生成されたアルカリ水の一部を電解生成酸性水に混合してｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸水を調整する場合に使用されるもので、このために前記調合部４を備えている。
他方、図２の装置は、本願請求項４及び６のように、電解アルカリ水の一部を酸性水に混合しないで、電解により直接ｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を生成し、この次亜塩素酸殺菌水を食器洗浄槽１に供給して第２次殺菌洗浄に供するものである。このため、図１の装置から調合部４を取り除いたもので、その他の構成は図１と同様である。
【００４４】
図３は、本発明による食器洗浄・殺菌装置における電解水生成装置のさらに別の実施形態を示すもので、この電解水生成装置は、有隔膜電解槽１０の酸性水吐水管９に塩素発生電極１１´、１２´を電解電極とする無隔膜の塩素発生電解槽３８を介装し、酸性水吐水管９の酸性水に塩素を発生させるようにしたものである。塩素発生電極の材質としては、例えば、チタンに白金とイリジウムをコーティングしたものが挙げられる。この電極材質は、陰極・陽極両用に使用できるので、所望時間毎に印加電圧の極性を逆転して使用してもよい。
【００４５】
塩素発生電極は酸性水吐水管９の酸性水全部を通して塩素発生電解を行ってもよいが、図３のように、流量比率調節弁３９を介したバイパス４０に塩素発生電解槽３８を配設し、流量比率調節弁３９により、酸性水吐水管９の酸性水の一部を塩素発生電解槽３８で電解し、得られた塩素補給酸性水を塩素補給をしない酸性水に混合してもよい。
【００４６】
必要により、アルカリ水吐水管８から酸性水吐水管９に水の分配管路４１を配管し、アルカリ水の一部を酸性水に混合するようにしてもよい。
【００４７】
なお、図は省略したが、アルカリ水吐水管８と酸性水吐水管９の先端は図１、図２と同様に、食器洗浄槽１に供給される。
【００４８】
図３のように、酸性水吐水管９に塩素発生電解槽３８を設け、前記有隔膜電解槽１０の陽極室１４から排出される酸性水の全部又は一部に塩素を発生させると、殺菌水の次亜塩素濃度を安定させるのに役立つほか、塩素発生電極１１´、１２´による電解で酸性水のｐＨ値が上昇するのでｐＨ４程度の酸性水を得やすくなる。
【００４９】
尚、電解生成したアルカリ水と酸性水の混合手段は比率バルブ、ポンプ（好ましくは定量ポンプ）、オリフィスその他公知のいかなる方法を用いてもよい。
【００５０】
図４は、本発明の食器洗浄・殺菌に使用するｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水とｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を各種の方法で調製できる連続通水式の電解水生成装置を示すものである。
この電解水生成装置２は、有隔膜電解槽１０と、無隔膜電解槽４２と、前記塩化物塩、又はこれら塩化物塩と前記水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物の水溶液を供給する薬液タンク７を備えている。
【００５１】
有隔膜電解槽１０は、給水管６から供水される水に薬液タンク７からの前記薬液を添加して電解し、陰極室に通じるアルカリ水吐管８から電解アルカリ水を排出し、陽極室に通じる酸性水吐水管９から電解酸性水を排出する。
【００５２】
無隔膜電解槽４２は、前記塩化物塩を添加した水（塩化物塩水溶液）を電解して次亜塩素酸水を排出するとともに、給水管６から分岐した給水枝管４３がバルブ４４を介して無隔膜電解槽４２の排水側の混合室４５に接続されている。
【００５３】
また、有隔膜電解槽１０の酸性水吐水管９は、酸性水タンク４６を経由し、前記無隔膜電解槽４２の給水側と排水側混合室４５にバルブ４７、４８を介して接続されている。
【００５４】
かくして、図４の電解水生成装置２は、請求項１のように、有隔膜電解槽１０の陰極室に生成されるｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水を食器の洗浄水として供給するとともに、無隔膜電解槽４２から生成されるｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸水を前記食器の殺菌水として供給することができる。
【００５５】
また、有隔膜電解槽１０の陰極室でｐＨ１０〜１２．５の強アルカリ水を生成するとともに、無隔膜電解槽４２の給水側及び／又は排水側混合室４５に、給水管６からの原水もしくは前記有隔膜電解槽１０で生成した酸性水を選択的に給水して請求項２及び３の各方法によるｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を生成ことができる。
【００５６】
さらに、有隔膜電解槽１０だけを使用して、陰極室からｐＨ１０〜１２．５強アルカリ水を供給するとともに、陽極室からｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を供給することができる。
【００５７】
なお、有隔膜電解槽１０で生成した酸性水の一部はタンク４６から食器洗浄槽１の強アルカリ水洗浄後の排水に混合して中和液として利用することができる。
【００５８】
図４に示すように、無隔膜電解槽４２の給水側にｐＨ調整液タンク４９から塩酸などの無機酸又は水酸化物塩の溶液をｐＨ調整液として添加してもよい。
【００５９】
尚、図中、Ｐはポンプ、３４は逆止弁、３５はバルブを示している。
【００５２】
【実施例】
次に、電解槽１０で生成したアルカリ水と酸性水を混合して次亜塩素酸殺菌水に調製する実施例を以下に示す。
実施例１
食器洗浄槽１にアルカリ水と殺菌水を１対１の割合で供給するときは、電解槽１０からｐＨ１１のアルカリ水４リットルとｐＨ２．５の酸性水が生成されるようにするとともに、生成されたアルカリ水４リットルのうち１リットルを酸性水に混合すると、ｐＨ５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水３リットルが調製され、食器洗浄槽１にｐＨ１１のアルカリ水とｐＨ５の殺菌水が３リットルづつの割合で供給される。
【００６０】
実施例２
食器洗浄槽１にアルカリ水と殺菌水を１対２の割合で供給するときは、電解槽１０からｐＨ１１のアルカリ水３リットルとｐＨ２．５の酸性水３リットルが生成されるようにするとともに、生成されたアルカリ水３リツトルのうち１リットルを酸性水に混合すると、ｐＨ４の次亜塩素酸殺菌水４リットルが調製され、食器洗浄槽１にｐＨ１１のアルカリ水２リットルとｐＨ４の殺菌水４リットルが１対２の割合で供給される。
【００６１】
次に、本発明による上記実施例の作用を説明する。
塩化ナトリウム等を添加した水を電解槽１０で電解することにより、ｐＨ１０〜１２．５のアルカリ水とｐＨ２〜３の酸性水が生成され、アルカリ水は食器洗浄槽１の搬送手段２２上流側に供給され、食器の１次洗浄が行われる。
【００６２】
他方、電解槽１０から生成された酸性水は前記アルカリ水の一部と合流混合されて、ｐＨ３〜７．５の次亜塩素酸殺菌水に調製された後、食器洗浄槽１の搬送手段２２下流側に供給され、前記食器の２次の洗浄・殺菌が行われる。
【００６３】
【効果】
本発明は電解により生成した強アルカリ水と次亜塩素酸殺菌水を使用して食器の洗浄・殺菌を行うので、洗浄排水に有害な物質が残らない。従って、洗剤を使用する従来の方法に比較して洗浄排水による環境汚染が著しく改善される。
【００６４】
ｐＨ１０〜１２．５、特に、ｐＨ１１以上の強アルカリ水は食器の油落しに顕著な洗浄効果があり、ｐＨ３〜７．５、特に、ｐＨ４〜７の次亜塩素酸水は殺菌効果が優れている。また、電解水生成装置で前記強アルカリ水と次亜塩素酸殺菌水を同時に生成して供給するので効率のよい食器の洗浄・殺菌効果が得られる。
【００６５】
従来、アルカリ水専用電解水生成装置から排水される酸性水は不要なものとして捨てられていたが、本発明では酸性水が次亜塩素酸殺菌水の生成に利用されるので水に無駄がなく、経済的である。
【００６６】
アルカリ水と次亜塩素酸殺菌水の利用済み排水が混合中和されるので、排水を中性にして、次亜塩素酸がなくなるくらいに濃度を調整してドレンへ排水することができる。
【００６７】
塩化ナトリウム等の塩化物塩に加えて、水に溶けてアルカリ性を示す化合物を使用することにより、一次洗浄用の強アルカリ水と２次洗浄・殺菌用の次亜塩素酸殺菌水を所定の流量比率で確保することが可能になる。
【００６８】
電解生成した酸性水に塩素を発生させることにより、殺菌水の次亜塩素酸濃度が安定し、また、次亜塩素酸殺菌水のｐＨをｐＨ３〜７．５に上げやすくなる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の食器洗浄・殺菌装置の一実施形態を示す概略構成図
【図２】本発明の食器洗浄・殺菌装置の他の実施形態を示す概略構成図
【図３】本発明による食器洗浄・殺菌装置の他の実施形態の要部（電解水生成装置）を示す略構成図
【図４】本発明による食器洗浄・殺菌装置に使用する他の電解水生成装置の略構成図
【符号の説明】
１…食器洗浄槽、
２…電解水生成装置、
３…アルカリ水配管系、
４…調合部、
５…殺菌水配管系、
６…給水管、
７…溶液タンク、
８…アルカリ水吐水管路、
９…酸性水吐水管路、
１１、１２…電極、
１１´、１２´…塩素発生電極、
１３…電解隔膜、
１４、１５…電極室、
１６、１８、１９…流量調整弁、
１７…アルカリ水タンク、
２０…次亜塩素酸殺菌水タンク、
２１…食器、
２２…搬送手段、
２３…アルカリ水ノズル、
２４…殺菌水ノズル、
２５…アルカリ水貯溜室、
２６…殺菌水貯溜室、
２７…ドレン、
２８、２９…排水管、
３０…中和合流槽、
３１…枝管、
３２…循環回路、
３３…ヒータ、
３６…オーバーフロー部材、
３７…流路切換弁、
３８…塩素発生電解槽、
３９…流量比率調節弁、
４０…バイパス、
４１…分配管路、
４２…無隔膜電解槽
４３…給水枝管
４４、４７、４８…バルブ
４５…混合室
４６…酸性水タンク
４９…ｐＨ調整液タンク[0001]
[Field of the Invention]
The present invention relates to a dishwashing method for washing and sterilizing dishes using alkaline water and acidic water obtained by electrolyzing water containing a chloride salt such as sodium chloride, and an apparatus for carrying out this method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various detergents are used for washing dishes. Since this type of detergent has various harmful substances remaining in the wastewater after the cleaning treatment, it causes environmental pollution problems especially when washing large quantities of tableware such as hotels and large restaurants.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning and sterilizing tableware that is harmless to the environment and the human body and that has a high cleaning and sterilizing effect.
[0004]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwashing apparatus for carrying out the above washing and sterilizing method.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the first object described above, one dishwashing / sterilizing method of the present invention adds chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The water Electrolyze strong alkaline water and acidic water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 in a diaphragm electrolytic cell, and first wash the dishes with the obtained strong alkaline water, and at least chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The tableware is subjected to second sterilization washing with hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 obtained by electrolyzing water added with a membrane electrolyzer.
[0006]
In another dishwashing / sterilizing method of the present invention for achieving the first object, chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride are added. The water Water obtained by electrolyzing strong alkaline water and acidic water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 in a diaphragm electrolyzer and electrolyzing water in which at least a chloride salt such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride is added in a non-diaphragm electrolyzer Then, acid water generated in the diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell and raw water such as tap water are mixed to prepare hypochlorous acid sterilizing water having a pH of 3 to 7.5, and strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5. The tableware is first cleaned and the tableware is secondly sterilized with the hypochlorous acid sterilized water.
[0007]
In yet another dishwashing / sterilizing method of the present invention for achieving the first object, chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride are added. The water Electrolyzing strong alkaline water and acidic water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 in a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell, water added with at least a chloride salt such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride, and the acidic water generated in the diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell; The water obtained by electrolyzing the mixed water in the membrane electrolyzer is mixed with the raw water such as the acidic water and / or tap water generated in the diaphragm electrolyzer to produce hypochlorous acid having a pH of 3 to 7.5. The sterilizing water is prepared, and the tableware is first washed with the strong alkaline water, and the tableware is secondly washed with the hypochlorous acid sterilized water.
[0012]
In the above-described dishwashing / sterilizing method, more preferably, part or all of the acidic water generated in the anode chamber of the electrolytic cell is electrolyzed in an electrolytic cell using a chlorine generating electrode, whereby chlorine is added to the acidic water. May be supplied.
[0014]
The water supplied to the cathode chamber and the anode chamber of the diaphragm electrolyzer may be electrolyzed by changing the component or concentration of the compound that is dissolved in the chloride salt and / or water and exhibits alkalinity.
[0015]
In order to achieve the second object, a dishwashing / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention includes a dishwashing tank for cleaning and disinfecting dishes and chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride. A continuous electrolyzed water generator that electrolyzes water or a water containing these chloride salts and a compound that is dissolved in water and exhibits alkalinity to produce alkaline water and acidic water, and discharges them separately from each water discharge pipe; An alkaline water piping system that is piped from the alkaline water discharge pipe of the electrolyzed water generating device to the dishwashing washing tub and supplies the alkaline water generated by the electrolyzed water generating device to the dishwashing washing tub; and A mixing unit connected to the acidic water discharge pipe and the alkaline water discharge pipe, mixing the acidic water and alkaline water discharged from the electrolyzed water generating device to generate hypochlorous acid sterilizing water, and dish washing from the mixing unit Piping to the tank Is has a sterilizing water piping system for supplying the hypochlorite sterilizing water in the washing tank.
[0016]
Another dishwashing / sterilizing apparatus of the present invention for achieving the second object described above includes a dishwashing tank for washing and sterilizing by putting in dishes, chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride, or these chlorides. A continuous electrolyzed water generating device that electrolyzes salt and water to which an alkaline compound dissolved in water is added to generate alkaline water and acidic water, and discharges the water separately from each water discharge pipe, and the electrolyzed water generation From the alkaline water discharge pipe of the apparatus to the dishwashing washing tank, from the alkaline water piping system for supplying the alkaline water generated by the electrolytic water generation apparatus to the dishwashing washing tank, and from the acidic water discharge pipe of the electrolytic water generation apparatus And a sterilizing water piping system that is piped to the dishwashing tank and supplies the hypochlorous acid sterilizing water to the washing tank.
[0017]
The continuous electrolyzed water generating device of these dishwashing / sterilizing devices is further equipped with an electrolyzer using a chlorine generating electrode in an acidic water discharge pipe, and chlorine is added to the electrolyzed acidic water generated from the electrolyzed water generating device. May be supplied.
[0018]
In addition, the dish washing tank used in the above apparatus includes a transport means for transporting tableware, an alkaline water nozzle facing upstream of the transport system path of the transport means, an alkaline water storage chamber provided below the alkaline water nozzle, Hypochlorous acid sterilizing water nozzle facing downstream of the transport system, hypochlorous acid sterilizing water storage chamber provided below the sterilizing water nozzle, drainage from the alkaline water storage chamber, and hypochlorous acid sterilizing water storage It is more preferable to have a drain circuit that mixes and neutralizes water from the chamber and drains it.
[0019]
More preferably, a circulation circuit may be connected from the alkaline water storage chamber of the dishwashing tank to the alkaline water circuit of the alkaline water nozzle.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The basic embodiment (Claim 1) of the dishwashing / sterilizing method of the present invention is to add alkaline salt by adding water containing chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride, or these chloride salts and water. First washing of tableware with strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5, preferably a pH of 11.5 to 12.5, including water obtained by electrolyzing water added with the compound shown in a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell, and at least Secondary sterilization washing of the tableware with hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5, preferably pH 4 to 7, containing water obtained by electrolyzing water added with chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride Is to do.
[0021]
The strong alkaline water of pH 10 to 12.5 generated electrolytically by the above has an excellent effect on washing off the oil, and the pH 3 to 7.5 hypochlorous acid sterilized water electrolytically generated by the above is free in water. Since 80% to 100% of the residual chlorine is present in the form of hypochlorous acid (HClO), it has a strong bactericidal power. Therefore, after performing the first washing with the strong alkaline water, the second washing with the hypochlorous acid sterilizing water is efficient, and the dishwashing / cleaning of the tableware with less environmental pollution by the washing waste water is performed. Can be sterilized.
[0022]
The strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 used for the dishwashing of the present invention can be produced by, for example, the following method.
(1) A method of producing strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 in a cathode chamber by electrolyzing water (an aqueous chloride salt solution) to which a chloride salt such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride is added in a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell.
(2) Chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride and compounds that are alkaline when dissolved in water (for example, polysilicates such as sodium metasilicate, silicates such as sodium silicate, sodium hydroxide, hydroxide) A method in which strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 is generated in a cathode chamber by electrolyzing water added with a hydroxide salt such as potassium or a mixture of two or more thereof in a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell.
(3) Chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride, and water added with a compound that dissolves in water and exhibits alkalinity are electrolyzed in a diaphragm electrolyzer, and dissolved in the above-described electrolytic alkaline water in the cathode chamber. And adding a compound exhibiting alkalinity to prepare strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5.
[0023]
On the other hand, in the method for adjusting hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5, water obtained by subjecting water containing at least a chloride salt such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride to electrolysis with a diaphragm is used. In some cases, acidic water obtained by diaphragm membrane electrolytic treatment may be used.
[0024]
Among these, the method for adjusting hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 using water obtained by electroless membrane treatment further includes the following various embodiments.
The first is a method for obtaining hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 by electrolyzing water to which at least a chloride salt such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride is added in a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell as in claim 1 It is.
[0025]
Secondly, as in claim 2, water obtained by electrolyzing water containing at least a chloride salt such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride in a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell is adjusted to pH 10-12. 5 is a method for preparing hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 by mixing acidic water generated at the same time when 5 strong alkaline water is generated and raw water such as tap water.
This method is advantageous in that the pH adjustment of hypochlorous acid sterilizing water is easy and water is not wasted because acidic water is used when the strong alkaline water is generated.
[0026]
Thirdly, as described in claim 3, water to which chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride are added, or water to which these chloride salts and a compound that is dissolved in water and exhibits alkalinity are added, is used for diaphragm electrolysis. When electrolyzing strong alkaline water and acidic water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 in a tank, and adding strong salt water such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride, and generating strong alkaline water in the diaphragm membrane electrolytic tank A method of preparing hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 by mixing raw water such as tap water with water obtained by electrolyzing mixed water with acidic water generated at the same time in a diaphragmless electrolytic cell It is. As a modified example in this case, raw water such as tap water is mixed with non-diaphragm electrolyzed water, and further, a part of acidic water obtained by the electrolysis of the diaphragm is mixed to obtain a hypochlorite having a pH of 3 to 7.5. You may mix | blend with chloric acid disinfection water.
[0027]
Next, examples of the method for producing hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 using the electrolytic water on the anode side obtained by the diaphragm membrane electrolytic treatment include the following methods.
(1) Electrolysis of water to which chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride are added, or water to which a salt salt such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride and a compound which is dissolved in water and which shows lucality is added is electrolyzed in a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell. Then, alkaline water is generated on the cathode chamber side, and simultaneously, hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 is generated on the anode chamber side.
(2) Electrolyze water in which a chloride salt such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride is added, or water in which a chloride salt such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride and a compound which is dissolved in water and exhibits alkalinity is added in a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell. Then, alkaline water is generated on the cathode chamber side, and hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 by adding a part of the alkaline water generated in the cathode chamber to the electrolyzed water generated on the anode chamber side. How to adjust.
In both cases (1) and (2), the alkaline water on the cathode chamber side generated during electrolysis in the diaphragm cell is generated at a pH of 10 to 12.5 at the time of electrolysis. Alternatively, it may be adjusted to strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 by adding a compound that exhibits alkalinity when dissolved in the water after electrolysis generated from the cathode chamber.
[0028]
Thus, in the cleaning and sterilization method of the present invention, in order to simultaneously generate strong alkaline water for oil removal and hypochlorous acid sterilized water for sterilization using a diaphragm electrolyzer, the above (1) and (2) Although there is a method, the method (1) is more advantageous. The reason for this is that, in the case of (2), a part of the alkaline water generated in the diaphragm electrolyzer is consumed for the adjustment of hypochlorous acid sterilizing water. While the ratio of the flow rate of hypochlorous acid produced changes and inconvenience arises when it is desired to wash dishes with strong alkaline water and sterilize with hypochlorous acid at the set flow rate, the above (1) In this case, in addition to chloride salts such as potassium chloride, a compound that dissolves in water and exhibits alkalinity is added to conduct electrolysis of the diaphragm, so that the pH of the anode chamber is adjusted to 3 to 7.5 from the beginning. This is because chlorous acid is generated, and thus water having a target pH can be supplied without changing the flow rate ratio.
[0029]
The diaphragm membrane electrolytic treatment may be electrolyzed by adding water added with a chloride salt or a chloride salt and a compound showing alkalinity to water supplied to both electrode chambers of the electrolytic cell. The chemical solution-added water may be introduced only into the anode chamber, and ordinary water such as tap water may be introduced into the cathode chamber for electrolysis.
[0030]
In each of the above cleaning and sterilizing methods, preferred examples of the compound that is alkaline when dissolved in water include polysilicates such as sodium metasilicate, silicates such as sodium silicate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and the like. Mention may be made of hydroxide salts or mixtures of two or more thereof. These compounds are approved to be added to foods and are harmless when used for cleaning and sterilizing dishes.
[0031]
Next, the dishwashing / sterilizing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a dishwashing and sterilizing apparatus according to the invention, in particular illustrating an apparatus used for carrying out the method of claims 5 and 7. That is, the dishwashing / sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 1 includes a dishwashing tank 1 that performs cleaning / sterilization by putting tableware or the like to be cleaned, and strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 supplied to the dishwashing tank 1. The chloride salt or the chloride salt is added to the continuous electrolyzed water generating device 2 for generating hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 and the water electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 10 of the electrolyzed water generating device 2. A solution tank 7 for adding an alkaline compound dissolved in water, an alkaline water piping system 3 for supplying strong alkaline water generated by the continuous electrolytic water generator 2 to the dishwashing tank 1, and A mixing unit 4 that mixes the acidic water generated by the electrolyzed water generating device 2 and the alkaline water to prepare hypochlorous acid sterilized water, and hypochlorous acid sterilized water from the mixing unit 4 to the dishwashing tank 1 Is provided with a sterilizing water piping system 5.
[0032]
The continuous electrolyzed water generating device 2 in FIG. 1 uses a diaphragm electrolytic cell 10 in which electrodes 11 and 12 of different polarities are partitioned into a pair of electrode chambers 14 and 15 by an electrolytic diaphragm 13, and water from a water supply pipe 6 is used. From one side of the diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell 10, a sodium chloride, a chloride salt such as potassium chloride from the solution tank 7, or a solution containing these chloride salts and a compound or solution that shows alkalinity in water is added. Electrolyzed and generated alkaline water and acidic water are separately discharged from the pair of water discharge pipes 8 and 9.
[0033]
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the solution from the solution tank 7 is connected to the common main pipe of the water supply pipe 6 to supply the chemical solution addition water (chemical solution aqueous solution) to both electrode chambers 14 and 15 of the diaphragm electrolytic cell 10. However, the solution tank 7 is connected to the water supply branch of the anode chamber 14 so that the chemical solution-added water is supplied only to the anode chamber 14, and the cathode chamber 15 is supplied with normal water such as tap water. You may be made to do.
[0034]
When the diaphragm electrolytic cell 10 is a reverse electric electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis by alternately reversing the polarities of the electrodes, a channel switching valve 37 is interposed in the pair of water discharge pipes 8 and 9, and the diaphragm electrolysis is performed. When the polarity of the electrode of the tank 10 is switched, the flow paths of the water discharge pipes 8 and 9 are switched.
[0035]
The alkaline water discharge pipe 8 of the electrolyzed water generator 2 is connected to an alkaline water piping system 3 having a flow rate adjusting valve 16 and an alkaline water tank 17 interposed therebetween, and the tip thereof is piped to the dishwashing tank 1. .
[0036]
On the other hand, the water in the alkaline water discharge pipe 8 is connected to the alkaline water discharge pipe 8 and the acidic water discharge pipe 9 of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 2 via a branch line 8 ′ branched from the alkaline water discharge pipe 8. A part is mixed with the water of the acidic water discharge pipe 9, thereby connecting the preparation unit 4 for preparing hypochlorous acid sterilized water.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, flow rate adjusting valves 18 and 19 are provided on the upstream side of the merging portion of the alkaline water branch line 8 ′ and the acidic water discharge water line 9 of the preparation unit 4, and the flow rate of both the pipes 8 and 9 can be adjusted. In addition, a tank 20 of hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 prepared by mixing is provided on the downstream side of the junction.
[0037]
Between the tank 20 of the hypochlorous acid sterilizing water preparation unit 4 and the dishwashing tank 1, a sterilizing water piping system 5 for supplying the prepared hypochlorous acid sterilizing water to the dishwashing tank 1 is provided. Yes.
[0038]
The dishwashing tank 1 incorporates a conveying means 22 such as a belt conveyor for carrying and moving the tableware 21 and sterilizes the alkaline water nozzle 23 at the tip of the alkaline water piping system 3 and the tip of the sterilizing water piping system 5. The water nozzle 24 is assembled so as to face the tableware 21 on the conveying means 22.
[0039]
In the illustrated embodiment, the alkaline water nozzle 23 at the tip of the alkaline water piping system 3 is attached to the upstream side of the conveying means 22 of the dishwashing tank 1, and the alkaline water reservoir 25 is located below the alkaline water nozzle 23. Is provided.
Further, the sterilizing water nozzle 24 at the tip of the sterilizing water piping system 5 is attached to the downstream side of the conveying means 22 of the tableware washing tank 1, and a sterilizing water storage chamber 26 is provided below the sterilizing water nozzle 24. ing.
[0040]
The alkaline water storage chamber 25 and the sterilizing water storage chamber 26 are each provided with drain pipes 28 and 29 for the drain 27, and the drain pipes 28 and 29 of both the storage chambers 25 and 26 are joined to the neutralization merging tank 30. The drainage to the drain 27 is neutralized, preferably neutralized and drained.
The drainage from the drain pipes 28 and 29 is discharged through the overflow member 36 as shown in the figure.
[0041]
In the illustrated embodiment, the alkaline water piping system 3 has a branch pipe 31 communicating with the alkaline water storage chamber 25 so that the alkaline water is also supplied to the alkaline water storage chamber 25. In addition, a circulation circuit 32 communicating from the alkaline water storage chamber 25 to the alkaline water nozzle 23 is provided so that the alkaline water in the alkaline water storage chamber 25 is reused.
[0042]
As shown in the figure, the alkaline water piping system 3 and the sterilizing water piping system 5 are provided with a heater 33 as close as possible to the dishwashing tank 1, and the water temperature is heated to about 60 ° to 80 ° C. and supplied. desirable.
[0043]
The tableware washing and sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 1 mixes a part of electrolyzed alkaline water with electrolyzed acidic water to produce hypochlorous acid water having a pH of 3 to 7.5, as in claims 5 and 7 of the present application. It is used when adjusting, and is provided with the blending unit 4 for this purpose.
On the other hand, the apparatus of FIG. 2 produces hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 directly by electrolysis without mixing a part of electrolytic alkaline water with acidic water as in claims 4 and 6 of the present application. The hypochlorous acid sterilized water is supplied to the dishwashing tank 1 for the second sterilization cleaning. For this reason, the blending unit 4 is removed from the apparatus of FIG. 1, and other configurations are the same as those of FIG.
[0044]
FIG. 3 shows still another embodiment of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus in the dishwashing / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention. This electrolyzed water generating apparatus is connected to the acidic water discharge pipe 9 of the diaphragm electrolytic cell 10 with a chlorine generating electrode. A non-diaphragm chlorine generating electrolytic cell 38 having electrolytic electrodes 11 'and 12' is interposed, and chlorine is generated in the acidic water of the acidic water discharge pipe 9. Examples of the material for the chlorine generating electrode include titanium coated with platinum and iridium. Since this electrode material can be used for both cathode and anode, the polarity of the applied voltage may be reversed every desired time.
[0045]
The chlorine generating electrode may perform chlorine generating electrolysis through all of the acidic water in the acidic water discharge pipe 9, but as shown in FIG. 3, a chlorine generating electrolytic tank 38 is provided in the bypass 40 through the flow rate control valve 39. Alternatively, a part of the acidic water in the acidic water discharge pipe 9 may be electrolyzed in the chlorine generating electrolytic tank 38 by the flow rate control valve 39, and the obtained chlorine replenished acidic water may be mixed with acidic water that is not replenished with chlorine.
[0046]
If necessary, a water distribution pipe 41 may be provided from the alkaline water discharge pipe 8 to the acidic water discharge pipe 9 so that a part of the alkaline water is mixed with the acidic water.
[0047]
In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the front-end | tip of the alkaline water discharging pipe 8 and the acidic water discharging pipe 9 is supplied to the tableware washing tank 1 similarly to FIG. 1, FIG.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 3, when a chlorine generating electrolytic cell 38 is provided in the acidic water discharge pipe 9 and chlorine is generated in all or part of the acidic water discharged from the anode chamber 14 of the diaphragm electrolytic cell 10, In addition to helping to stabilize the hypochlorous acid concentration, it is easy to obtain acidic water having a pH of about 4 because the pH value of the acidic water is increased by electrolysis with the chlorine generating electrodes 11 ′ and 12 ′.
[0049]
The mixing means for electrolytically generated alkaline water and acidic water may be a ratio valve, a pump (preferably a metering pump), an orifice, or any other known method.
[0050]
FIG. 4 shows continuous water electrolyzed water that can be prepared by various methods of strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 and hypochlorous acid sterilizing water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 used for dish washing and sterilization according to the present invention. 1 shows a generating device.
This electrolyzed water generating apparatus 2 includes a diaphragm electrolytic cell 10, a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell 42, and a chemical solution tank 7 that supplies the chloride salt or an aqueous solution of a compound that dissolves in the chloride salt and the water and exhibits alkalinity. It has.
[0051]
The diaphragm electrolytic cell 10 adds the chemical solution from the chemical solution tank 7 to the water supplied from the water supply pipe 6 to electrolyze, discharges the electrolytic alkaline water from the alkaline water discharge pipe 8 leading to the cathode chamber, and supplies it to the anode chamber. The electrolytic acid water is discharged from the acidic water discharge pipe 9 that leads to it.
[0052]
The diaphragm electrolyzer 42 electrolyzes water (chloride salt aqueous solution) added with the chloride salt to discharge hypochlorous acid water, and a water supply branch pipe 43 branched from the water supply pipe 6 is connected via a valve 44. And connected to the mixing chamber 45 on the drain side of the non-diaphragm electrolytic cell 42.
[0053]
Further, the acidic water discharge pipe 9 of the diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell 10 is connected via an acidic water tank 46 to the water supply side and the drain side mixing chamber 45 of the diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell 42 via valves 47 and 48. .
[0054]
Thus, the electrolyzed water generator 2 of FIG. 4 supplies strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5, which is generated in the cathode chamber of the diaphragm electrolyzer 10, as the washing water for tableware, as in claim 1. Hypochlorous acid water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 generated from the diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell 42 can be supplied as sterilizing water for the tableware.
[0055]
In addition, strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 is generated in the cathode chamber of the diaphragm electrolyzer 10, and the raw water from the water supply pipe 6 is supplied to the water supply side and / or drainage side mixing chamber 45 of the diaphragm electrolyzer 42. The acidic water produced | generated in the said diaphragm membrane electrolyzer 10 can be selectively supplied, and the hypochlorous acid sterilization water of pH 3-7.5 by each method of Claim 2 and 3 can be produced | generated.
[0056]
Furthermore, using only the diaphragm electrolytic cell 10, pH 10 to 12.5 strong alkaline water can be supplied from the cathode chamber, and hypochlorous acid sterilized water having pH 3 to 7.5 can be supplied from the anode chamber. .
[0057]
A part of the acidic water generated in the diaphragm electrolytic cell 10 can be mixed from the tank 46 to the waste water after washing with the strong alkaline water in the tableware washing tank 1 and used as a neutralizing solution.
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 4, a solution of an inorganic acid or hydroxide salt such as hydrochloric acid may be added as a pH adjusting solution from the pH adjusting solution tank 49 to the water supply side of the diaphragm electrolyzer 42.
[0059]
In the figure, P is a pump, 34 is a check valve, and 35 is a valve.
[0052]
【Example】
Next, the Example which mixes the alkaline water produced | generated with the electrolytic cell 10 and acidic water, and prepares it in hypochlorous acid sterilization water is shown below.
Example 1
When supplying alkaline water and sterilizing water to the dishwashing tank 1 at a ratio of 1: 1, 4 liters of alkaline water of pH 11 and acidic water of pH 2.5 are generated from the electrolytic tank 10 and generated. When 1 liter of 4 liters of alkaline water is mixed with acidic water, 3 liters of hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 5 is prepared, and 3 liters of alkaline water of pH 11 and sterilized water of pH 5 are prepared in the dishwashing tank 1. Supplied in.
[0060]
Example 2
When supplying alkaline water and sterilizing water to the dishwashing tank 1 in a ratio of 1: 2, the electrolytic tank 10 generates 3 liters of alkaline water of pH 11 and 3 liters of acidic water of pH 2.5, When 1 liter of the generated 3 liters of alkaline water is mixed with acidic water, 4 liters of hypochlorous acid sterilized water of pH 4 is prepared, and 2 liters of alkaline water of pH 11 and 4 liters of sterilized water of pH 4 are prepared in the dishwashing tank 1. Are supplied at a ratio of 1: 2.
[0061]
Next, the operation of the above embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
By electrolyzing water to which sodium chloride or the like has been added in the electrolytic bath 10, alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 and acidic water having a pH of 2 to 3 are generated. The alkaline water is upstream of the conveying means 22 of the dishwashing tank 1. Supplied and primary cleaning of the dishes is performed.
[0062]
On the other hand, the acidic water generated from the electrolytic cell 10 is mixed and mixed with a part of the alkaline water to prepare pH 3 to 7.5 hypochlorous acid sterilized water, and then the conveying means 22 of the dishwashing tank 1. Supplied downstream, secondary cleaning and sterilization of the tableware is performed.
[0063]
【effect】
In the present invention, strong alkaline water generated by electrolysis and hypochlorous acid sterilized water are used to clean and sterilize dishes, so that no harmful substances remain in the cleaning waste water. Therefore, environmental pollution due to the cleaning wastewater is remarkably improved as compared with the conventional method using a detergent.
[0064]
Strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5, especially pH 11 or more has a remarkable cleaning effect on the oil spilling of tableware, and pH 3 to 7.5, particularly, hypochlorous acid water having a pH of 4 to 7 has an excellent bactericidal effect. Yes. In addition, since the strong alkaline water and hypochlorous acid sterilized water are simultaneously generated and supplied by the electrolyzed water generating device, an efficient cleaning and sterilizing effect of tableware can be obtained.
[0065]
Conventionally, the acidic water drained from the alkaline water-dedicated electrolyzed water generating device has been discarded as unnecessary, but in the present invention, acidic water is used for the generation of hypochlorous acid sterilized water, so there is no waste of water. Is economical.
[0066]
Since the used wastewater from alkaline water and hypochlorous acid sterilized water is mixed and neutralized, the wastewater can be neutralized and drained to drain by adjusting the concentration so that hypochlorous acid is eliminated.
[0067]
In addition to chloride salts such as sodium chloride, the use of a compound that dissolves in water and exhibits alkalinity, provides strong alkaline water for primary cleaning and hypochlorous acid sterilized water for secondary cleaning and sterilization at a predetermined flow rate. It becomes possible to secure by ratio.
[0068]
By generating chlorine in the electrolytically generated acidic water, the hypochlorous acid concentration of the sterilizing water is stabilized, and the pH of the hypochlorous acid sterilizing water is easily raised to pH 3 to 7.5.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a dishwashing / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the dishwashing / sterilizing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part (electrolyzed water generating apparatus) of another embodiment of the dishwashing / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of another electrolyzed water generating apparatus used in the dishwashing / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Dishwasher,
2 ... Electrolyzed water generator,
3 ... Alkaline water piping system,
4 ... Formulation Department,
5 ... Sterilization water piping system,
6 ... Water pipe,
7 ... Solution tank,
8 ... Alkaline water discharge line,
9 ... Acidic water discharge pipe,
11, 12 ... electrodes,
11 ', 12' ... chlorine generating electrode,
13 ... Electrolytic diaphragm,
14, 15 ... electrode chamber,
16, 18, 19 ... flow control valve,
17 ... Alkaline water tank,
20 ... Hypochlorous acid sterilization water tank,
21 ... Tableware,
22 ... conveying means,
23 ... Alkaline water nozzle,
24 ... sterilizing water nozzle,
25 ... Alkaline water storage room,
26 ... sterilized water reservoir,
27 ... Drain,
28, 29 ... Drain pipe,
30 ... neutralization merging tank,
31 ... branches,
32 ... circulation circuit,
33 ... heater,
36 ... overflow member,
37 ... flow path switching valve,
38 ... Chlorine generating electrolytic cell,
39 ... Flow rate ratio control valve,
40 ... Bypass,
41 ... distribution pipe,
42 ... Non-membrane electrolytic cell
43 ... Water supply branch pipe
44, 47, 48 ... Valve
45 ... Mixing room
46 ... Acidic water tank
49 ... pH adjustment liquid tank

Claims

Water with added chloride salt such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride is electrolyzed into strong alkaline water and acidic water of pH 10 to 12.5 in a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell, and the first washing of dishes with the obtained strong alkaline water. Secondary sterilization of the tableware with hypochlorous acid sterilized water having a pH of 3 to 7.5 obtained by electrolyzing water containing at least a chloride salt such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride in a diaphragm electrolyzer. Washing and sterilizing method of tableware characterized by washing

Electrolyze water to which chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride have been added to strong alkaline water and acidic water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 in a diaphragm electrolytic cell, and at least add chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Water obtained by electrolyzing the produced water in a diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell, acidic water produced in the diaphragm membrane electrolytic cell, and raw water such as tap water are mixed to sterilize hypochlorous acid at pH 3 to 7.5 The tableware is characterized in that water is prepared, the tableware is first washed with the strong alkaline water having a pH of 10 to 12.5, and the tableware is secondly sterilized and washed with the hypochlorous acid sterilized water. Cleaning and sterilization methods

Electrolyze water to which chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride have been added to strong alkaline water and acidic water having a pH of 10 to 12.5 in a diaphragm electrolytic cell, and at least add chloride salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Water obtained by electrolyzing the mixed water of the water and the acidic water generated in the diaphragm electrolyzer in the non-diaphragm electrolyzer, the acid water and / or tap water generated in the diaphragm electrolyzer The raw water is mixed to prepare a hypochlorous acid sterilizing water having a pH of 3 to 7.5, and the tableware is first washed with the strong alkaline water. Tableware washing and sterilization method characterized by performing sterilization washing