JP3978677B2 - Water sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water sterilizer that suppresses the growth of bacteria, molds and algae in water.

  The conventional water sterilizer is configured such that the electrodes of the metal ion generator are a silver electrode and a copper electrode, and one of the silver electrode and the copper electrode is an anode and the other is a cathode (for example, switchable) , See Patent Document 1).

JP-A-4-90886 (page 1-3, Fig. 1)

  In the conventional water sterilizer, since the same voltage is applied to the copper electrode and the silver electrode, there is a problem that the silver electrode has a lifetime first.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can provide a water sterilizer that can extend the life of copper and silver electrodes and has sterilizing, fungicidal, and algicidal effects. It is.

In the water sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, it is installed in a water tank pumped up by a drain pump, and by applying a voltage to a pair of electrodes, metal ions are gradually released into the water, thereby suppressing the growth of bacteria, molds and algae in the water. In the water sterilization apparatus, a metal electrode made of an alloy of silver and copper having a sterilizing effect, fungicidal effect, or algicidal effect is provided on the anode side of the pair of electrodes, and a variable resistor connected in series with the metal electrode The metal electrode constitutes the water suction port of the drainage pump, detects the number of bacteria, mold, and algae in the water, and changes the resistance value of the variable resistor based on the detection result.

The present invention is a water sterilizer that is installed in a water tank that is pumped up by a drainage pump, gradually releases metal ions into water by applying a voltage to a pair of electrodes, and suppresses the growth of bacteria, fungi, and algae in the water. On the anode side of the pair of electrodes, a metal electrode composed of an alloy of silver and copper having a bactericidal effect, fungicidal effect or algicidal effect, a variable resistor connected in series with the metal electrode, Configure the water suction port of the drainage pump, detect the number of bacteria, mold, and algae in the water, and change the resistance value of the variable resistor based on this detection result, the life of the copper electrode and silver electrode The metal ions that are optimal for sterilization of microorganisms in water can be released slowly, and excellent sterilization, fungicidal and algicidal effects can be obtained. Moreover, the water near the drainage pump can be sterilized, mold-killed, and algae killed, and the drainage pump can be prevented from being clogged.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a water sterilizer showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the installation of this water sterilizer, and FIG. 3 is a relationship between the silver concentration and the number of bacteria in this water sterilizer. FIG.
In the figure, a copper electrode 1 and a silver electrode 2 are installed so as to be in contact with water 7 contained in a water tank 6, and are installed by connecting a power source 5 for supplying a DC voltage between the counter electrode 4. A resistor 3 is connected between the silver electrode 2 and the power source 5. The voltage applied by the power source 5 is a DC voltage of 5 to 25V. The resistance value of the resistor 3 is set so that the resistor 3 is 0.99 V and the silver electrode 2 is 0.01 V with respect to the applied voltage of 1 V. When a DC voltage is applied to the silver electrode 2 via the copper electrode 1 and the resistor 3, copper ions from the copper electrode 1 and silver ions from the silver electrode 2 are gradually released into the water 7.

  Here, copper ions generally have fungicidal and algicidal effects, and silver ions have a bactericidal effect. Since the bactericidal effect, fungicidal effect, and algicidal effect affect the copper ion concentration and silver ion concentration that are gradually released, it is necessary to release ions at a concentration that provides the effect. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, a voltage at which a minimum effect is obtained, that is, a sustained release amount of 3 ppm or more is applied. Fig. 3 (a) shows the number of bacteria due to the difference in silver concentration when 10 mL of nutrient broth, which is a nutrient, is added to 500 mL of water each time, and at the same time, 10 mL of bacteria is added at a concentration of 1.0E + 07 cfu / mL each time. It shows a change, and it can be seen that it is effective at 3 ppm or more. Fig. 3 (b) shows the change in the number of bacteria over time due to the difference in silver concentration when 10 mL of nutrient broth, which is a nutrient, is added to 500 mL of water, and at the same time, 10 mL of bacteria are added at a concentration of 1.0E + 07 cfu / mL. It can be seen that bacteria grow at silver concentrations of 1 ppm and 2 ppm, but no growth at 3 ppm.

  By the way, when the same voltage is applied to the silver electrode and the copper electrode, since the silver ions are more easily eluted than the copper ions, the silver ion concentration is high, but it is difficult to increase the copper ion concentration. . In addition, the silver electrode elutes first and the life is shortened. For example, conventionally, when a voltage that gradually releases several tens of ppm of copper ions is applied to a copper electrode in order to exert an algicidal effect and a fungicidal effect, about 120 ppm of silver ions are gradually released from the silver electrode. Therefore, silver ions were excessively released, and the life of the silver electrode was shortened.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, in order to solve the above-described problems, the resistor 3 is connected between the silver electrode 2 and the power source 5, and the resistor 3 is 0.99 V with respect to the applied voltage 1 V, and the silver electrode Since the resistance value is set so that 2 becomes 0.01 V, the silver ion concentration and the copper ion concentration can be controlled to optimum concentrations.

  As described above, since the resistor 3 is connected between the silver electrode 2 and the power source 5 in the water sterilization apparatus having the above-described configuration, the silver ion concentration and the copper ion concentration can be controlled to optimum concentrations. , Sterilization by silver ions, fungicidal effect by copper ions, and algaecidal effect can be best demonstrated. Moreover, since silver ions are not eluted excessively, it is possible to extend the lifetime of the silver electrode and the copper electrode.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a water sterilizer showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The copper electrode 1 and the silver electrode 2 are installed so as to be in contact with the water 7 contained in the water tank 6, and are installed by connecting a power source 5 for supplying a DC voltage between the counter electrode 4. A resistor 3 is connected between the silver electrode 2 and the power source 5. The voltage applied by the power source 5 is a DC voltage of 5 to 25V. Reference numeral 8 denotes a microorganism detecting means for detecting microorganisms such as mold, algae, and fungi in water, and changes the resistance value of the resistor 3 based on the output detected by the microorganism detecting means 8.

Next, the operation will be described.
The state (number and concentration) of microorganisms contained in the water 7 entering the water tank 6 is detected by the microorganism detection means 8, and a signal is output to the resistor 3. The resistor 3 varies the resistance value according to the value of the signal from the microorganism detecting means 8 and controls the silver concentration that is gradually released. Here, when the number of bacteria is detected and the resistance value is varied according to the number of bacteria, the silver concentration is controlled by the following equation.
(Variable that varies depending on resistance value) x microorganism detection result (number of bacteria) x voltage application time (constant) / water volume (constant) = silver concentration

  As described above, in the water sterilization apparatus having the above-described configuration, the state of microorganisms is detected by the microorganism detecting means 8, and the resistance value of the resistor 3 is varied according to the output of the microorganism detecting means 8, and the silver concentration is gradually released. Therefore, it is possible to control release of silver ions optimal for sterilization of microorganisms in water.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a water sterilizer showing Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The copper electrode 1 and the silver electrode 2 were installed in a part of the water inlet 10 of the drain pump 9. In this case, the counter electrode 3 is disposed along the bottom surface of the water tank 6. The drainage pump 9 works to suck up the water 7 in the water tank 6. At this time, if a large amount of microorganisms are propagated in the water 7, the gelled microorganisms may be clogged in the water suction port 10 of the drainage pump 9. Therefore, the clogging of the drainage pump 9 can be prevented by installing a sterilizing, fungicidal and algicidal device that suppresses the propagation of microorganisms in the water 7 near the water inlet 10 of the drainage pump 9.

  Here, by installing the copper electrode 1 and the silver electrode 2 in a part of the water inlet 10 of the drain pump 9, the water 7 near the drain pump 9 can be sterilized, mold-killed, and algae killed. Clogging can be prevented. Specifically, the water inlet 10 is made of an alloy of silver and copper, or only silver, or only copper, and the voltage applied to the copper electrode 1 or the silver electrode 2 so that the metal ion concentration in water is always 3 ppm or more. To control.

  As described above, in the water sterilization apparatus having the above-described configuration, the copper electrode 1 and the silver electrode 2 are installed in a part of the water inlet 10 of the drain pump 9, thereby sterilizing and killing the water 7 near the drain pump 9. The algae can be killed, and the drainage pump 9 can be prevented from clogging.

It is a schematic diagram of the water sterilizer which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an installation schematic diagram of the water sterilizer which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the silver concentration of the water sterilizer which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the number of bacteria. It is a schematic diagram of the water sterilizer which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the water sterilizer which shows Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copper electrode, 2 Silver electrode, 3 Resistor, 4 Counter electrode, 5 Power supply, 6 Water tank, 7 Water, 8 Microorganism detection means, 9 Drain pump, 10 Water inlet

Claims (2)

In a water sterilization apparatus that is installed in a water tank pumped up by a drainage pump and releases a metal ion into water by applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes, thereby suppressing the growth of bacteria, mold, and algae in the water. On the anode side, a metal electrode composed of an alloy of silver and copper having a bactericidal effect, fungicidal effect or algicidal effect, and a variable resistor connected in series with the metal electrode, the metal electrode of the drainage pump is provided. A water sterilizer comprising a water inlet, detecting the number of bacteria, mold and algae in water, and changing the resistance value of the variable resistor based on the detection result. In a water sterilization apparatus that is installed in a water tank pumped up by a drainage pump and releases a metal ion into water by applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes, thereby suppressing the growth of bacteria, mold, and algae in the water. Provided on the anode side is a metal electrode made of a silver and copper alloy having a bactericidal effect, fungicidal effect or algicidal effect, and the metal electrode constitutes the water suction port of the drainage pump, and the metal ion concentration in water is A water sterilizer characterized by controlling the voltage applied to the pair of electrodes so as to be always 3 ppm or more .

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