JP4091478B2 - Electrolyzer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrolysis apparatus, and more particularly to an electrolysis apparatus that electrolyzes a liquid containing a chlorine compound to obtain a liquid containing chlorine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, water containing hypochlorous acid is known as sterilizing water that kills fungi and is widely used.
[0003]
As described in Patent Document 1, this type of sterilized water is generally produced by electrolyzing water added with sodium chloride (sodium chloride) in an electrolytic cell with a diaphragm. In recent years, as described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, it has been proposed to electrolyze a dilute aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid. In this case, since there is no sodium ion, there is an advantage that it is possible to avoid the precipitation of sodium hydroxide at the anode.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-180293 (page 6, upper left column, lines 2 to 10)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-76269 (paragraph [0006])
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2003-10852 A (paragraph [0014])
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in any of the methods and apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the chlorine gas generated at the cathode is only spontaneously dissolved in water. For this reason, the problem that it is difficult to dissolve all the generated chlorine gas in water has become apparent.
[0006]
If chlorine gas that has not been dissolved is stored in the apparatus, there is a concern that the chlorine gas may corrode the apparatus. Therefore, a water receiving tank is provided outside the electrolyzer, water and chlorine gas are collected in the water receiving tank, and the chlorine gas is collected after the chlorine gas is discharged from the water receiving tank by an exhaust fan or the like. I have to.
[0007]
However, in this case, the electrolyzer becomes large-scale with the provision of a water receiving tank, an exhaust fan, and the like. For this reason, a vast space for installing the electrolyzer is required. Moreover, since the capital investment of an electrolysis apparatus rises, the initial cost required for electrolysis will become high.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is capable of reliably dissolving chlorine gas generated by electrolysis in a liquid, and has a simple structure and a small shape. The purpose is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a casing provided with a long tank portion into which a liquid is introduced;
An anode disposed in the tank and surrounding the liquid introduced into the tank;
A bar member disposed in the tank,
A cathode attached to the bar member;
Have
The liquid containing the chlorine compound introduced from the introduction port provided at one end of the tank reaches the anode while spirally turning around the bar member,
After collecting the chlorine gas generated at the anode when the anode and the cathode are energized with the liquid flowing through the tank portion while turning, an outlet provided at the other end of the casing The liquid is discharged via
[0010]
Thus, in the present invention, a swirling flow of liquid is formed, the chlorine gas generated on the surface of the anode by this swirling flow is separated, and the separated chlorine gas is collected in the swirling flow. This chlorine gas cannot rise in the liquid because of the centrifugal force of the swirling flow. That is, the chlorine gas is reliably entrained in the liquid and drops off from the anode, is dissolved in the liquid, and is discharged from the electrolysis apparatus.
[0011]
In short, according to the present invention, the swirling flow causes chlorine gas to drop from the anode surface, and the dropped chlorine gas is reliably entrained by the liquid and discharged after being dissolved in the liquid. . For this reason, since it is not necessary to provide a water receiving tank, an exhaust fan, etc., an electrolysis apparatus becomes small, Therefore The space for installing this electrolysis apparatus can be narrowed. Moreover, the capital investment required for electrolysis can be reduced.
[0012]
Here, in order to form the swirling flow, for example, a conical recess is provided in the tank, and the liquid may be introduced into the recess from the tangential direction of the sectional circle of the recess through the inlet. In this case, the liquid exiting the introduction port travels along the inner peripheral wall portion of the recess, and descends below the tank portion while turning spirally.
[0013]
Or you may make it install the stirring blade for turning a liquid in the said tank part.
[0014]
In addition, when the bar member is a hollow body and the cathode has a through-hole, and hydrogen gas is generated at the cathode, the hydrogen gas is passed through the through-hole of the cathode and the hollow interior of the bar member to It is preferable to discharge the water. Thereby, the generated hydrogen gas is quickly stored in the hollow inside of the bar member, so that it is possible to avoid the hydrogen gas from being dissolved in the liquid.
[0015]
In addition, hydrochloric acid is illustrated as a suitable example of a chlorine compound. In the electrolysis apparatus according to the present invention, water containing chlorine gas can be generated by electrolyzing water containing hydrochloric acid.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an electrolysis apparatus according to the present invention will be given and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017]
An electrolysis system including the electrolysis apparatus according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. The electrolysis system 10 is configured by connecting a liquid introduction line 14, a liquid discharge line 16, and a hydrogen gas discharge line 17 to an electrolysis apparatus 12.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrolysis apparatus 12 has a long casing 18, and a long tank portion 20 having a substantially circular cross section in the horizontal direction is provided inside the casing 18. Yes. An inlet 22 for introducing a dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution, which will be described later, is provided at one end of the tank portion 20, while a discharge port 24 is provided at the other end. As shown in FIG. 3, the introduction port 22 and the discharge port 24 are provided along the tangential direction of a perfect circle in the horizontal section of the recesses 26 and 28, and are separated from each other by 180 °.
[0019]
Each vicinity of the introduction port 22 and the discharge port 24 in the tank unit 20 is tapered in diameter toward the end (see FIGS. 1 and 2), whereby the conical recesses 26 and 28 are formed. Each is provided. Among these, the hollow bar member 30 hangs down from the top of the recess 26.
[0020]
A cathode 32 is installed at the tip of the bar member 30. The cathode 32 is made of a net-like metal, and thus has a plurality of through holes (not shown). The tank portion 20 and the hollow interior of the bar member 30 communicate with each other through the through hole.
[0021]
In addition to the cathode 32, the bar member 30 is provided with a first liquid level sensor 34 and a second liquid level sensor 36. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 40, 42, and 44 indicate lead wires electrically connected to the cathode 32, the first liquid level sensor 34, and the second liquid level sensor 36, respectively. A protective shield for protecting these lead wires 40, 42 and 44 is shown. The lead wire 40 is electrically connected to a power source (not shown), and the lead wire from the power source and the lead wires 42 and 44 are electrically connected to a control unit (not shown).
[0022]
In the inner peripheral wall portion of the tank portion 20, an annular recess 48 is provided in the vicinity of the recess 28, and an anode 50 is fitted in the annular recess 48. That is, the anode 50 is provided so as to surround the diluted hydrochloric acid aqueous solution introduced into the tank unit 20. The anode 50 is electrically connected to a power source (not shown) together with the cathode 32.
[0023]
A drain line 54 in which a drain valve 52 is interposed is provided at the bottom of the recess 28, while the hydrogen gas discharge line 17 is provided at the top of the recess 26 (bar member 30). The hydrogen gas discharge line 17 is provided with a hydrogen discharge valve 56, and when the hydrogen discharge valve 56 is opened, hydrogen gas generated along with electrolysis is discharged to the outside of the electrolysis apparatus 12. The
[0024]
An electromagnetic valve 58, a pressure reducing valve 60, a constant flow valve 62, and a flow meter 64 are interposed in this order from the upstream side in the liquid introduction line 14, and between the flow meter 64 and the introduction port 22. The hydrochloric acid supply line 66 is joined. The hydrochloric acid stored in the tank 68 is pumped out by the pump 70.
[0025]
On the other hand, in the liquid discharge line 16 connected to the discharge port 24, a pH detector 71, a flow rate adjusting valve 72, and a three-way valve 74 are interposed in this order from the discharge port 24 side.
[0026]
In the above configuration, the electromagnetic valve 58, the pressure reducing valve 60, the constant flow valve 62, the flow meter 64, the pump 70, the pH detector 71, the flow adjustment valve 72, and the three-way valve 74 are electrically connected to the control unit. Yes.
[0027]
The electrolysis system 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above. Next, the function and effect will be described.
[0028]
When the electrolysis system 10 is not operated, the drain valve 52 is normally open. That is, all the liquid in the tank unit 20 is discharged through the drain line 54 and does not remain in the tank unit 20.
[0029]
When the electrolysis system 10 is energized, the three-way valve 74 is on the discharge side while the drain valve 52 is closed under the control action of the controller. Further, the electromagnetic valve 58 is opened, and the water whose pressure is adjusted by the pressure reducing valve 60 passes through the liquid introduction line 14 while being controlled to the maximum flow rate by the constant flow valve 62. Further, the pump 70 is energized and the hydrochloric acid is pumped out of the tank 68 and merges with water at the junction of the hydrochloric acid supply line 66 and the liquid introduction line 14, thereby producing a dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution. The pH of the dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution is confirmed by a pH detector 71. Based on the pH, the pumped amount of the pump 70, in other words, the supply amount of hydrochloric acid is set to a preset pH value at which the pH of the liquid is set in advance. It is increased or decreased to become.
[0030]
This dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution is supplied to the concave portion 26 in the tank portion 20 through the inlet 22. Here, since the concave portion 26 has a conical shape and the inlet port 22 is provided along the tangential direction of the horizontal section of the concave portion 26, the dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution exiting the inlet port 22 It descends below the tank part 20 while spirally turning around the bar member 30 along the part. Of course, also in the equal-diameter portion of the tank portion 20, the diluted hydrochloric acid aqueous solution spirally turns in the same manner as described above, and finally reaches the recess 28.
[0031]
The dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution that has reached the recess 28 is discharged from the discharge port of the three-way valve 74 via the flow rate adjusting valve 72, but the liquid level in the tank unit 20 rises because the supply amount is larger. When the fact that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level sensor 34 is transmitted as a signal to the control unit via the lead wire 42, the control unit switches the three-way valve 74 to the supply side, and also via the power source. Then, energization of the cathode 32 and the anode 50 is started.
[0032]
When the cathode 32 and the anode 50 are energized in this way, hydrochloric acid in the dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution is electrolyzed, and accordingly, the dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution becomes water, and hydrogen gas is generated from the net-like cathode 32. On the other hand, chlorine gas is generated from the surface of the anode 50. Of these, a large force acts on the chlorine gas because the dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution swirls around the anode 50, and eventually the chlorine gas falls off the surface of the anode 50 and is trapped in water. Be collected. That is, sterilizing water containing chlorine is generated. At this time, the centrifugal force of the swirling water acts on the chlorine gas. For this reason, chlorine gas does not rise in water.
[0033]
Thus, in the present embodiment, when the dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution passes through the tank portion 20, the dilute hydrochloric acid aqueous solution is spirally swirled. For this reason, the chlorine gas produced | generated by the anode 50 falls out from this anode 50 reliably. Further, the dropped chlorine gas is discharged after being accompanied and dissolved by the water without being separated from the water by the action of centrifugal force, and as a result, sterilized water is generated. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a water receiving tank unlike the electrolyzer based on a prior art, Therefore, the space which installs the electrolyzer 12 becomes narrow, and the capital investment required for electrolysis is reduced.
[0034]
The sterilized water generated as described above is supplied to facilities that require sterilization.
[0035]
On the other hand, the hydrogen gas passes through the through-hole of the net-like cathode 32 and further rises in the hollow interior of the bar member 30. At this time, since the hydrogen discharge valve 56 is closed, the hydrogen gas is stored inside the bar member 30 without being discharged outside.
[0036]
As the electrolysis progresses and hydrogen gas is further generated, the liquid level inside the hollow of the bar member 30 is lowered and finally reaches the first liquid level sensor 34. The control unit that detects this via the lead wire 42 in the tank unit 20 issues a control signal to open the hydrogen discharge valve 56, and as a result, hydrogen gas is released from the hollow interior of the bar member 30. At the same time, the liquid level rises.
[0037]
That is, in the present embodiment, hydrogen gas is quickly stored in the hollow interior of the bar member 30. For this reason, hydrogen gas is not accompanied and discharged | emitted with water, Therefore The sterilized water in which hydrogen is not melt | dissolved is obtained.
[0038]
When the liquid level inside the hollow of the bar member 30 rises to the second liquid level sensor 36, the control unit issues a control signal via the lead wire 44 and closes the hydrogen discharge valve 56. As a result, the hydrogen gas starts to be stored in the hollow of the bar member 30 again.
[0039]
When the operation of the electrolysis system 10 is finished, the electromagnetic valve 58, the pressure reducing valve 60, the constant flow valve 62, and the flow regulating valve 72 are all closed, and the pump 70 is deactivated. Further, the drain valve 52 is opened, and the water in the tank unit 20 is discharged through the drain line 54. In addition, the three-way valve 74 is switched to the discharge side.
[0040]
In the above-described embodiment, the electrolysis apparatus 12 is configured using the hollow bar member 30, but a solid bar member 80 may be used as shown in FIG. In this case, the hydrogen gas rises along the bar member 80 and is stored in the recess 26. Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, when a predetermined amount of hydrogen gas is stored and the liquid level drops to the first liquid level sensor 34, the hydrogen discharge valve 56 is opened, and the liquid level is released as the hydrogen gas is released. May be closed when the hydrogen level rises to the second liquid level sensor 36.
[0041]
Further, a stirring blade may be installed in the tank unit 20 in order to swirl the liquid.
[0042]
Furthermore, the chlorine compound is not particularly limited to hydrochloric acid, and may be sodium chloride. That is, in the electrolytic device according to the present invention, the saline solution can be electrolyzed.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a swirling flow of liquid is formed, the chlorine gas generated on the surface of the anode by the swirling flow is separated, and the separated chlorine gas is collected in the swirling flow. ing. For this reason, the chlorine gas dropped from the surface of the anode is reliably entrained in the liquid and discharged after being dissolved in the liquid, so that a liquid containing chlorine such as sterilized water can be obtained with certainty. Therefore, since the electrolyzer can be reduced in size, the space for installing the electrolyzer can be reduced, and the capital investment required for electrolysis can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of an electrolysis system including an electrolysis apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic overall perspective view of the electrolysis apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the electrolysis apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of an electrolysis system including an electrolysis apparatus according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electrolysis system 12 ... Electrolysis apparatus 14 ... Liquid introduction line 16 ... Liquid discharge line 18 ... Casing 20 ... Tank part 22 ... Inlet 24 ... Discharge port 26, 28 ... Recess 30, 30 ... Bar member 32 ... Cathode 34, 36 ... Liquid level sensor 50 ... Anode 54 ... Drain line 66 ... Hydrochloric acid supply line 68 ... Tank 70 ... Pump 71 ... pH detector

Claims (5)

A casing provided with a long tank into which liquid is introduced;
An anode disposed in the tank and surrounding the liquid introduced into the tank;
A bar member disposed in the tank,
A cathode attached to the bar member;
Have
The liquid containing the chlorine compound introduced from the introduction port provided at one end of the tank reaches the anode while spirally turning around the bar member,
After collecting the chlorine gas generated at the anode when the anode and the cathode are energized with the liquid flowing through the tank portion while turning, an outlet provided at the other end of the casing An electrolyzer that discharges the liquid via 2. The electrolytic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a conical recess is provided in the tank, and the liquid is introduced into the recess from the tangential direction of the cross-sectional circle of the recess through the inlet. Electrolytic device to do. The electrolyzer according to claim 1, wherein the tank portion is provided with a stirring blade for rotating the liquid. The electrolysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the bar member is a hollow body and the cathode has a through-hole, and hydrogen gas is generated at the cathode, the hydrogen gas is An electrolysis apparatus characterized in that it passes through the through hole of the cathode and the hollow inside of the bar member and is discharged to the outside of the casing. 5. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein water containing chlorine gas is generated by electrolyzing water containing hydrochloric acid as the chlorine compound. 6.

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