JP6051267B1 - Electrolysis tank for electrolytic hydrogen gas generator - Google Patents

Abstract

In an electrolysis tank of a hydrogen gas generator that performs electrolysis of water using an ion exchange membrane, the ion exchange membrane and an electrode are fixed by simple means to prevent the ion exchange membrane from being damaged. An electrolysis tank 1 for electrolyzing water is divided into a hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and an oxygen gas generation tank 1O by an ion exchange membrane IE. On both sides of the ion exchange membrane IE, electrode plates 2P and 2M connected to the anode and the cathode of the DC power source are respectively installed. These are the case 1HC of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and the case 1OC of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O. By tightening with a bolt or the like, they are fixed in close contact with each other. In the space between the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and the oxygen gas generation tank 1O for storing water, ribs for pressing the electrode plates 2P and 2M against the ion exchange membrane IE are provided at the peripheral edge and the center. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention eliminates the need for large equipment such as a circulation pump, which is an apparatus that electrolyzes water using an ion exchange membrane to generate hydrogen gas, and can be easily installed and used in a general household. The present invention relates to an electrolytic hydrogen gas generator.

  Hydrogen is generated by electrolysis of water, and this hydrogen gas is dissolved in foods and beverages or directly inhaled into the body to reduce peroxides or prevent deterioration of foods due to oxidation The method of doing is known conventionally. As an example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-350538 discloses that an electrolysis tank filled with water is divided into two by an ion exchange membrane (solid polymer membrane), and a DC voltage is applied to both surfaces of the ion exchange membrane. An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas from the cathode side and dissolving the hydrogen gas in a liquid beverage in a cup is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-19950 discloses an electrolysis plate composed of an ion exchange membrane and a pair of electrode plates that are in close contact with both sides thereof, and a hydrogen gas generation tank and oxygen gas are formed on both sides using the electrolysis plate as a partition plate. A desktop hydrogen gas generator provided with a generation tank is disclosed. This desktop hydrogen gas generator is an apparatus that electrolyzes pure water and uses the generated hydrogen gas for suction into the body, scientific experiments, etc., and its outline is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 5, an electrolysis plate 20 having an ion exchange membrane sandwiched between a pair of electrode plates is installed in the electrolysis bath 1, and the electrolysis bath 1 generates a hydrogen gas generation bath 1H on the cathode side and an oxygen gas generation on the anode side. Divided into a tank 1O. As shown in the enlarged view of the part A, the electrolysis plate 20 is a plate in which mesh-like electrode plates 2P and 2M having holes are adhered to both surfaces of the ion exchange membrane IE. The ion exchange membrane and the two electrode plates are These are integrally joined by caulking with a resin rivet 21. In addition, the ion exchange membrane IE spreads outside the electrode plate, and as shown in the enlarged view of part B, the outer part is sandwiched between the case of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and the case of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O. The electrolysis plate 20 is fixed to the electrolysis tank 1. The electrode plate 2M on the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H side is connected to the negative side of the DC power source, and the electrode plate 2P on the oxygen gas generation tank 1O side is connected to the positive side of the DC power source.

  The hydrogen gas generated in the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H by the electrolysis is guided to the cleaning bottle 3 via the hydrogen gas take-out pipe PH. The cleaning bottle 3 is filled with purified water so as to have a predetermined water level, and the hydrogen gas extraction pipe HP opens near the bottom of the cleaning bottle 3, so that the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H is constant depending on the water pressure. Pressure is acting. The hydrogen gas accumulated in the upper part of the washing bottle 3 is sent out from the extraction tube 4 according to the purpose of use such as inhalation into the body. Further, a water supply tank 5 for supplying pure water to the electrolysis tank 1 is installed, and the bottom of the water supply tank 5 is connected to the bottom of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and the oxygen gas generation tank 1O by a communication pipe. ing.

By the way, in the process of applying a DC voltage to the electrolysis plate 20 to perform electrolysis, the pure water in the oxygen gas generation tank 1O moves to the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H by electrophoresis, or by heat generated in the electrolysis plate 20. The pure water in the electrolysis tank 1 evaporates, causing a difference in water level between both gas generation tanks. The pressure applied to the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H (back pressure associated with the discharge of the cleaning bottle 3 into the water) also acts on the oxygen gas generation tank 1O through the bottom communication pipe, and the oxygen gas increases when the water level difference increases. There is a possibility that the pure water overflows from the generation tank 1O or the ion exchange membrane IE sandwiched between the cases is damaged due to a difference in water pressure acting on the electrolysis plate 20.
In order to counter the pressure of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H, a pressure holding valve (check valve) using a steel ball BL such as stainless steel is installed on the upper part of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O in contact with the valve seat VS. The release of oxygen gas is prevented until the pressure in the oxygen gas generation tank 1O reaches a predetermined value and pushes up the steel ball BL. Thereby, the water level of both gas generation tanks is balanced, and generation | occurrence | production of an excessive water level difference is prevented.

JP 2004-350538 A JP 2014-19950 A

  The hydrogen gas generator shown in FIG. 5 electrolyzes pure water using an ion exchange membrane. Since pure water is used, the apparatus does not deteriorate due to precipitation of impurities and the like. It is a long device. In addition, it is a small device that does not require large-scale equipment such as a circulation pump, and is suitable for use in general households. There are the following problems regarding the balance of the water level between the generation tank 1H and the oxygen gas generation tank 1O.

  The electrolysis plate 20 in FIG. 5 is obtained by fixing electrode plates 2P and 2M on both surfaces of an ion exchange membrane IE using resin rivets 21. In order to fasten with rivets, it is necessary to heat the rivet head into a hemispherical shape, etc., and it is necessary to provide a through hole for passing the rivet shaft in the metal electrode plate in advance. It takes a lot of time and cost to manufacture the plate 20.

The electrolysis plate 20 is fixed to the electrolysis tank 1 by sandwiching the ion exchange membrane IE between the case of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and the case of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O, and there is a difference in water level between both gas generation tanks. If it occurs, the ion exchange membrane IE may be damaged by the water pressure difference. In the hydrogen gas generator shown in FIG. 5, a pressure-holding valve using a steel ball BL is installed at the upper part of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O to prevent the oxygen gas generated by electrolysis from being released into the atmosphere and an excessive water level difference. However, the processing of the steel ball BL and its valve seat VS is complicated, and it is difficult to set the opening pressure. That is, the pressure in the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H varies depending on the amount of hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis and the amount of hydrogen gas extracted from the cleaning bottle 3, and also varies depending on the evaporation amount of pure water due to heat generated by electrolysis. To do. Therefore, for example, the operation of adjusting the opening pressure of the pressure holding valve while changing the weight of the steel ball BL requires the skill and time of the operator.
The object of the present invention is to fix the ion exchange membrane and the electrode plate without using rivets by a simple structure, and the ion exchange membrane is not damaged by the water level difference between the hydrogen gas generation tank and the oxygen gas generation tank. In this way, the above-mentioned problems are solved.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a hydrogen gas generator that electrolyzes water using an ion exchange membrane to generate hydrogen gas, and includes an ion exchange membrane and electrode plates respectively installed on both sides thereof. It is sandwiched between the case of the generation tank and the case of the hydrogen gas generation tank, both cases are clamped and held in close contact, and fixed to the electrolysis tank without using fasteners such as rivets. In other words, the present invention “retains water in an electrolysis tank partitioned by an ion exchange membrane and applies a DC voltage between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode respectively installed on both surfaces of the ion exchange membrane to electrolyze the water. A hydrogen gas generator for generating hydrogen gas from the cathode electrode,
The electrolysis tank is divided into an oxygen gas generation tank on the anode electrode side and a hydrogen gas generation tank on the cathode electrode side by the ion exchange membrane, and each of the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank supplies water. With a case for storing, the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are each configured as a plate-like electrode plate ,
The upper part of the oxygen gas generation tank is always open to the atmosphere, and the bottom of the oxygen gas generation tank and the bottom of the hydrogen gas generation tank are connected by a communication pipe provided with a water level adjusting on-off valve, The water level adjusting on-off valve is closed when a direct current voltage is applied to the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and electrolysis is performed, and when electrolysis is completed, the valve is opened for a predetermined time and the oxygen gas generating tank and the The water level of the hydrogen gas generation tank is controlled to be the same, and
The ion exchange membrane and the electrode plates installed on both sides thereof are in close contact with each other between the case of the oxygen gas generation tank and the case of the hydrogen gas generation tank without using rivets for fastening them. Is retained "
This is a hydrogen gas generator characterized by this.

  As described in claim 2, in the case of the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank, water is stored, an open space part on the ion exchange membrane side is provided, and the outside of the space part is provided. It is preferable to form a flat surface and at the periphery of the space portion, a pressing portion that has a step between the flat surface and presses the electrode plate against the ion exchange membrane. In this case, as described in claim 3, ribs extending linearly toward the ion exchange membrane are provided at the periphery and the center of the space portion, and the rib can be used as the pressing portion.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a metal heat dissipating plate is provided on the opposite side of the ion exchange membrane in the case of the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank.

The hydrogen gas generator according to the present invention performs water electrolysis by flowing water between a pair of electrodes attached to both surfaces of an ion exchange membrane by putting water in an electrolysis tank partitioned by an ion exchange membrane, From which hydrogen gas is generated. This is a small device using an ion exchange membrane, and since pure water can be used as electrolyzed water, it has a long service life.
And in the hydrogen gas generation device of the present invention, the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank have a case for storing water, and the ion-exchange membrane and the plate-like electrode plates respectively installed on both surfaces thereof, The oxygen gas generation tank case and the hydrogen gas generation tank case are sandwiched and held in close contact. It can be held simply by tightening the case, and since it is not a holding method using a fastener such as a rivet, the production of the electrolysis tank becomes very easy.

In the hydrogen gas generator of the present invention, the ion exchange membrane is supported between both cases while being sandwiched between metal electrode plates from both sides and overlapping the electrode plates. During operation of the hydrogen gas generator, a water level difference occurs between the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank due to electrophoresis and the like, and a water pressure difference acts on the ion exchange membrane. Since the membrane is supported and reinforced from both sides by the electrode plate, it is not damaged even if a hydraulic pressure difference acts.
Further, in the present invention, the upper part of the oxygen gas generation tank is always open to the atmosphere, and the bottom part of the oxygen gas generation tank and the bottom part of the hydrogen gas generation tank are connected by a communication pipe provided with a water level adjusting on-off valve. The on / off valve for adjusting the water level is closed when a direct current voltage is applied to the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and electrolysis is performed, and when the electrolysis is completed, the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank are closed. The valve is opened for a predetermined time so that the water level is the same.
With the configuration in which the water level adjusting on-off valve is installed, the water level difference generated during operation of the hydrogen gas generator can be easily eliminated when the electrolysis is completed. That is, the water pressure difference acting on the ion exchange membrane can be reliably eliminated by simple control means of opening the water level adjusting on / off valve when the electrolysis is completed. Unlike the hydrogen gas generator shown in FIG. 5, a pressure holding valve using a steel ball is not installed in the oxygen gas generating tank, so that a steel ball, a valve seat, etc. are not required, and the structure and processing are simplified. The troublesome work of adjusting the opening pressure is not required .

In the invention of claim 2, the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank are provided with a space portion opened on the ion exchange membrane side to store water, and the case outside the space portion is flat. In addition, a pressing portion that presses the electrode plate against the ion exchange membrane is formed on the periphery of the space portion with a step between the flat surface. Since the metal electrode plate is accommodated in the pressing portion having a step with the flat surface outside the space (so-called mating surface on the ion exchange membrane side), the electrode plate is securely positioned with respect to the case. In addition, the ion exchange membrane and the electrode plates on both sides can be firmly adhered and integrated.
In this case, as in the invention of claim 3, when ribs extending linearly toward the ion exchange membrane are provided as the pressing portion in the space portion for storing water at the periphery and the center, the periphery of the space portion Not only in the center, but also the ion exchange membrane and the electrode plate are securely adhered, and the contact resistance during energization during electrolysis is reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a metal heat dissipating plate is provided on the opposite side of the ion exchange membrane in the case of the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank. By providing such a heat sink, heat generated during electrolysis can be efficiently radiated, and evaporation of pure water and thermal failure of the apparatus due to temperature rise can be avoided. Furthermore, since the strength and rigidity of the case such as the oxygen gas generation tank is increased by the metal heat sink, it is possible to reduce the wall thickness of the case such as the synthetic resin, and from the pure water in the case. The heat transfer resistance in heat transfer to the heat sink can be further reduced. As a material of the heat sink, a metal having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum is preferable.

1 is an overall view showing an embodiment of a hydrogen gas generator of the present invention. It is a structural diagram of the electrolysis tank of the hydrogen gas generator of FIG. It is a figure which shows the case of the hydrogen gas generator of FIG. It is a graph showing the water level change of the hydrogen gas generator of FIG. It is a general view which shows an example of the conventional hydrogen gas generator.

Hereinafter, the hydrogen gas generator of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall view schematically showing a hydrogen gas generator according to the present invention, as in FIG. 5. In FIG. 1, components corresponding to the parts of the hydrogen gas generator of FIG. Is attached. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the specific structure of the electrolysis tank in the hydrogen gas generator of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the case of the electrolysis tank.

  First, the overall structure of the hydrogen generator of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, an ion exchange membrane IE is installed at an intermediate portion of an electrolysis tank 1 for electrolyzing water, and the electrolysis tank 1 is divided into a hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and an oxygen gas generation tank 1O. It is divided. A water supply tank 5 is installed in parallel with the electrolysis tank 1 so as to supply pure water to the electrolysis tank 1, and the bottom of the water supply tank 5 is connected to the bottom of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and the bottom of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O. A connecting pipe 51 to be connected is provided.

  A pair of electrode plates 2P and 2M are arranged so as to be in close contact with both sides of the ion exchange membrane IE, and the electrode plate 2M on the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H side is on the negative side of the DC power source and on the oxygen gas generation tank 1O side. The electrode plate 2P is connected to the + side of the DC power source. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the ion exchange membrane IE and the electrode plates 2 </ b> P and 2 </ b> M are sandwiched and held between the peripheral portions of the cases of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1 </ b> H and the oxygen gas generation tank 1 </ b> O in a state where they are integrally overlapped. The The detailed structure of the electrolysis tank 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

A hydrogen gas take-out cylinder 1HE is erected on the upper part of the case 1HC of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H, and the hydrogen gas generated by the electrolysis is transferred to the hydrogen gas take-out pipe PH (actually in the lateral direction of the hydrogen gas take-out cylinder 1HE). To the cleaning bottle 3 via The cleaning bottle 3 stores clean water or the like up to a certain water level, and hydrogen gas is released near the bottom. In addition, an air pump AP is connected to the cleaning bottle 3, and hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis is mixed with air and sent from the extraction pipe 4 to a target use location. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the air from the air pump AP is released into the water, but may be released upward from the water surface.
Note that the pipe of the hydrogen gas take-out pipe PH connected to the cleaning bottle 3 is communicated with the atmosphere by a branch pipe through which a check valve CV is interposed. When the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H is cooled to a negative pressure due to the end of electrolysis, the check valve CV introduces air from the branch pipe, and purified water in the cleaning bottle 3 is used as a hydrogen gas generation tank. Prevent backflow to 1H.

  In the hydrogen gas generation apparatus of the present invention, oxygen gas generated by electrolysis is always released into the atmosphere, and a discharge cylinder 1OE for the oxygen gas generation tank 1O is provided upright above the case 1OC of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O. . The discharge cylinder 1OE is a simple pipe having a predetermined length, but water vapor generated from the oxygen gas generation tank 1O condenses on the inner wall of the oxygen gas discharge pipe 1OE due to heat accompanying electrolysis. Condensed and liquefied water falls from the discharge cylinder 1OE into the oxygen gas generation tank 1O, so that wasteful consumption of pure water is suppressed and water vapor is condensed in other parts of the apparatus, causing problems. The situation is avoided.

Furthermore, in the hydrogen gas generation apparatus of the present invention, the bottom of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O and the bottom of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H are connected by a communication pipe provided with a water level adjusting on-off valve SV1 (electromagnetic valve). In the hydrogen gas generator of the embodiment of FIG. 1, this communication pipe is connected to a part of a connecting pipe 51 that connects the bottom of the water supply tank 5 to the bottom of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and the bottom of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O. It has become. The water level adjusting on-off valve SV1 is closed when a DC voltage is applied between the electrode plates 2P and 2M to perform electrolysis, that is, during operation of the hydrogen gas generator.
Since the water level adjusting on-off valve SV1 is closed during the operation of the hydrogen gas generator, the pressure of the hydrogen gas generated during electrolysis (the back pressure due to the discharge of the cleaning bottle 3 into the water) is applied to the oxygen gas generation tank 1O. Never reach. Therefore, even if the oxygen gas generation tank 1O is opened to the atmosphere, the pure water in the oxygen gas generation tank 1O is prevented from overflowing.

During electrolysis, a difference occurs between the water level of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and the water level of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O due to movement of water by electrophoresis or evaporation of water by heat. In the present invention, this water level difference is eliminated by opening the water level adjusting on-off valve SV1 for a predetermined time when the electrolysis is completed and the operation of the hydrogen gas generator is stopped.
The difference in water level generated during electrolysis is not so large as long as it is a normal operation time of the hydrogen gas generator. FIG. 4 shows the result of the experiment conducted by the present applicant on this water level difference. The water level difference after the hydrogen gas generator was operated for 2 hours (current flowing through the ion exchange membrane: 1.5 A) was about 20 mm. When pure water is filled to leave an appropriate space above the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H at the start, overflow from the operating hydrogen gas generation tank 1H can be prevented. And since the ion exchange membrane IE of this invention is fixed in the form reinforced with the electrode plates 2P and 2M, it is not damaged by the water level difference produced during electrolysis.

  In the embodiment of the hydrogen gas generator of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion of the water supply tank 5 connected to the electrolysis tank 1 is communicated with the atmosphere via an opening / closing valve SV2 (solenoid valve), and the hydrogen gas The upper part of the generation tank 1H is communicated with the atmosphere via an open / close valve SV3 (solenoid valve). The opening / closing valves SV2 and SV3 are controlled so as to be opened and closed when the water level adjusting on / off valve SV1 is closed and opened when the water level adjusting on / off valve SV1 is opened. As a result, when the water level adjustment on / off valve SV1 is opened when the operation is stopped, the upper part of the water supply tank 5 and the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H are also communicated with the atmosphere, so that the flow path of the water level adjustment on / off valve SV1 has a small diameter. In addition, the water levels of the water supply tank 5, the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H, and the oxygen gas generation tank 1O become the same in a short time.

  Further, in the embodiment of the hydrogen gas generator of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, an air supply device by an air pump AP is attached to the cleaning bottle 3, and the hydrogen gas generator 1 is introduced from the hydrogen gas generator 1H during operation of the hydrogen gas generator. Air is mixed with the hydrogen gas. With this configuration, the concentration of hydrogen gas is diluted to about 3% outside the flammable range, and the risk of hydrogen gas explosion is eliminated.

Here, the detailed structure of the electrolysis tank 1 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the hydrogen gas generator of the present invention will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolysis tank 1 has a pair of electrode plates 2P and 2M arranged on both sides of an ion exchange membrane IE installed in the center, and these are connected to a case 1HC of a hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and oxygen gas generation. It has a basic structure that is sandwiched integrally by the peripheral edge of the case 1OC of the tank 1O. As shown in the enlarged view of the electrode plate, the electrode plates 2P and 2M in this example are obtained by welding an electrode cable 2C to a mesh plate 2B manufactured by press molding expanded metal or the like, and the surface of the mesh plate 2B. Is coated with platinum to prevent corrosion. The ion exchange membrane IE is wider than the electrode plates 2P and 2M, and includes a peripheral portion that becomes the outside of the electrode plate when they are overlapped.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the case 1 HC of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1 </ b> H is obtained by providing a rectangular cross-section plate material having a certain thickness with a space SP having the same rectangular cross-section opening on one side. A frame-shaped plane PL is formed outside the space portion. The opening of the space SP is closed by the ion exchange membrane IE, and pure water for electrolysis is stored in the space SP having a rectangular cross section. The case 1OC of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O has a symmetrical shape with the case 1HC of the hydrogen gas generation tank, and both cases are back-to-back with the periphery of the ion exchange membrane IE sandwiched between the frame-shaped plane PL. Combined in the form of At the time of coupling, an O-ring SL is installed so as to prevent water leakage from the mating surface of the ion exchange membrane IE (see AA sectional view). Therefore, a groove G for installing the O-ring SL is formed in the case 1OC of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O.
These cases are preferably made of, for example, an acrylic resin, which is a transparent synthetic resin, in order to confirm the state of gas generation by electrolysis.

  The case 1HC of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H is provided with six ribs (protrusions) RB extending linearly in the thickness direction at the periphery of the rectangular space SP, and two at the center. Ribs RB (connected by longitudinal ribs). These ribs RB are formed integrally with the case 1HC, and the end surface on the opening side of the rib RB is set at a position slightly pulled in from the frame-shaped plane PL of the case 1HC (step X). The stepped portion accommodates the electrode plate 2M on the cathode side. A similar rib RB is also integrally formed in the case 1OC of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the electrode plates 2P and 2M are arranged on both sides of the ion exchange membrane IE and are sandwiched between the case 1HC of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and the case 1OC of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O, ion exchange is performed. The peripheral portion of the film IE is sandwiched and fixed between the frame-shaped planes PL of both cases, and at the same time, the mesh plate 2B portion of the electrode plates 2P and 2M is formed between the end face of the opening side of the rib RB and the frame shape of the case. Each of them enters a step X with respect to the plane PL, and is pressed against the ion exchange membrane IE by the rib RB. As described above, the rib RB functions as a pressing portion that presses the electrode plates 2P and 2M against the ion exchange membrane IE. In the electrolysis tank 1 of the present invention, the case 1HC and the oxygen gas generation tank 1O of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H. By simply tightening the case 1OC, the electrode plates 2P and 2M can be firmly adhered to both sides of the ion exchange membrane IE (see the AA sectional view).

That is, in the electrolysis tank 1 of the present invention, since no fastener is used, a troublesome operation of making a hole in the mesh-like electrode plate can be omitted, and a problem that easily occurs with the opening, for example, so-called Damage to the ion exchange membrane IE due to “burrs” can be avoided.
2 and 3, the rib RB extending linearly in the thickness direction of the case 1HC and the like is provided as the pressing portion, but the shelf is set with a step X between the frame-shaped plane PL. A projecting portion (the dimension of the case in the thickness direction of the case is small) may be projected from the peripheral portion of the space portion SP in the lateral direction to be a pressing portion.

  Furthermore, in the electrolysis tank 1 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the back side of the case 1HC of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H and the case 1OC of the oxygen gas generation tank 1O (the opposite side of the opening in contact with the ion exchange membrane IE) Each is provided with a heat sink RD made of aluminum. The heat radiating plate RD is formed by integrally forming a number of heat radiating fins RF extending in the vertical direction on the surface of a plate material having the same shape as the cases 1HC and 1OC. Installed in close contact.

In a hydrogen gas generator using electrolysis, pure water evaporates due to heat generated by electrolysis, but in the present invention, the heat radiation to the atmosphere is promoted by the radiator plate RD, and the temperature of the electrolysis tank 1 is increased. The rise is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a thermal failure in the hydrogen gas generator and to avoid wasteful consumption of pure water.
Moreover, by attaching the heat sink RD made of aluminum to the back side of the case 1HC of the hydrogen gas generation tank 1H, the case 1HC made of acrylic resin is reinforced, and the strength and rigidity of the electrolysis tank 1 are increased. Therefore, the thickness of the wall W on the back side of the case 1HC and the like can be reduced, and heat transfer to the heat sink RD is improved. The case 1HC and the heat radiating plate RD of the hydrogen gas generating tank 1H and the case 1OC and the heat radiating plate RD of the oxygen gas generating tank 1O, which are arranged symmetrically with the ion exchange membrane IE interposed therebetween, are installed at the peripheral edge of the case. It is fastened integrally using a through bolt or the like penetrating the whole (see the assembly drawing in FIG. 2).

  As described in detail above, the present invention relates to an ion exchange membrane and electrode plates installed on both sides thereof in an oxygen gas generator that generates hydrogen gas by electrolyzing water using an ion exchange membrane. It is sandwiched between the case of the gas generation tank and the case of the hydrogen gas generation tank, both cases are clamped and held in close contact, and are fixed to the electrolysis tank without using a fastener. In the above-described embodiment, a transparent acrylic resin is used as a material for a case such as an oxygen gas generation tank, but it goes without saying that other resins can be used. Further, it is apparent that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment, such as using an on-off valve operated by air pressure instead of an electromagnetic valve as the water level adjusting on-off valve.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrolysis tank 1H Hydrogen gas generation tank 1O Oxygen gas generation tank 2M, 2P Electrode plate 3 Washing bottle 5 Water supply tank IE Ion exchange membrane RB Rib (pressing part)
RD heat sink

Claims (4)

Water is stored in an electrolysis tank partitioned by an ion exchange membrane, and electrolysis of the water is performed by applying a DC voltage between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode respectively installed on both surfaces of the ion exchange membrane. A hydrogen gas generator for generating hydrogen gas,
The electrolysis tank is divided into an oxygen gas generation tank on the anode electrode side and a hydrogen gas generation tank on the cathode electrode side by the ion exchange membrane, and each of the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank supplies water. With a case for storing, the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are each configured as a plate-like electrode plate ,
The upper part of the oxygen gas generation tank is always open to the atmosphere, and the bottom of the oxygen gas generation tank and the bottom of the hydrogen gas generation tank are connected by a communication pipe provided with a water level adjusting on-off valve, The water level adjusting on-off valve is closed when a direct current voltage is applied to the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and electrolysis is performed, and when electrolysis is completed, the valve is opened for a predetermined time and the oxygen gas generating tank and the The water level of the hydrogen gas generation tank is controlled to be the same, and
The ion exchange membrane and the electrode plates installed on both sides thereof are in close contact with each other between the case of the oxygen gas generation tank and the case of the hydrogen gas generation tank without using rivets for fastening them. The hydrogen gas generator characterized by being held. In the case of the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank, water is stored, an open space part on the ion exchange membrane side is provided, and a flat surface is formed outside the space part. The hydrogen gas generator according to claim 1, wherein a pressing portion that has a step with respect to the plane and presses the electrode plate against the ion exchange membrane is formed at a peripheral edge of the space portion. The hydrogen gas generator according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portion is a rib provided at a peripheral edge and a center of the space portion and extending linearly toward the ion exchange membrane. The hydrogen gas generation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a metal heat dissipating plate is provided on a side opposite to the ion exchange membrane in the case of the oxygen gas generation tank and the hydrogen gas generation tank. apparatus.