JP7202062B2 - Electrolyzed water generator - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water generator that generates electrolyzed water containing a hydrogen storage metal.

Conventionally, various researches and developments have been made on electrolyzed water containing colloidal hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid. For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes a water treatment device that includes an electrode pair to which an AC voltage is applied and an electrode pair to which a DC voltage is applied.

JP 2009-50774 A

However, the apparatus requires an electrode pair for AC electrolysis in addition to an electrode pair for normal DC electrolysis, which leads to an increase in the cost of the apparatus. In addition, since a separate circuit for applying an appropriate AC voltage to the electrode pair for AC electrolysis is required, the cost of the apparatus is inevitably increased.

In addition, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 of the same document, since AC electrolysis and DC electrolysis cannot be performed at the same time due to its structure, it takes time to generate desired electrolyzed water. For this reason, it is not convenient to use, and it is not possible to easily generate electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid.

The present invention has been devised in view of the actual situation as described above, and the main object thereof is to provide an electrolyzed water generator that can easily generate electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid with a simple configuration. .

A first aspect of the present invention comprises an electrolysis chamber for electrolyzing water, an anode feeder and a cathode feeder arranged in the electrolysis chamber to which a DC voltage is applied, and the anode feeder and the cathode feeder. a diaphragm disposed therebetween and dividing the electrolysis chamber into an anode chamber on the anode feeder side and a cathode chamber on the cathode feeder side; and a water supply passage for supplying water to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. The electrolyzed water generator is characterized in that the surface of the anode feeder is made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal and has a return water channel for guiding the electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the anode chamber to the water supply channel.

In the electrolyzed water generator, it is preferable that an AC voltage is not applied to the anode feeder and the cathode feeder.

In the electrolyzed water generator, the water supply path includes an anode side water supply path that supplies water to the anode chamber, and a cathode side water supply path that supplies water to the cathode chamber, and the return water path includes the anode chamber. It is desirable to guide the electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the above to the cathode side water supply passage.

A second aspect of the present invention is an electrolyzed water generating method for generating electrolyzed water by electrolyzing water using an anode feeder and a cathode feeder disposed in water, wherein the anode feeder is a step of applying a DC voltage between the anode feeder and the cathode feeder, the surface of which is made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, and removing electrons from water around the anode feeder to generate oxidized water; moving the oxidized water around the cathode power feeder; and applying a DC voltage between the anode power feeder and the cathode power feeder to transfer electrons to the oxidized water moved around the cathode power feeder. to reduce the oxidized water, and does not include the step of applying an AC voltage between the anode feeder and the cathode feeder.

In the electrolyzed water generator of the first aspect of the invention, the surface of the anode power supply is made of the hydrogen storage metal, so that the hydrogen storage metal is ionized in the anode chamber during electrolysis. The ions of the hydrogen-absorbing metal generated at this time are returned to the water supply path through the return water path together with the electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the anode chamber. Accompanying this, ions of the hydrogen-absorbing metal are supplied to the cathode chamber through the water supply channel, and the cathode power feeder supplies electrons to the ions of the hydrogen-absorbing metal, thereby forming a colloidal hydrogen-absorbing metal in the cathode chamber. Electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid is produced.

Moreover, since the anode chamber and the cathode chamber are separated by the diaphragm, the hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid produced in the cathode chamber does not move to the anode chamber. Therefore, the amount of the hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid contained in the electrolyzed hydrogen water taken out from the apparatus can be easily increased. Furthermore, since electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid is produced only by direct-current electrolysis, the configuration of the apparatus is simple and the time required to produce electrolyzed water is shortened.

In the electrolyzed water generating method of the second invention, in the step of removing electrons from water around the anode power supply to generate oxidized water, the hydrogen storage metal is ionized on the surface of the anode power supply. The ions of the hydrogen-absorbing metal generated at this time move together with the oxidized water to the vicinity of the cathode power supply in the step of moving the oxidized water to the vicinity of the cathode power supply. Then, in the step of reducing the oxidized water that has moved around the cathode power feeder, the cathode power feeder supplies electrons to the ions of the hydrogen-absorbing metal, so that the colloidal hydrogen-absorbing metal is formed around the cathode power feeder. Electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid is produced. In addition, since electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid is produced only by DC electrolysis, the steps required for producing electrolyzed water are simplified and the time required is shortened.

It is a figure which shows the flow-path structure of one Embodiment of the electrolyzed water generator of this invention. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electrolyzed water generator of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of a processing procedure of the electrolyzed water generator of FIG. 2; 1. It is a figure which shows the flow-path structure of the modification of the electrolyzed water generator of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the flow-path structure of another modification of the electrolyzed water generator of FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an electrolyzed water generator 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of the electrolyzed water generator 1. As shown in FIG. The electrolyzed water generator 1 includes an electrolysis chamber 40 to which water to be electrolyzed is supplied, a first power feeder 41 and a second power feeder 42 having different polarities, a diaphragm 43 that separates the electrolysis chamber 40, and electrolyzed water generation. A control means 5 for controlling each part of the apparatus 1 is provided.

The electrolytic chamber 40 is formed inside the electrolytic bath 4 . Raw water before electrolysis is supplied to the electrolysis chamber 40 . As raw water, tap water is generally used, but other sources such as well water and ground water can also be used. A water purification cartridge for purifying water supplied to the electrolytic chamber 40 may be provided upstream of the electrolytic chamber 40 .

The first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 are arranged in the electrolytic chamber 40 so as to face each other. The surfaces of the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 are made of a hydrogen storage metal. Hydrogen storage metals include, for example, platinum, palladium, vanadium, magnesium, and zirconium, and alloys containing these as components. In this embodiment, a platinum plated layer is formed on the surfaces of the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 .

The diaphragm 43 is arranged between the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 . The diaphragm 43 divides the electrolysis chamber 40 into a first pole chamber 40a on the side of the first feeder 41 and a second pole chamber 40b on the side of the second feeder 42 . The diaphragm 43 is composed of, for example, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hydrophilic film. When the electrolysis chamber 40 is filled with water and a DC voltage is applied between the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42, water is electrolyzed in the electrolysis chamber 40 to obtain electrolyzed water. be done.

In the electrolyzed water generator 1, only a DC voltage is applied between the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42, and no AC voltage is applied. Therefore, a power supply device for generating the AC voltage and a circuit for supplying the AC current are not required, and the cost of the device can be reduced compared to the water treatment device described in Patent Document 1. .

For example, in the state shown in FIG. 1, the first power feeder 41 is positively charged, and the first electrode chamber 40a functions as an anode chamber. On the other hand, the second feeder 42 is charged with negative charges, and the second electrode chamber 40b functions as a cathode chamber. As a result, reducing electrolyzed hydrogen water in which the generated hydrogen gas is dissolved is generated in the second electrode chamber 40b, and electrolytic acid water in which the generated oxygen gas is dissolved is generated in the first electrode chamber 40a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first power feeder 41, the second power feeder 42, and the control means 5 are connected via current supply lines. A current detection means 44 is provided in the current supply line between the first power feeder 41 and the control means 5 . The current detection means 44 may be provided in the current supply line between the second power feeder 42 and the control means 5 . The current detection means 44 detects a direct current (electrolytic current) supplied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the detected value to the control means 5 .

The control means 5 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes various arithmetic processing, information processing, and the like, a memory that stores programs that control the operation of the CPU, and various types of information. Various functions of the control means 5 are implemented by the CPU, memory and programs.

The control means 5 controls the DC voltage (electrolysis voltage) applied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 based on the electric signal output from the current detection means 44, for example. More specifically, the control means 5 controls the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 41 so that the electrolysis current detected by the current detection means 44 becomes a desired value according to the dissolved hydrogen concentration set by the user or the like. 2 Feedback control is performed on the voltage applied to the feeder 42 . For example, if the electrolysis current is too large, the control means 5 reduces the voltage, and if the electrolysis current is too small, the control means 5 increases the voltage. Thereby, the electrolysis current supplied to the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 is appropriately controlled, and hydrogen water having a desired dissolved hydrogen concentration is generated in the electrolysis chamber 40 .

The polarities of the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 are controlled by the control means 5 . That is, the control means 5 functions as polarity switching means for switching the polarities of the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 . By appropriately switching the polarities of the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 by the control means 5, the opportunities for the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 to function as the anode chamber or the cathode chamber are equalized. As a result, adhesion of scale to the first power supply body 41, the second power supply body 42, and the like is suppressed. Hereinafter, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the case where the first power feeder 41 functions as an anode power feeder and the second power feeder 42 functions as a cathode power feeder will be described. The same is true when the polarities of the body 41 and the second power feeding body 42 are interchanged (the same applies to FIGS. 4 and 5 described later).

As shown in FIG. 1 , the electrolyzed water generator 1 further includes a water inlet section 2 provided on the upstream side of the electrolytic cell 4 and a water outlet section 6 provided on the downstream side of the electrolytic cell 4 .

The water inlet section 2 has a water supply path 21, a flow rate sensor 22, a branch section 23, a flow rate adjustment valve 25, and the like. The water supply path 21 supplies water to be electrolyzed to the electrolysis chamber 40 . A flow rate sensor 22 is provided in the water supply path 21 . The flow rate sensor 22 periodically detects the flow rate per unit time of water supplied to the electrolysis chamber 40 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "flow rate") F, and outputs a signal corresponding to the value to the control means 5. output to

The branching portion 23 branches the water supply path 21 into two water supply paths 21a and 21b. The water supply path 21a is an anode side water supply path that supplies water to the anode chamber, and the water supply path 21b is a cathode side water supply path that supplies water to the cathode chamber. A flow control valve 25 is provided to connect the water supply lines 21a, 21b to the first pole chamber 40a or the second pole chamber 40b. The flow rate of water supplied to the first pole chamber 40a and the second pole chamber 40b is regulated by the flow control valve 25 under the control of the control means 5. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the flow rate sensor 22 is provided on the upstream side of the branch portion 23, so that the flow rate of water supplied to the first electrode chamber 40a and the flow rate of water supplied to the second electrode chamber 40b The sum, that is, the flow rate F of water supplied to the electrolytic chamber 40 is detected.

The water discharge section 6 has a water discharge channel 61 , a return water channel 62 and a channel switching valve 65 .

In FIG. 1, the water outlet channel 61 functions as a cathode water channel for extracting electrolyzed water (that is, electrolyzed hydrogen water) generated in the cathode-side electrode chamber of the first electrode chamber 40a and the second electrode chamber 40b. .

On the other hand, the return water channel 62 functions as an anode water channel for taking out electrolyzed water produced in the anode-side electrode chamber (hereinafter referred to as the anode chamber) of the first electrode chamber 40a and the second electrode chamber 40b. . One end of the return water channel 62 is connected to the anode chamber via a channel switching valve 65 and the other end is connected to the water supply channel 21 . The return water channel 62 guides the electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the anode chamber to the water supply channel 21 .

The channel switching valve 65 is provided downstream of the electrolytic bath 4 . The flow path switching valve 65 functions as flow path switching means for switching connections between the first electrode chamber 40 a and the second electrode chamber 40 b and the water outlet passage 61 and the return water passage 62 .

In this embodiment, the control means 5 synchronizes the switching of the polarities of the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 with the switching of the flow path by the flow path switching valve 65, so that the electrolyzed water selected by the user (For example, electrolyzed hydrogen water in FIG. 1) can be discharged from the water outlet 61 .

In switching the polarities of the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42, it is desirable that the control means 5 operate the flow rate adjustment valve 25 and the flow path switching valve 65 in conjunction with each other. Electrolyzed water generated in the anode chamber is thereby supplied to the cathode chamber.

The flow control valve 25 and the flow switching valve 65 are preferably integrally formed and driven in conjunction with a single motor, as described in Japanese Patent No. 5809208, for example. That is, the flow regulating valve 25 and the flow path switching valve 65 are configured by a cylindrical outer cylindrical body, an inner cylindrical body, and the like. Channels constituting the flow rate adjusting valve 25 and the channel switching valve 65 are formed inside and outside the inner cylindrical body. It is configured to intersect as appropriate. Such a valve device is called a "double auto-change cross-line valve", contributes to the simplification of the configuration and control of the electrolyzed water generator 1, and further enhances the commercial value of the electrolyzed water generator 1.

In addition, in the electrolyzed water generator 1 shown in FIG. 1, the flow control valve 25 and the flow-path switching valve 65 may be eliminated. When the flow control valve 25 is eliminated, the water supply line 21a is directly connected to the first pole chamber 40a and the water supply line 21b is directly connected to the second pole chamber 40b. When the channel switching valve 65 is eliminated, the water outlet channel 61 is directly connected to the second pole chamber 40b, and the return water channel 62 is directly connected to the first pole chamber 40a.

In this embodiment, the surface of the first power feeder 41, which is the anode power feeder, is made of a hydrogen storage metal, so that the hydrogen storage metal is ionized in the first electrode chamber 40a during electrolysis. The hydrogen-absorbing metal ions (platinum ions in this embodiment) generated at this time are returned to the water supply path 21 through the return water path 62 together with the electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the first electrode chamber 40a. As a result, ions of the hydrogen storage metal are supplied to the second electrode chamber 40b through the water supply path 21b, and the second power feeder 42, which is a cathode power feeder, attracts the ions of the hydrogen storage metal and supplies electrons. Along with this, in the first electrode chamber 40a, colloidal hydrogen-absorbing metal is deposited, and electrolyzed water containing a large amount of fine hydrogen-absorbing metal colloids (platinum nanocolloids in this embodiment) with diameters on the order of nanometers is produced. generated.

Also, since the first electrode chamber 40a and the second electrode chamber 40b are separated by the diaphragm 43, the hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid produced in the second electrode chamber 40b will not move to the first electrode chamber 40a. Therefore, the amount of the hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid contained in the electrolyzed hydrogen water taken out from the water outlet passage 61 is easily increased. Furthermore, since electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid is produced only by direct-current electrolysis, the configuration of the apparatus is simple and the time required to produce electrolyzed water is shortened.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the electrolyzed water generator 1 may be provided with a pump 66 and a filter 67 in the return water channel 62 . The pump 66 pressure-feeds the electrolyzed water extracted from the first electrode chamber 40 a to the water supply passage 21 . The filter 67 removes hypochlorous acid contained in the electrolyzed water taken out from the first electrode chamber 40a. Filter 67 is effective when tap water containing calcium hypochlorite is used as raw water. The filter 67 may be provided in the water outlet channel 61 . Further, the return water channel 62 may be provided with a check valve that prevents the water in the water supply channel 21 from flowing back to the channel switching valve 65 .

The return water channel 62 may be connected to the water supply channel 21b on the downstream side of the branch portion 23 . In this embodiment, since the return water channel 62 is connected to the water supply channel 21 on the upstream side of the branch portion 23, part of the electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the first electrode chamber 40a is returned to the first electrode chamber 40a. It circulates through the water channel 62 and the water supply channel 21 (21a). As a result, the ion concentration of the hydrogen-absorbing metal in the electrolyzed water flowing through the return water channel 62 is increased, and the water is supplied to the second electrode chamber 40b.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of a processing procedure of an electrolyzed water generating method for generating electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid using the electrolyzed water generator 1. FIG.

When a DC voltage is applied between the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 in a state in which the first pole chamber 40a and the second pole chamber 40b are filled with water, the first power feeder 41 on the anode side removes electrons from surrounding water to produce oxidized water (S1). At this time, on the surface of the first power supply 41, the hydrogen storage metal loses electrons and is ionized. That is, the oxidized water produced in S1 contains ions of the hydrogen storage metal.

Next, the oxidized water produced in the first electrode chamber 40a is moved to the second electrode chamber 40b via the return water channel 62, and is moved to the vicinity of the second feeder 42 on the cathode side (S2). Accompanying this, the ions of the hydrogen storage metal are also moved to the vicinity of the second power feeder 42 .

Then, when a DC voltage is applied between the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42, the second power feeder 42 supplies electrons to the surrounding oxidized water to reduce the oxidized water (S3 ). At this time, the ions of the hydrogen-absorbing metal receive electrons from the second power feeder 42, become fine hydrogen-absorbing metal colloids, and precipitate in the reduced water, thereby generating electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloids. . In addition, since electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid is produced only by DC electrolysis, the steps required for producing electrolyzed water are simplified and the time required is shortened.

In addition, although the processes of S1 to S3 in the electrolyzed water generating method are normally executed continuously at the same time, they may be executed separately in the order of S1, S2, and S3.

FIG. 4 shows an electrolyzed water generator 1A different from the electrolyzed water generator 1 described above. Compared to the electrolyzed water generator 1, the electrolyzed water generator 1A does not include the diaphragm 43, the return water channel 62, and the like. Since the electrolytic chamber 40 is not partitioned by the diaphragm 43 , water and ions in the electrolytic chamber 40 can freely move around the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 .

The configuration of the electrolyzed water generator 1 described above may be adopted for the parts of the electrolyzed water generator 1A that are not described below. The electrolyzed water generating method shown in FIG. 3 can be implemented not only by the electrolyzed water generator 1 but also by the electrolyzed water generator 1A.

That is, in the electrolyzed water generation method using the electrolyzed water generator 1A, when a DC voltage is applied between the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 in S1 above, the first power feeder 41 on the anode side removes electrons from surrounding water to produce oxidized water (S1).

At this time, the generated ions (positive ions) of the hydrogen-absorbing metal repel the first power feeder 41 that is the anode, move away from the first power feeder 41, and are attracted to the second power feeder 42 that is the cathode. Along with this, the oxidized water is moved to the periphery of the second feeder 42 together with the ions of the hydrogen-absorbing metal in the electrolysis chamber 40 (S2).

Then, when a DC voltage is applied between the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42, the second power feeder 42 supplies electrons to the surrounding oxidized water to reduce the oxidized water (S3 ). As a result, electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid is produced in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 5 shows an electrolyzed water generator 1B that is still different from the electrolyzed water generator 1 described above. The electrolyzed water generator 1B is different from the electrolyzed water generator 1 in that a return water channel 62B is provided in place of the return water channel 62 of FIG.

The configuration of the electrolyzed water generator 1 described above may be adopted for the parts of the electrolyzed water generator 1B that are not described below. In addition, the electrolyzed water generation method shown in FIG. 3 can be implemented not only by the electrolyzed water generator 1 but also by the electrolyzed water generator 1B.

One end of the return water channel 62B is connected to the anode chamber via a channel switching valve 65, and the other end is connected to the water supply channel 21b on the downstream side of the branch portion 23, respectively. The water supply line 21b is a cathode side water supply line connected to the cathode chamber via the flow rate control valve 25 . That is, the return water channel 62 guides the electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the anode chamber to the water supply channel 21b and supplies it to the cathode chamber via the water supply channel 21b.

In the electrolyzed water generator 1B, the hydrogen-absorbing metal ions generated in the anode chamber are supplied to the cathode chamber without being returned to the anode chamber, so that electrolyzed water containing a large amount of hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid is quickly generated. be.

Although the electrolyzed water generator 1 of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments, and can be modified in various aspects. That is, the electrolyzed water generator 1 includes at least an electrolysis chamber 40 for electrolyzing water, a first power feeder 41 and a second power feeder 42 arranged in the electrolysis chamber 40 to which a DC voltage is applied, and a first power feeder A diaphragm 43 disposed between the body 41 and the second power feeder 42 to divide the electrolytic chamber 40 into a first pole chamber 40a on the side of the first power feeder 41 and a second pole chamber 40b on the side of the second power feeder 42. and a water supply passage 21 for supplying water to the first electrode chamber 40a and the second electrode chamber 40b. It is only necessary to have a return water channel 62 that guides the electrolyzed water thus generated to the water supply channel 21 .

In the present electrolyzed water generator 1, the polarities of the first power feeder 41 and the second power feeder 42 are switchable. formed. However, in the configuration in which the polarity switching is not performed, only the surface of the anode power supply may be made of the hydrogen storage metal.

1: Electrolyzed water generator 1A: Electrolyzed water generator 21: Water supply channel 21b: Cathode side water supply channel 40: Electrolysis chamber 41: First feeder 42: Second feeder 43: Diaphragm 62: Return water channel

Claims (1)

an electrolytic chamber for electrolyzing water;
an anode feeder and a cathode feeder arranged in the electrolytic chamber and to which a DC voltage is applied;
a diaphragm disposed between the anode feeder and the cathode feeder and dividing the electrolysis chamber into an anode chamber on the anode feeder side and a cathode chamber on the cathode feeder side;
An electrolyzed water generator comprising a water supply passage for supplying water to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber,
the surface of the anode power supply is made of a hydrogen storage metal,
Having a return water channel for guiding electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the anode chamber to the water supply channel,
The water supply path includes an anode side water supply path that supplies water to the anode chamber and a cathode side water supply path that supplies water to the cathode chamber,
The return water channel guides the electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the anode chamber to the cathode side water supply channel,
A filter for removing hypochlorous acid contained in the electrolyzed water taken out from the anode chamber and a filter for preventing water in the water supply passage from flowing back downstream of the anode chamber are provided in the return water passage. A check valve is provided ,
During the electrolysis, the hydrogen-absorbing metal is ionized in the anode chamber, and the ions of the hydrogen-absorbing metal are returned to the cathode-side water supply passage through the return water passage together with the electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the anode chamber. As a result, the ions of the hydrogen-absorbing metal are supplied to the cathode chamber through the cathode-side water supply path, and the cathode power feeder supplies electrons to the ions of the hydrogen-absorbing metal. , a colloidal hydrogen-absorbing metal is deposited, electrolyzed water containing the hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid is generated,
having an outlet channel for extracting electrolyzed water containing the hydrogen-absorbing metal colloid produced in the cathode chamber,
no AC voltage is applied between the anode feeder and the cathode feeder;
Electrolyzed water generator.

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