JP7245002B2 - Hydrogen gas dissolver - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus for dissolving hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis in water.

In recent years, there has been proposed a hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus that dissolves hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis in tap water to generate hydrogen water. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an apparatus for producing hydrogen water by supplying hydrogen gas and tap water through a gas separation hollow fiber membrane. In Patent Document 1, it is possible to supply hydrogen water having a predetermined concentration or more by adjusting the pressure of hydrogen gas according to the water temperature and making the pressure of hydrogen gas equal to the pressure of tap water. Are listed.

However, the dissolved hydrogen concentration required varies depending on the application, and there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of stably supplying hydrogen water with a constant dissolved hydrogen concentration. For example, in a device that generates hydrogen water by pressurizing hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis of water, the pressure of the hydrogen gas fluctuates when replenishing the electrolytic cell with the water consumed by the electrolysis. The dissolved hydrogen concentration of hydrogen water may fluctuate, and further improvement is desired.

JP 2016-77987 A

The present invention has been devised in view of the actual situation as described above, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus capable of stably supplying hydrogen water having a constant dissolved hydrogen concentration.

A first aspect of the present invention is an electrolytic cell having an anode chamber for generating oxygen gas by electrolysis and a cathode chamber for generating hydrogen gas by electrolysis, and a hydrogen extraction tube for extracting the hydrogen gas from the cathode chamber. an oxygen extraction pipe for extracting the oxygen gas from the anode chamber, a water supply pipe for supplying water for the electrolysis to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, and a hydrogen extraction pipe branched from the hydrogen extraction pipe, an open pipe with an open end; a hydrogen dissolving module connected to the hydrogen extraction pipe for dissolving the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen extraction pipe by bringing it into contact with water; a first on-off valve provided in each of the oxygen removal pipe and the open pipe; and a third on-off valve provided in the hydrogen removal pipe on the hydrogen dissolution module side of the branch. and control means for controlling the electrolytic cell, the first on-off valve, the second on-off valve and the third on-off valve, wherein the control means controls the anode chamber and the cathode chamber for the electrolysis. In the hydrogen gas dissolving device, the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve are opened while the third on-off valve is closed when water is allowed to flow in.

In the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus, the hydrogen extraction pipe includes a first pressure sensor for detecting a first pressure in the pipe on the cathode chamber side of the third on-off valve, and A second pressure sensor is provided for detecting a second pressure in the pipe on the dissolution module side, and the control means controls the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve after the water for electrolysis is introduced. is closed to start the electrolysis, and then the third on-off valve is opened when the first pressure exceeds the second pressure.

A second aspect of the present invention is an electrolytic cell having an anode chamber for generating oxygen gas by electrolysis and a cathode chamber for generating hydrogen gas by electrolysis, and a hydrogen extraction tube for extracting the hydrogen gas from the cathode chamber. an oxygen extraction pipe for extracting the oxygen gas from the anode chamber, a water supply pipe for supplying water for the electrolysis to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, and a hydrogen extraction pipe branched from the hydrogen extraction pipe, an open pipe with an open end; a hydrogen dissolving module connected to the hydrogen extraction pipe for dissolving the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen extraction pipe by bringing it into contact with water; a check valve provided on the hydrogen removal pipe on the dissolution module side, a first on-off valve provided on the water supply pipe, and a second on-off valve provided on each of the oxygen removal pipe and the open pipe; a control means for controlling the electrolytic cell, the first on-off valve, and the second on-off valve, wherein the control means controls, when water for the electrolysis is allowed to flow into the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, The hydrogen gas dissolving device opens the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve.

In the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus of the second invention, the control means closes the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve to start the electrolysis after allowing the water for the electrolysis to flow in. is desirable.

The hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus of the first invention or the second invention further comprises water supply means for supplying the water to the hydrogen dissolving module, and the water is supplied to the water supply pipe and the water supply means from a water source of the same system. It is desirable that

In the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus of the first or second invention, the hydrogen dissolving module has a tubular body for passing the water supplied from the water supply means, and the tubular body allows the hydrogen gas to pass through. It is desirable that it is composed of a porous membrane that

In the hydrogen gas dissolving device of the first invention or the second invention, it is preferable that the porous membrane is a hollow fiber membrane.

In the present invention, when water is allowed to flow into the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, the third on-off valve is closed. The pressure inside the hydrogen dissolution module is unaffected and stabilizes. Therefore, hydrogen water having a constant dissolved hydrogen concentration can be stably supplied.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus of the present invention; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the same hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the electrolytic cell of the same hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus, and its periphery. It is a flowchart which shows operation|movement of the same hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus. 5 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 4; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electrolytic cell and its surroundings in another embodiment of the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the hydrogen gas dissolving device during generation of hydrogen gas by electrolysis.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 of this embodiment. In the figure, the hatched area is the area filled with water (the same applies to FIGS. 3 and 6 below). A hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 includes an electrolytic cell 4 and a hydrogen dissolving module 6 .

The electrolytic bath 4 generates hydrogen gas by electrolysis. The hydrogen dissolving module 6 brings the hydrogen gas supplied from the electrolytic cell 4 into contact with water and dissolves it. This makes it possible to generate dissolved hydrogen water used as hemodialysis or drinking water with a simple configuration.

An electrolytic chamber 40 is formed inside the electrolytic bath 4 . An anode feeder 41 , a cathode feeder 42 and a diaphragm 43 are arranged in the electrolytic chamber 40 . The electrolytic chamber 40 is partitioned by a diaphragm 43 into an anode chamber 40a on the anode feeder 41 side and a cathode chamber 40b on the cathode feeder 42 side.

For the diaphragm 43, for example, a solid polymeric material made of a fluorine-based resin having a sulfonic acid group is appropriately used. In order to efficiently perform electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 4, it is desirable that the electrolytic chamber 40 be divided into an anode chamber 40a and a cathode chamber 40b by a diaphragm 43. As shown in FIG.

Water for electrolysis is supplied to the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b. When a DC voltage for electrolysis is applied to the anode feeder 41 and the cathode feeder 42, water is electrolyzed in the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b, oxygen gas is generated in the anode chamber 40a, and the cathode chamber Hydrogen gas is generated at 40b.

This embodiment further includes a water supply pipe 3 for supplying water for electrolysis to the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b. Water for electrolysis may be supplied from an oxygen extraction pipe 7 and a hydrogen extraction pipe 8, which will be described later. The water supply pipe 3 branches into a water supply pipe 31 and a water supply pipe 32 at the branch portion 3a. The water supply pipe 31 is connected to the anode chamber 40a, and the water supply pipe 32 is connected to the cathode chamber 40b. An on-off valve 91 (first on-off valve) is provided in the water supply pipe 3 on the upstream side of the branch portion 3a.

The hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 further includes water supply means for supplying water to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 . The water supply means includes a water supply pipe 5 . In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 3 is branched from the water supply pipe 5 . Therefore, the water supply pipe 3 and the water supply pipe 5 are supplied with water from the water source of the same system. This simplifies the configuration of the hydrogen gas dissolving device 1 . The water source of the water supply pipe 3 and the water source of the water supply pipe 5 may be separate systems.

The cathode chamber 40b and the hydrogen dissolving module 6 are connected by a hydrogen extraction pipe 8, which will be described later. The hydrogen gas generated in the cathode chamber 40b is supplied to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 through the hydrogen extraction pipe 8. As shown in FIG.

The hydrogen dissolving module 6 has a tubular body 61 for passing water supplied from the water supply pipe 5 . In this embodiment, a plurality of tubular bodies 61 are provided inside the hydrogen dissolving module 6 . The tubular body 61 extends horizontally.

The tubular body 61 is composed of a porous membrane that is permeable to hydrogen gas. As a result, the hydrogen gas supplied from the cathode chamber 40b permeates the tube 61, contacts the water inside the tube 61, and dissolves.

In the present embodiment, a hollow fiber membrane is applied to the porous membrane forming the tubular body 61 . Hollow fiber membranes have countless micropores through which hydrogen gas is permeable. In this embodiment, the hydrogen gas generated in the cathode chamber 40b increases the external pressure of the tubular body 61, so that the hydrogen gas outside the tubular body 61 moves inward and dissolves in the water inside the tube. Dissolved hydrogen water can be easily obtained.

FIG. 2 shows the electrical configuration of the hydrogen gas dissolving device 1. As shown in FIG. The hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 includes a control means 10 for controlling each part such as the anode feeder 41, the cathode feeder 42, and the like.

The control means 10 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. A current detection means 44 is provided in the current supply line between the anode power feeder 41 and the control means 10 . The current detection means 44 may be provided in a current supply line between the cathode power supply body 42 and the control means 10 . The current detection means 44 detects the electrolysis current supplied to the anode feeder 41 and the cathode feeder 42 and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the detected value to the control means 10 .

The control means 10 controls the DC voltage applied to the anode feeder 41 and the cathode feeder 42 based on the electric signal output from the current detection means 44, for example. More specifically, the control means 10 controls the anode feeder 41 and the cathode feeder 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. The DC voltage applied to the body 42 is feedback-controlled. For example, if the electrolysis current is too high, the control means 10 reduces the voltage, and if the electrolysis current is too low, the control means 10 increases the voltage. Thereby, the electrolysis current supplied to the anode feeder 41 and the cathode feeder 42 is appropriately controlled.

The hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes an oxygen extraction pipe 7 for extracting oxygen gas from the anode chamber 40 a of the electrolytic cell 4 . The oxygen extraction pipe 7 has an inlet 7 a on the side of the anode chamber 40 a of the electrolytic cell 4 and an outlet 7 b opened inside the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 .

The inlet 7a is preferably arranged above the anode chamber 40a of the electrolytic cell 4 . As a result, the hydrogen gas generated in the anode chamber 40a easily flows out from the inlet 7a to the oxygen extraction pipe 7 due to the water pressure in the anode chamber 40a.

The outlet 7 b is provided at the tip of the oxygen extraction pipe 7 . The oxygen extraction pipe 7 may be extended as appropriate so that the outlet 7b is open outside the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 .

The hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 includes a hydrogen extraction pipe 8 for extracting hydrogen gas from the electrolytic cell 4 . The hydrogen extraction tube 8 has an inlet 8 a connected to the cathode chamber 40 b of the electrolytic cell 4 and an outlet 8 b connected to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 . Hydrogen gas generated in the cathode chamber 40 b is supplied to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 through the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 .

The inlet 8a is preferably arranged in the upper part of the cathode chamber 40b of the electrolytic cell 4. As shown in FIG. As a result, the hydrogen gas generated in the cathode chamber 40b can easily flow into the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 from the inlet 8a due to the water pressure in the cathode chamber 40b.

The outlet 8b is preferably connected to the lower portion of the hydrogen dissolving module 6 and is open. As a result, the hydrogen gas having a low specific gravity that has flowed into the hydrogen extraction tube 8 from the cathode chamber 40b can easily rise and flow into the hydrogen dissolving module 6 .

The hydrogen extraction pipe 8 is connected to an open pipe 81 branched from the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 at a branching portion 81a and having an open end 81b. The open pipe 81 may be appropriately extended so that the end portion 81b is open outside the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 .

An on-off valve 92 (second on-off valve) is located near the outlet 7b of the oxygen extraction pipe 7 connected to the anode chamber 40a, and the end 81b of the open pipe 81 branching from the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 connected to the cathode chamber 40b. An on-off valve 93 (second on-off valve) is provided in the vicinity of . The on-off valve 92 is provided for discharging the gas inside the oxygen extraction pipe 7 . The on-off valve 93 is provided for discharging the gas inside the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 .

As the electrolysis for generating hydrogen gas proceeds, the water in the electrolysis chamber 40 is consumed. At this time, when the on-off valves 91 , 92 and 93 are opened, water is replenished from the water supply pipe 3 to the electrolysis chamber 40 due to the difference in internal pressure between the water supply pipe 3 and the oxygen extraction pipe 7 and hydrogen extraction pipe 8 . When the on-off valve 93 is opened when replenishing the electrolysis chamber 40 with water for electrolysis, the internal pressure of the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 tends to decrease. Such fluctuations in the internal pressure of the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 may affect the concentration of dissolved hydrogen in the hydrogen water produced by the hydrogen dissolving module 6 . That is, the dissolved hydrogen concentration of the hydrogen water may fluctuate according to the operating state of the hydrogen gas dissolving device 1 and the like.

Therefore, in the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1, the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 is provided with an on-off valve 98 (third on-off valve) in order to suppress fluctuations in the internal pressure of the path from the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 to the hydrogen dissolving module 6. It is

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the electrolytic bath 4 and its peripheral portion. For efficient electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 4, it is desirable that the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b are always kept fully filled. Therefore, in this embodiment, water is supplied from the water supply pipe 3 to the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b prior to electrolysis. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 31 and the water supply pipe 32 communicate with each other at the branch portion 3a, so that the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 and the water level in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 are equal.

The on-off valves 91 , 92 , 93 and 98 are configured by electromagnetic valves, for example, and are controlled by the control means 10 so as to cooperate with each other. For example, the control means 10 opens the on-off valves 91 and 93 so that the water pressure of the water supplied from the water supply pipe 31 causes gas to be discharged from the hydrogen removal pipe 8 and the water level of the hydrogen removal pipe 8 to rise. As a result, the water level in the path from the cathode chamber 40b to the hydrogen extraction tube 8, which is lowered by electrolysis, can be increased in advance.

At this time, the on-off valve 93 provided in the open pipe 81 is opened, so that the internal pressure of the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 is reduced to the same level as the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, in the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 , the control means 10 closes the on-off valve 98 before opening the on-off valve 93 . That is, the control means 10 opens the on-off valves 91, 92 and 93 while the on-off valve 98 is closed when the water for electrolysis is allowed to flow into the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b. As a result, when water is allowed to flow into the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b, the on-off valve 98 is in a closed state. , the internal pressure of the hydrogen dissolution module 6 is stable, and the dissolution of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen dissolution module 6 continues satisfactorily. Therefore, hydrogen water having a constant dissolved hydrogen concentration can be stably supplied.

Furthermore, after closing the on-off valves 91, 92 and 93, the control means 10 applies a DC voltage for electrolysis to the anode feeder 41 and the cathode feeder 42 to start electrolysis. That is, electrolysis proceeds in the electrolysis chamber 40 with the on-off valves 91, 92, and 93 closed, and hydrogen gas is generated in the cathode chamber 40b. Accordingly, the first pressure in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 on the side of the cathode chamber 40b with respect to the on-off valve 98 increases. Then, when the first pressure exceeds the second pressure in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 closer to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 than the on-off valve 98 , the control means 10 opens the on-off valve 98 . As a result, the second pressure, that is, the internal pressure of the hydrogen dissolving module 6 (the pressure of the tubular body 61 provided inside the hydrogen dissolving module 6 described above) can be obtained without providing the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 with a complicated structure such as a pump. external pressure) is stabilized, and hydrogen water having a constant dissolved hydrogen concentration can be stably supplied.

In the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1, the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 is provided with a first pressure sensor P1 and a second pressure sensor P2. The first pressure sensor P1 is provided in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 closer to the cathode chamber 40b than the on-off valve 98 is. The first pressure sensor P1 detects a first pressure in the tube on the cathode chamber 40b side of the on-off valve 98 and outputs a corresponding electrical signal to the control means 10 . The second pressure sensor P2 is provided in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 closer to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 than the on-off valve 98 is. The second pressure sensor P2 detects a second pressure in the pipe on the hydrogen dissolving module 6 side of the on-off valve 98 and outputs a corresponding electrical signal to the control means 10 .

The control means 10 acquires the first pressure and the second pressure based on the electrical signals input from the first pressure sensor P1 and the second pressure sensor P2. The control means 10 then controls the opening/closing valve 98 by comparing the first pressure and the second pressure.

The control means 10 opens the on-off valve 98 when hydrogen gas is generated in the cathode chamber 40b as the electrolysis progresses and the first pressure exceeds the second pressure. As a result, hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis is supplied to the hydrogen dissolving module 6, and hydrogen water with a high dissolved hydrogen concentration is generated.

The above-described control of the on-off valve 98 by the control means 10 can always be performed while the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 is in operation, and is not limited to when water is supplied to the electrolytic chamber 40 .

In this embodiment, the water level is maintained up to a portion of the oxygen extraction pipe 7 extending upward from the upper end of the anode chamber 40a and a portion of the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 extending upward from the upper end of the cathode chamber 40b. configured to be operational.

As a configuration for appropriately maintaining the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 and the water level in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8, the hydrogen gas dissolving device 1 of the present embodiment includes water level sensors (water level detection means) S1, S2, S3, S4. , S5, and the on-off valves 91, 92, and 93 described above.

The water level sensors S1 and S2 are arranged side by side above and below the oxygen extraction pipe 7 with an appropriate space therebetween. The water level sensor S5 is provided between the water level sensor S1 and the water level sensor S2. The water level sensors S1, S2 and S5 detect water in the pipes by optical means or by buoyancy and output corresponding electrical signals to the control means 10 . The control means 10 acquires the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 based on the electric signals input from the water level sensors S1, S2 and S5.

Similarly, the water level sensors S3 and S4 are arranged side by side above and below the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 with an appropriate space therebetween. The water level sensors S3 and S4 detect water in the pipes by optical means or by buoyancy and output corresponding electrical signals to the control means 10 . The control means 10 obtains the water level in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 based on the electric signals input from the water level sensors S3 and S4.

The water level sensors S1 and S3 are arranged at the same height. The water level sensors S2 and S4 are arranged at the same height. The water level sensor S5 may be provided on the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 . In this case, the water level sensor S5 is provided between the water level sensor S3 and the water level sensor S4.

The water level sensor S4 is arranged below the branch portion 81a. As a result, when water for electrolysis is supplied to the cathode chamber 40b, entry of water into the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 closer to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 than the branch portion 81a is suppressed.

The control means 10 acquires the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 and the water level in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 based on the electrical signals input from the water level sensors S1 to S5, and operates the on-off valves 91, 92, 93 and 98. Control.

4 and 5 show the operation of the control means 10 of the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1. FIG. The figure shows the operation from the initial state where there is no water in the electrolytic cell 4, and the processes from #8 to #17 are repeatedly continued as water is consumed. In the initial state, the on-off valves 91, 92, 93 and 98 are closed.

The control means 10 first opens the on-off valves 92 and 93 from the initial state, secures a passage for removing air from the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b (#1), and then opens the on-off valve 91 (# 2). Thereby, water for electrolysis is supplied to the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b. The control means 10 may execute the processes #1 and #2 at the same time, or may execute the process #2 first and then execute the process #1.

By opening the on-off valves 91, 92, and 93, the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 and the water level in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 rise while maintaining the same height. When the electrical signal output from the water level sensor S5 detects that the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 has risen appropriately (to the height of the water level sensor S5) (#3), the control means 10 opens the on-off valve 91. is closed (#4), and the on-off valves 92 and 93 are closed (#5). This completes the replenishment of water to the electrolytic cell 4 . The control means 10 may execute the processes #4 and #5 at the same time, or may execute the process #5 first and then execute the process #4.

After that, the control means 10 opens the on-off valve 98 (#6). Thereby, the passage of hydrogen gas from the electrolytic cell 4 to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 is communicated, and the preparation for electrolysis is completed.

The control means 10 applies an electrolysis voltage to the anode feeder 41 and the cathode feeder 42, and when electrolysis starts (#7), oxygen gas is generated in the anode chamber 40a and hydrogen gas is generated in the cathode chamber 40b. The internal pressure of 4 rises. Along with this, hydrogen gas is supplied to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 through the hydrogen extraction pipe 8, and the inside of the hydrogen dissolving module 6 is pressurized. As a result, the hydrogen gas permeates through the tubular body 61 of the hydrogen dissolving module 6, contacts the water inside the tubular body 61, and dissolves.

As the electrolysis progresses, the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 and the water level in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 change at different heights. When a decrease or increase in the water level is detected by the electrical signals output from the water level sensors S1 to S4 (#8), the control means 10 stops the application of the electrolytic voltage to the anode feeder 41 and the cathode feeder 42. Stop (#9). That is, when a decrease in the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 is detected by an electrical signal output from the water level sensor S1, or an increase in the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 is detected by an electrical signal output from the water level sensor S2, control is performed. Means 10 stop the electrolysis. Further, when a decrease in the water level in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 is detected by an electrical signal output from the water level sensor S3, or an increase in the water level in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 is detected by an electrical signal output from the water level sensor S4, control is performed. Means 10 stop the electrolysis.

Then, the control means 10 closes the on-off valve 98 (#10) to maintain the pressure in the pipe on the hydrogen dissolving module 6 side of the on-off valve 98 . As a result, the internal pressure of the hydrogen dissolving module 6 is maintained, so that the dissolution of hydrogen gas is continued even while the electrolysis is stopped.

Further, the control means 10 opens the on-off valves 92 and 93 (#11). As a result, the pressures in the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b become equal to the atmospheric pressure, and the water level in the oxygen extraction tube 7 and the water level in the hydrogen extraction tube 8 become equal. When the electric signal output from the water level sensor S5 detects that the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 has decreased (Y in #12), the on-off valve 91 is opened to supply water, and the on-off valve 91 is closed. (#13). If no drop in the water level in the oxygen extraction pipe 7 is detected (N in #12), #13 is skipped.

Further, the control means 10 closes the on-off valves 92 and 93 (#14), completing preparations for resuming electrolysis. Then, the control means 10 applies an electrolysis voltage to the anode feeder 41 and the cathode feeder 42, and when the electrolysis is restarted (#15), oxygen gas is transferred from the anode chamber 40a to the cathode chamber 40b as in #7. Hydrogen gas is generated respectively, and the internal pressure of the electrolytic cell 4 rises.

At the beginning of electrolysis restart, the first pressure < the second pressure (N in #16), but as the hydrogen gas is generated in the cathode chamber 40b, the first pressure > the second pressure (Y in #16 ), the control means 10 opens the on-off valve 98 (# 17 ) and restarts the supply of hydrogen gas to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 . Then, return to #8. The processes from #8 to #17 are repeatedly looped as long as the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 operates continuously. If the first pressure equals the second pressure in #16, the control means 10 may open the on-off valve 98, proceeding to #17.

In the present hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1, since the on-off valve 98 is closed until the process #17 is performed after the process #10 is performed, the internal pressure of the hydrogen dissolving module 6 is maintained. , the dissolution of hydrogen gas continues. This makes it possible to stably supply hydrogen water with a constant dissolved hydrogen concentration.

It is desirable that the control means 10 controls the on-off valves 91, 92 and 93 to keep the water level in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 lower than the outlet 8b. This prevents the water supplied from the water supply pipe 32 from flowing into the hydrogen dissolving module 6 .

By the way, when the on-off valves 91, 92 and 93 are opened, there is a possibility that water may flow into the electrolytic chamber 40 from the water supply pipe 3 and flow out from the outlet 7b and the end portion 81b.

Therefore, in the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1, the throttle valve 94 (third throttle valve) for limiting the amount of water flowing through the water supply pipe 3 is provided between the on-off valve 91 and the branch portion 3a in the water supply pipe 3. is desirable. The throttle valve 94 prevents the water supplied to the electrolytic chamber 40 from flowing out from the outlet 7b and the end portion 81b.

In the present hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1, when water is supplied to the electrolytic chamber 40 and the hydrogen extraction pipe 8, the on-off valve 98 is closed at #10, so that the water supplied from the water supply pipe 32 is supplied to the hydrogen dissolving module. 6 is prevented.

Further, in the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1, a throttle valve 95 (second throttle valve) for limiting the amount of water flowing through the oxygen extraction pipe 7 is provided between the on-off valve 92 and the outlet 7b in the oxygen extraction pipe 7. is desirable. Similarly, in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8, a throttle valve 96 (first throttle valve) for limiting the amount of water flowing through the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 is preferably provided between the on-off valve 93 and the end portion 81b. The throttle valves 95 and 96 prevent the water supplied to the electrolytic chamber 40 from flowing out from the outlet 7b and the end portion 81b. The throttle valves 95 and 96 may be omitted if the throttle valve 94 alone can sufficiently suppress the outflow of water from the outlet 7b and the end portion 81b.

When the dissolved hydrogen water generated by the hydrogen gas dissolving device 1 is used for hemodialysis, the feed pipe 5 is supplied with reverse osmosis water treated by a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device (not shown). Hydrogen gas is dissolved in the reverse osmosis water in the hydrogen dissolving module 6 to generate dialysate preparation water, which is supplied to the dialysate supply device.

Although the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 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 hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 includes at least an electrolytic cell 4 having an anode chamber 40a for generating oxygen gas by electrolysis and a cathode chamber 40b for generating hydrogen gas by electrolysis; an oxygen extraction pipe 7 for extracting oxygen gas from the anode chamber 40a, a water supply pipe 3 for supplying water for electrolysis to the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b, and a hydrogen extraction pipe An open pipe 81 branched from 8 and having an open end 81b, and a hydrogen dissolving module 6 connected to the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 for dissolving the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 by bringing it into contact with water. , an on-off valve 91 provided on the water supply pipe 3, an on-off valve 92 provided on the oxygen extraction pipe 7, an on-off valve 93 provided on the open pipe 81, and hydrogen on the hydrogen dissolving module 6 side of the branch portion 81a. An on-off valve 98 provided in the extraction pipe 8 and a control means 10 for controlling the electrolytic cell 4 and the on-off valves 91, 92, 93 and 98 are provided. It is sufficient that the opening/closing valves 91, 92, and 93 are opened while the opening/closing valve 98 is closed when the water is allowed to flow in.

FIG. 6 shows a hydrogen gas dissolving device 1A that is another embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 described above may be adopted for the portions of the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1A that are not described below.

The hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1A is different from the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1 in that a check valve 99 is provided in the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 instead of the on-off valve 98 shown in FIG. The water supply pipe 3 is provided with an on-off valve 91 (first on-off valve), the oxygen extraction pipe 7 is provided with an on-off valve 92 (second on-off valve), and the open pipe 81 is provided with an on-off valve 93 (second on-off valve). It is the same as the hydrogen gas dissolving device 1 .

The check valve 99 prevents the gas closer to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 than the check valve 99 from flowing back to the cathode chamber 40b side. That is, the check valve 99 opens when the first pressure on the side of the cathode chamber 40b > the second pressure on the side of the hydrogen dissolving module 6 to allow communication between the hydrogen dissolving module 6 and the cathode chamber 40b via the hydrogen extraction pipe 8, When the first pressure < the second pressure, it closes to prevent backflow of hydrogen gas.

Since the hydrogen gas dissolving device 1A does not require the first pressure sensor P1 and the second pressure sensor P2, the configuration of the device is simplified. Also, the program of the control means 10 is simplified.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of the hydrogen gas dissolving device 1A. The check valve 99 actively operates according to the magnitude relationship between the first pressure and the second pressure without being controlled by the control means 10 . Therefore, in the operation of the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1A, #6, #10, #16 and #17, which are control processes for the on-off valve 98 by the control means 10 in FIG. 4, are not required.

Although the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1A of the present invention has been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments and can be modified in various aspects. That is, the hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus 1A includes at least an electrolytic cell 4 having an anode chamber 40a for generating oxygen gas by electrolysis and a cathode chamber 40b for generating hydrogen gas by electrolysis; an oxygen extraction pipe 7 for extracting oxygen gas from the anode chamber 40a, a water supply pipe 3 for supplying water for electrolysis to the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b, and a hydrogen extraction pipe An open pipe 81 branched from 8 and having an open end 81b, and a hydrogen dissolving module 6 connected to the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 for dissolving the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 by bringing it into contact with water. , a check valve 99 provided on the hydrogen extraction pipe 8 closer to the hydrogen dissolving module 6 than the branch portion 81a, an on-off valve 91 provided on the water supply pipe 3, and an on-off valve 92 provided on the oxygen extraction pipe 7. and an on-off valve 93 provided in the open pipe 81, and a control means 10 for controlling the electrolytic cell 4 and the on-off valves 91, 92 and 93. The control means 10 controls the anode chamber 40a and the cathode chamber 40b for electrolysis. It is sufficient that the on-off valves 91, 92 and 93 are opened when the water is allowed to flow in.

Reference Signs List 1: hydrogen gas dissolving device 1A: hydrogen gas dissolving device 3: water supply pipe 4: electrolytic bath 5: water supply pipe (water supply means)
6: Hydrogen dissolving module 7: Oxygen extraction tube 8: Hydrogen extraction tube 81: Open piping 81b: End 10: Control means 40a: Anode chamber 40b: Cathode chamber 61: Tubular body 91: On-off valve (first on-off valve)
92: On-off valve (second on-off valve)
93: On-off valve (second on-off valve)
98: On-off valve (third on-off valve)
99: Check valve P1: First pressure sensor P2: Second pressure sensor

Claims (6)

an electrolytic cell having an anode chamber for generating oxygen gas by electrolysis and a cathode chamber for generating hydrogen gas by electrolysis;
a hydrogen extraction tube for extracting the hydrogen gas from the cathode chamber;
an oxygen extraction tube for extracting the oxygen gas from the anode chamber;
a water supply pipe for supplying water for the electrolysis to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber;
an open pipe branched from the hydrogen extraction pipe and having an open end;
a hydrogen dissolving module connected to the hydrogen extraction pipe for dissolving the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen extraction pipe by bringing it into contact with water;
water supply means for supplying the water to the hydrogen dissolving module;
a first on-off valve provided in the water supply pipe;
a second on-off valve provided in each of the oxygen extraction pipe and the open pipe;
a third on-off valve provided in the hydrogen extraction pipe on the hydrogen dissolving module side of the branch;
Control means for controlling the electrolytic cell, the first on-off valve, the second on-off valve and the third on-off valve,
The water is supplied from the same water source to the water supply pipe and the water supply means, so that the anode chamber, the cathode chamber and the hydrogen dissolving module are supplied with the water from the same water source,
The control means is
opening the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve while the third on-off valve is closed when the water for the electrolysis is allowed to flow into the anode chamber and the cathode chamber;
Hydrogen gas dissolver. The hydrogen extraction pipe includes a first pressure sensor for detecting a first pressure in the pipe on the cathode chamber side of the third on-off valve, and a pressure sensor on the hydrogen dissolving module side of the third on-off valve. A second pressure sensor is provided for sensing a second pressure,
After the water for the electrolysis is allowed to flow in, the control means closes the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve to start the electrolysis, and then the first pressure is reduced to the second pressure. 2. The hydrogen gas dissolving device according to claim 1, wherein the third on-off valve is opened when exceeding . an electrolytic cell having an anode chamber for generating oxygen gas by electrolysis and a cathode chamber for generating hydrogen gas by electrolysis;
a hydrogen extraction tube for extracting the hydrogen gas from the cathode chamber;
an oxygen extraction tube for extracting the oxygen gas from the anode chamber;
a water supply pipe for supplying water for the electrolysis to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber;
an open pipe branched from the hydrogen extraction pipe and having an open end;
a hydrogen dissolving module connected to the hydrogen extraction pipe for dissolving the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen extraction pipe by bringing it into contact with water;
water supply means for supplying the water to the hydrogen dissolving module;
a check valve provided in the hydrogen extraction pipe on the hydrogen dissolving module side of the branch;
a first on-off valve provided in the water supply pipe;
a second on-off valve provided in each of the oxygen extraction pipe and the open pipe;
Control means for controlling the electrolytic cell, the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve,
The water is supplied from the same water source to the water supply pipe and the water supply means, so that the anode chamber, the cathode chamber and the hydrogen dissolving module are supplied with the water from the same water source,
The control means is
opening the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve when the water for the electrolysis is allowed to flow into the anode chamber and the cathode chamber;
Hydrogen gas dissolver. 4. The hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means closes said first on-off valve and said second on-off valve to start said electrolysis after allowing water for said electrolysis to flow in. The hydrogen dissolving module has a tubular body for passing the water supplied from the water supply means,
2. The hydrogen gas dissolving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tubular body is composed of a porous membrane that allows said hydrogen gas to permeate. 6. The hydrogen gas dissolving device according to claim 5, wherein said porous membrane is a hollow fiber membrane.

Images