JPH06312184A - Electrolytic water forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain ion water constant in pH value and electric conductivity in large quantities by a method wherein raw water to which a chlorine-based electrolyte is added is electrolyzed while supplied to a cathode chamber and an anode chamber partitioned by a diaphragm and the valve of a discharge water passage is changed over to a drain side when the degree of electrolysis of discharged electrolytic water is out of a predetermined range. CONSTITUTION:An electrolytic cell 1 is divided by a diaphragm 2 to form a cathode chamber 31 having an electrode 3 inserted therein and an anode chamber 41 having an electrode 4 inserted therein. A definite amt of the saline solution in a tank 8 is injected in raw water by an injection device 10 and the raw water made constant in electric conductivity is supplied to the cathode chamber 31 and the anode chamber 41 to be electrolyzed. Three-way valves 15, 16 changing over discharge and drainage are arranged on pipelines 13, 14 discharging formed alkaline ion water and acidic water and sensor 19 detecting oxidation reduction potential, pH or ion concn. is attached to the pipeline 14. A CPU 20 performs the comparative operation of the detected value of the sensor 19 and a reference value to output the control signals of the three-way calves 15, 16 and the changeover control of the discharge and drainage of water is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for electrolyzing water to produce acidic water useful as washing water, sterilizing water and the like, and alkaline ionized water serving as drinking water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the fields of food and medicine, it is not possible to use electrolyzed water as cleaning water or water for disinfection and sterilization.
As is generally known, water with a low PH value or PH
It is not easy to stably obtain a large amount of high-value water. In the conventional electrolyzed water generator, the inside of the electrolytic cell is divided into a cathode chamber and an anode chamber by a diaphragm, an electrode is inserted into each chamber, and the raw water supplied to the chamber is electrolyzed by energization between the electrodes to form a cathode. Alkaline ionized water is electrolyzed in the chamber and acidic water is electrolyzed in the anode chamber.

[0003]

This electrolyzed ionic water is discharged and used by opening and closing the faucet, but when the electrolysis is started, the PH value, ionic concentration, electric conductivity, etc. of the electrolyzed discharge water may change due to changes in the flow rate during electrolysis. It may fluctuate and stable electrolyzed water may not be obtained. Conventionally, in such a case, the electrolysis voltage is controlled to control the PH value. However, if the applied voltage is increased, gas is generated or discharge is generated to damage the electrode surface. Further, in order to prevent the applied voltage from rising, salt water is added to the raw water for electrolysis, but the electrical conductivity changes and the electrolysis current increases or decreases depending on the amount added. Therefore, it has been extremely difficult to stably obtain a large amount of electrolyzed water having a certain electrolytic characteristic, PH, electric conductivity and the like.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyzed water producing apparatus which can stably produce a large amount of electrolyzed ionic water having a constant PH value, ion concentration, electric conductivity and the like.

[0005]

The electrolyzed water producing apparatus of the present invention is an electrolysis apparatus in which the inside of an electrolyzer is divided into a cathode chamber and an anode chamber by a diaphragm and electrodes are provided on each of them, and a predetermined voltage is applied between the electrodes. When a power source is provided and the raw water supplied to the electrolyzer is electrolyzed by energization between the electrodes to generate alkaline ionized water in the cathode chamber and acidic water in the anode chamber, a flow path or electrolysis of the raw water to be supplied to the electrolyzer A flow rate control device is provided in the discharge water flow path discharged from the tank, and a supply means for quantitatively adding the chlorine-based electrolyte aqueous solution to the raw water to be supplied to the electrolytic tank is added, and further the flow rate of the raw water or the electrolytic discharge water is measured. A flow meter is provided, and the flow rate control device is controlled by the measurement of the flow meter to control the flow rate of the raw water or the discharge water to a predetermined level, and the chlorine-based electrolyte aqueous solution is quantitatively added by the supply means. In a device that electrolyzes the combined raw water while supplying and circulating it to the electrolysis tank, a detection sensor for detecting the electrolysis state in the electrolysis tank or the degree of electrolysis of the water discharged from the electrolysis tank is provided and discharged from the electrolysis tank. A switching valve that switches between water discharge and drainage is provided in the flow path of the electrolytic discharge water, and when the electrolysis degree of the electrolytic discharge water is within a predetermined range according to the detection signal of the detection sensor, the discharge valve is used for water discharge and the valve is used for drainage when it is outside the predetermined range. It is characterized in that a control device for switching between is provided.

[0006]

According to the present invention, raw water such as tap water is supplied into the electrolytic cell and electrolyzed by energizing between the negative and positive electrodes, and alkaline ionized water is continuously supplied to the cathode chamber in the electrolytic cell and acidic water is continuously supplied to the anode chamber. Generated and used for discharge. The chlorine-based electrolyte aqueous solution is supplied and mixed into the raw water to be supplied to the electrolyzer to increase the electric conductivity of the raw water, enable large-current energization at a low voltage, and give a strong electrolytic action to the raw water. While controlling the flow rate of the raw water supplied to the electrolyzer or the discharge water discharged from the electrolyzer to a predetermined fixed amount by measuring with a flowmeter, while supplying and circulating the raw water in which the chlorine-based electrolyte aqueous solution is quantitatively added and mixed to the electrolyzer. Electrolyze. Then, the electrolysis state in the electrolysis tank or the electrolysis degree of electrolysis discharge water is detected by a sensor, and when this electrolysis degree is within a predetermined range, the switching valve is switched from drainage to water discharge, and when it is outside the predetermined range, it is switched from water discharge to drainage, and always. Only alkaline ionized water or acidic water with a constant degree of electrolysis is discharged.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment of the drawings. In FIG. 1, the electrolytic cell 1 has a closed structure, and the inside of the chamber is divided by a diaphragm 2. A cathode chamber 31 having a cathode electrode 3 inserted into one side thereof and an anode electrode 4 inserted into the other side thereof are referred to as an anode chamber 41. An electrolytic current is applied to the cathode electrode 3 and the anode electrode 4 from an electrolytic power source 5 that applies a predetermined set voltage. In addition, the electrolytic cell 1 has a supply port 1 at the bottom which leads to the cathode chamber 31.
a, a supply port 1b communicating with the anode chamber 41 is provided, and raw water is supplied from each of these supply ports. In order to discharge the electrolyzed water, the discharge port 1 is connected to the upper part of the electrolytic cell 1 by communicating with the cathode chamber 31.
c, the discharge port 1d is formed to communicate with the anode chamber 41.

Tap water or the like is used as the raw water supplied to the electrolytic cell 1, and the raw water pressurized and supplied from the tap of the water supply is brought to a predetermined water pressure by a strainer, a pressure reducing valve or the like. The raw water whose water pressure has been adjusted is controlled to a required flow rate by the flow control valve 6 and the flow meter 7. In this way, the raw water whose water pressure and flow rate are adjusted to a predetermined level is supplied to the electrolysis tank 1, and electric conductivity (EC
Value).

The electrical conductivity is adjusted by adding and mixing a chlorine-based electrolyte aqueous solution. For example, salt is used as the electrolyte, and the salt solution is stored in the tank 8 and is supplied to the salt solution injecting device 10 by the metering pump 9. The supplied saline solution is injected into the raw water passing through the injection device 10 in a fixed amount. The injected saline solution is preferably mixed by stirring with a mixing device (not shown), and is supplied to the electrolytic cell 1 from the pipe 12 in a sufficiently mixed state.

The raw water to be supplied is split at the inlet of the electrolytic cell 1 and is supplied to the cathode chamber 31 from the supply port 1a and the other to the anode chamber 41 from the supply port 1b. The alkaline ionized water electrolytically generated in the electrolytic cell 1 is discharged from the cathode chamber outlet 1c, and the acidic water is discharged from the anode outlet 1d. 1 outlet for alkaline ionized water
The acid water is discharged to the outside through the pipe 13 that communicates with c, and the acidic water through the conduit 14 that communicates with the discharge port 1d. Pipeline 13,1
Three-way valves 15 and 16 for switching between water discharge and drainage are provided in the middle of 4, and the branched drainage is discharged from a drain pipe 17. A flow meter 18 provided in the flow path 14 of the acidic water for measuring the diversion state and an ORP sensor 19 provided in the flow path for measuring the oxidation-reduction potential of the acidic water detect the flow rate, and both signals are input to the CPU 20. , Each part is controlled by arithmetic processing.

The operation of the above apparatus will be described. Raw water is supplied by opening a water tap or driving a water supply pump. The raw water supply is controlled by the flow control valve 6. This is the flowmeter 7 on the raw water side and the flowmeter 1 for electrolytically discharged water.
The measurement signal of No. 8 is input to the CPU 20, the arithmetic operation is compared with the set reference value, and the control signal is output to control the flow rate. By this flow rate control, the mixed concentration of saline solution by the subsequent saline solution injector 10 is controlled to be constant.

The saline solution stored in the tank 8 is, for example, an aqueous solution of about 10%, which is supplied by the pump 9 in a fixed amount. The saline solution injecting device 10 injects saline solution in a drip manner into the raw water that is quantitatively controlled, or forms a venturi portion in the raw water flow path to inject a predetermined amount of saline solution by negative pressure so as to inject the saline solution. It is possible to make raw water with a constant electric conductivity. The injected saline solution flows into the electrolytic cell 1 in a state of being sufficiently stirred and mixed by a mixing device or the like, and is electrolyzed by passing electricity through the electrodes 3 and 4 while passing through the electrolytic cell 1. The energization control between the electrodes 3 and 4 is carried out by the electrolysis power source 5 which applies a predetermined set voltage, but since the electrolysis increases the electric conductivity by the addition of saline solution, a large current flows at a low voltage. It is easy to make a strong electrolysis action by reducing the power wattage, and by adding salt water at a fixed ratio by controlling the flow rate of raw water, and by electrolyzing the feed water whose electric conductivity is controlled to be constant. A stable electrolytic action can be exerted.

The electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 1 is electrolysis through the diaphragm 2, and the cations due to the electrolysis are subjected to the electroosmotic action of collecting in the cathode chamber 31 and the anion in the anode chamber 41 through the diaphragm 2, and the anode chamber 41 is subjected to the electroosmosis. As a result, acidic water containing a large amount of anions such as Cl ^{− and} having a low PH value can be obtained. The acidic water is electrolyzed with a large amount of electricity per flow rate, so that the electrical conductivity is increased and the acidic water becomes a strong acidic water having a low PH value. On the other hand, alkaline ionized water is generated in the cathode chamber 31 and the discharge port 1c
Is discharged to the outside through the conduit 13. Also, the anode chamber 41
Of the acidic water is discharged through the conduit 14. Pipeline 1
By switching the three-way valves 15 and 16 inserted in 3 and 14, the drain pipe 17 is joined and drained.

The electrolysis in the electrolysis tank 1 is energized by a power source 5 which applies a predetermined set voltage between the electrodes 3 and 4, and the electrolysis is performed with an arbitrary amount of electricity according to the control of the flow rate of raw water flowing through the electrode. For example, if the flow rate of raw water is increased, the amount of electricity with respect to the flow rate decreases and the degree of electrolysis is lowered. Conversely, if the flow rate of raw water is reduced, the amount of electricity is increased and the degree of electrolysis is increased and electrolysis is increased. Acidic water can lower the PH value and increase the EC value.

The electrolyzed water produced by such an electrolysis action is discharged through the conduits 13 and 14, respectively, and an ORP sensor 19 is provided in the acid water outlet conduit 14.
The ORP sensor 19 measures the oxidation-reduction potential of electrolyzed acidic water, and the detection measurement signal is supplied to the CPU 20. The CPU 20 stores a reference value of the ORP which is required in advance, and outputs a control signal of the three-way valve by comparison calculation processing with the measurement signal of the ORP sensor 19 to perform switching control between water discharge and drainage.

The three-way valve 16 is switched to the water discharge side when the degree of electrolysis of the electrolytic discharge water, that is, the ORP is within a predetermined range,
Since the drainage pipe 17 is switched outside the predetermined range, only the electrolytic acid water having a constant characteristic can be stably discharged from the pipe line 14 and used for cleaning, sterilization and the like. Also three-way valve 15
When opened, the alkaline ionized water adjusted to a predetermined level can be made to flow out from the pipe line 13 and can be used as drinking water or the like. Of course,
To detect the degree of electrolysis of alkaline ionized water, add OR to conduit 13.
A P-sensor can be provided.

As described above, the control by the CPU 20 controls the flow control valve 6 based on the measurement signals of the flow meter 7 on the raw water side and the flow meter 18 on the discharge side of the acidic water alone or in combination, and a constant flow rate is controlled. The raw water is circulated in the electrolytic cell 1,
By this raw water flow rate control, constant optimal electrolysis per flow rate is performed to stabilize the ORP of the electrolytic discharge water and thereby the electrolysis degree such as electric conductivity, PH value and ion concentration within a predetermined set range. Can be controlled.

On the basis of the detection by the ORP sensor 19, if the ORP of the electrolytic discharge water is out of a predetermined range, the three-way valve 16 is switched to the drain pipe 17 to drain the raw water so that the raw water can always flow at a constant flow rate in the electrolytic cell 1. Since a certain optimum electrolysis is performed by the flow rate control and the three-way valve 16 is switched to the water discharge to use the water discharge when the ORP of the electrolytic discharge water falls within a predetermined range, the acid water to be discharged is used. PH value,
The degree of electrolysis such as ion concentration can always be stably obtained within a predetermined setting range. Therefore, even if the flow rate of raw water changes greatly at the beginning of electrolysis or due to changes in water pressure on the raw water side, in such a case, the three-way valve 16 causes the drain pipe 1 to operate.
Since it is switched to 7, the acidic water to be discharged does not mix with the water having a high PH value, and the constant pH is maintained from the beginning of the electrolysis.
The value of acidic water can be discharged and used. Further, the raw water is allowed to flow in the electrolytic cell 1 in an open state without stopping the discharge side, whether it be spouted water or drained water, so that the electrolysis of the raw water with a constant flow rate is stably performed in the running state.

The CPU 20 for generating the flow rate control signal
If the reference set value of is changed, the raw water flow rate control is performed accordingly. For example, if the flow rate of the anode chamber 41 is decreased, the amount of electricity per flow rate of the flowing water can be increased. PH with high strength and high electrical conductivity
Strongly acidic water with a low value can be obtained, and any acidic water can be obtained by controlling the flow rate. Also in this case the ORP sensor 1
The reference value to be compared with the signal of 9 is also changed, and the three-way valve 16 is switched so that only acidic water having a predetermined PH value is discharged. This generation of electrolyzed water is exactly the same when the three-way valve 15 is switched to discharge alkaline ionized water for use as drinking water, etc., and stable alkaline ionized water can be efficiently generated in large quantities by controlling the flow rate and switching the discharged water. It is possible to generate alkaline ionized water in which pH and the like are arbitrarily controlled.

In addition to the ORP sensor, an EC sensor for measuring the electric conductivity of the electrolytic discharge water can be provided to detect the degree of electrolysis of the acidic water or alkaline ionized water discharge water. The flow rate of raw water can be controlled while detecting the PH value of water. The detection of the electrolytic degree of other electrolytic water produced by water or additives electrolyte raw water other _{^{Cl -, ClO 2 -, ClO}} 3 -, ClO 4 -, O 2 -, OH
^- , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Mg ⁺⁺ , Ca ⁺⁺ , H ^+, etc. ion concentration detector, O ₂ , 2H ₂ , Cl ₂ etc. gas concentration detector, gas pressure detector or These single or a combination of a plurality of detectors can be used.

As for the electrolysis state, in addition to measuring the electrolysis degree of the electrolyzed ionized water discharged from the electrolysis tank 1 as described above, the electrolysis voltage, electrolysis current, impedance change during electrolysis in the electrolysis tank 1, and other change components It can also be measured by detecting such as. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which a change in electrolytic current is detected, and a comparator amplifier 21 is used to add a signal thereto. That is, the detection resistor 22 is inserted in a circuit for passing an electrolytic current between the power source 5 and the negative and positive electrodes 3, 4, and a voltage signal dropped by the flowing current is applied to the-signal terminal of the comparator 21,
By applying the reference voltage set by the diode 23 and the resistor 24 to the + terminal and making a comparison, the comparison amplified signal is input to the CPU 20. The CPU 20 switches the drainage of the three-way valve and the discharge of water according to the determination of this input signal, whereby the acidic water and the alkaline ionized water having a predetermined PH value can be discharged.

The detection control by the CPU 20 is performed by selecting either the signal from each sensor as described above or the signal from another sensor, or by processing each signal separately and outputting the control signal. Well, it also calculates the sum, difference, product, etc. of the signals from each sensor and outputs a control signal to control the raw water flow rate.
It is possible to control the switching of water discharge and drainage. Further, the electrolysis power source 5 applies a predetermined set voltage between the electrodes 3 and 4, but the amount of electricity can be arbitrarily controlled by controlling the flow rate of the raw water, and a strong electrolytic action is given by the increase in the amount of electricity. The electric conductivity of alkaline ionized water and acidic water discharged from the discharge ports 1c and 1d is increased. Further, even if the increase in the amount of electricity is controlled, the electrolysis voltage does not rise, so there is no generation of gas or discharge, and there is no danger of electrode surface damage or deterioration.

As described above, when electrolytic treatment is carried out while flowing raw water into the electrolytic cell 1, electrolysis current can easily flow by adding salt water to the raw water to electrolyze, and a strong electrolysis action due to a large current at a low voltage can be exerted. Therefore, the electric conductivity of the electrolytically discharged water can be increased. This increase in electrical conductivity correlates with a decrease in PH value on the acidic water side, and acidic water having a desired PH value can be easily produced. And again
The strong electrolytic action increases the oxidation-reduction potential of water and imparts a strong bactericidal effect. Also, in the production of alkaline ionized water, the production of drinking water having an arbitrary PH value can be efficiently performed by controlling the flow rate.

Explaining the following experimental example, 100% of raw water is mixed at a mixing ratio of 1% 10% salt water, the raw water of this salt mixture is supplied to the electrolytic cell, and the switching valve on the water discharge side is switched to water discharge and drainage. The electrolysis was performed while always flowing at a predetermined flow rate. The energization conditions of the electrolytic cell were 16 V and 30 A, and the flow rate of the raw water was controlled to obtain about 3.6 l of acidic water having a pH of 2.6. The PH value was constant from the beginning of electrolysis and was always stable due to the switching control by the detection sensor of the water discharge valve.

As described above, according to the present invention, the required low PH can be obtained.
A stable amount of acidic water can be obtained, and a large amount can be easily produced continuously. Further, when the pH value of the generated acidic water is increased to above pH 2.6 to about PH3, it is sufficient to increase the flow rate, and while controlling the flow rate, the electrolysis current is changed to the required amount of electricity to further generate the acidic water. Can be increased. Also,
Although the generation of acidic water has been described above, the pH control of alkaline ionized water can be facilitated by controlling the flow rate in the same manner when alkaline ionized water is used. Also in this case, a large amount of alkaline ionized water can be easily obtained with a low electricity amount.

Further, the valve for switching between spouting water and drainage can be provided only on the acidic water spouting side when only acidic water is used, and only on the alkaline ion water spouting side when only alkaline ionized water is used. The switching valve is not limited to a three-way valve, and a combination of a plurality of valves can be used as well. The flow rate control may be performed on the discharge water side, and is performed by providing a flow rate control device in the discharge passage of the acidic water or the alkaline ion water. The flow rate control may be analog control, but digital control can be performed more easily. Stable precision control can be achieved by converting the signal to digital and controlling the motor valve in pulses, or by controlling the frequency with a vibration valve. Is possible. Further, KCl besides chlorine electrolyte is NaCl added to the raw _{water, HCl, HClO, HClO 3,} KClO 3, NaClO 3 , or the like can be utilized independently or in combination to a uniform mixture at a constant concentration with respect to the raw water flow It is used as an aqueous solution with a predetermined concentration as much as possible. The aqueous solution can be used as a cartridge by filling it in a cylindrical container or the like, and the injection of this can also be controlled accurately by performing pulse infusion.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the electrolysis of water can be easily performed by mixing the electrolyte, the wattage of electricity can be reduced, and a large amount of electrolyzed water can be continuously obtained at a low cost. The amount of electricity is controlled by controlling the flow rate of raw water or discharge water to a predetermined level, adding and mixing the electrolyte with a metering pump, and applying a predetermined set voltage to this to control the amount of electricity. It is possible to stably generate electrolyzed water whose reduction potential and the like are controlled within a predetermined setting range. In addition, a valve is provided on the discharge side of the electrolyzed water to switch between water discharge and drainage, and this is detected by a sensor that detects the electrolysis state in the electrolytic cell during the generation of electrolyzed water or the degree of electrolysis of electrolyzed water, and based on this detection signal. By controlling the switching of the valve, if the degree of electrolysis of the electrolytic discharge water is outside the specified range, it is switched to drainage and drained, and the flow rate-controlled raw water can be circulated in the electrolytic tank at a specified flow rate, thus stabilizing the generation of electrolytic water. ,
Also, when the degree of electrolysis is within the predetermined range, the valve is switched to water discharge and the generated electrolyzed water is used for water discharge.
It is possible to stably obtain only electrolyzed water whose electric conductivity, PH value, redox potential and the like are controlled to be constant even when the electrolysis is started or the water pressure changes on the side of supplying raw water.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Electrolyzer 2 Diaphragm 3,4 Electrode 31 Cathode chamber 41 Anode chamber 5 Electrolytic power supply 6 Flow control valve 7,18 Flow meter 10 Salt water injection device 15,16 Three-way valve 19 ORP sensor 20 CPU

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masakazu Arisaka 2779 Imafuku Nakadai, Kawagoe City, Saitama 1 Japan Intec Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Raw water supplied into the electrolytic cell by dividing the inside of the electrolytic cell into a cathode chamber and an anode chamber by a diaphragm and providing electrodes on each of them, and providing an electrolytic power source for applying a predetermined voltage between the electrodes. A flow control device is provided in the flow path of the raw water supplied to the electrolysis tank or the discharge water flow path discharged from the electrolysis tank when the alkaline ionized water is generated in the cathode chamber and the acid water is generated in the anode chamber by electrolyzing In addition to providing a supply means for quantitatively adding a chlorine-based electrolyte aqueous solution to the raw water to be supplied to the electrolytic cell, a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the raw water or electrolytic discharge water is further provided, and the flow rate is measured by the flow meter. By controlling the controller, the flow rate of the raw water or the discharge water is controlled to a predetermined fixed amount, and the raw water in which the chlorine-based electrolyte aqueous solution is quantitatively added and mixed by the supply means is supplied to the electrolytic cell. In the device which is configured to electrolyze while providing a detection sensor for detecting the electrolysis state in the electrolysis tank or the degree of electrolysis of the discharge water from the electrolysis tank, and discharging water into the flow path of the electrolysis discharge water discharged from the electrolysis tank. A switching valve for switching between drainage and drainage is provided, and a control device is provided for switching the valve to drainage when the electrolysis degree of the electrolytic discharge water is within a predetermined range and when the electrolysis degree of the electrolytic discharge water is outside a predetermined range. A device for producing electrolyzed water, characterized by. 2. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an ORP sensor for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential of electrolyzed discharge water is provided as the detection sensor. 3. The electrolyzed water producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an EC sensor for measuring the electric conductivity of electrolyzed discharge water is provided as the detection sensor. 4. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a PH meter for measuring the PH of electrolyzed discharged water is provided as the detection sensor. 5. The electrolyzed water producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an ion densitometer for measuring the ion concentration of the electrolyzed discharge water is provided as the detection sensor. 6. The electrolyzed water generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gas concentration meter for measuring the gas concentration of the electrolyzed discharge water is provided as the detection sensor.