JPWO2016147434A1 - Electrolyzed water generating device, electrode unit, and electrolyzed water generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the embodiment, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus includes an electrolytic solution chamber 22 that is filled with an electrolytic solution, a diaphragm 28a that partitions the electrolytic solution chamber, and a pair of electrodes 14 and 16 that are provided on both sides of the diaphragm and face each other. The electrode unit 20 is provided, and water in the container is generated into electrolyzed water by the electrode unit. The capacity of the electrolyte chamber is formed to be 1/100 or less of the capacity of water in the container.

Description

  Embodiment described here is related with an electrolyzed water generating device, an electrode unit, and an electrolyzed water generating method.

  In recent years, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that generates electrolyzed water such as hypochlorous acid water or alkali ion water by electrolysis is known. As such an electrolyzed water generating apparatus, an electrolyzed water electrolysis system that generates electrolyzed water by flowing an electrolytic solution (electrolyte solution) and water into an electrolyzer having a two-diaphragm and two-chamber three-chamber type. Water generators have been proposed. In the flowing water type electrolyzed water generating apparatus, piping and a pump are required to take the generated water into the anode chamber or the cathode chamber and cause it to flow. Therefore, the configuration of the entire apparatus becomes complicated, and characteristic fluctuations due to flowing water pressure are likely to occur.

As an electrolyzed water generating device having a relatively simple structure without piping related to water supply and drainage, an electrode unit having an anode and a cathode and filled with an electrolytic solution is placed in a container such as a tank containing water, There has been proposed a hydrostatic (batch type) electrolyzed water generator that electrolyzes water into an electrolyzed water using an electrode unit.
However, in such a hydrostatic electrolyzed water generator, the electrolyte in the electrode unit is depleted before the desired electrolyzed water is generated, and conversely, power is wasted even after the electrolyzed water is generated. May end up.

Japanese Patent No. 3500173 Japanese Patent No. 3551288 Japanese Patent No. 4024278

  The problem to be solved by the present embodiment is to provide an electrolyzed water generating device, an electrode unit, and an electrolyzed water generating method having a simple structure capable of stably generating electrolyzed water.

  According to the embodiment, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus includes an electrolytic solution chamber filled with an electrolytic solution, a diaphragm partitioning the electrolytic solution chamber, and a pair of electrodes provided on both sides of the diaphragm and facing each other. And water in the container is generated into electrolyzed water by the electrode unit. The capacity of the electrolyte chamber is formed to be 1/100 or less of the capacity of water in the container.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrolyzed water generating device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between an electrolysis elapsed time, an effective chlorine concentration of generated water, and an electrolysis voltage in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the electrolytic solution concentration and the electrolytic voltage. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the electrolytic solution concentration and the electrolytic voltage. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the electrolytic solution concentration and production efficiency. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the electrolytic solution concentration and production efficiency. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrolyzed water generating device according to a second embodiment.

  Various embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected to a common structure through embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram for promoting the embodiment and its understanding, and its shape, dimensions, ratio, etc. are different from the actual device, but these are considered in consideration of the following description and known techniques. The design can be changed as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 is configured as a hydrostatic or batch-type electrolyzed water generating apparatus that generates hypochlorous acid water. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 includes an electrode unit 20 that is put into an existing tank (or container) 12 that contains a liquid such as water, and a power supply unit 30 that supplies electrolytic power to the electrodes of the electrode unit 20. . The power feeding unit 30 is connected to a DC power source (not shown). In addition, you may comprise the electric power feeding part 30 with the battery etc. which supply a constant voltage.

  The electrode unit 20 is arranged so as to close the opening of the substantially rectangular box-shaped housing 26 having the electrolytic solution chamber 22 and the cathode chamber 24 and the electrolytic solution chamber 22 opened on one side surface of the housing 26. The first diaphragm 28 a that partitions the outer wall 22 and the outside (in this case, the inside of the tank 12), and the second diaphragm that is disposed in the housing 26 so as to face the first diaphragm 28 a and partitions the electrolyte chamber 22 and the cathode chamber 24. 28b. As the first diaphragm 28a and the second diaphragm 28b, porous diaphragms containing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) excellent in chemical resistance and titanium oxide are used.

  The electrode unit 20 further includes an anode 14 provided adjacent to and facing the tank side (outside) of the first diaphragm 28a, and a cathode provided adjacent to and opposed to the second diaphragm 28b in the cathode chamber 24. 16. The anode 14 and the cathode 16 are opposed to each other with the first and second diaphragms 28a and 28b and the electrolyte chamber 22 interposed therebetween. The anode 14 and the cathode 16 are electrically connected to the power feeding unit 30 through wiring.

  In the present embodiment, the electrode unit 20 is connected to the upper part of the cathode chamber 24, a gas vent pipe 32 for exhausting the gas generated in the cathode chamber 24, and a plurality of stirring plates 34 provided outside the anode 14. And an injection tube 36 extending upward from the electrolyte chamber 22. An electrolytic solution (electrolyte solution) can be injected into the electrolytic solution chamber 22 through the injection tube 36. However, the injection pipe 36 is provided for simplifying the filling of the electrolytic solution into the electrolytic solution chamber 22, and is not necessarily required and can be omitted. For example, it is good also as a structure which provides an injection port in the housing | casing 26, and fills electrolyte solution chamber from this injection port with electrolyte solution, and closes an injection port with a scissors.

  The electrolyte chamber 22 of the electrode unit 20 configured as described above is previously filled with, for example, saturated saline as an electrolyte containing chloride, and the cathode chamber 24 is previously filled with water. . The saturated saline solution is filled in the electrolytic solution chamber 22 by the same amount as that of the electrolytic solution chamber 22 to fill the electrolytic solution chamber 22. Here, when the capacity of the tank 12, here, the capacity of water (static water) accommodated in the tank 12 is 100 L, the capacity of the electrolyte chamber 22 is 1/100 or less of the capacity of the tank 12, For example, it is formed to 100 mL, and the capacity of the cathode chamber 24 is formed to 200 mL. When the electrolyzed water is generated, the electrode unit 20 is immersed in the water of the tank 12, and the casing 26 is disposed below the water surface. The upper ends of the gas vent pipe 32 and the injection pipe 36 pass through the upper opening of the tank 12 and extend to the outside of the tank 12.

  In the state where the electrode unit 20 is immersed in the water of the tank 12 as described above, a current of 1.8 A is supplied from the power feeding unit 30 to the anode 14 and the cathode 16 for about 200 minutes, so that the water in the tank 12 is about 50 ppm. It can be produced in hypochlorous acid water containing almost no salt. Specifically, chlorine ions diffused from the electrolyte chamber 22 to the anode 14 via the first diaphragm 28 a are deprived of electrons by the anode 14 to become chlorine gas and diffuse into the water of the tank 12. This chlorine gas reacts with water to produce hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid. At this time, the stirring plate 34 prevents hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid generated at the anode 14 from rising at a high concentration directly with bubbles (mainly oxygen gas), and is stirred in the horizontal direction. Thereby, the water in the tank 12 can be changed to hypochlorous acid water. The electrode unit 20 can change the water in the tank 12 to electrolyzed water without replacing it by filling the electrolytic solution chamber 22 with saturated saline once.

  Simultaneously with the generation of hypochlorous acid water, water is decomposed at the cathode 16 in the cathode chamber 24 to generate hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions, and sodium ions diffused from the electrolyte chamber 22 to the cathode 16 through the second diaphragm 28b. At the same time, sodium hydroxide water is produced. The generated hydrogen gas is discharged out of the tank 12 through the gas vent pipe 32.

  In the electrolyzed water generating apparatus configured as described above, the capacity of the electrolytic solution chamber 22 is 100 mL as described above, and is set to 1/1000 of the capacity (100 L) of the tank 12. The amount of salt required to produce 100 L of hypochlorous acid water with an effective chlorine concentration of 50 ppm is a little over 12 g with a production efficiency of 90% (10% is wasted due to oxygen gas production). Then, it becomes a little less than 50 mL. The saturated saline solution filled in the electrolytic chamber 22 having a capacity of 100 mL is also 100 mL, and when 100 L of water in the tank 12 is changed to about 50 ppm of hypochlorous acid water, the salinity contained in 100 mL of saturated brine is obtained. Consumes about half. Therefore, the initial saturated concentration 26% of the saturated saline solution is reduced to about 13%. Such a decrease in saturation concentration causes an increase in electrolysis voltage, which will be described later. By detecting this, electrolysis is stopped, and electrolyzed water having a desired effective oxygen concentration (50 ppm) is generated.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the electrolysis time, the electrolysis voltage, and the effective chlorine concentration (hypochlorous acid production concentration) of water in the tank. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents electrolysis time (current is constant at 1.8 A), and the vertical axis represents the effective chlorine concentration (hypochlorous acid production concentration) of the tank water and the electrolysis voltage. As can be seen from this figure, the effective chlorine concentration (plot A) of the water in the tank 12 increases linearly with the electrolysis time, and eventually saturates from around 150 minutes. Moreover, although the electrolytic voltage (plot B) is substantially constant at 4.8 to 5.0 V until 150 minutes, it rises from around 150 minutes and reaches about 5.8 V after 200 minutes.

  In the present embodiment, the power feeding unit 30 that energizes the electrodes of the electrode unit 20 includes a power source 31 and a sensor or detection circuit 35 that detects an electrolytic voltage. The power feeding unit 30 supplies a constant current of 1.8 A to the electrodes and detects the electrolytic voltage by the detection circuit 35. And the electric power feeding part 30 is comprised so that the electricity supply to an electrode may be stopped, when an electrolysis voltage rises 0.8V from an initial voltage (4.8V). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, the energization to the electrode is stopped when the electrolysis time is 205 minutes, and the water in the tank 12 becomes hypochlorous acid water having an effective chlorine concentration of 45 ppm, and the target effective chlorine concentration is 50 ppm. A certain amount of hypochlorous acid water can be produced.

  3 and 4 show the relationship between the electrolytic solution concentration (salt water concentration) and the electrolytic voltage, respectively. FIG. 3 is a normal graph, and FIG. 4 is a logarithmic graph. As can be seen from these figures, the electrolysis voltage is substantially constant when the salt water concentration is 15% or more, and increases when the salt water concentration is 15% or less. Specifically, the voltage rise is +0.8 V at a salt water concentration of 10%, +1.2 V at a salt water concentration of 5%, and +3 V at a salt water concentration of 2%. This is because the diffusion resistance of the electrolytic solution is increased by reducing the concentration of the electrolyte (chloride) in the electrolytic solution. This is because when the salt water concentration is 15% or more, other voltage increase factors are inconspicuous, but when the salt water concentration is 15% or less, the electrolyte concentration is the main cause and appears as a voltage increase. Basically, the logarithmic value of the electrolyte concentration is proportional to the voltage rise.

  5 and 6 show the relationship between the electrolytic solution concentration (salt water concentration) and the generation efficiency of the electrolytic water, respectively. FIG. 5 is a normal graph, and FIG. 6 is a logarithmic graph. As can be seen from these figures, the production efficiency similarly starts to decrease at a salt water concentration of 15% or less. Here, the generation efficiency is the effective chlorine concentration (hypochlorous acid concentration) of the electrolyzed water with respect to the supplied charge. When the chlorine ion concentration is reduced, competing oxygen gas generation occurs (hypochlorous acid is not formed in the oxygen gas generation), so that an effective chlorine concentration corresponding to the supplied charge tends not to be obtained. Specifically, the production efficiency is 80 to 90% up to a salt water concentration of 15%, but the production efficiency is 70% at a salt water concentration of 10%, the production efficiency is 60% at a salt water concentration of 5%, and the production efficiency is 50% or less at a salt water concentration of 2%. It will drop to.

  In consideration of the above characteristics, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present embodiment generates a capacity of the electrolyte chamber 22 (capacitance of the electrolyte) that is 1 of the capacity of the tank 12 when generating 50 ppm hypochlorous acid water. / 1000, the salt concentration of the electrolytic solution is reduced from the saturated concentration to about 13% due to the consumption of salt by electrolysis, the voltage increase occurring at this time is detected and the electrolysis is terminated, that is, the energization to the electrode is stopped. , The configuration.

  The capacity of the electrolyte chamber 22 is preferably set to be smaller than 1/100 of the tank capacity and larger than 2 mL. This is because, as hypochlorous acid water, hypochlorous acid water having a high sterilizing power and a concentration of about 500 ppm is required, and when the capacity of the electrolyte chamber 22 is made too small, the electrolyte is injected into the electrolyte chamber. Because it becomes difficult to do.

  As described above, according to the electrolyzed water generating apparatus and the electrode unit according to the present embodiment, the electrolyte chamber volume is adjusted according to the capacity of the tank (container) and the desired electrolyzed water characteristics, by the consumption of the electrolyte by electrolysis. By setting the volume of the electrolytic solution chamber so that the electrolytic solution concentration is 13% or less, the voltage rise is detected and the electrolysis is terminated so that the desired electrolytic water characteristics are obtained, and the electrolytic solution is consumed without excess or deficiency. be able to. As a result, an electrolyzed water generating device, an electrode unit, and an electrolyzed water generating method having a simple structure that can stably generate electrolyzed water without causing depletion or wasteful consumption of the electrolytic solution can be obtained.

  Next, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to another embodiment will be described. In other embodiments described below, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted, and the parts different from those in the first embodiment. Will be described in detail.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electrolyzed water generating device according to the second embodiment. According to the second embodiment, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 includes, for example, a dedicated generating container (tank) 40 having a capacity of 5 L and an electrode unit 20 having a simpler structure, and hypochlorous acid having a concentration of 100 ppm. The apparatus which produces | generates acid water is comprised.

  The generation container 40 is formed in, for example, a truncated cone shape having an upper end opened. A lid 44 having an inlet / outlet 42 is attached to the upper end opening of the production container 40 and closes the upper end opening. The electrode unit 20 is disposed in the generation container 40 while being supported by the lid 44.

  The electrode unit 20 includes, for example, an elongated prismatic housing 26, and an electrolyte chamber 22 is formed in the lower half of the housing 26. The upper end portion of the housing 26 passes through the lid body 44 and extends upward from the lid body 44. The electrolyte chamber 22 also serves as a cathode chamber. The capacity of the electrolytic solution chamber 22 is 1/100 or less of the capacity of the production container 40, for example, 6 mL. The electrolyte chamber 22 is open on one side of the housing 26.

  The electrode unit 20 includes a first diaphragm 28a. The first diaphragm 28a is provided in the casing 26 so as to close the opening of the electrolyte chamber 22, and is connected to the electrolyte chamber 22 and the outside (here, the inside of the generation container 40). ). The electrode unit 20 further includes an anode 14 provided adjacent to and opposed to the outside of the first diaphragm 28a, and a cathode 16 disposed in the electrolyte chamber 22. The cathode 16 faces the anode 14 with the first diaphragm 28a and the electrolyte solution chamber 22 interposed therebetween. The anode 14 and the cathode 16 are electrically connected to the power feeding unit 30 through wiring. The power feeding unit 30 has a power source such as a battery for supplying a constant voltage. As the first diaphragm 28a, a porous diaphragm containing PVDF and titanium oxide excellent in chemical resistance is used.

  The housing 26 has a gas exhaust path 46 for exhausting hydrogen gas generated at the cathode 16. The gas exhaust path 46 extends substantially vertically from the upper end of the electrolyte chamber 22 to the upper end of the casing 26 and opens at the upper end surface of the casing 26. The gas exhaust path 46 can also be used as an injection path for injecting the electrolyte into the electrolyte chamber 22. Alternatively, an independent injection path may be formed in the housing 26.

  The electrolytic solution chamber 22 of the electrode unit 20 configured as described above is previously filled with, for example, 6 mL of saturated saline as an electrolytic solution containing chloride. The saturated saline once filled in the electrolytic solution chamber 22 is used during the generation of the electrolytic water without replacement. At the time of electrolyzed water generation, a predetermined amount, for example, 5 L of water is put in the generation container 40 and is stored in the generation container 40 in a still water state. Thereby, the electrolyte chamber 22, the anode 14, and the cathode 16 of the electrode unit 20 are immersed in water. In this state, a constant voltage of 5 V is applied to the anode 14 and the cathode 16 by the power feeding unit 30 for 30 minutes.

  The salt water concentration in the electrolyte chamber 22 immediately after the start of electrolysis is about 26%, and a current of 1 to 2 A flows. However, the salt water concentration in the electrolyte chamber 22 falls below 13% after 10 minutes, and the flowing current is 0. It decreases to about 5-1.5A. Furthermore, when 15 to 25 minutes have elapsed, the salt water concentration in the electrolyte chamber 22 is less than 5%, and the flowing current is 0.5 A or less. Thereafter, the electrolysis does not proceed substantially due to the current drop.

  Although the above-described process causes a slight difference due to variations in water temperature and electrode unit, since the capacity of the electrolyte chamber 22 is defined, the quality of the electrolyzed water after 30 minutes is very stable and hypochlorous acid. The acid concentration is about 100 ± 10 ppm.

  According to the electrolyzed water generating apparatus configured as described above, the electrolyzed water determined spontaneously by the ratio between the capacity of the generating container (tank) 40 and the electrolytic solution capacity when the salt water in the electrolytic solution chamber 22 is completely consumed. Stable electrolyzed water generation can be performed within the water quality. That is, the electrode unit 20 can change the water in the production container 40 to electrolytic water without having to replace it once by filling the electrolytic solution chamber 22 with saturated saline once. In addition, a simple power source having a fixed upper limit voltage can be used as the electrolysis power source of the power supply unit 30, and even a dry battery can be electrolyzed if attention is paid to the voltage conditions and the design of the maximum current. Furthermore, since the electrode unit is configured to be filled with the electrolytic solution in advance, the configuration is extremely simple, and the electrode unit and the electrolyzed water generating device can be supplied at a low price.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the electrolytic solution is salt water and the generated water is hypochlorous acid water. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to this embodiment includes various electrolytic solutions and various types. The produced water can be applied. A production | generation container is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various container, a water tank, etc. can be applied if it can store water.

  The cathode and the anode are not limited to a rectangular shape, and various other shapes can be selected. In the embodiment described above, the diaphragm uses a porous diaphragm containing PVDF and titanium oxide, but is not limited to this, and various porous films having water permeability can be applied. Moreover, you may use an ion exchange membrane with ion selectivity for a diaphragm. In the second embodiment, the electrode unit may include a stirring plate provided outside the anode.

Claims (16)

An electrode unit having an electrolyte chamber filled with an electrolyte solution, a diaphragm partitioning the electrolyte chamber, and a pair of electrodes provided on both sides of the diaphragm and facing each other. An electrolyzed water generating device that generates electrolyzed water,
An electrolyzed water generating device in which the capacity of the electrolytic solution chamber is formed to be 1/100 or less of the capacity of water in the container.   2. The electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic solution contains chloride and is filled in the electrolytic solution chamber in an amount that fills the electrolytic solution chamber, and the electrolytic water is hypochlorous acid water.   2. The electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 1, wherein a capacity of the electrolytic solution chamber is 2 mL or more, and a capacity of the container is 0.2 L or more.   The electrode unit partitions the electrolyte chamber filled with an electrolyte, a cathode chamber, a first diaphragm that partitions the electrolyte chamber and the container, and the electrolyte chamber and the cathode chamber. A second diaphragm, an anode provided adjacent to the outside of the first diaphragm, and a cathode provided in the cathode chamber, wherein the electrolyte chamber is disposed in the container via the first diaphragm. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, which is in communication with water.   The electrode unit includes a diaphragm that partitions the electrolyte chamber and water in the container, an anode that is provided adjacent to the outside of the diaphragm, and an electrolyte chamber that is provided in the electrolyte chamber and sandwiches the diaphragm. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a cathode facing the anode, wherein the electrolyte chamber communicates with water in the container through the diaphragm.   The power supply part which supplies an electrolysis electric current to the pair of electrodes is provided, and the characteristic of electrolysis water is controlled by reducing the concentration of the electrolysis solution in the electrolysis solution room by electrolysis. Electrolyzed water generator.   A power supply that supplies an electrolytic current to the pair of electrodes, and a detection circuit that detects an increase in electrolytic voltage caused by a decrease in electrolytic concentration in the electrolytic chamber due to electrolysis and stops electrolysis. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of 1 to 4.   A power supply unit that supplies an electrolytic current to the pair of electrodes, and the electrolysis is substantially stopped by a decrease in electrolytic current caused by a decrease in the electrolytic solution concentration in the electrolytic chamber due to electrolysis. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of 5.   The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a generation container for containing water, wherein the electrode unit is disposed in the generation container.   An electrode unit that includes an electrolyte chamber filled with an electrolyte solution, a diaphragm that partitions the electrolyte chamber, and a pair of electrodes that are provided on both sides of the diaphragm and face each other. An electrode unit in which the capacity of the electrolyte chamber is formed to be 1/100 or less of the capacity of water in the container.   The electrode unit according to claim 10, wherein the electrolytic solution contains chloride and is filled in the electrolytic solution chamber by an amount that fills the electrolytic solution chamber, and the electrolytic water is hypochlorous acid water.   The electrode unit according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a capacity of the electrolyte chamber is 2 mL or more, and a capacity of the container is 0.2 L or more. An electrolyte chamber that is formed to have a capacity of 1/100 or less of the volume of water in the container, is filled with an electrolyte, a diaphragm that partitions the electrolyte chamber, and a pair of electrodes that are provided on both sides of the diaphragm and face each other; An electrolyzed water generating method for generating electrolyzed water in a container with an electrode unit comprising:
The electrolyte chamber is filled with an electrolyte in an amount that fills the electrolyte chamber,
Immerse the electrode unit in water in the container,
Energizing the electrode to electrolyze the electrolyte,
An electrolyzed water generating method of generating water in the container into electrolyzed water by the electrolysis without replacing the electrolyte filled in the electrolyte chamber.   The method for producing electrolyzed water according to claim 13, wherein the electrolyzed water concentration in the electrolyzed solution chamber is reduced by the electrolysis to control characteristics of the electrolyzed water produced.   The electrolyzed water according to claim 13 or 14, wherein an increase in electrolysis voltage caused by a decrease in electrolyte concentration in the electrolysis solution chamber due to the electrolysis is detected, and electrolysis is stopped when the increase in electrolysis voltage is detected. Generation method.   The electrolyzed water generation method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the electrolysis is substantially stopped by a decrease in electrolytic current caused by a decrease in the electrolyte concentration in the electrolyte chamber due to the electrolysis.

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