KR20190066255A - Method for operating apparatus for generating electrolysised water - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating an apparatus of generating electrolytic water. The apparatus of generating electrolytic water comprises: a raw water supply unit; and an electrolysis module configured to receive the raw water from the raw water supply unit and generate acidic water and alkaline water by separating the raw water through electrolysis. The method for operating an apparatus of generating electrolytic water comprises: a step in which acidic water and alkaline water are generated in the electrolysis module; a step in which the acidic water is discharged to the outside through a first pipe, and the alkaline water is discharged to the outside through a second pipe; a step in which the power polarity of the electrolysis module is changed; a step in which the acidic water is discharged to the outside through the second pipe for a predetermined time when the power polarity is changed; and a step in which the acidic water is discharged through the first pipe after the power polarity of the electrolysis module is changed again. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain acidic water and alkaline water at the same time.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating an electrolyzed water generating apparatus,

The present invention relates to a method of operating an electrolytic water producing apparatus.

In general, sterilization is the process of destroying microorganisms by applying physical and chemical stimuli in a short time. Sterilization, which makes the subject completely sterile, and disinfection, which makes it almost sterile. Sterilization is due to mechanical breakdown of the cells, strong denaturation of the protein, inactivation of the enzyme (deactivation), and the methods are both physical and chemical. Physical sterilization provides a physical environment in which bacteria are sterilized using drying, sunlight, ultraviolet light, and radiation to the object. Chemical sterilization provides a chemical environment in which bacteria can be sterilized using a sterilizing agent, a sterilizing gas, and the like.

Sodium hypochlorite disinfection method is a method of injecting commercially available sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and direct generation by electrolysis in the field.

The commercially available sodium hypochlorite is stored in the storage tank with the transport vehicle while maintaining the preset concentration. However, this method has a problem that a bubble generator is required as an accessory device so that the sterilizing power is prevented from being lowered by long-term guarantee.

The electrolysis method is to dilute sodium hypochlorite by electrolysis from chlorine disinfected water or brine with sodium chloride added.

However, such a conventional electrolysis method has a problem that it is difficult to simultaneously obtain acidic water and alkaline water.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0117401 (disclosed on October 27, 2011)

An object of the present invention is to provide an operation method of an electrolytic water producing apparatus capable of simultaneously obtaining acidic water and alkaline water.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation method of an electrolyzed water producing apparatus, comprising: a raw water supply unit; And an electrolysis module for receiving raw water from the raw water supply unit and separating and producing acidic water and alkaline water through electrolysis, wherein the electrolytic decomposition module generates acidic water and alkaline water; Discharging the acidic water to the outside through the first piping and discharging the alkaline water to the outside through the second piping; Changing the power polarity of the electrolysis module; Discharging the acidic water through the second pipe for a predetermined period of time when the power polarity is changed; And then discharging the acidic water through the first pipe after the power supply polarity of the electrolysis module is changed again.

And the alkaline water may be discharged to the outside through the first pipe when the power polarity is changed.

The raw water supplied to the electrolysis module may be saline.

The electrolytic water producing apparatus may further include an additional raw water supply unit for adjusting at least one of residual chlorine concentration and pH of the acidic water discharged from the electrolytic module.

The electrolytic module includes at least one decomposition unit, wherein the decomposition unit comprises: a separation membrane that does not allow water to pass and permits hydrogen ions to pass therethrough; A first electrode located on a first surface of the separation membrane; Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are porous and the raw water to be electrolyzed is in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode along the separation membrane And the acidic water produced by electrolysis at the first electrode and the alkaline water produced by electrolysis at the second electrode may be separated and discharged.

The first electrode and the second electrode may be mesh-shaped and plate-shaped.

The raw water may move in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode in a lamina flow.

The decomposition unit further includes a support, wherein the separation membrane is fixed to the support, and the raw water can be supplied to the first electrode and the second electrode through the support.

According to the present invention, there is provided an operation method of an electrolytic water producing apparatus capable of simultaneously obtaining acidic water and alkaline water.

1 is a configuration diagram of an electrolyzed water producing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
2 shows a control structure of an electrolyzed water producing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention,
3 is a perspective view of the electrolysis module according to the first embodiment of the present invention,
4 shows an electrolytic water flow in an electrolytic module according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
5 is an exploded perspective view of the decomposition unit in the electrolysis module according to the first embodiment of the present invention,
6 is a cross-sectional view of the decomposition unit in the electrolysis module according to the first embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion A in Fig. 6,
8 is a configuration diagram of an electrolyzed water producing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 9 shows the compositional change of the electrolyzed water according to the pH.

Hereinafter, an electrolytic water producing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

An electrolytic water producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electrolyzed water producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a control structure of an electrolyzed water producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1 includes a raw water supply unit 10, an electrolysis module 20, an external supply unit 30, an additional raw water supply unit 40, a control unit 50, a power supply unit 60, and a display unit 65 . In addition, the electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1 includes various meters including a timer 71, a pH meter 72, a chlorine concentration sensor 73, a temperature sensor 74, a flow meter 75, (Not shown). The number and location of instruments can be adjusted appropriately, and some instruments may not be used.

In this embodiment, tap water is used as a raw water supply source, and thus the raw water itself has a constant water pressure, so that no separate pump is used. However, in other embodiments, a separate pump may be used.

The raw water supply section 10 includes a salt water tank 110, a salt water pipe 111, a valve 112, a pipe 121 and a valve 122.

The supply of the brine from the brine tank 110 to the pipe 121 can be done by using the water head difference or by using a separate pump.

The composition for supplying the brine may vary and may be omitted in other embodiments. The composition for supplying the salt water may include a salt tank, in which case the size of the whole apparatus can be reduced. Further, when a salt tank is used, a large amount of electrolyzed water can be produced with a single salt replenishment, thereby facilitating management. In the case of using a salt tank, the raw water is allowed to pass through the salt tank so that the saturated salt water is always discharged from the salt tank.

The electrolysis module 20 electrolyzes the supplied raw water to produce electrolyzed water, and the detailed configuration will be described later. The electrolyzed water produced by the electrolysis module 20 is acidic water and alkaline water, and acidic water and alkaline water are simultaneously produced and discharged from the electrolysis module 20.

The external supply unit 30 supplies the acidic water and the alkaline water supplied from the electrolysis module 20 to the outside so that the user can use it. The external supply unit 30 includes a pipe 311 for supplying acidic water and a valve 312 and includes a pipe 321 and a valve 322 for supplying alkaline water.

The flow paths of the acidic water and the alkaline water are changed by using the flow path switching valves 313 and 323 and the connection pipes 331 and 332 in the respective pipes 311 and 321 so that the acidic water and the alkaline water are supplied to the external supply part 30 at a predetermined position And the connection pipes 331 and 332 are located between the flow path switching valves 313 and 323 and the pipes 311 and 321. The flow path switching valves 313 and 323 and the connection pipes 331 and 332 are provided for supplying the acidic portion and the alkaline water at a predetermined position even in the backwash mode of the electrolysis module 20. The detailed operation will be described later.

The additional raw water supply unit 40 connects the raw water supply source and the acidic water pipe 311 and includes a pipe 411 and a valve 412. The additional water supply part 40 is used to adjust the pH and / or the chlorine concentration of the acidic water. In another embodiment, the additional water supply unit 40 may be supplied with raw water from a separate source of raw water or may be connected to the alkaline water supply pipe 321.

The control unit 50 controls the valves 112, 122, 312, 322, and 412, the power source unit 60, the display unit 65, and the flow channel unit 65 based on measurement values obtained from various instruments to obtain desired amounts of acidic water and alkali, And controls the switching valves 313 and 323.

The valves 112, 122, 312, 322 and 412 may be on-off valves or valves whose opening degree is regulated. Valves may be added or omitted, and some may be pressure reducing valves or needle valves. It may also have a check valve function.

Although not shown, the electrolyzate water producing apparatus 1 may further include a safety sensor, for example, a flow sensor for determining whether raw water is supplied.

Hereinafter, an electrolysis module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrolysis module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an electrolysis water flow in an electrolysis module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a decomposition unit in an electrolysis module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG.

The electrolysis module 20 includes a decomposition unit 210, a separation plate 220, and a case 230. The decomposition unit 210 and the separation plate 220 are housed in a case 230.

The case 230 is generally cylindrical in shape, and an inflow hole 231 is formed at a lower portion thereof, and two outflow holes 232 and 233 are formed at an upper portion thereof. The raw water is supplied from the raw water supply unit 10 to the inflow hole 231 and the acidic water and alkaline water are supplied to the external supply unit 30 through the outflow holes 232 and 233.

A plurality of decomposition units 210 are provided, and a separation plate 220 is disposed between adjacent decomposition units 210. In the decomposition unit 210, acidic water and alkaline water are generated separately as shown in FIG. 4, and the acidic part and alkaline water produced in each of the decomposition units 210 are discharged to the outside without being mixed with each other. The number of decomposition units 210 is not limited, and only one can be used. When using the single decomposition unit 210, the separation plate 220 may be omitted.

The decomposition unit 210 includes a support 211, a separation membrane 212, a first electrode 213, a second electrode 214 and application electrodes 215 and 216.

The support body 211 has a hollow center disk shape, and a separation membrane 212 is coupled to the support body 211. Although not shown, raw water is supplied to the inside of the support 211 and discharged to the electrodes 213 and 214, and the electrolyzed electrolyzed water is separated and discharged to the outside.

The separation membrane 212 allows ions or electrons to pass through to allow both sides of the separation membrane 212 to pass while suppressing the passage of water. Specifically, the separation membrane 212 may have a pore size of 0.1 um to 0.6 um, 0.2 um to 0.6 um, and 0.2 um to 0.4 um. The separator 212 may be made of Teflon, but is not limited thereto.

The first electrode 213 is located on one side of the separation membrane 212 and the second electrode 214 is located on the other side. Each of the electrodes 213 and 214 has a plate-like mesh shape. The electrodes 213 and 214 are not limited to a mesh shape and may be variously modified as long as the porous structure allows water to flow therethrough. The electrodes 213 and 214 may be in the form of titanium coated with a noble metal, but are not limited thereto. The thickness of the mesh-shaped electrodes 213 and 214 may be 0.1 um to 2 um, 0.2 to 1 um, or 0.5 um to 1.0 um.

The application electrodes 215 and 216 are located above the electrodes 213 and 214 and the application electrodes 215 and 216 are electrically connected to the electrodes 213 and 214.

The electrolysis process in the electrolysis module 20 will be described as follows.

Electrolysis is initiated when a power source of different polarity is applied to each of the electrodes 213 and 214 through the application electrodes 215 and 216.

In this process, raw water is supplied along the separator 212. That is, the raw water is converted into electrolyzed water while flowing (parallel) through each of the electrodes 213 and 214. Since the electrodes 213 and 214 are in the form of a mesh, the movement of raw water or electrolyzed water proceeds smoothly.

At this time, the flow of raw water passing through the electrodes 213 and 214 is a laminar flow. Since the raw water flows into the lamina flow and the separator 212 has a very small pore, the mixing of electrolyzed water between the electrodes 213 and 214 substantially does not occur or is very small.

The operation method of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus 1 described above will be described as follows.

First, the raw water is supplied to the electrolysis module 20 through the raw water supply unit 10. The raw water supply unit 10 can supply tap water, fresh water, or salt water to the electrolysis module 20.

Thereafter, the electrolysis module 20 separates and generates acidic water and alkaline water through electrolysis. The generated acidic water and alkaline water are supplied to the user (user) through the external supply unit 30. [

The pH of the acidic water may be from 5.0 to 6.5, from 5.5 to 6.0, from 5.5 to 6.5 or from 6.0 to 6.5. When brine is used, the residual chlorine concentration of the acidic water may be from 5 ppm to 40 ppm, from 10 ppm to 40 ppm, from 10 ppm to 30 ppm, or from 10 ppm to 20 ppm.

Electrolysis of brine decomposes into sodium and chlorine ions, and the chlorine molecule, the coordination form of the anion, chlorine ion, is again oxidized to produce hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hydrogen (H ₂ ). Here, hypochlorous acid is decomposed again with hydrogen ion (H +) and di-chlorate ion (HCl-), and hypochlorite ions later form sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) by bonding with sodium separated from sodium chloride.

Finally, the electrolyzed brine is in equilibrium under certain conditions and consists of hydrogen, sodium hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid, and hypochlorite ions. Here, both sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid have a disinfecting effect, but since the hypochlorous acid shows a sterilizing effect about 70 times as compared with sodium hypochlorite, the ratio of hypochlorous acid should be increased in order to improve the sterilizing power.

However, hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions may vary in composition ratio depending on the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) as shown in FIG. 9, the yield of residual chlorine, hypochlorous acid, and sodium hypochlorite varies depending on the pH.

That is, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is produced by combining hydrogen ion (H +) and hypochlorite ion (OCl-), and has the maximum sterilizing power when the pH is 4.3 to 5.9. When the pH is low, electrolysis is not performed in chlorine. When the pH is high, hypochlorite ions are combined with sodium to form sodium hypochlorite.

On the other hand, in the present invention, the pH of the acidic water is controlled to be 5.0 to 6.5, 5.5 to 6.0, 5.5 to 6.5, or 6.0 to 6.5 because chlorine gas may be generated when the pH is 4.0 or less.

In the present invention, since the acidic water and alkaline water are separately produced through the structure of the separation membrane 211 and the like, the pH of the acidic water can be easily controlled. Thus, it is possible to supply acidic water having a pH at which hypochlorous acid having a high sterilizing power is generated, thereby lowering the chlorine content of the acidic water and also reducing the amount of salt or brine.

The pH of alkaline water can be controlled to be 10 or more, 11 or more, or 12 or more.

The additional water supply part 40 is used to adjust the pH and / or the residual chlorine concentration of the acidic water.

The acidic water supplied according to the present invention can be used for sterilization purposes in homes, restaurants, and the like. Alkaline water can be used in agriculture. If necessary, acidic water and / or alkaline water can be stored in a separate tank and used. In case of alkaline water, it can be stored in a separate tank and then used.

When the power of the same polarity is continuously applied to the first electrode 213 and the second electrode 214 during the generation of the electrolyzed water, foreign matter accumulates on the cathode and damage to the anode occurs. Therefore, the control unit 40 changes the polarity of the power source applied to both the electrodes 213 and 214 under a predetermined condition, for example, after a predetermined operation time has elapsed.

When the polarity is changed, the operation can be performed so that the outlet of the acidic water and the alkaline water discharged from the electrolysis module 20 are changed. At this time, the flow paths of the acidic water and the alkaline water are changed by using the flow path switching valves 313 and 323 and the connection pipes 331 and 332, and the external supply unit 30 supplies the acidic water and the alkaline water at a predetermined position.

In another embodiment, when the power supply polarity of the electrolysis module 20 is changed to prevent mixing of acidic water and alkaline water, the acidic water and the alkaline water are discharged for a predetermined time, for example, 3 seconds to 5 minutes can do. During the discharge, the acidic water and the alkaline water transfer path can be changed or maintained.

The power polarity of the electrolysis module 20 may be changed again to supply the acidic water and the alkaline water or to maintain the changed power polarity of the electrolysis module 20 and to supply the acidic water and the alkaline water. At this time, the external supply unit 30 supplies the acidic water and the alkaline water at a predetermined position by using the flow-path switching valves 313 and 323 and the connection pipes 331 and 332. [

In another embodiment, when the power supply polarity of the electrolysis module 20 is changed, both the acidic water and the alkaline water can be discharged through the alkaline water pipe 321 for a predetermined time by changing the movement path. Then, the power supply polarity is changed and the movement path is changed to supply the acidic water and the alkaline water at a predetermined position. This method can be applied when alkaline water is not used for other purposes, or when alkaline water is stored in the tank and then temporary pH changes are acceptable.

The control unit 50 can stop the generation of the sterilization water by controlling the power supply unit 60 or the like when it is determined that the water supply and / or the salt water supply is interrupted or insufficient through the flow meter 75 or the like. If the electrolytic module 20 is not used for a long period of time through the timer 71 or the like, the controller 50 may supply only the water without supplying the electrolytic water to the electrolytic module 20, The replacement time can be informed to the outside via the display unit 65. [ The display unit 65 may be a warning lamp and / or a warning sound using an LED or the like, and may be informed through a separate display device.

8 is an electrolyzed water producing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The difference from the first embodiment is that the flow path switching valve 323 and the connection pipe 331 are not provided. Accordingly, the acidic water can be discharged to the outside through both pipes 311 and 321, but alkaline water can be discharged to the outside only through the alkaline water pipe 321.

When the power supply polarity of the electrolysis module 20 changes in the second embodiment, the acidic water and the alkaline water can be discharged to the alkaline water pipe 321 for a predetermined time by changing the movement path. Then, the power polarity is changed again, and the acidic water and the alkaline water are supplied at a constant position by changing the movement path.

In the present invention, when the brine is used, the acidic water can be used as sterilized water containing hypochlorous acid. Alkaline water can be discharged.

When brine is not used, acidic water with a pH of 4 or less and alkaline water with a pH of 11 or more can be produced. Acidic and alkaline water obtained can be used in agriculture.

Acidic water and alkaline water were produced using the electrolytic water producing apparatus 1 described above.

Acidic water (pH 3.75, chlorine residual concentration 58 ppm) was used as a result of using four decomposition units using brine flow rate (saturated brine) of 7.2 ml / min, tap water flow rate of 1,000 ml / min, current of 5 A and voltage of 4.8 V Alkaline water (pH 11.86, residual salt concentration 3 ppm or less) was obtained.

Changes in salt / tap water usage, change in current / voltage, and supply of additional raw water can provide acidic and alkaline water of desired quality.

Acidic water (pH 4.2) and alkaline water (pH 11 or higher) were obtained using tap water flow rate of 1,000 ml / min, current of 5 A, voltage of 20.2 V and four decomposition units without using brine.

Even when salt water is not used, acid water and alkaline water of desired quality can be obtained by changing the amount of tap water used, changing the current / voltage, and supplying additional raw water.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation and that those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and equivalent arrangements may be made therein. It will be possible. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the present invention should be determined only by the appended claims.

Claims (8)

A method of operating an electrolyzed water producing apparatus,
The electrolytic water producing apparatus includes:
A raw water supply unit;
And an electrolysis module for receiving raw water from the raw water supply part and separating and producing acidic water and alkaline water through electrolysis,
Generating acidic water and alkaline water in the electrolytic decomposition module;
Discharging the acidic water to the outside through the first piping and discharging the alkaline water to the outside through the second piping;
Changing the power polarity of the electrolysis module;
Discharging the acidic water through the second pipe for a predetermined period of time when the power polarity is changed;
And changing the power polarity of the electrolysis module again, and discharging the acidic water through the first pipe. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the alkaline water is discharged to the outside through the first pipe when the power polarity is changed. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the raw water supplied to the electrolysis module is brine. The method according to claim 1,
The electrolytic water producing apparatus includes:
Further comprising an additional raw water supply unit for adjusting at least one of residual chlorine concentration and pH of the acidic water discharged from the electrolysis module. The method according to claim 1,
The electrolytic module includes:
Comprising at least one decomposition unit,
The decomposition unit,
A separation membrane which does not allow water to pass and permits hydrogen ions to pass therethrough;
A first electrode located on a first surface of the separation membrane;
And a second electrode located on a second side of the separation membrane,
Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are porous,
The raw water to be electrolyzed moves along the separation membrane in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode,
Wherein the acidic water generated by electrolysis at the first electrode and the alkaline water generated by electrolysis at the second electrode are separated and discharged. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are mesh-shaped and plate-shaped. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the raw water moves in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode in a lamina flow. The method according to claim 6,
The decomposition unit further comprises a support,
The separation membrane is fixed to the support,
Wherein the raw water is supplied to the first electrode and the second electrode through the support.

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