MXPA00005441A - Method and apparatus for producing cleaning agent - Google Patents

Abstract

An aqueous solution containing at least either a carbonate or bicarbonate of an alkaline metal, such as sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution is electrolyzed, and the obtained electrolysis solution is used as a cleaning undiluted solution. In this electrolysis step, sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution is fed into at least an anode chamber of an electrolyzer having a cathode chamber and the anode chamber partitioned by a diaphragm, the solution is electrolyzed, and the obtained catholyte or anolyte is used as a cleaning agent undiluted solution;or sodium bicarbonate is fed into both anode and cathode chambers, the solution is electrolyzed, and the catholyte is used as a cleaning agent undiluted solution;or sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution is fed into at least the anode chamber, the solution is electrolyzed, and sodium bicarbonate is further added to and dissolved into the catholyte or anolyte, and the obtained solution is used as a cleaning agent undiluted solution;or sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution is fed into at least the anode chamber, the solution is electrolyzed, and the obtained catholyte and anolyte are mixed after the electrolysis, and the mixture is used as a cleaning agent undiluted solution.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DETERGENTS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a new washing process and to an apparatus suitable for washing clothes, dishes, medical equipment and for washing hands, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Surfactants, such as chemicals and soap, have so far been used to wash clothes, dishes, medical equipment, toilets, etc., however, there are problems in causing the cracking of the hands when it is washed, a safety problem in the body by the residual detergent in the washing of products, and residual harmful substances later in the treatment of the discharge water, etc. The inventors of the present invention propose a method for washing products, as long as it softens the washing water, which contains at least one carbonate or bicarbonate ion and alkali metal ions (see patents PCT / JP99 / 00242, 099/37414 ). They direct attention to the fact that a compound, generated at the time of softening a solution, that contains alkali metal ions and carbonate and / or bicarbonate ions, performs a cleaning effect and an adsorption effect, which shows a detergency comparable to, or better than, a conventional detergent, such as a surfactant, and becomes conducive to the human body and the environment. However, when it comes to producing a solution containing alkali metal ions and carbonate and / or bicarbonate ions, as an undiluted detergent, it is necessary to use as materials substances that have problems in handling capacity, such as hydroxide of sodium. Thus there is the problem of carrying out the production of a household detergent for washing. _ EXPOSITION OF THE INVENTION. The object of the present invention is to provide a method for enabling the production of a detergent only by substances superior in their handling and also to provide an apparatus for the same. (1) According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for producing detergents includes a step of electrolysing a solution containing at least one of the carbonate and / or bicarbonate of an alkali metal. That is, as shown in Figure 1, obtain a solution of a substance containing at least one of a carbonate or bicarbonate of an alkali metal (see step 1 or 2 in Figure 1) and, by electrolyzing the -solution (see step 3 in Figure 1), an undiluted detergent can be obtained (see step 4 in Figure 1). Electrolyzing a solution containing at least one of the carbonate or the bicarbonate of an alkali metal, for example, a solution of substances superior in handling capacity, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, lithium carbonate, hydrogen carbonate of potassium, sodium hydrogen carbonate, as a solution to be electrolyzed, it is possible to obtain an undiluted detergent, which contains alkali metal ions and carbonate and / or bicarbonate ions, and by washing and softening the The same, shows a detergency comparable to, or better than, a conventional detergent, such as a surfactant, and becomes propitious to the human body and environmentally friendly. Therefore, a series of procedures for producing detergency "when washing, can be carried out in the home." An alkali metal carbonate, according to the present invention, for example, for sodium carbonate, Na 2 CO 3, carbonate potassium, K2C03, lithium carbonate, LiC03, etc., can be listed, while for alkali metal bicarbonate, for example, potassium hydrogen carbonate, KHCO3, sodium hydrogen carbonate, NAHC03, etc., can be listed. Likewise, when a carbonate or bicarbonate solution of an alkali metal is obtained, a wide variety of water classes can be used, such as tap water, well water, soft water, refined water, pure water or a mixture of them, etc. (2) Although, it is often the case that the pH of the detergent to be used differs according to a property of the washing products, in the present invention, when a detergent is produced by electrolyze a solution that contains at least one of l carbonate and the bicarbonate of an alkali metal, it is possible to adopt lower forms according to a desired hydrogen potential (pH = 6 to 112) of the detergent.

As a first embodiment, the cathode water or anode water, obtained by electrolysis, by the supply of the above solution to be electrolysed, at least to an anode chamber of an electrolyzer cell, having a chamber of Cathode and an anode chamber separated by a diaphragm, can be used as an undiluted detergent (see Figure 4a). The cathode water, obtained by this form, becomes an undiluted alkaline detergent, which has a high pH. In this case, as a second mode, when the cathode water, obtained by electrolysis, by the supply of the previous solution, which is going to be electrolyzed, to both the anode chamber and the cathode chamber of the cell. The electrolysis, which has a cathode chamber and an anode chamber, separated by a diaphragm, is used as an undiluted detergent, it is possible to obtain an undiluted, highly concentrated detergent in which the rise in pH is suppressed (see Figure 4B). Also, as a third embodiment, the cathode water or anode water, obtained by electrolysis, by supplying the above solution, is to be electrolyzed, at least to an anode chamber of the electrolysis cell, which has a cathode chamber and an anode chamber, separated by a diaphragm or a mixture of both waters is added in addition and dissolved in at least one of the carbonate and the bicarbonate of an alkali metal, after completing the electrolysis and the solution, thus obtained , can be used as an undiluted detergent (see Figure 4C9) Also, as a fourth mode, by electrolysis, by the supply of the above solution, to be electrolyzed, to at least one anode chamber of a cell of electrolysis, which has a cathode chamber and an anode chamber, separated by a "diaphragm, and mix the cathode water or the obtained anode water, after completing the electrolysis, the solution The obtained can be used as an undiluted detergent (see Figure 4D). In this case, as a fifth embodiment, it is also possible to use as a mixture of undiluted detergents of the cathode water or the anode water, "obtained by electrolysis, by the supply of the solution, which is to be electrolyzed, to both the anode chamber as to the cathode chamber of the electrolysis cell, "having a cathode chamber and an anode chamber, separated by a diaphragm (see Figure 4E). In the fourth and fifth modes, since the mixture of the anode water and the water of the catheter becomes an undiluted detergent, an undiluted detergent production amount obtained becomes duplicated or, otherwise, the capacity of the Electrolysis cell can be reduced by half. The cathode water, in the first mode, the cathode water, in the second mode, the cathode water, in the third mode, the mixed water, in the fourth mode, and the mixed water, in the fifth mode, have a pH of 9.5 to 12.0, and can be used as an undiluted alkaline detergent. On the other hand, the water of the anode, in the first embodiment, and the water of the anode, in the third embodiment, have a pH of 6 to 8, and can be used as a neutral detergent without diluting. - _. In a method of producing the detergent of the present invention, the pH and electrical conductivity can be easily adjusted by properly adjusting the electrolysis conditions. (3) The above undiluted detergent can be used for washing as such or in diluted form (see steps 5 or 6, in Figure 1. Here again also called as the diluted detergent A). An electrical conductivity of the diluted detergent is 100 mS / m or greater, preferably 150 mS / m or greater. Likewise, a variety of auxiliary washing agents, for improving detergency, etc., can be added (see step 9 in Figure 1). That is, a fatty acid or soap can be added to the previous alkaline detergent, cut as the oleic acid or the potassium salt of the oleic acid, at the time of, after being, diluted by the water, which is to be used as the detergent. Also, the above neutral detergent can be added to a variety of auxiliary washing agents, to be used as a detergent, such as anti-redeposition agents (eg, carboxymethylcellulose), non-ionic surface active agent (eg. example, fatty acid esters of sugar, sorbitan fatty acid esters), dispersing agents (for example, carboxymethylcellulose) and water softening agents (for example, EDTA, citric acid). The auxiliary agents used in the present invention are the emulsifiers (surfactants) used for the food process and gum / thickening agents, such as food additives, and without using the conventional surfactant for washing, they can supply a safety detergent . Also, since the detergency is given to the electrolytic water obtained by the electrolysis of a solution of a carbonate / bicarbonate of an alkali metal, the surfactant can be obtained to have the minimum thickness required against the redeposition of dirt, and becomes possible to reduce the burden of the environment by suppressing the use of organic substances. (4) Note that the present invention may include a step of softening the detergent containing at least one of the carbonate or bicarbonate ions and alkali metal ions, particularly the above undiluted detergent or the diluted detergent A (see steps 7). u 8_ Next, the detergent obtained will also be named as the diluted detergent B).

In this case, it is preferable to adopt a resource to cause the solid carbonate compound in contact, which is a hard or insoluble compound in water, to be dissolved in water. In addition, according to a second aspect of the present invention, an electrolysis cell is provided, in which an anode chamber and a cathode chamber are swung by a diaphragm, a solution tank to obtain a solution, dissolving at least one carbonate or bicarbonate of an alkali metal in "water, a detergent producing apparatus, having a first supply means, for supplying the solution in the solution tank to at least the anode chamber of the cell of electrolysis and a mixing element, to mix the water of the anode and the cathode water, generated respectively in the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, to obtain a mixed electrolytic water, after completing the electrolysis. preferably, the mixing element comprises a water tank, for storing the water of the anode and the cathode water, after completing the electrolysis, and a second supply element, for supply the anode water and the cathode water, generated in the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, respectively, to the water tank. Also, an apparatus for producing detergent is provided, comprising an electrolysis cell, wherein there is an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, separated by a diaphragm, a solution tank to obtain a solution, dissolving at least one of the carbonate and the alkali metal bicarbonate in water, a first supply element, to supply the solution within the solution tank in at least the anode chamber of the electrolysis cell, a detergent tank, to store the detergent discharged from the cell of electrolysis, and a third supply element, to supply one of the cathode water, after completing the electrolysis generated in the cathode chamber, and the anode water, after completing the electrolysis generated in the anode chamber, to the tank of detergent. In this case, it is preferable to have an element for adding and dissolving at least one of the carbonate and the bicarbonate of an alkali metal to at least one of the water of the anode, generated in the anode chamber, and the cathode water, generated in " the cathode chamber. (6) According to a third aspect of the present invention, a washing machine, comprising a detergent-producing apparatus, is provided to produce detergent by electrolyzing a solution containing at least one of the carbonate and the alkaline metal bicarbonate, a detergent tank, to store the detergent, a tub for washing, an element for supplying the dilution water of the detergent to the washing tub, and an element for supplying the detergent, from the tank In this case, it is preferable to also have a criterion element, to decide the quantity of the washing products and / or a quantity of the washing water inside the washing tub. washing, and an adjustment element, to establish the amount of the washing products and the amount of the washing water; and a control element, to produce a control signal to the detergent supply element, in order to supply this washing tub with the appropriate amount of the detergent for washing, based on an output signal of the criterion element. or the adjustment element. Also, it is preferable to have a container for storing the washing auxiliaries, an element for supplying these washing auxiliaries from the container to the washing tub, and a control element, to produce a control signal to the supply element. of the auxiliary agent for washing in the wash tub. (7) The appliance that produces the above detergent or the washing apparatus, can be applied to the washing machine, dishwasher, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a view of the processes of one embodiment of a method for producing detergents, according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a view of a pH range of the detergent obtained by a method for producing detergents, according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a scrubbing apparatus of the present invention. - Figures 4A and 4E are views of respective forms of use of an electrolysis cell of Figure 3. - THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION __ First, a method of applying an apparatus that produces detergents, according to the present invention, to a washing machine will be explained. Figure 3 is a schematic view of an example of a washing machine, WM, where a detergent-producing apparatus, according to the present invention, is applied, and the details of an electrolysis cell 11, shown in the same figure, will be explained with reference to Figures 4A and 4E. Apparatus 1 producing detergent, according to the present embodiment, comprises a tank 12 of solution, for storing a solution of an alkali metal, containing at least one carbonate of an alkali metal and a bicarbonate of an alkali metal (hereinafter, also referred to as the solution to be electrolyzed), an electrolysis cell 11 and a first supply system 13, for supplying the solution, which is to be electrolyzed, from the solution tank 12 to the electrolytic cell 11. - The solution tank 12 is supplied with a substance containing at least one carbonate, an alkali metal and an alkali metal bicarbonate (sodium hydrogencarbonate, in this example) from a container 16, which stores the same, and tap water, etc. , from a source of this tap water, etc., by means of the supply system 17. An example to explain the case of using sodium hydrogen carbonate is given below. As shown in Figures 4A to _4E, the electrolytic cell 11 is formed with an inlet 111 to be introduced a solution to be electrolysed, and an outlet 112, to remove the electrolytic water generated, and an electrolysis chamber 113 is Also, in the approximate center of the electrolysis chamber 113 there is a diaphragm 114, formed by a cation exchange film, and both electrolysis chambers 113a and 113c on the diaphragm 114 are provided. respectively with a pair of electrode plates, 115a and 115c, which face each other. Here, while not illustrated, the pair of electrode plates, 115a 115c, are connected to a source of direct current energy, and one electrode plate 115a is to be applied to the anode, while the other electrode plate 115c is going to be applied to the cathode. Next, the electrolysis chamber 113a will also be mentioned as an anode chamber, the electrolysis chamber 113c, as the cathode chamber, the electrolytic water generated in the anode chamber, will be named as the anode water, and the water electrolytic generated in the cathode chamber, like the cathode water. According to the diaphragm 114, a variety of ion exchange films, selective non-ionic films, and multi-porous films can be used. These films are provided to prevent the anode water, generated around the anode, and the cathode water, generated around the cathode, from being mixed. In the case of using a cation exchange film as in the present example, smaller hydroxide ions, generated in the cathode chamber 113c, are transmitted to the anode chamber 113a, this is preferred because it becomes easy to repress that the pH of the undiluted detergent obtained from the anode water become alkaline, and strengthen the pH of the cathode water to be obtained, to produce a strong, undiluted, alkaline detergent from the cathode water. As the electrode plates, 115a and 115c, it is preferred that they be configured by unmelted materials. for electricity. Specifically, for example, metals of the platinum, titanium, etc. family have excellent corrosion resistance and are preferably used. The distance between the electrode plates, 115a and 115c, is 1mm to 6mm, more preferably 5mm. In addition, to explain the ways of using the electrolysis cell 11, shown in Figures 4A to 4E, in Figure 4A, the anode chamber 113a is supplied with a sodium hydrogen carbonate solution from the tank 12 of solution, while the cathode chamber 113c is supplied with tap water, etc. Both the anode water, generated in the chamber 113a of the anode, and the cathode water, generated in the cathode chamber 113c, can be used as an undiluted detergent. According to this form of use, few hydroxide ions generated in the cathode chamber 113c are transmitted to the anode chamber 113a, so it is possible to repress the pH of the undiluted detergent from the anode water, from becoming alkaline , and it becomes easy to increase the pH of the cathode water to be obtained and to produce a strongly alkaline detergent, undiluted, from the cathode water.

On the other hand, in the manner of use shown in Figure 4B, althothe sodium hydrogen carbonate solution is supplied to both the anode chamber 113a and the cathode chamber 113c, from the solution tank 12, only the The cathode water generated in the cathode chamber 113c is used as an undiluted detergent. In this case, since a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is supplied to the cathode chamber 113c, the undiluted detergent of the cathode water that will be obtained is removed so as not to raise the pH, so that an weakly alkaline detergent undiluted and a highly concentrated detergent can be generated undiluted. Similarly, the manner of use, shown in Figure 4C, is a modified example of that shown in Figure 4A, and the anode chamber 113a is supplied with a sodium hydrogen carbonate solution from solution tank 12, in both the cathode chamber 113c is supplied with tap water, etc., and the anode water and the cathode water obtained are further added, respectively, with at least one of the sodium carbonate and the sodium hydrogen carbonate, to become an undiluted detergent. According to this way of use, it is possible to adjust the pH and the concentration of the water of the anode and the water of the cathode, obtained respectively in the chamber 113a of the anode and the chamber 113c of the cathode, after the electrolysis. Also, the manner of use shown in Figure 4D is also a modified example of that shown in Figure 4A, in which also the anode chamber 113a is supplied with a solution of the sodium hydrogen carbonate from the solution tank 12, while the cathode chamber 113c is supplied with tap water, etc., but the obtained anode water and cathode water are mixed to be an undiluted detergent. According to this form of use, since all the anode water and the cathode water are used, the production amount of the undiluted detergent obtained is twice, or otherwise, the capacity of the electrolysis cell 11 can be of the half. Also, the manner of use shown in Figure 4E is a modified example of that shown in Figure 4D ", in which both the anode chamber 113a and the cathode chamber 113c are supplied with a sodium hydrogen carbonate solution from tank 12 of solution and the anode water and cathode water obtained are mixed to be an undiluted detergent.According to this form of use, all anode water and cathode water are used, so the amount of the production of the undiluted detergent obtained is twice, or the capacity of the electrolysis cell 11 can be half as explained above, according to the electrolysis of the present invention, a variety of undiluted detergents so can be The states are shown schematically in Figure 2. Returning to Figure 3, the first delivery system 13 is provided with a tube 131 to be connected to a tank 12 of solution at the entrance 111 of the electrolysis cell 11, and a pump 132, to send by pressure the solution, which is to be electrolyzed, into the solution tank 12 to the electrolysis cell 11. Also, the detergent producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment comprises a detergent tank 15, for storing the electrolytic water generated in the anode chamber 113a and / or the cathode chamber 113c of the electrolysis cell 11, second supply system 14, for supplying the electrolytic solution from the electrolysis cell 11 to the detergent tank 15, and a dilution element 18, for diluting the undiluted detergent generated in the electrolysis cell 11. The second supply system 14 is comprised of a tube 141 for contacting the outlet 112 of the electrolysis cell 11 to the detergent tank 15 and a pump 142 is provided in the tube 141 for sending under pressure the electrolytic solution generated in the electrolysis cell 11 to detergent tank 15. Note that in the form of use, shown in Figure 4C, when the sodium hydrogen carbonate is added to the anode water or "cathode water", generated in the electrolysis cell 11 later, it is sufficient to supply it from the "container 16, shown in the Figure 3. Similarly, the dilution element 18 is comprised of a supply tube 181, APRA supplying the dilution water from a tap water source, not shown, to the detergent tank 15, and a pump 182, by which the undiluted detergent is diluted by a predetermined dilution regime, to become a diluted detergent A. The above apparatus 1 producing the detergent is provided to the body 2 of a washing machine, which has a washing tub 21. It also comprises a third supply system 22, for supplying the electrolytic water (diluted detergent A), stored in the detergent tank 15, to the washing tub 21, by means of a filter 23 that softens the water. This third supply system 22 is comprised of a tube 21, to connect the detergent tank 15 to the filter 23 that softens the water, and a pump 222 is provided on the tube 221, to send under pressure the diluted detergent A, stored in the detergent tank 15, to the filter 23 that softens the water. This filter 23, which softens the water, is provided, in this example, to soften the undiluted detergent (see step 4 in Figure 1), as obtained by apparatus 1 which produces detergent or diluted detergent A, then of the dilution (see step 6 in Figure 1).

In the water softening filter 23, inside its cover, it is filled with a solid hydroxide compound, which is insoluble or difficult to dissolve in water, for example, calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate, and causing the detergent Without diluting previous and the diluted detergent make contact with such carbonate compounds, the calcium and magnesium ions, included in the undiluted detergent and the diluted detergent, are extracted as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate and thus, the detergent is You can get it as low in hardness. Note that the carbonate compound may be in a properly pelletized or pelletized ball configuration, in addition to the powder and a crushed configuration, and may include fillers and an increasing amount of agents, in addition to the carbonate compound. Also, the solid carbonate compound is sufficient if at least its surfaces are of the carbonate compound, and it can be a composite body where a suitable core leather is covered with the carbonate compound.Returning back to Figure 3, the washing tub 21 is provided with a fourth supply system 24, for supplying tap water, etc., for diluting the detergent, and this fourth delivery system 24 is configured by a tube 241, a pump 242 and a source of water supply of the key, not shown.Also, the WM washing machine of the present embodiment, is provided with a tank 25 of auxiliary washing agent, for storing a variety of auxiliary washing agents, such as an anti-aging agent. the re-deposition of dirt (for example, carboxy-methylcellulose), a non-ionic surfactant (for example, a fatty acid ester of sugar, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester), dispersing agents (p. or, for example, carboxymethylcellulose) and water softening agents (for example, EDTA, citric acid) and a fifth delivery system 26, for supplying the washing auxiliary agents stored in tank 25 of the washing aid to wash tub 21. The fifth supply system 26 is configured by a tube 261 and a pump 262. Likewise, the washing machine WM of the present embodiment is provided as a control system, with criteria / adjustment elements 27, to detect and judge or adjust manually a quantity of washing products placed in the washing tub 21 or a quantity of the washing water filled in the washing tub 21 and a control element 28, to control the operations of the pumps 222 and 262, based on the quantities of the washing products or the inlet of the washing water to the element 27. As a result, the detergent and auxiliary washing agents, according to the washing load, are respectively supplied from the detergent tank 15 and the auxiliary agent tank 25 of washing to the washing tub 21. - Next, we will explain an example of the washing process, which uses the previous washing machine, WM. First, an anode from a source of direct current power from the apparatus 1 producing the ether is connected to the electrode plate 115a, while a cathode is connected to the electrode plate 115c, and a direct current voltage is applied. to both electrode plates 115a and 115. Then, pump 132 is operated to introduce a solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate, as the solution to be electrolysed, from solution tank 12, to inlet 111. As a result, electrolysis is carried out in both electrolytic chambers, 13a and 113c and, after a certain period of time, the electrolytic solution is discharged from the respective outputs 112. This electrolytic water is supplied to the detergent tank 15 by the pump 142 by means of the tube 141, they are mixed for a certain time and become an undiluted detergent of the present invention.The undiluted detergent, stored in the detergent tank 15, is diluted by the element 18 dilution, and then it is supplied to the water softening filter 23, in which it softens and is supplied to the washing tub 21 of the washing machine, WM. At this time, the quantities of the detergent and the auxiliary washing agents, which are to be supplied, are controlled, according to the quantity of the washing products. That is, when the criterion element automatically detects or the adjustment element 27 manually enters the quantity of washing products (eg, weight, volume, etc.) placed in the washing tub 21 and the amount of water in the key emptied into the wash tub 21, a signal is sent to the control element 28 and a signal of the operating time, etc., according to the wash load, is sent to the pumps 222 and 262. As a result, the Wash tub 21 is supplied with an appropriate amount of detergent and washing aids, according to the wash load. A specific example of producing the detergent by the present invention will be explained below.

Modality 1 (Figure 4A) A saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, prepared by dissolving and diluting 100 g of sodium hydrogen carbonate in 1 liter of tap water (tap municipal water in Fujisawa city, pH of 7.2, EC of 15.5 mS / m, water temperature of 24.5 ° C) was supplied to chamber 113a of the anode of intermittent type electrolysis cell 11 (a capacity of the anode chamber and the cathode chamber of 0.5 liter both) shown in Figure 4A, and water from the previous key was supplied to the cathode chamber 113c, shown in the same figure. Then, the electrolysis was carried out by applying a direct current voltage, so that a constant current of 20A flows to both electrode plates 115a- and 115c, and the pH and electrical conductivity, EC, of an undiluted solution of the electrode. cathode water, obtained every five minutes and a diluted solution was measured, diluting it by thirty times (30 liters). The dilution water measurement was made after mixing for one minute. The results are shown in Table 1. Note that the pH was measured using a pH meter (trade name of D-13, manufactured by Horiba Ltd.), the electrical conductivity, EC, was measured using an EC meter ( commercial name of CM-14P, manufactured by TOA Corporation). The * mark of the EC in the table indicates that it exceeded the measurable limit (1999 mS / m or less). Both the undiluted detergent and the diluted detergent A, obtained in this embodiment, became alkaline, with a pH of 10.5 or more, and those with a long electrolysis time reached sex strongly alkaline detergents and a value of EC of 10 mS / mo or more, so it becomes preferred to be used for non-fibrous washing products, such as tableware.

Table 1 Modality 2 (Figure 4B) A solution was prepared by dissolving and diluting 36 g of sodium hydrogen carbonate in 1 liter of tap water (municipal tap water in Fujisawa city, pH 7.3, EC 17.9 mS / m, water temperature of 20.2 ° C) and was supplied to the cathode chamber 113c of the intermittent type electrolysis cell 11 (a capacity of the anode chamber and the cathode chamber of both 1 liter) shown in Figure 4B, and a saturated solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate was supplied to the anode chamber 113a. Then, electrolysis was carried out by applying a. direct current voltage, so that a constant current of 15A would flow in both electrode plates, 115a and 115c, and a pH and electrical conductivity EC of an undiluted solution of the cathode water, obtained every ten minutes and a diluted solution, diluting it by thirty times (30 liters). The dilution water measurement was made after mixing for one minute. The result is shown in Table 2. Both the undiluted detergent and the detergent A diluted, obtained in the present embodiment, became weakly alkaline, with a pH of 9.0 to 10.5, and the EC value of 100 mS / m or more, so that it became preferred to be used as a detergent for products of fibrous washing, such as cotton, hemp, rayon, polynosic, polyester, nylon and acrylic.

Table 2 Mode 3 (Figure 4E) Be prepared a solution by dissolving and diluting 36 g of sodium hydrogen carbonate in 2 liters of tap water (municipal tap water in Fujisa a city, pH 7.3, EC of 18.5 mS / m , water temperature of 20.6 ° C) which was divided to be "1 liter and was supplied respectively to anode chamber 113a and cathode chamber 113c of intermittent type electrolysis cell 11 (a capacity of the anode chamber and the 1 liter cathode chamber both), shown in Figure 4E. Then, the electrolysis was carried out by applying a direct current voltage so that a constant current of 15A would flow to both electrode plates, 115a and 115c, and the pH and electrical conductivity EC of the mixture of an undiluted solution of the anode water and the cathode water was measured, obtained every ten minutes and a diluted solution, diluting it by thirty times (30 liters). The measurement of dilution water was made after mixing for one minute. The result is shown in Table 3. Both the undiluted detergent and the diluted detergent A, obtained in the present embodiment, became weakly alkaline, with a pH from 8.5 to 10.5 and the EC value of 100 mS / m or more, so that it became preferred to use it as a detergent for fibrous washing products, such as cotton, hemp, rayon, polynose, polyester, nylon and acrylic.

Table 3 Modality 4 (Figure 4E) A solution, prepared by dissolving and diluting 72 g of sodium hydrogen carbonate in 1 liter of tap water (tap municipal water in Fujisawa city, pH 7.2, EC of 15.5 mS / m, water temperature of 24.5 ° C) was divided to be 0.5 liter and supplied respectively to anode chamber 113a and cathode chamber 113c of intermittent type electrolysis cell 11 (a capacity of both the anode chamber and the 1 liter cathode chamber), shown in Figure 4. Then, the electrolysis was carried out by applying a direct current voltage, so that a constant current of 20A flows to both electrode plates, 115a and 115c, and the pH and the electrical conductivity EC of the mixture of an undiluted solution of the water of the anode and the water of the cathode, obtained every ten minutes, and a diluted solution were measured, diluting it by thirty times (30 liters). Dilution water measurement was done after mixing for one minute. The result is shown in Table 4. Both the undiluted detergent and the diluted detergent A, obtained in the present embodiment, became neutral, pH 7.0 to 8.0 and the EC value of 100 mS / m or more, so that it became preferred to use it as a detergent for fibrous washing products, such as silk, wool, cupra, acetate.

Table 4 Next, an embodiment for comparing detergency in various kinds of spots will be explained, using the detergent produced using the method for producing detergent of the present invention and a commercially available detergent. Modality 5 (weakly alkaline detergent) In the same way as in Modality 3, a solution, prepared by dissolving and diluting 22.5 g of sodium hydrogen carbonate in 0.5 liter of tap water (tap municipal water in Fujisawa city, pH of 7.2, EC of 15.5 mS / m, water temperature of 24.5 ° C), was supplied to chamber 113a of the anode and chamber 113c of the cathode of cell 11 of intermittent type electrolysis (capacity of the anode chamber and the 0.5-liter cathode chamber both), shown in Figure 4E. Then, the electrolysis was carried out by applying a direct current voltage so that a constant current of 20A flows to both electrode plates, 115a and 115c, for 17 minutes. The anode water and the cathode water, thus obtained, were mixed and 1 liter of the mixed water was obtained. A washing tub, of a double-tub type domestic washing machine (trademark of ES-25E, type of 2.5 kg, manufactured by Sharp Corp.) was filled with 30 liters of tap water and placed in 1000 ce of the previous mixed water detergent (dilution rate = 30 times). The diluted detergent had a pH of 10.2, EC value of 164.5 mS / m, and a water temperature of 25 ° C. A standard stained cloth, with "collar type dirt", and a "mixed stain of Chinese ink and olive oil", "blood", "cocoa butter (animal and vegetable oil)", "red wine" and mixed spots of "blood, milk and ink" was allowed to adhere to samples of cotton fabrics, respectively (EMPA101, 111, 112, 114, 115 and 116), and washed in a washing machine for 12 minutes, dried in a dryer rotary and then in a standard dryer .. The detergency ratio of the respective stained fabrics, before and after washing, are shown in Table 5. Note that the "detergency ratio" is calculated by the formula below.

Detergency ratio in% = (whiteness index of the stained fabric after washing - whiteness index of the stained fabric before washing) * (whiteness index of the non-stained fabric - whiteness index of the stained fabric, before wash) x 100.

Here, the "whiteness index" is an average of ten points on both sides of the artificially stained fabric, measured by a measure of whiteness index (trade name of the CR-14 device., A Color Reader of the Whiteness index, manufactured by Minolta Co., Ltd.).

Comparative Example 1 _ _ With a comparative example of the embodiment 5, the same stained fabrics, as in this embodiment 5, were washed using a commercially available synthetic detergent for washing (Attack, registered name of Kao Corporation) and the whiteness index and the ratio of detergency were calculated. The results are shown in Table 5. Table 5 Table 5 (Continued) From the results, it was confirmed that the weak alkaline detergent (mixed electrolytic water), obtained by the present invention, has a detergency comparable to, or better than, the commercially available synthetic detergent. In particular, it was markedly improved in the blood spot. Note that the detergent of the fifth mode had no problems in everything related to the safety and treatment of the discharge water, after washing. Modality 6 (Neutral detergent) One solution, prepared by dissolving and diluting 36 g of sodium hydrogen carbonate in 1 liter of tap water (tap municipal water in Fujisawa city, pH 7.2, EC of 15.5 mS / m, water temperature of 24.5 ° C) was supplied to the chamber 113a of the anode and the chamber 113c of the cathode of the electrolytic cell 11 of intermittent type (capacity of the anode chamber and the cathode chamber of 1_ liter both) shown in FIG. Figure 4C, and the electrolysis was carried out by applying a direct current voltage, so that a constant current of 15A would flow in both electrode plates, 115a and 115c, for 36 minutes. When the pH value and the EC of the anode water thus obtained were measured, it was found to be pH = 7 and EC = 971 mS / m. The anode water was further added with 52 g of sodium hydrogencarbonate and in addition was added with 3 g of sugar cane fatty acid ester and 2 g of carboxymethyl cellulose. A washing tub of a domestic automatic washing machine (trade name of AW-C60VP, 6 kg type, manufactured by Toshiba Corporation) was filled with 31 liters of tap water and placed in 1000 cc of the above detergent (rate of dilution = 31 times). The diluted detergent had a pH of 8.0, EC value of 175.5 mS / m and a water temperature of 20.1 ° C. ___ A standard stained cloth, with "collar type dirt" and "mixed stains of Chinese ink and olive oil", "blood", "cocoa butter (animal and vegetable oil)", "red wine" and "mixed spots of blood, milk and India ink "were allowed to adhere to samples of cotton fabrics, respectively (EMPA101, 111, 112, 115 and 116), and were washed by adjusting the water flow switch to a course of washing under pressure for 3 hours. minutes (soak for 5 minutes, before washing), rinsed twice, rotary dried for 4 minutes and dried by a dryer. "~ The detergency ratio of the respective stained fabrics, before and after washing, is shown in Table 6. Note that the "detergency ratio" and "whiteness" were measured and calculated in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment. Comparative Example 2 As a comparative example of Modality 6, the same stained fabric, as in Modality 6, was washed using a neutral detergent, commercially available, washing (Acron, Lion Corporation) and the detergency ratio was calculated. The results are shown in Table 6. Table 6 From the results, it was confirmed that the neutral detergent, obtained by the present invention, has a detergency comparable to, or better than, the neutral detergent, commercially available. In particular, it was markedly improved in the blood spot. Note that the detergent of the sixth mode had no problems in everything related to the safety and treatment of the discharge water, after washing. _ _

Claims (26)

1. A method for producing a detergent, which includes the step of electrolysing a solution containing at least one of the carbonate and the bicarbonate of an alkali metal, as a solution to be electrolyzed.

2. The method for "producing a" detergent according to claim 1, wherein the solution, to be electrolyzed, is supplied to at least the anode chamber of the electrolysis cell, which has a cathode chamber and a chamber of the anode, separated by a ^ diaphragm - and electrolyzed, and the cathode water and anode water are used - obtained, as the detergent.

3. The method "for producing a detergent according to claim 2, wherein the solution, to be electrolyzed, is supplied to both the cathode chamber and the anode chamber of an electrolysis cell, which has a cathode chamber and an anode chamber separated by a diaphragm and electrolyzed, and the cathode water obtained is used as "the detergent. ~

4. The method "for" producing a detergent according to claim 1, wherein the solution to be electrolysed is supplied to at least the anode chamber of the electrolysis cell, which "has a cathode chamber and an anode chamber separated by a diaphragm and electrolyzed, and the cathode water, anode water or a mixture of the two obtained waters, is added further and dissolves at least one of the carbonate and the bicarbonate of an alkali metal, after completing the electrolysis, and the solution, thus obtained, is used as the detergent.

5. The method for producing a detergent according to claim 1, wherein the solution, to be electrolyzed, is supplied to at least the anode chamber of an electrolysis cell, which has a cathode chamber and an anode chamber separated by a diaphragm "and electrolyzed, and the cathode water and anode water obtained, are mixed after completing the electrolysis, and the solution, thus obtained, is used as the detergent.

6. The method for producing a detergent, according to claims 1 to 5, which includes the step of diluting the detergent with water. _

7. The method for producing a detergent, according to claims 2 to 4, wherein the cathode water or mixed water of the water "of the cathode and the water of the anode, has a pR of 9.5 to 12.0.

8. The method for producing a detergent according to claim 7, wherein, at the time of dilution or after diluting the detergent, a fatty acid or soap is added, and the solution, thus obtained, is used as the detergent.

9. The method for producing a detergent, according to claims 2 to 4, wherein the anode water has a pH of 6 to 8.

10. The method for producing a detergent according to claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrical conductivity of the detergent is 100 mS / m or more.

11. The method for producing a detergent according to claim 9, wherein the detergent includes washing aids.

12. The method for producing a detergent according to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary washing agents include an agent against the redeposition of dirt.

13. The method for producing a detergent according to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary washing agents include at least one basic ester of a fatty acid and a dispersing agent, such as the non-ionic surfactant.

14. The method for producing a detergent according to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary washing agents include an agent that softens the aguat.

15. A method for producing a detergent, which includes a step of obtaining a solution containing at least one of the carbonate ions, bicarbonate ions and alkali metal ions, in contact with a solid carbonate compound, which is insoluble or difficult to dissolve in water.

16. The method for producing a detergent, according to claims 1 to 14, which includes the step of obtaining the solid carbonate compound in contact with the detergent, which is insoluble or difficult to dissolve in water.

17. An apparatus for producing a detergent, this apparatus comprises: an electrolysis cell, having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber and a diaphragm for separating these two chambers; "" a solution tank, to obtain a solution, "dissolving at least one carbonate or a bicarbonate of an alkali metal in water, a first supply element, to supply a solution in the solution tank of at least the anode chamber of the electrolysis cell, and "" a mixing element, for the mixing, after completing the electrolysis, of the anode water and the cathode water, generated, respectively, in the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, to obtain the mixed electrolytic water.

- - The detergent producing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the mixing element comprises a water tank, for storing the anode water and the cathode water, after completing the electrolysis, and a second supply element , to supply, the anode water and the cathode water, generated, respectively, in the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, to the water tank.

19. An apparatus for producing a detergent, which comprises: - - - - - - an electrolysis chamber having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by a diaphragm; a solution tank, to obtain a solution, by dissolving at least one carbonate or one bicarbonate of an alkali metal in water; a first supply element, for supplying a solution within the solution tank, in at least the anode chamber of the electrolysis cell, - a detergent tank, for storing the detergent discharged from the electrolysis cell; and a third supply element, to supply one of the cathode water, after completing the electrolysis, generated in the cathode chamber, and the anode water, after completing the electrolysis, generated in the anode chamber, to the tank. Detergent.

20. The detergent-producing apparatus according to claim 19, comprising an element for adding and dissolving at least one of the carbonate and the bicarbonate of an alkali metal, to at least one of the anode water, generated in the anode chamber, and cathode water, generated in the cathode chamber.

21. A washing machine, comprising a detergent producing apparatus, to produce this detergent by the. electrolysis of a solution containing at least one of the carbonate and the bicarbonate of an alkali metal; a detergent tank, to store this detergent; a washing tub, for performing this washing, - an element for supplying diluted water from the detergent to the washing tub; and _ an element for supplying the detergent from the. detergent tank to the washing tub.

22. The washing machine according to claim 21, further comprising a filter filled with "a solid carbonate compound, which is insoluble or difficult to dissolve in water, between the detergent tank and the wash tub ^

23. The washing machine according to claim 21 or 22, further comprising: a criterion element, for judging the amount of washing products and / or the amount of washing water in this washing tub, and an adjusting element, for adjusting the amount of washing products and the amount of washing water; and a control element, to produce in the detergent supply element a control signal to supply the washing tub with an appropriate amount of detergent for washing, based on an output signal from the criterion element or the adjustment element.

24. The washing machine according to claims 21 to 23, further comprising a container for storing the auxiliary washing agents, a supply element for these washing auxiliary agents from the container to the washing tub, and a control element, for producing a control signal to the supply element of the auxiliary washing agent to supply an appropriate amount of the auxiliary washing agents thereto to the washing tub.

25. A washing machine, provided with a detergent-producing apparatus, according to claims 17 to 20, or the washing apparatus, according to claims 21 to 24.

26. A dishwashing machine, provided with the detergent-producing apparatus according to claims 17 to 20 or the washing apparatus, according to claims 21 to 24. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A solution is electrolyzed, which contains at least one of the carbonate and the bicarbonate of an alkali metal, for example, a solution of hydrogen carbonate of sodium, as the solution to be electrolyzed, and the electrolytic water. obtained is used as an undiluted detergent. In the electrolysis process, a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is supplied to at least the anode chamber of an electrolysis cell, which has a cathode chamber and an anode chamber, separated by a diaphragm, to carry out electrolysis, and the cathode water or anode water obtained is used as an undiluted detergent; or a sodium hydrogen carbonate solution is supplied to both the anode chamber and the cathode chamber of the electrolysis cell, to carry out this electrolysis, and the obtained cathode water is used as an undiluted detergent; or a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is supplied to at least the anode chamber of the electrolysis cell, to carry out this electrolysis, and the cathode water or water of the obtained anode is subsequently added and the hydrogen dissolves. Sodium carbonate, and the solution obtained is used as an undiluted detergent; or a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is supplied to at least the anode chamber of the electrolysis cell, to carry out this electrolysis, and the cathode water and the anode water obtained are mixed, after completing the electrolysis , and the resulting solution is used as an undiluted detergent.