TW200809009A - Electrolytic cells - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrolytic cell 1 for producing hydrogen peroxide comprises an anode 5, a cathode 6 and an intermediate membrance 4. The anode is associated with a first electrolyte 11 and the cathode is associated with a second electrolyte 10. The provision of two electrolytes associated with the respective electrodes permits the user to select the most suitable salt solutions for each electrode and so avoid production of gases and by-products unsuitable for a domestic environment. Thus, the invention is suitable for use in an autonmatic dishwasher.

Description

200809009 IX. Description of the invention: [Technical field of the invention] The present invention relates to an electrolytic unit, / 5 15 20 in an automatic dishwasher, configured to manufacture a peroxygen:::: element to § brother's [prior art] In the automatic dishwasher of the Department 2 = 'cleaning agent' is used to produce the washing liquid used in the scalding project of the release =:. However, when the liquid is placed in the environment, the detergent will decompose and be contaminated. The hydrogen solution is used as the washing liquid in the automatic dishwasher. However, hydrogen peroxide is unstable and cannot be stored without decomposition. Therefore, the method and apparatus for generating hydrogen peroxide by electrolysis of hydrogen peroxide at the same time are described in U.S. Patent. Electricity (4) in (10) electrical chemical reaction, 化 hydrogen and thus calving. Without the chemical reaction at the cathode of the control unit, peroxygen = electrolysis may face the problem that in order to produce a good over ==, the water must be electrically conductive. However, the local mains supply (which is the most convenient source of water) is not particularly conductive. In order to increase =: two soluble metal salts can be introduced into the water. Salt - favorable, = 疋t see salt (sodium chloride), due to its availability. However, the electrochemical reaction of k-hydrogen peroxide produces a highly toxic 5 200809009 chlorine gas at the anode. U.S. Pat. However, these proposals increase the cost and/or complexity of the electrolysis unit. 5 [Summary content]

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20 25 Accordingly, the present invention provides an electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen peroxide, the unit comprising an anode, a cathode, and an intermediate film, the anode being associated with a first electrolyte and the cathode being associated with a second electrolyte. The provision of two electrolytes associated with the individual electrodes allows the user to select the solution that is most suitable for each electrode. By way of example, a metal chloride solution can be used to connect to the anode to provide an inexpensive and sufficient electrolyte, while a different metal salt solution is used as the cathode phase electrolyte to prevent the production of harmful by-products (e.g., chlorine). Advantageously, the other electrolytes and their associated electrodes are contained in different 丄 to allow for independent electrolyte control. This can be done by arranging the pump as , - the oxygen supply is lifted. This can be in the form of a chaotic supply. [Embodiment] This thief will (4) (4), and refer to the accompanying map of the county, where · in this patent specification, the same component symbol represents the same yuan 仵 0 6 200809009 Figure 1 illustrates an electrolytic set; ^ This is only - The general formula (4) is represented by the symbol 1 of the component. Only - unit i is drawn here: the sign is shown in proportion to f. Class units are connected in series. Up, but actually more than this 5

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The 20 sub-exchange membranes 4 are partitioned to have: cavities 2, 3' from the cathode cavities 3 of the poles 6. The monopole chamber 2' and the female A-π female level 1 also include an air chamber 7. The cathode 6 1 1 pole separates the cathode cavity 3 from the air cavity 7. Pump 8

Ui hits the air __ to the air cavity 7 to make it 7t. Pressure causes air to be forced into the carbon: system: to provide oxygen to the cathode. Oxygen is necessary to coat the peroxidation gas in the cathode cavity. The anode 5 and the cathode 6 are connected to a power source in the form of a DC power supply 9. This can be supplied by a total power supply (electrical shirt that is adapted to be transformed and rectified to produce the appropriate current and voltage: DC supply 9. The electrolytic unit 1 is forced to be located by applying a potential across the anode 5 The chambers 2, 3 and the ions in the electrodes are chemically activated to activate. If the ions are positively charged cations, they move toward the cathode 6 > 'IL and thus faint. If the ions are negatively charged, they are sun-positive. The jade 5 flows and is thus oxidized. The chemical reaction at the cathode 6 can be simply expressed as follows: 2H++〇2 + 2e^H202 This reaction involves migration in the anode cavity 2 and through the film 4 into the cathode cavity 3 Hydrogen ions and electron cathode reduction of oxygen from the air chamber? 7 25 200809009. By controlling this reaction, hydrogen peroxide is produced in the cathode chamber 3.

10 15 According to the invention, the cavities 2 and 3 of the early element 1 have different individual electrolytes therein. The electrolyte associated with the cathode cavity 3 is referred to as a cathode electrolyte 10. The electrolyte associated with the anode cavity 2 is known as the anode electrolyte U. In the prior electrolytic cell for the manufacture of ruthenium peroxide, an electrolyte was used, which was shared between the anode cavity and the cathode cavity, and for the sake of convenience, this is typically the electrical charge of the chlorinated liquid H at the anode. In chemical reactions, extremely toxic chlorine is produced and this is ruled out – the use of fresh elements in home applications, for example in automatic dishwashers. Other electrolytes have also been proposed 'but they are generally more expensive to reduce sodium, and # when hydrogen peroxide is produced', as the electrolyte in the cathode cavity is used up, the invention must be applied to such things as user safety, cost, and Based on considerations such as availability and efficacy, the user is allowed to select the most appropriate electrolyte for each electrode. The catholyte 1〇 contains a sodium chloride solution before the activation of the electrolysis. This is a convenient choice for catholyte, especially in applications where this type of unit is used in automatic dishwashers. This type of dishwasher is typical and has a cavity, while the dishwasher salt (4) is present. Conventional salts have been used to maintain the efficiency of water softeners in dishwashing machines. The storage of this (4) and the water supply from the #地水管 provide a convenient source of sodium chloride solution. A suitable anolyte 11 is a metal sulfate solution such as sodium sulphate. Softened tap water can also be used as the anolyte. During the electrochemical reaction, Wei gas is produced at the anode 5, and (4) the gas can be harmlessly released. 2008-09-009 5 to t gas + or reused in the unit. In the electrolysis of hydrogen peroxide, the electrolyte 11 is not used up and thus does not need to be replenished. The polar cavity is not consumed by the electrochemical reaction. Appropriate 2: = material is titanium oxide coated with yttrium oxide _ net (listen.. used:: solution: 疋 must use the anode material produced by minimizing chlorine gas, for example, the main two *!! It is expensive '(four) oxidation The anode of the secret foundation is more expensive. The device of the anode is selected to make the anode not be the second: the cheaper materials are used. The other advantage is that the production rate of hydrogen peroxide is corrected. The thinning 4 allows electrical contact between the disintegrations 10, 11 in the chimes 2, 3, but does not allow electrolyte mixing. % 15 20 , solution early 1 very small ' is a few centimeters wide Therefore, a typical unit can only produce a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. A larger throughput can be achieved by a connection that is connected in series using multiple units. Another way to increase throughput is in the unit and accommodate In the cathodic electrolysis f storage tank 12, the (4) heteropolar (4) 1Q is aged as shown in Fig. 2. The catholyte storage tank 12 has a capacity of several liters, typically nearly five liters. Hydrogen peroxide is produced in the cathode cavity 3, and this hydrogenated hydrogen is overcast The electrolyte pump 13 is placed in the cathode electrolyte tank 12 to be replaced by more cathode electrolyte. As the cathode electrolyte circulates between the single cathode cathode chamber 3 and the cathode electrolyte tank 12, the concentration of peroxidation gas in the cathode electrolyte gradually increases. Via the chemical reaction of the cathode 6 (6), the surface of the cathode is recirculated between the unit 1 and the storage tank 12, and the batch of five liters of Weihua listen liquid with the concentration of 9200809009 can be manufactured. In typical household and industrial applications. It has been found that a concentration of about G35% is sufficient for most of the same, and is provided with a storage anode electrolysis tank M for accommodating the anode electrolyte n. The anode casting tank M has a lower, typically about - liter. The pump 15 is used in the electrochemical reaction of the anode cavity 2 ^ ° 70 ° ° in the anode 5, the anode electrolyte is not used up. The anode electrolyte U only needs to be occasionally supplemented with water from the main water supply In order to replace the anode which may have been evaporated by the storage tank 14, the reaction rate of: = early: 1 and thus increase the hydrogen peroxide "to hold the early:: the appropriate current density is required. The flow density must be % 疋 to maintain - the desired manufacturing rate. The reservoir of the metal salt solution 15 = and in order to bring the salt solution to the cathodic electrolyte, the conductivity is 6%, and the speed is brought to the desired level. The metal salt solution of 17 is sodium chloride solution, that is, strontium salt water. _; flow! should be arranged to detect the current through the single current. The second conductivity. In this embodiment, the current sensor Μ :::,: ''It generates a signal indicating the current intensity to the -Bao, ^ controller. The processor 19 periodically compares the signal and: === between the measured and predetermined current values ==Ϊ 17 of the pump 2〇. If the current measured by the sensor 18 is lower than the predetermined value, the processor is assigned 20200809009-the amount of brine. The brine from the reservoir 17 enters the person (four) and mixes it with the cathode and the cathode of the electrolysis unit 1 from the catholyte-like 12-guyin A + A ~ ° ° - enamel, 曰 human h. The liquid present in the static mixer 21 is incorporated into the early stage 1 and causes an immediate change in its conductivity. Figure 3 is a graph showing the change in current measured during a typical conductivity control procedure. The predetermined (four) flow of water, ; = the way to increase the internal metal ion concentration ^ increase, so that the unit reaches the required time in a few minutes: = 2 on the current law and periodic monitoring and subsequent brine ΐ two current levels in The entire manufacturing-batch hydrogen peroxide process was held and the current level error was quite small. As a result, the unit's electrical rate changes dynamically, regardless of the pressure at the i &&& voltage, supply voltage such as: cathodic quality. It also moves the temperature of the four qualities and the water supply. Can be used to help alert the user or the technology. Therefore, the data is heavy. The electrolysis f 1G is re-circulated in the cathode electrolyte tank 12 and the unit. (4), the early element is too ventilated and the hydrogen is transferred to the finely needed within two hours. concentration. ‘ Although;,,,,, this is quite fast over-gasification may be slow. For example, the clothing 4' must be used for some users: 'In the home (four) automatic dishwasher, hydrogen is used to wash certain loads. It is inconvenient to wait for the production of sufficient peroxide. . Catholyte Tank 12 20 200809009 = Hydrogen peroxide produced for the storage-batch unit. However, it will take a few days to decay. Therefore, if the batch; is not used during this time, it will degrade and become unavailable. Oxygen Whenever the batch of hydrogen peroxide is needed, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide stored in the cathode is supplied to the electrolysis unit 1A曰, 曰才曰12 19 ->

The contents of the solution t 12 are filled up by the unit I hydrogen peroxide to reach the desired Λ Λ ϊ ϊ 。.铖山直幻 The production of this clothing k: The hydrogen peroxide that already contains the hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as the cathode electrolyte in the water with the required concentration program. The safety: for monitoring the stored hydrogen peroxide is placed in the length of the groove 12 II. Figure 5 is a graph showing the typical decay of hydrogen peroxide. For example, if the peroxygen gas •i:, the troche, has been stored for five days, it will reduce the decay to 15 20 ^ from about 0.4% to about 225%. When it is needed, the processor 19 arranges, and the tongue " ^ ^ corrects a box of μ (5) for the electrolysis of the early element 1 to return the concentration to 疋7. The figure shows the improper unit in the 妒: Ϊ Ϊ 守 。 。. For example, if the initial ^ Γ r 于 * * 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 This cockroach can be used by the squadron, 廿, _β 亚 determines the unit from a 単 algorithm! How much time will it take to update the negative servant? U 虱 ' to make a batch having a predetermined concentration is shown in Figure 7, 1 η - for example, as shown in Figure 8. Washing into the form of a domestic dishwasher should first be such that the machine 22 comprises an insulated outer cabinet 23, which comprises 12 200809009. The front wall of the seat 24 is rotatable to the bottom side thereof to set the door 25 to be placed in the second type. Plates, other pottery, cutlery and utensils = 'top. Typically, another shelf is placed on the housing 24 == nozzles 27, 28 are sprayed onto the plate, which is instead powered by an electric motor. If the motor and the motor are not displayed. The electrolytic cell storage tanks 12, 14 and hydrogen peroxide are housed in convenient locations for use in applications, for example, in compartments or side walls below the 10 15 20 board. In the case of t, the door 25 is opened to form a plate for machine loading, etc. 30. The operator-operable oscillating device 29 is placed in front of the 埶 element is operated to initiate the washing operation. The machine is filled with water and powered: LUf. When the water temperature is sufficient to allow the load to be fully washed, the pre-wash (4) drives the hot water to the water mist nozzles 27, 28 to activate - the water pipe = medium and is connected to the home owner. Bu 疋 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 控制 控制 控制 控制The controller is arranged to control the pump in the dishwasher; and electrolysis =. When the washing rhyme 22 is activated, the water flow splitter 32 =, :: the water of the water softener 33 connected inside the water pipe 16 to the dishwasher =: pool. This initialization is used to flush out the pre-washing step of the 7 U5 item from the item in the housing 24 to the ', particle and other dirt's clause $^. #Pre-washing step The Wei Wei is “powered by the power supply of the transformer and the rectified 200809009 from the L power supply. Therefore, the process of generating hydrogen peroxide is not started from scratch, but is stored. The remaining residual concentration in the solution begins. This continues until a batch of hydrogen peroxide having the desired concentration is produced, at which point the dishwasher is arranged to initiate its main washing step. 5 During the main wash, the connection The drain raft 34 to the cathode electrolyte tank 12 is activated so that a batch of hydrogen peroxide contained therein is dispensed into the wash tank holder 24 of the dishwasher 22. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a cleaning item in the tank holder _. It has been found that hydrogen peroxide is particularly suitable for the cleaning of glassware items, because glassware exposed to conventional cleaners may be scratched or net 10 ϋ hydrogen peroxide is decayed into oxygen and water, and when released to the environment When it is in the middle, it does not cause pollution. When this main washing step occurs, the catholyte tank 12 is replenished with fresh demineralized water from the main water pipe supply. The chlorine peroxide is made up; the sequence is restarted again. Until the batch has the desired concentration of hydrogen peroxide material. This (4) oxidation money is expected to be in the negative (four) solution ^ _ correct the dishwasher to run again 'At this point in time, the processor 19 decided to & The length of time that is stored' and thus the unit 丨 needs to replace the decaying nitrogen peroxide. This time can, for example, Γ 20 at 20 = one of the panels 30 visible visually conveyed to the dishwasher When the main washing has been completed, the tank 24 is emptied via the drain pump 35 and refilled with fresh water heated to flush the load. After flushing, the tank is drained again. Preferably, the drying _ including a short high-speed air flow 'α forces the residual water out of the recess 14 in the disk at 200809009, such as the upwardly facing bottom of the mug. This can be continuated by the slower flowing money of the drying plate. The method of shortening the time required to update the batch-peroxidation domain involves shortening its decay rate. By shortening the decay rate, the batch: the hydrogen peroxide will have a higher two than can be achieved so far: 】 Again. This can be controlled by the cathode The pH of the detoxification is achieved. The second = "5 yang - the batch of hydrogen peroxide has a slow decay; the members 10 15 20 ff 〇, Γ 5 〇Ι〇 ^ & 5, the decay rate is ready, if The pH is greater than ^^Λ^Γ^::ΡΗΛ8'64^ 0.225%. The day decays from the concentration of G.4% to the pH of the catholyte, and the pH of the solution, because of any change in the pH of the cathode, the anode is electrically intercalated to control the pH of the pH of the anode electrolyte. The pH of the preferred anolyte: quality is achieved. Alternatively, the soda solution - ^ natural St element II SI is called the anolyte is not used up, and the value is small and the loss of the volume contained in the tank. Via the most ':=: quality 4': the subsequent electrolyte of the polar electrolyte: hold a larger amount of money to the yang (four) solution tank 丨4. If Riga is required, the pH of the anolyte U is allowed to remain stable between each intrusion. Another stability of the pH of the anolyte 11 can be achieved by, for example, sealing the anolyte tank 14 to limit exposure of the anolyte to air so that the anode electrolyte does not need to be filled up so often. 5 The present invention has been described with reference to an automatic dishwasher using a hydrogen peroxide dishwashing bowl. However, the invention has many applications. For example, the invention can be used in other cleaning operations, such as floor cleaning applications, particularly in carpet cleaners. In a steam cleaner or steam iron incorporating the present invention, hydrogen peroxide will be heated, which is believed to increase its bleaching effect. 10 Hydrogen peroxide has a disinfecting effect, so the present invention can be used as both household and industrial to disinfect appliances, work surfaces, treat wounds and infections, and as a hand soap machine. Further applications of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art. 15 is a schematic diagram of an electrolytic unit constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for controlling the conductivity of the unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the unit of FIG. Figure 4 is a graph showing changes in hydrogen peroxide concentration in the cell of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a graph showing typical decay rate of hydrogen peroxide; Figure 6 is a cell pair showing Figure 1. Figure 3 is a diagram of a system for storing and supplementing one of the hydrogen peroxide in the unit of Figure 1; and 16 200809009 Figure 8 is a diagram comprising the unit of Figure 1 and A partially cutaway perspective view of the appliance cabinet of the system of Figures 2 and 7.

[Main component symbol description] Representative symbol 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Name Electrolytic unit Anode cavity Cathode cavity Intermediate film Anode cathode Air cavity pump DC power supply Second electrolyte First Electrolyte Catholyte Storage Tank Catholyte Pump Anode Electrolyte Storage Tank Pump Total Water Supply Reservoir Current Sensor Processor 17 200809009 20 Pump 21 Static Mixer 22 Dishwasher 23 Insulated Outer Cabinet 24 Slot 25 Door 26 Shelf 27 Nozzle 28 Nozzles 29 User-operable controls 30 Front panel 31 Heating element 32 Water flow diverter 33 Water softener 34 Drainage 35 Drain pump 36 Anode electrolyte tank valve 18

Claims (1)

X. Patent Application Range: 1. An electrolytic unit for producing hydrogen peroxide, the unit comprising an anode, a cathode, and an intermediate film, the anode being associated with a first electrolyte, and the cathode being associated with a second electrolyte . 2. The electrolytic unit of claim 1, further comprising an anode cavity for accommodating the anode and the first electrolyte. 3. The electrolytic unit of claim 2, further comprising a first pump for circulating the first electrolyte between the anode chamber and a first tank. 4. The electrolytic unit of claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising a cathode cavity for accommodating the cathode and the second electrolyte. 5. The electrolytic unit of claim 4, further comprising a second pump for circulating the second electrolyte between the cathode chamber and a second chamber. 6. The electrolytic unit of the preceding claim, wherein the second electrolyte comprises a metal chloride solution. 7. The electrolytic unit of claim 6, wherein the metal gasification is sodium chloride. 8. The electrolysis unit of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrolyte is any metal salt solution other than a metal chloride. 9. The electrolysis unit of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrolyte is a metal sulfate solution. 10. The electrolytic unit of claim 9, wherein the metal sulphate 200809009 salt is sodium sulphate. The electrolytic unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrolyte comprises demineralized water supplied from a main water pipe. 12. An electrolysis unit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for supplying 5 water to the electrolyte. 13. The electrolytic unit of claim 13, wherein the water supply device comprises a connection to one of the local main water supply. The electrolytic unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a device for supplying oxygen to the cathode. Ίο 15. The electrolytic unit of claim 14, wherein the oxygen supply device comprises a connection to one of ambient air. 16. The electrolytic unit of claim 14 or 15, wherein the oxygen supply device comprises a compressed air chamber. 17. The electrolytic unit of claim 16 of the patent application, further comprising an air pump for driving air 15 into the cavity. P 18. The electrolytic cell of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a power source arranged to supply the anode and the cathode energy. 19. The electrolytic unit of claim 18, wherein the power source is obtained from a total supply of 20 20 power. An electrolysis unit, essentially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying Fig. 2 or as shown. An apparatus comprising an electrolytic unit according to any one of the preceding claims. An automatic dishwasher comprising the electrolytic sheet 20 200809009 of any one of claims 1 to 20. A method for producing hydrogen peroxide, comprising the step of activating an electrolysis unit comprising an anode, a cathode, and an intermediate film, the anode being associated with a first electrolyte, and the cathode and the first Two 5 electrolyte related. 24. A method of washing a dish comprising the step of providing cerium peroxide to the dish, the hydrogen peroxide being produced by the method of claim 23 of the patent application. , twenty one