US20170145571A1 - Electrolysis device - Google Patents

Electrolysis device Download PDF

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Publication number
US20170145571A1
US20170145571A1 US15/325,817 US201515325817A US2017145571A1 US 20170145571 A1 US20170145571 A1 US 20170145571A1 US 201515325817 A US201515325817 A US 201515325817A US 2017145571 A1 US2017145571 A1 US 2017145571A1
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Prior art keywords
electrolysis
electrode
channel
lower electrode
upper electrode
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US15/325,817
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English (en)
Inventor
Nobutoshi Arai
Yasuhiro Sakamoto
Nobuhiro Hayashi
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Sharp Life Science Corp
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Sharp Corp
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Assigned to SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA reassignment SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SAKAMOTO, YASUHIRO, ARAI, NOBUTOSHI, HAYASHI, NOBUHIRO
Publication of US20170145571A1 publication Critical patent/US20170145571A1/en
Assigned to SHARP LIFE SCIENCE CORPORATION reassignment SHARP LIFE SCIENCE CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01—Products
    • C25B1/34—Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
    • C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
    • C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
    • C02F1/46104—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
    • C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
    • C02F1/46104—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
    • C02F1/4618—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing for producing "ionised" acidic or basic water
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01—Products
    • C25B1/24—Halogens or compounds thereof
    • C25B1/26—Chlorine; Compounds thereof
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C25B9/17—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
    • C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
    • C02F1/467—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis by electrochemical disinfection; by electrooxydation or by electroreduction
    • C02F1/4672—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis by electrochemical disinfection; by electrooxydation or by electroreduction by electrooxydation
    • C02F1/4674—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis by electrochemical disinfection; by electrooxydation or by electroreduction by electrooxydation with halogen or compound of halogens, e.g. chlorine, bromine
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
    • C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
    • C02F1/46104—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
    • C02F1/46109—Electrodes
    • C02F2001/46133—Electrodes characterised by the material
    • C02F2001/46138—Electrodes comprising a substrate and a coating
    • C02F2001/46142—Catalytic coating
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
    • C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
    • C02F1/46104—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
    • C02F1/4618—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing for producing "ionised" acidic or basic water
    • C02F2001/46185—Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing for producing "ionised" acidic or basic water only anodic or acidic water, e.g. for oxidizing or sterilizing
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F2201/46—Apparatus for electrochemical processes
    • C02F2201/461—Electrolysis apparatus
    • C02F2201/46105—Details relating to the electrolytic devices
    • C02F2201/4611—Fluid flow
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/29—Chlorine compounds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2301/00—General aspects of water treatment
    • C02F2301/02—Fluid flow conditions
    • C02F2301/024—Turbulent

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrolysis device and particularly to a diaphragmless electrolysis device.
  • Electrolysis is practically used for, for example, production of chemical materials.
  • Basic chemical raw materials such as sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), chlorine gas, hydrogen gas, and sodium carbonate (soda ash) are produced by, for example, an electrolytic soda process.
  • an electrolysis technique is also used for home appliances such as an alkaline ionized water filter.
  • hypochlorites such as sodium hypochlorite is used as a bleaching agent and a germicide for treating clean and sewage water, for treating a drain, and for household kitchens and washing.
  • Hypochlorites are produced by a method in which an alkali hydroxide obtained by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride, such as a saline solution, is caused to react with chlorine gas or a method in which an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride is electrolyzed in a diaphragmless electrolytic cell and an aqueous hypochlorite solution is produced in the electrolytic cell.
  • an aqueous hypochlorite solution having a concentration allowable for direct use for clarification and sterilization of water can be produced using simple electrolysis facilities. Therefore, this method is employed at a site where an aqueous hypochlorite solution is actually used. Furthermore, in the production of the aqueous hypochlorite solution by electrolysis, the electric current applied can be adjusted in accordance with the amount of an aqueous hypochlorite solution required, and all the chlorine component effective for sterilization or the like is dissolved in water.
  • the method for producing an aqueous hypochlorous acid solution by electrolysis has an advantage of not requiring storage and transport of hypochlorites.
  • the production of an aqueous hypochlorite solution by electrolysis is performed even at a plant where a facility for storing liquid chlorine is installed to use chlorine gas or a plant where a high-concentration aqueous hypochlorite solution is stored to use an aqueous hypochlorite solution.
  • reaction formulae (1) to (3) an anodic reaction represented by reaction formulae (1) to (3) and a cathodic reaction represented by reaction formula (4) are believed to proceed.
  • a high-concentration aqueous hypochlorite solution is believed to be produced by a method in which an electrolysis solution is held between the anode and the cathode for a long time or a method that uses a multistage electrolysis unit including a plurality of electrolytic cells each including an anode and a cathode and disposed with partitions therebetween.
  • FIG. 15 schematically illustrates a known electrolysis device 100 generally used for products obtained with an electrolysis technique.
  • An electrode pair including a first electrode 103 and a second electrode 104 is disposed inside a resin casing 101 .
  • a wiring line 106 (pin) for applying a voltage is connected to the first electrode 103
  • a wiring line 107 (pin) for applying a voltage is connected to the second electrode 104 .
  • one end of the pin is welded to the electrode and the other end of the pin is threaded so as to be connected to a wiring line from a power supply.
  • the shape of the casing 101 can be suitably contrived using an O-ring or the like to prevent liquid leakage, this contrivance is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention.
  • the electrolysis device 100 includes a supply inlet 108 from which a liquid to be treated is supplied between the electrodes and a discharge outlet 109 from which a liquid subjected to electrolysis is discharged. Normally, the electrode pair is disposed in the vertical direction, and the liquid to be treated is supplied from the lower side.
  • An example of products for which the electrolysis device is used is an electrolyzed water-producing device 120 in FIG. 16 .
  • the electrolysis device is desirably made compact in size as much as possible and installed to the electrolyzed water-producing device 120 .
  • a casing 111 includes a feed water inlet 112 that can be connected to a pipe through which water is supplied from a water supply or another water source under pressure and a discharge outlet 113 from which the electrolyzed water is discharged.
  • a pipe through which the electrolyzed water is fed to a supply target can be connected to the discharge outlet 113 .
  • An ON/OFF switch 114 for the device is also disposed.
  • an indicator that displays an operation status and other switches used for various operations may be suitably disposed, but they are omitted because they are not directly related to the present invention.
  • FIG. 17 schematically illustrates an internal structure of the electrolyzed water-producing device 120 in FIG. 16 .
  • the feed water inlet 112 and the discharge outlet 113 are connected to each other through a pipe 115 , and a solenoid-controlled valve 116 used for ON/OFF control may be optionally disposed therebetween.
  • the pipe 115 includes a portion spatially connected to an outlet of the electrolysis device 100 .
  • An inlet of the electrolysis device 100 is spatially connected to a raw solution tank 117 through a pipe such as a tube.
  • a pump 118 for feeding a raw solution by a predetermined amount is disposed between the electrolysis device 100 and the raw solution tank 117 .
  • the solenoid-controlled valve 116 is opened and water is supplied from the feed water inlet 112 to the production device 120 and discharged from the discharge outlet 113 through the pipe 115 .
  • the pump 118 is also operated to supply a raw solution stored in the raw solution tank 117 to the electrolysis device 100 .
  • Power is supplied to the electrolysis device 100 from a power supply (not illustrated) to electrolyze the raw solution.
  • a high-concentration electrolyzed water produced by electrolysis is supplied to the pipe 115 and diluted with water flowing through the pipe 115 so as to have an appropriate concentration.
  • the diluted electrolyzed water is fed to an electrolyzed water-supplying point through a pipe such as a hose that is suitably connected to the discharge outlet 113 .
  • a pipe such as a hose that is suitably connected to the discharge outlet 113 .
  • an electrolytic cell for producing a hypochlorite which includes a plurality of bipolar unit electrolytic cells.
  • a cooling room is disposed at an inlet from which an electrolysis solution flows in or an outlet from which an electrolysis solution is discharged in each of the unit electrolytic cells (refer to PTL 1).
  • a decrease in the effective electrode area can be prevented, the decrease being caused by accumulation of generated air bubbles rising to an upper portion of the electrolysis unit and thus by no immersion of an upper portion of the electrode with an electrolysis solution.
  • the electrolysis device (referred to as an electrolytic cell in PTL 1) in PTL 1 includes a plurality of electrode plates arranged in a direction perpendicular to a horizontal plane, and a liquid to be treated is supplied from the lower side to the upper side.
  • the present invention provides an electrolysis device capable of efficiently producing an electrolysis product.
  • the present invention provides an electrolysis device including an electrolysis unit.
  • the electrolysis unit includes a channel for fluid to be treated, at least one electrolysis electrode pair, a flow inlet, and a flow outlet.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair is disposed so as to incline with respect to a vertical direction and includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode disposed so as to face each other.
  • the channel for fluid to be treated is disposed so that a fluid that has flowed in from the flow inlet flows through an interelectrode channel between the upper electrode and the lower electrode from a lower side to an upper side and flows out from the flow outlet.
  • the electrolysis device includes an electrolysis unit; the electrolysis unit includes a channel for fluid to be treated, at least one electrolysis electrode pair, a flow inlet, and a flow outlet; the electrolysis electrode pair includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode disposed so as to face each other; and the channel for fluid to be treated is disposed so that a fluid that has flowed in from the flow inlet flows through an interelectrode channel between the upper electrode and the lower electrode and flows out from the flow outlet. Therefore, when the fluid is caused to flow through the channel for fluid to be treated and a voltage is applied to the electrolysis electrode pair, the fluid is electrolyzed to produce an electrolysis product, and such a fluid containing an electrolysis product can be continuously produced.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair is disposed so as to incline with respect to a vertical direction and the channel for fluid to be treated is disposed so that a fluid flows through an interelectrode channel from a lower side to an upper side. Therefore, an electrolysis product can be efficiently produced. This has been demonstrated from an experiment conducted by the present inventors and the like.
  • gas is generated through an electrode reaction at the lower electrode and thus air bubbles are generated on the lower electrode.
  • the air bubbles can be caused to float toward the upper electrode so as to cross a fluid flowing in the flow direction.
  • a fluid around the lower electrode and a fluid around the upper electrode can be stirred and mixed, which facilitates the electrode reaction at the upper electrode.
  • the movement of a fluid located upstream of the lower electrode in the direction toward the upper electrode is facilitated with the movement of the air bubbles. Therefore, a fluid located downstream of the lower electrode contains a small fraction of a liquid component subjected to electrolysis. Thus, the production efficiency of an electrolysis product can be improved.
  • FIGS. 1( a ) and 1( b ) are schematic sectional views of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1( c ) is a diagram for describing an overlap of an upper electrode and a lower electrode when the electrolysis device is viewed in a vertical direction A.
  • FIG. 1( d ) is a diagram for describing an overlap of an upper electrode and a lower electrode when the electrolysis device is viewed in a direction B perpendicular to a principal surface of the lower electrode.
  • FIGS. 2( a ) and 2( b ) are schematic sectional views of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2( c ) is a diagram for describing an overlap of an upper electrode and a lower electrode when the electrolysis device is viewed in a vertical direction A.
  • FIG. 2( d ) is a diagram for describing an overlap of an upper electrode and a lower electrode when the electrolysis device is viewed in a direction B perpendicular to a principal surface of the lower electrode.
  • FIG. 3( a ) is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3( b ) is a diagram for describing an overlap of an upper electrode and a lower electrode when the electrolysis device is viewed in a vertical direction A.
  • FIG. 3( c ) is a diagram for describing an overlap of an upper electrode and a lower electrode when the electrolysis device is viewed in a direction B perpendicular to a principal surface of the lower electrode.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device produced in an electrolysis experiment.
  • FIG. 6( a ) is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 6( b ) to 6( d ) are schematic sectional views of constituent parts of the electrolysis device.
  • FIGS. 7( a ) and 7( b ) are schematic sectional views of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9( a ) is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 9( b ) to 9( f ) are schematic sectional views of constituent parts of the electrolysis device.
  • FIGS. 10( a ) and 10( b ) are schematic views of electrolysis devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an electrolysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a graph showing the measurement result of an electrolysis experiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing flows of a fluid and air bubbles in an interelectrode channel.
  • FIGS. 14( a ) to 14( c ) are schematic sectional views of electrolysis devices produced in an electrolysis experiment.
  • FIGS. 15( a ) and 15( b ) are schematic sectional views of a known electrolysis device.
  • FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a known electrolyzed water-producing device.
  • FIG. 17 schematically illustrates the internal structure of the known electrolyzed water-producing device.
  • FIG. 18 is a graph showing the measurement result of an electrolysis experiment.
  • FIG. 19 is a schematic view of an electrolysis device produced in an electrolysis experiment.
  • FIGS. 20( a ) to 20( c ) are schematic sectional views of electrolysis devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • An electrolysis device of the present invention includes an electrolysis unit.
  • the electrolysis unit includes a channel for fluid to be treated, at least one electrolysis electrode pair, a flow inlet, and a flow outlet.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair is disposed so as to incline with respect to a vertical direction and includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode disposed so as to face each other.
  • the channel for fluid to be treated is disposed so that a fluid that has flowed in from the flow inlet flows through an interelectrode channel between the upper electrode and the lower electrode from a lower side to an upper side and flows out from the flow outlet.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair is preferably disposed so as to have an inclination angle of more than 0° and less than 50° with respect to the vertical direction.
  • the electrolysis efficiency of the electrolysis unit can be improved. This has been demonstrated from an electrolysis experiment conducted by the present inventors and the like.
  • the channel for fluid to be treated preferably includes an upstream-side bent channel located close to an end of the interelectrode channel on an upstream side or a downstream-side bent channel located close to an end of the interelectrode channel on a downstream side.
  • the channel for fluid to be treated includes an upstream-side bent channel or a downstream-side bent channel
  • gas generated through an electrolysis reaction can be efficiently discharged from the interelectrode channel, and therefore a decrease in electrolysis efficiency due to holding of gas can be suppressed.
  • the channel for fluid to be treated includes an upstream-side bent channel
  • a turbulent flow can be caused on a liquid in the channel for fluid to be treated.
  • the channel for fluid to be treated includes a downstream-side bent channel
  • stirring can be performed again at the bent channel.
  • an aqueous solution of a substance containing a chlorine atom is electrolyzed to produce hypochlorous acid
  • chlorine gas is not sufficiently dissolved in the aqueous solution under some conditions, which sometimes decreases the production efficiency of hypochlorous acid.
  • the dissolution of chlorine gas in the aqueous solution and the conversion into hypochlorous acid can be facilitated, and the electrolysis efficiency can be substantially improved.
  • the upper electrode preferably serves as an anode
  • the lower electrode preferably serves as a cathode
  • air bubbles can be generated through a cathodic reaction at the lower electrode, and the electrolysis efficiency can be improved by a stirring and mixing effect produced by the air bubbles.
  • the lower electrode preferably has an electrode surface area larger than that of the upper electrode.
  • the above phenomenon can be relaxed. Consequently, the electrode surface area can be effectively utilized, and the electrolysis efficiency per unit area of the upper electrode can be improved.
  • the electrolysis device of the present invention preferably further includes a dilution unit.
  • the fluid is an aqueous solution
  • the electrolysis electrode pair is disposed so that a hypochlorite ion is electrochemically produced from a chlorine-containing compound contained in the aqueous solution
  • the aqueous solution at the flow outlet contains 4000 ppm or more of a hypochlorite ion on a weight basis
  • the dilution unit is disposed so as to produce a diluted solution of the aqueous solution that contains a hypochlorite ion and is discharged from the flow outlet, and the diluted solution has a pH of 7.5 or less.
  • an electrolyzed water that contains a hypochlorite ion and has a pH of 7.5 or less can be efficiently produced by electrolysis while the release of chlorine gas is suppressed.
  • the electrolysis unit is disposed so that a hypochlorite ion is electrochemically produced from the chlorine-containing compound, the upper electrode serves as an anode, and the lower electrode serves as a cathode.
  • the cross section of the electrolysis unit in a direction in which the cross-sectional area of the interelectrode channel is the smallest includes a plane C that includes the upper electrode, but does not include the lower electrode, a plane D that includes both the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and a plane E that includes the lower electrode, but does not include the upper electrode
  • the upper electrode and the lower electrode are preferably disposed so that the plane C is located at the top, the plane E is located at the bottom, and the plane D is located between the plane C and the plane E.
  • the upper electrode is preferably curved so as to have a projected shape facing the lower electrode and the lower electrode is preferably curved so as to have a depressed shape facing the upper electrode.
  • the radius of curvature of the upper electrode is preferably smaller than that of the lower electrode.
  • the movement of the air bubbles from the center to the end of the upper electrode generates a flow velocity vector in the direction from the center to the end. This increases the flow velocity at the center and decreases the flow velocity at the end compared with known electrode unit structures. Consequently, the variation in the degree of electrolysis between an electrolysis solution flowing at the center and an electrolysis solution flowing at the end can be suppressed.
  • the amount of air bubbles at the center of the upper electrode can be made smaller than that at the end of the upper electrode. Therefore, the electrolysis efficiency is increased at the center where the flow velocity tends to be relatively high. Consequently, the variation in the degree of electrolysis between an electrolysis solution flowing at the center and an electrolysis solution flowing at the end can be further suppressed.
  • the lower electrode is preferably a mesh-like electrode.
  • an electrolyzed water near the upper electrode or the lower electrode is also affected by turbulent flows generated by the air bubble guide.
  • the electrolyzed water near the upper electrode or the lower electrode is also stirred in addition to the air bubbles. This considerably improves the diffusion controlling in the electrolysis reaction and also facilities the dissolution of air bubbles because of mixing and stirring of air bubbles. Consequently, the electrolysis reaction is facilitated overall and thus the electrolysis efficiency is improved.
  • the air bubble guide is a columnar member disposed away from the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and the axis of the column of the member is substantially parallel to the upper electrode and the lower electrode.
  • the electrolysis unit includes a first electrode holder to which the lower electrode is fixed, a second electrode holder to which the upper electrode is fixed, and a spacer disposed between the first and second electrode holders, and the spacer is disposed so that at least part of the spacer overlaps the upper electrode and the lower electrode when viewed in a direction in which the upper electrode and the lower electrode overlap each other.
  • the first or second electrode holder at least has a recess to which the electrode is to be fixed, and the distance (the depth of the recess) between the surface to which the electrode is fixed and the surface of the spacer is larger than the thickness of the electrode to be fixed.
  • a protrusion is disposed that protrudes from a surface parallel to a part of the channel for fluid to be treated and the surface of the upper electrode or lower electrode, and at least part of the protrusion is disposed on a symmetry plane in a structure that defines the channel for fluid to be treated.
  • the flow velocity is relatively high around the center of the interelectrode channel, that is, around the center of the electrode, and thus the time for which an electrolysis solution flowing through the center is electrolyzed is shortened.
  • the flow velocity is relatively low at the end, and thus the time for which an electrolysis solution flowing through the end is electrolyzed is lengthened. Consequently, the electrolysis solution is not uniformly electrolyzed, which causes concentration unevenness.
  • electrolysis conditions When the electrolysis conditions are set to electrolysis conditions suitable for an electrolysis solution flowing through the center, an electrolysis solution flowing through the end is electrolyzed more than necessary from a certain position or is not electrolyzed at all, which makes the electrode area ineffective.
  • electrolysis conditions are set to electrolysis conditions suitable for an electrolysis solution flowing through the end, the electrolysis solution flowing through the center is not sufficiently electrolyzed. Electrolysis is not efficiently performed in either case, but the presence of the protrusion decreases the flow velocity at the center and increases the flow velocity at the end in a very simple structure. Therefore, the occurrence of concentration unevenness can be suppressed and the electrolysis efficiency can be improved.
  • the widths of the upper electrode and the lower electrode are preferably relatively large and the widths of the flow inlet, the flow outlet, and the protrusion are preferably relatively small.
  • the uniformity of the flow velocity can be improved. This suppresses the concentration unevenness and improves the electrolysis efficiency.
  • the channel for fluid to be treated is preferably disposed so that the cross-sectional area of a channel near the flow outlet is larger than that of the interelectrode channel.
  • the variation in the flow velocity near the flow outlet can be suppressed and also the air bubbles are easily discharged.
  • a stirring effect and a holding effect can be expected in a portion where the cross-sectional area of a channel is large.
  • the conversation of chlorine gas into hypochlorous acid can be expected to be facilitated. Therefore, an improvement in the efficiency can be expected.
  • the protrusion is preferably disposed on each of the upstream side and downstream side of the interelectrode channel.
  • the flow velocity around the center tends to increase again on the downstream side and the flow velocity around the end tends to decrease.
  • the variation in the flow velocity can be suppressed by disposing the protrusion on both the upstream side and downstream side.
  • the electrolysis unit includes the upper and lower electrodes, electrode holders that define a channel other than the interelectrode channel, and the protrusion; at least part of the protrusion is connected to the upper electrode, the lower electrode, a base of these electrodes, or a member physically coupled with these electrodes; and the at least part of the protrusion is also connected to the electrode holders.
  • the upper electrode or the lower electrode can be fixed to the electrode holder by disposing the protrusion, and there is no need to separately fix the electrode. Therefore, the electrolysis device of the present invention can be provided without complicating the configuration and structure.
  • At least part of the protrusion or a member including the protrusion is made of a conductive material, and at least part of the member made of the conductive material is electrically connected to the upper electrode or the lower electrode.
  • the member made of the conductive material can be used for fixing the upper electrode or the lower electrode to the electrode holder and applying a voltage to the upper electrode or the lower electrode.
  • a lead line for applying a voltage to the electrode is not additionally required. Therefore, the complication of the configuration and structure is prevented.
  • the electrode terminal may be led by attaching a lug for terminals to the electrode in advance. However, when blanking is employed, some material is wasted. When a lug is attached later, a process for attaching a lug later needs to be performed.
  • At least a portion of the surface of the protrusion closest to the counter electrode is preferably nonconductive.
  • the member including the protrusion is disposed so as to be parallel to the direction of the normal to main electrode surfaces that define the interelectrode channel, and the member connects the electrode holder and the electrode to each other.
  • the upper electrode or the lower electrode can be fixed to the electrode holder and a voltage can be applied to the upper electrode and the lower electrode by a very simple method.
  • the first electrode holder to which the lower electrode is fixed and the second electrode holder to which the upper electrode is fixed have substantially the same shape and are disposed symmetrically about a point; a spacer is disposed between the first and second electrode holders; and at least part of the spacer overlaps the upper electrode and the lower electrode when viewed in a direction in which the upper electrode and the lower electrode overlap each other.
  • the probability that both the electrodes are brought into contact with each other can be decreased. This improves the safety of the electrolysis device. Furthermore, the distance between the electrodes can be easily changed by changing the thickness of the spacer. Therefore, the specifications can be easily changed in accordance with the purposes of products, and thus commonality of parts such as an electrode holder is easily achieved.
  • the spacer preferably overlaps edges of the upper electrode and the lower electrode when viewed in a direction in which the upper electrode and the lower electrode overlap each other.
  • the electrolysis unit is preferably disposed so that an aqueous solution of a compound containing a chlorine atom is electrolyzed to produce at least one of a hypochlorite ion and a chlorine molecule having a concentration corresponding to 4000 ppm or more, and the at least one of a hypochlorite ion and a chlorine molecule is diluted to produce a hypochlorous acid water having a pH of 7 or less.
  • An electrolysis device 15 includes an electrolysis unit 10 .
  • the electrolysis unit 10 includes a channel 7 for fluid to be treated, at least one electrolysis electrode pair 5 , a flow inlet 8 , and a flow outlet 9 .
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 is disposed so as to incline with respect to the vertical direction, includes an upper electrode 3 and a lower electrode 4 disposed so as to face each other, and is disposed so that an electrode reaction that generates a gas proceeds at the lower electrode 4 .
  • the channel 7 for fluid to be treated is disposed so that a fluid that has flowed in from the flow inlet 8 flows through an interelectrode channel 6 between the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 from the lower side to the upper side and flows out from the flow outlet 9 .
  • the plate-shaped upper electrode 3 and the plate-shaped lower electrode 4 are fixed to a casing 1 so as to face each other, and the interelectrode channel 6 is formed between the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 .
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 is disposed so as to incline with respect to the vertical direction, the upper electrode 3 is an electrode located on the upper side and the lower electrode 4 is an electrode located on the lower side.
  • the electrolysis unit 10 is a unit including the channel 7 for fluid to be treated and is a constituent unit of the electrolysis device 15 .
  • the electrolysis device 15 is constituted by a single electrolysis unit 10 in FIG. 1 , but the electrolysis device 15 may be constituted by a plurality of electrolysis units 10 .
  • the plurality of electrolysis units 10 may be combined with each other so that the channels 7 for fluid to be treated are arranged in parallel or in series.
  • the casing 1 may have a tubular structure or may have a structure in which the channel 7 for fluid to be treated is formed by combining a plurality of members.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 can be fixed onto the inner wall surface of the tubular structure.
  • the channel 7 for fluid to be treated may be formed by combining a first member to which the upper electrode 3 is fixed and a second member to which the lower electrode 4 is fixed. In this case, a third member may be sandwiched between the first member and the second member.
  • the member for the casing 1 or the casing 1 may be an electrode holder to which the upper electrode 3 or the lower electrode 4 is fixed.
  • gas generated at the upper electrode 3 or the lower electrode 4 can be efficiently discharged from the interelectrode channel 6 , which suppresses a decrease in electrolysis efficiency due to holding of the gas.
  • the flow inlet 8 can be disposed below a lower edge of the interelectrode channel 6 and the flow outlet 9 can be disposed above an upper edge of the interelectrode channel 6 .
  • gas generated at the upper electrode 3 or the lower electrode 4 can be efficiently discharged from the interelectrode channel 6 , which suppresses a decrease in electrolysis efficiency due to holding of the gas.
  • the internal volume of the electrolysis unit 10 can be decreased while the same electrolysis performance is maintained. Therefore, the startup characteristics of the electrolysis device 15 can be improved.
  • the rise of the concentration of the electrolyzed water can be improved.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 includes the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 .
  • the electrolysis unit 10 in FIG. 1 includes one electrolysis electrode pair 5 , but may include a plurality of electrolysis electrode pairs 5 .
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 are disposed so that an electrode reaction that generates gas proceeds at the lower electrode 4 . This efficiently produces an electrolysis product. If an electrode reaction that generates gas proceeds at both the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 , the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 can be disposed so that the amount of air bubbles generated is larger at the lower electrode 4 than at the upper electrode 3 .
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 can be fixed to the casing 1 .
  • the upper electrode 3 or the lower electrode 4 may be fixed to the casing 1 with a screw member or may be fixed to the casing 1 with an adhesive.
  • the upper electrode 3 or the lower electrode 4 may be fixed to a flat surface or a curved surface of the casing 1 or may be fixed to a groove of the casing 1 .
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 are disposed in grooves of the casing 1 to prevent formation of steps in the channel 7 for fluid to be treated.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 may have a flat plate shape or a curved plate shape.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 may have a rectangular shape or a circular shape.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 may have substantially the same shape or different shapes.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 included in the electrolysis unit 10 in FIG. 1 have substantially the same rectangular plate shape.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 each have, for example, 8-cm long sides and 3-cm short sides.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 may have a mesh-like structure, a perforated structure, or a porous structure.
  • a space may be provided on the side (back side) of the upper electrode 3 opposite to the lower electrode 4 .
  • a supporting electrode electrically connected to the upper electrode 3 may be disposed on a wall surface that defines the space.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 is formed of a conductive material such as a metal material.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 may be insoluble electrodes.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 may each have a surface on which a catalyst such as Pt, Pd, Ir, or Ru is supported or coated. Thus, an electrolysis reaction can be efficiently caused to proceed.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 are disposed so as to incline with respect to the vertical direction.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 are disposed so that at least part of the upper electrode 3 is located above the lower electrode 4 in the vertical direction.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 can be disposed so as to have an inclination angle of more than 0° and less than 50° with respect to the vertical direction.
  • the inclination angle may be 5° or more and 45° or less and may also be 15° or more and 32° or less.
  • the inclination angle is an inclination angle of a surface (principal surface or electrode surface) of the upper electrode 3 that faces the lower electrode 4 or an inclination angle of a surface (principal surface or electrode surface) of the lower electrode 4 that faces the upper electrode 3 .
  • the inclination angle of the upper electrode 3 and the inclination angle of the lower electrode 4 are preferably substantially the same.
  • the distance between the electrodes can be substantially made constant, which suppresses the concentration of electric current.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 are disposed so as to have an inclination angle ⁇ .
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 when viewed in a direction B perpendicular to the principal surface of the lower electrode 4 , the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 having substantially the same size are disposed so that substantially the entire surfaces of the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 overlap each other.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 when viewed in the vertical direction A, the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 are disposed so as to overlap each other in an overlap region 16 .
  • the electrolysis unit 10 is disposed so that a fluid to be treated flows from the lower side to the upper side of the interelectrode channel 6 and an electrode reaction that generates gas (air bubbles 11 ) proceeds at the lower electrode 4 .
  • air bubbles 11 are generated on the lower electrode 4 through the electrode reaction at the lower electrode 4 .
  • the air bubbles 11 can be caused to float toward the upper electrode 3 so as to cross a fluid flowing in the flow direction.
  • a fluid around the lower electrode 4 and a fluid around the upper electrode 3 can be stirred and mixed, which facilitates the electrode reaction at the upper electrode 3 .
  • the movement of a fluid located upstream of the lower electrode 4 in the direction toward the upper electrode 3 is facilitated with the movement of the air bubbles 11 . Therefore, a fluid located downstream of the lower electrode 4 contains a small fraction of a liquid component subjected to electrolysis. Thus, the production efficiency of an electrolysis product can be improved.
  • the electrolysis product produced by the electrolysis electrode pair 5 is, for example, hypochlorous acid.
  • an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride is supplied to the channel 7 for fluid to be treated (interelectrode channel 6 ) from the flow inlet 8 and a voltage is applied between the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 , an electrolysis reaction represented by the above reaction formulae (1) to (4) can be caused to proceed, and thus an aqueous hypochlorite solution (electrolyzed water) can be produced.
  • a voltage can be applied so that the upper electrode 3 serves as an anode and the lower electrode 4 serves as a cathode. Consequently, air bubbles of H 2 gas can be generated on the lower electrode 4 , the aqueous solution can be stirred and mixed by the floating of the air bubbles, and the production efficiency of hypochlorous acid can be improved. Furthermore, an aqueous solution near the anode can be prevented from becoming a strongly acidic solution. This increases the rate of reaction in the above reaction formula (2). Thus, the production efficiency of hypochlorous acid can be improved.
  • FIGS. 2( a ) and 2( b ) are schematic sectional views of an electrolysis device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 2( c ) is a diagram for describing an overlap of an upper electrode and a lower electrode when the electrolysis device in FIG. 2( a ) is viewed in a vertical direction A.
  • FIG. 2( d ) is a diagram for describing an overlap of an upper electrode and a lower electrode when the electrolysis device in FIG. 2( a ) is viewed in a direction B perpendicular to a principal surface of the lower electrode.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 are disposed so that substantially the entire surfaces of the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 overlap each other when viewed in the direction B.
  • the upper electrode 3 is disposed so as to shift upward. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2( d ) , when viewed in the direction B perpendicular to the principal surface of the lower electrode 4 , the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 overlap each other in an overlap region 17 .
  • an upper region included in the upper electrode 3 does not overlap the lower electrode 4
  • a lower region included in the lower electrode 4 does not overlap the upper electrode 3 .
  • the cross section of the electrolysis unit 10 in a direction in which the cross-sectional area of the interelectrode channel 6 is the smallest includes a plane C that includes the upper electrode 3 , but does not include the lower electrode 4 , a plane D that includes both the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 , and a plane E that includes the lower electrode, but does not include the upper electrode 3
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 are disposed so that the plane C is located at the top, the plane E is located at the bottom, and the plane D is located between the plane C and the plane E.
  • the overlap region 16 where the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 overlap each other when viewed in the vertical direction A can be widened.
  • hypochlorous acid for example, in the case where an aqueous solution of a substance containing a chlorine atom is electrolyzed to produce hypochlorous acid with the electrolysis device 15 according to the second embodiment using the lower electrode 4 as an anode and the upper electrode 3 as a cathode, even if chlorine gas generated at the lower electrode 4 floats on the downstream side with respect to the vertically upward direction by the velocity of flow of a liquid, the chlorine gas can be brought close to the upper electrode 3 serving as a cathode. This increases the fraction of chlorine gas converted into hypochlorous acid.
  • FIG. 3( a ) is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 3( b ) is a diagram for describing an overlap of an upper electrode and a lower electrode when the electrolysis device in FIG. 3( a ) is viewed in a vertical direction A.
  • FIG. 3( c ) is a diagram for describing an overlap of an upper electrode and a lower electrode when the electrolysis device in FIG. 3( a ) is viewed in a direction B perpendicular to an electrode surface of the lower electrode.
  • the electrode surface of the upper electrode 3 and the electrode surface of the lower electrode 4 have substantially the same size.
  • the electrode surface of the lower electrode 4 is larger than that of the upper electrode 3 .
  • ower electrode 4 can be disposed so that when the electrolysis device 15 is viewed in the direction B perpendicular to the electrode surface of the lower electrode 4 , D>U ⁇ S is satisfied, where D represents a protruding length on the downstream side, U represents a protruding length on the upstream side, and S represents a protruding length at the side.
  • the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 can be disposed so that the entire surface of the upper electrode 3 overlaps the lower electrode 4 .
  • the above phenomenon can be relaxed. Consequently, the electrode surface area can be effectively utilized, and the electrolysis efficiency per unit area of the upper electrode 3 can be improved.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to the fourth embodiment.
  • the electrolysis devices 15 in FIGS. 1 to 3 include a linear channel 7 for fluid to be treated.
  • the channel 7 for fluid to be treated includes an upstream-side bent channel 25 located close to the end of the interelectrode channel 6 on the upstream side or a downstream-side bent channel 26 located close to the end of the interelectrode channel 6 on the downstream side.
  • the electrolysis device 15 may include both the upstream-side bent channel 25 and the downstream-side bent channel 26 or either the upstream-side bent channel 25 or the downstream-side bent channel 26 .
  • At least one of the flow inlet 8 and the flow outlet 9 can be disposed so that the direction of a channel near the flow inlet 8 or the flow outlet 9 is not parallel to the direction of the interelectrode channel 6 .
  • the upstream-side bent channel 25 or the downstream-side bent channel 26 can be disposed. In this configuration, a turbulent flow can be caused on a liquid in the channel 7 for fluid to be treated.
  • the upstream-side bent channel 25 When the upstream-side bent channel 25 is disposed near the electrolysis electrode 5 , the influence of a turbulent flow generated in the bent channel can be exerted on the interelectrode channel 6 . This sufficiently produces a stirring effect from near the inlet where air bubbles are not so generated. Therefore, the diffusion of a substance near the electrode surface can be facilitated, and the electrolysis efficiency can be improved.
  • the downstream-side bent channel 26 is preferably disposed so that air bubbles generated at the electrolysis electrode pair 5 are capable of floating to the flow outlet 9 by their buoyancy. Consequently, the air bubbles can be quickly discharged from the channel 7 for fluid to be treated. Thus, a decrease in the electrolysis efficiency due to holding of air bubbles can be suppressed.
  • FIG. 6( a ) is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to the fifth embodiment.
  • FIGS. 6( b ) to 6( d ) are schematic sectional views of constituent parts of the electrolysis device according to the fifth embodiment.
  • the electrolysis device 15 includes an assembly-type electrolysis unit 10 .
  • the electrolysis unit 10 is constituted by three parts. Two of the three parts are a first electrode holder 31 in FIG. 6( b ) to which the lower electrode 4 is fixed and a second electrode holder 32 in FIG. 6( d ) to which the upper electrode 3 is fixed. The remaining one is disposed as a spacer 33 between the first and second electrode holders 31 and 32 . When viewed in a direction in which the electrolysis electrode pair 5 overlaps each other, at least part of the spacer 33 overlaps the electrolysis electrode pair 5 . Furthermore, a protrusion 35 is disposed on each of the upstream side and the downstream side of the interelectrode channel 6 . The upstream-side bent channel 25 and the downstream-side bent channel 26 are also disposed.
  • the spacer 33 is disposed so that the interelectrode channel 6 is formed between the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 .
  • the first electrode holder 31 at least has a recess to which the upper electrode 3 is to be fixed
  • the second electrode holder 32 at least has a recess to which the lower electrode 4 is to be fixed.
  • the distance (the depth of the recess) between the surface to which the upper electrode 3 or the lower electrode 4 is fixed and the surface in contact with the spacer 33 is preferably larger than the thickness of the electrode to be fixed. This produces a stirring effect on air bubbles and a liquid. Even if the electrode is warped or loosened for some reason, the probability that the upper electrode 3 and the lower electrode 4 are brought into contact with each other can be decreased.
  • the metal holders 31 and 32 are made of a resin such as acrylic resin or vinyl chloride resin.
  • a bolt 41 for fixing the upper electrode 3 and a bolt 41 for fixing the lower electrode 4 are electrode terminals 45 .
  • the bolt 41 is made of a metal material such as metal titanium.
  • FIGS. 7( a ) and 7( b ) are schematic sectional views for describing the flow of a fluid in the electrolysis device 15 in FIG. 6( a ) .
  • FIG. 7( b ) is a schematic sectional view of the electrolysis device 15 taken along dot-and-dash line F-F of FIG. 7( a ) .
  • an average velocity V 1 in a central portion is high and an average velocity V 2 in a portion near the end is low.
  • the amount of chemical change per unit volume by electrolysis that is, the concentration k of a desired component produced by electrolysis is substantially proportional to the time t for which the electrolysis is performed as long as other conditions are the same. In other words, k ⁇ t is given.
  • the concentration of a desired component generated in an aqueous solution flowing in the central portion is k 1 ⁇ L/V 1
  • the concentration in the end portion is k 2 ⁇ L/V 2 .
  • the protrusion 35 When the protrusion 35 is disposed upstream of the interelectrode channel 6 as illustrated in FIGS. 7( a ) and 7( b ) , the protrusion 35 guides an obstacle and a fluid from the central portion to the end portion in the movement of liquid in the channel. Consequently, the amount of a fluid flowing per unit sectional area is small in the central portion and large in the end portion. Therefore, in a simplified system, the flow velocity in the central portion is V 1 ⁇ v on average and the flow velocity in the end portion is V 2 ⁇ v on average (v>0).
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to the sixth embodiment.
  • the electrolysis unit 10 included in the electrolysis device 15 in FIG. 8 includes at least the electrolysis electrode pair 5 and electrode holders 30 that define a channel other than the interelectrode channel 6 .
  • At least part of a member (an electrode terminal 45 in FIG. 8 ) including the protrusion 35 is connected to the electrolysis electrode pair 5 , a base of the electrolysis electrode pair 5 , or a member physically coupled with the electrolysis electrode pair 5 .
  • the at least part of the member is also connected to the electrode holders 30 .
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 can be fixed to the electrode holders 30 . Therefore, the complication of the configuration and structure is prevented.
  • the above connecting structure also reinforces the fixing of the electrolysis electrode pair 5 to the electrode holders 30 . Thus, the reliability of the electrolysis unit 10 can be improved.
  • At least part of the protrusion 35 or the member coupled with the protrusion 35 is made of a conductive material, and at least part of the member may be electrically connected to the electrolysis electrode pair 5 .
  • the member including the protrusion 35 may be disposed in the direction of the normal to a principal surface of the electrolysis electrode pair 5 that defines the channel 7 for fluid to be treated to connect the electrode holder and the electrode to each other.
  • the protrusion 35 and the electrode terminal 45 may form a single member.
  • the electrode holder 30 and the electrolysis electrode pair 5 have a hole with a size suitable for the electrode terminal 45 at a predetermined position.
  • a groove is cut in at least a suitable portion of the electrode terminal 45 on the side opposite to the protrusion 35 .
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 can be fixed to the electrode holder 30 using a nut 42 suitable for the groove.
  • a voltage can be applied to the electrolysis electrode pair 5 from the outside of the electrode holder 30 through the electrode terminal 45 .
  • an O-ring 47 , a washer 48 , and a spring washer 49 may be used to suppress liquid leakage.
  • a female thread is cut in the hole of the electrode holder 30 and a male thread is cut on the electrode terminal 45 , and the metal holder 30 and the electrode terminal 45 may be joined to each other by combining the female thread and the male thread.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 can be fixed to the electrode holder 30 without using a nut.
  • the electrode holder 30 and the electrode terminal 45 may be molded in one piece.
  • At least a portion of the surface of the protrusion 35 closest to the counter electrode may be nonconductive.
  • a nonconductive film can be formed by oxidizing the surface of the protrusion 35 .
  • the surface of the protrusion 35 may be coated with a resin or the like. This suppresses the progress of an electrochemical reaction on the surface of the protrusion 35 , and also suppresses generation of undesired components and considerable variation in the concentration of a component generated.
  • FIG. 9( a ) is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to the seventh embodiment.
  • FIGS. 9( b ) to 9( f ) are schematic sectional views of constituent parts of the electrolysis device according to the seventh embodiment.
  • FIG. 9( d ) is a schematic sectional view of a spacer 33 taken along dot-and-dash line G-G of FIG. 9( c ) .
  • FIG. 9( e ) is a schematic sectional view of a spacer 33 taken along dot-and-dash line H-H of FIG. 9( c ) .
  • the electrolysis device 15 includes an assembly-type electrolysis unit 10 .
  • the electrolysis unit 10 is constituted by three parts. Two of the three parts are a first electrode holder 31 in FIG. 9( b ) to which the lower electrode 4 is fixed and a second electrode holder 32 in FIG. 9( f ) to which the upper electrode 3 is fixed. The remaining one is a spacer 33 in FIGS. 9( c ) to 9( e ) and is disposed between the first and second electrode holders 31 and 32 .
  • an opening 36 of the spacer between the electrodes is formed with a size smaller than that of the electrolysis device 15 in FIG. 6 .
  • the spacer 33 is disposed so that the spacer 33 and the edges of the upper electrode 3 and lower electrode 4 overlap each other when view in a direction perpendicular to the electrode surface of the lower electrode 4 . This suppresses the progress of an electrolysis reaction at an electrode edge where electric field concentration easily occurs and degradation also easily occurs. Thus, stable electrolysis can be performed, and electrode wear is suppressed, which increases the life of the electrolysis electrode pair 5 .
  • FIGS. 10( a ) and 10( b ) are schematic views of electrolysis devices according to the eighth embodiment.
  • the electrolysis device 15 according to the eighth embodiment includes the electrolysis unit 10 according to one of the first to seventh embodiments, a raw solution tank 51 , and a dilution unit 53 .
  • a pipe 57 is indicated by an arrow that also indicates a direction in which a fluid flows through the pipe.
  • a diluted solution is produced by injecting a solution subjected to electrolysis in the electrolysis unit 10 into stored water 55 in a dilution tank 54 serving as the dilution unit 53 .
  • a dilution tank 54 serving as the dilution unit 53 .
  • a diluted solution containing an electrolysis product can be produced.
  • an aqueous solution of a substance containing a chlorine atom is electrolyzed to produce hypochlorous acid, a diluted solution can be produced while the release of chlorine gas is suppressed.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an electrolysis device according to the ninth embodiment.
  • the electrolysis device 15 according to the ninth embodiment has the same configuration as the known electrolyzed water-producing device 120 illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 , except that the electrolysis unit 10 disposed so that the electrolysis electrode pair 5 inclines with respect to the vertical direction is used.
  • the fundamental operation of the electrolysis device 15 according to the ninth embodiment is also the same as that of the known electrolyzed water-producing device 120 .
  • a solenoid-controlled valve 66 , the electrolysis unit 10 , and a pump 68 are not operated upon turning a switch 64 ON, but the solenoid-controlled valve 66 is opened at an appropriate timing and water is supplied to the electrolysis device 15 from a feed water inlet 62 , flows through a pipe 65 , and is discharged from a discharge outlet 63 .
  • the feeding pump 68 is operated and a raw electrolysis solution stored in a raw solution tank 67 is supplied to the electrolysis unit 10 .
  • Power is supplied to the electrolysis unit 10 from a power supply (not illustrated) at an appropriate timing, and the raw solution is electrolyzed.
  • the high-concentration electrolyzed water produced by electrolysis is supplied to the pipe 65 and diluted to an appropriate concentration with water flowing through the pipe 65 .
  • the diluted electrolyzed water is fed to an electrolyzed water supply point through a pipe such as a hose suitably connected to the discharge outlet 63 .
  • an optimum sequence is set in accordance with the purpose. For example, with an interlock being provided, a solenoid-controlled valve is opened, a raw solution left in the electrolysis unit 10 during the previous operation is electrolyzed to a slight degree, and then a raw solution is started to be supplied.
  • the electrolysis unit 10 When the concentration of the electrolyzed water needs to be quickly increased, for example, the electrolysis unit 10 , the feeding pump 68 , and the solenoid-controlled valve 66 may be turned ON in this order.
  • the electrolysis unit 10 and the feeding pump 68 are turned OFF and then the ON-state of the solenoid-controlled valve 66 is kept for a predetermined time. Thus, rinsing can be performed for the predetermined time.
  • the electrolysis unit 10 When the high-concentration electrolyzed water is prevented from remaining in the electrolysis unit 10 , the electrolysis unit 10 is turned OFF and then the ON-state of the feeding pump 68 is kept for a while.
  • the high-concentration electrolyzed water in the electrolysis unit 10 can be diluted with the raw electrolysis solution or almost all the high-concentration electrolyzed water can be replaced with the raw electrolysis solution.
  • the solenoid-controlled valve 66 is also desirably turned ON. Obviously, additional amounts of raw solution and water are required in this case. Therefore, if such a repeated use is frequently performed, the electrolysis device is desirably designed so that such an operation is unnecessary.
  • the electrolysis device illustrated in FIG. 1 was produced and an electrolysis experiment was performed with various inclination angles with respect to the vertical direction of the electrolysis electrode pair 5 .
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 included an electrode (referred to as a Ti electrode) formed of a titanium plate and having 8-cm long sides, 3-cm short sides, and a thickness of 1 mm and an electrode (referred to as an Ir-coated Ti electrode) obtained by coating a titanium plate having 8-cm long sides, 3-cm short sides, and a thickness of 1 mm with iridium oxide by a sintering method.
  • a Ti electrode formed of a titanium plate and having 8-cm long sides, 3-cm short sides, and a thickness of 1 mm
  • an electrode referred to as an Ir-coated Ti electrode
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was fixed to the casing 1 made of acrylic resin so that the Ti electrode and the Ir-coated Ti electrode were substantially parallel to each other and the interelectrode distance was in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm. Thus, an electrolysis device was produced. A power supply device and the electrolysis electrode pair 5 were connected to each other so that the Ti electrode served as a cathode and the Ir-coated Ti electrode served as an anode.
  • a constant current of 5 A was supplied to the electrolysis electrode pair 5 from the power supply device to electrolyze the aqueous sodium chloride solution.
  • the voltage applied was between about 4 to 5 V.
  • the effective chlorine concentration (mg/L) of the aqueous solution subjected to electrolysis was measured.
  • FIG. 12 shows the measurement result of the effective chlorine concentration. This result shows that when the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was inclined so that the Ir-coated Ti electrode serving as an anode was brought on the upper side, the effective chlorine concentration of the aqueous solution subjected to electrolysis could be increased. Specifically, when the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was inclined in the range of about 5° to 45°, the effective chlorine concentration was improved by about 5% compared with the case where the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was disposed in the vertical direction. When the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was inclined in the range of about 15° to 32°, the effective chlorine concentration was improved by about 10% compared with the case where the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was disposed in the vertical direction. If the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was excessively inclined, the effective chlorine concentration decreased. At an inclination angle of about 50°, the effective chlorine concentration was substantially equal to that in the case where the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was disposed in the vertical direction (0°).
  • the electrolysis device is desirably disposed so that the electrolysis electrode pair 5 has an inclination angle of more than 0° and less than 50° with respect to the vertical direction.
  • the inclination angle of the electrolysis electrode pair 5 is preferably 5° to 45° (improved by about 5%) and more preferably 15° to 32°. It was also found that when the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was disposed so that a part of the Ir-coated Ti electrode serving as an anode was located above the Ti electrode serving as a cathode in the vertical direction, the effective chlorine concentration of the aqueous solution subjected to electrolysis could be increased, and thus the electrolysis efficiency could be improved.
  • the same experiment was conducted by using various electrode materials for generating chlorine, using an aqueous solution containing a chloride, such as an aqueous sodium chloride solution, hydrochloric acid, or a mixture of the aqueous sodium chloride solution and hydrochloric acid, changing the amount of the aqueous solution fed, and changing the electrolysis conditions (voltage and current).
  • a chloride such as an aqueous sodium chloride solution, hydrochloric acid, or a mixture of the aqueous sodium chloride solution and hydrochloric acid
  • the effective chlorine concentration in the vertical direction (0°) and the effective chlorine concentration at an optimum angle (0° to about 50°) were substantially equal to each other in the range of measurement errors. Even in this case, however, the effective chlorine concentration was clearly decreased when the electrolysis electrode pair was inclined so that the cathode was brought on the upper side.
  • the effective chlorine concentration tended to decrease by about 10% at about 23° and by about 20% at about 45° as in FIG. 12 . Therefore, 0° may be an optimum angle under some electrolysis conditions, but the electrolysis electrode pair is preferably inclined to some degree so that the anode is brought on the upper side. This is because, in addition to the assembly tolerance established when an electrolysis device is installed to an apparatus, the apparatus is not necessarily used at a strictly horizontal place in reality. Therefore, when the electrolysis electrode pair is inclined to the anode side or the cathode side with respect to the vertical direction (0°) by the same degree, the electrolysis device is preferably installed while the electrolysis electrode pair is inclined in advance so that a decrease in the effective chlorine concentration is suppressed or the effective chlorine concentration increases.
  • the optimum inclination varies in accordance with the structure of the electrolysis device, the composition of an aqueous solution to be electrolyzed, the amount of a solution fed, the electrolysis conditions, and the like. Furthermore, as described above, for example, vibration, swinging, and inclination occur in a practical environment.
  • the electrolysis device is preferably installed at an optimum angle in the range of 5° to 45°. Typically, the optimum angle is expected to be in the range of 20° to 30°.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair can be used at an inclination angle of up to 45° to decrease the height of an apparatus to which the electrolysis device is installed.
  • the casing 1 In Experimental Example 1, an acrylic resin having high transparency was used for the casing 1 to observe the state of bubbles.
  • the casing 1 may be made of any material as long as the material has resistance to, for example, the aqueous solution supplied to the electrolysis device, various substances generated by electrolysis, and generated gas. If desired reliability is achieved, polypropylene or the like can be used.
  • the material for the casing 1 is most preferably a vinyl chloride resin in terms of high resistance, workability, and low cost.
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an interelectrode channel in the case where the electrolysis electrode pair has an inclination angle of 0°.
  • the direction in which the aqueous solution flows through the interelectrode channel from the lower side to the upper side matches the direction in which air bubbles generated on the electrode surface by an electrolysis reaction float from the lower side to the upper side. Therefore, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 13 , the aqueous solution and the air bubbles close to the cathode flow through the interelectrode channel while they are not easily mixed with each other.
  • the aqueous solution and the air bubbles close to the anode also flow through the interelectrode channel while they are not easily mixed with each other.
  • a force of upward movement due to buoyancy is exerted on the air bubbles generated in the inclined interelectrode channel, that is, in the aqueous solution having a diagonal flux. Therefore, the direction in which the air bubbles move is not parallel with the direction in which the aqueous solution flows.
  • the air bubbles move in a direction from the lower electrode (cathode) toward the upper electrode (anode), and the direction in which the air bubbles move is more upward than the direction in which the aqueous solution flows.
  • the aqueous solution also moves in a direction from the lower electrode (cathode) toward the upper electrode (anode) along with the movement of the air bubbles. This generates a flow that causes the aqueous solution near the cathode to move to near the anode. Consequently, products on the anode side and products on the cathode side are mixed well.
  • Air bubbles generated at the anode serving as a lower electrode are chlorine gas and oxygen gas as represented by the above reaction formulae (1) and (3), and the chlorine gas readily dissolves in water and hypochlorous acid is produced as represented by the above reaction formula (2). Therefore, the amount of air bubbles generated at the cathode serving as a lower electrode is smaller than that of air bubbles of H 2 gas generated at the cathode serving as an upper electrode. Thus, the air bubbles generated at the lower electrode do not produce a large stirring effect.
  • a relatively large amount of air bubbles generated at the cathode serving as an upper electrode move along the surface of the cathode. This increases the surface area of the cathode coated with the air bubbles, inhibits the contact between the cathode and the aqueous solution, and decreases the electrolysis efficiency. This is believed to be disadvantageous for electrolysis.
  • An electrolysis experiment was conducted by supplying an aqueous sodium chloride solution to the channel 7 for fluid to be treated in each of the electrolysis devices from the lower side at a constant flow rate and supplying a constant current of 5 A between the cathode 22 and the anode 21 .
  • Other experimental conditions and measurement methods were the same as those of the above electrolysis experiment.
  • the effective chlorine concentration (mg/L) of the aqueous solution subjected to electrolysis was about 65 mg/L.
  • the effective chlorine concentration (mg/L) of the aqueous solution subjected to electrolysis was about 60 mg/L.
  • a “vertically discharged” electrolysis unit 10 including the flow inlet 8 and the flow outlet 9 in a channel direction of the interelectrode channel 6 as illustrated in FIG. 1 was produced.
  • a “horizontally discharged (upward)” electrolysis unit 10 including the upstream-side bent channel 25 and the downstream-side bent channel 26 so that the flow outlet 9 faces upward as illustrated in FIG. 4 was produced.
  • a “horizontally discharged (downward)” electrolysis unit 10 including the upstream-side bent channel 25 and the downstream-side bent channel 26 so that the flow outlet 9 faces downward as illustrated in FIG. 5 was produced.
  • An electrolysis experiment was conducted.
  • electrolysis was performed using the electrolysis electrode pair 5 by installing the electrolysis device 15 so that the electrolysis electrode pair 5 had inclination angles of about 23° and about 45° with respect to the vertical direction and supplying a 3% to 4% aqueous sodium chloride solution to the channel 7 for fluid to be treated from the lower side at a constant flow rate.
  • the effective chlorine concentration (ppm) of the aqueous solution subjected to electrolysis was measured.
  • Other conditions were the same as those in Experimental Example 1. Table 1 shows the results of the electrolysis experiment.
  • the electrolysis efficiency of the “horizontally discharged (upward)” electrolysis device is high.
  • the reason for this is unclear, but may be as follows.
  • the upstream-side channel close to the end of the interelectrode channel on the upstream side is bent to some degree or the downstream-side channel close to the end of the interelectrode channel on the downstream side is bent to some degree, the flux or the flow of air bubbles is randomized and thus the electrolysis efficiency may be improved.
  • the channels on the inlet and outlet sides may be caused to extend in the vertical direction as illustrated in FIG. 20( a ) .
  • the vertical direction may be made by using a pipe unit 70 as illustrated in FIGS. 20( b ) and 20( c ) .
  • FIG. 6( a ) An electrolysis unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 6( a ) was produced and an electrolysis experiment was conducted.
  • the produced electrolysis unit 10 is constituted by three parts illustrated in FIGS. 6( b ) to 6( d ) .
  • Two of the three parts are electrode holders 31 and 32 having the same shape and disposed symmetrically about a point.
  • the remaining one is a spacer 33 disposed between the two electrode holders. When viewed in a direction in which the electrolysis electrode pair 5 overlaps each other, at least part of the spacer 33 overlaps the electrolysis electrode pair 5 .
  • a titanium bolt 41 including a protrusion 35 was used.
  • the electrode holders 31 and 32 and the spacer 33 were made of acrylic resin.
  • the upper electrode 3 serving as an anode was an insoluble electrode (manufactured by DAISO ENGINEERING Co., Ltd.) for producing sodium hypochlorite.
  • the lower electrode 4 serving as a cathode was a titanium plate manufactured by The Nilaco Corporation.
  • the three parts were assembled so that the interelectrode distance was in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm by adjusting the thickness of the spacer 33 .
  • the electrode holders and the like are made of acrylic resin, the inside of the electrolysis unit 10 can be observed.
  • the acrylic resin does not transmit light with a short wavelength, in particular, UV light. This is to reduce the influence caused by light as much as possible. Therefore, a material that does not transmit light at all is preferably used in actual products.
  • the electrolysis unit 10 can be disassembled. From the viewpoint of long-term reliability, a strong adhesive or the like is preferably used for the adherend of the electrolysis unit 10 to prevent the leakage of an electrolysis solution. By using an airtight gasket with chemical resistance as the spacer 33 , both thickness adjustment and sealing can be performed. To reduce the cost by mass production, the electrolysis unit 10 can also be produced at a time by molding the parts in one piece.
  • Electrolysis was performed while a 3% to 4% aqueous NaCl solution was supplied to the channel 7 for fluid to be treated of the produced electrolysis unit 10 at 5 to 80 ml/min.
  • the electrolysis could be performed with a higher electrolysis efficiency in the electrolysis unit 10 including the protrusion 35 than in the electrolysis unit that did not include the protrusion 35 .
  • FIG. 9( a ) An electrolysis unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 9( a ) was produced and an electrolysis experiment was conducted.
  • the produced electrolysis unit 10 is constituted by parts illustrated in FIGS. 9( b ) to 9( f ) .
  • the size of an opening in the spacer 33 is smaller than that of the electrolysis unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 6 .
  • the spacer 33 is disposed so that the spacer 33 and the edges of the upper electrode 3 and lower electrode 4 overlap each other.
  • a diluted solution containing an electrolysis product was produced using electrolysis devices 15 illustrated in FIGS. 10( a ) and 10( b ) .
  • the raw electrolysis solution 52 was a 3% to 4% aqueous NaCl solution, and electrolysis was performed using the electrolysis unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 6( a ) under conditions that 4000 ppm of hypochlorous acid was theoretically produced.
  • the treated aqueous solution was diluted with pure water in the dilution unit 53 to produce a diluted solution.
  • a known electrolysis unit including an electrolysis electrode pair having an electrode surface parallel to the vertical direction was installed to the electrolysis device in FIG. 10( a ) to produce a diluted solution.
  • the produced diluted solution had a pH of 6 to 8, a hypochlorous acid concentration of 1000 ppm or more, and a chlorine gas concentration of 0.5 ppm or less near the surface of the diluted solution.
  • the release of chlorine gas was considerably suppressed compared with comparative examples.
  • chlorine gas generated by electrolysis efficiently dissolves in the aqueous solution, and thus the time required until the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the diluted solution exceeds 1000 ppm was considerably shortened.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 included an electrode (referred to as a Ti electrode) formed of a titanium plate and having 5-cm long sides, 1-cm short sides, and a thickness of 1 mm and an electrode (referred to as an Ir-coated Ti electrode) obtained by coating a titanium plate having 5-cm long sides, 1-cm short sides, and a thickness of 1 mm with iridium oxide by a sintering method.
  • a Ti electrode an electrode formed of a titanium plate and having 5-cm long sides, 1-cm short sides, and a thickness of 1 mm
  • an electrode referred to as an Ir-coated Ti electrode
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was fixed to the casing 1 made of acrylic resin so that the Ti electrode and the Ir-coated Ti electrode were substantially parallel to each other and the interelectrode distance was in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm. Thus, an electrolysis device was produced. A power supply device 72 and the electrolysis electrode pair 5 were connected to each other so that the Ti electrode served as a cathode and the Ir-coated Ti electrode served as an anode.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was installed to a so-called batch-type electrolytic cell 74 with various inclination angles of about ⁇ 60° to about +60° with respect to the vertical direction, unlike a closed channel electrolysis unit in Experimental Example 1 in which electrodes define a part of a channel and a fluid to be treated is supplied in substantially the same direction.
  • a 3% to 4% aqueous sodium chloride solution was charged into the electrolytic cell 74 .
  • the inclination angle is 0°.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 is inclined so that the Ir-coated Ti electrode (anode) is brought on the upper side, the inclination angle is a positive angle.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 is inclined so that the Ir-coated Ti electrode is brought on the lower side, the inclination angle is a negative angle.
  • a constant current of 1 A was supplied to the electrolysis electrode pair 5 from the power supply device 72 to electrolyze the aqueous sodium chloride solution.
  • the voltage applied was between about 4 to 5 V.
  • the effective chlorine concentration (mg/L) of the aqueous solution subjected to electrolysis was measured.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates the measurement result of the effective chlorine concentration.
  • This result shows that the effective chlorine concentration of the aqueous solution subjected to electrolysis could be improved by inclining the electrolysis electrode pair 5 so that the Ir-coated Ti electrode serving as an anode was brought on the lower side as opposed to Experimental Example 1.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was inclined at least up to about ⁇ 60°, the effective chlorine concentration was improved compared with the case where the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was disposed in the vertical direction.
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was inclined in the range of about ⁇ 20° to about ⁇ 45°, the effective chlorine concentration was improved by about 5% compared with the case where the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was disposed in the vertical direction. If the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was excessively inclined, the effective chlorine concentration tended to decrease.
  • the effective chlorine concentration at about ⁇ 60° was substantially the same as that in the vertical direction (0°).
  • the electrolysis electrode pair 5 is desirably installed to the electrolytic cell 74 so as to have an inclination angle of more than 0° and less than 60° and preferably 20° to 45° (about 5% improvement) with respect to the vertical direction. It was also found that the effective chlorine concentration of the aqueous solution subjected to electrolysis could be improved by disposing the electrolysis electrode pair 5 so that a part of the Ir-coated Ti electrode serving as an anode was located below the Ti electrode serving as a cathode in the vertical direction, and thus the electrolysis efficiency could be improved.
  • the direction of the electrolysis electrode pair 5 is either a direction in which the short sides extend horizontally or a direction in which the long sides extend horizontally. In both the directions, the electrolysis efficiency was improved when the electrolysis electrode pair 5 was inclined so that the cathode was brought on the upper side.
  • the electrolysis efficiency is improved by inclining the electrolysis electrode pair 5 so that a part of the anode located below the cathode in the vertical direction, unlike the closed channel electrolysis unit.
  • the reason for the difference is unclear, but the following hypothesis is considered.
  • the batch-type electrolytic cell 74 having a large open area including the area of side surfaces produces only a small confinement effect compared with the closed electrolysis unit. Therefore, the average time for which air bubbles of H 2 are present between the electrodes is short, and a fresh substance to be electrolyzed is spontaneously supplied to replace air bubbles of H 2 . Consequently, the electrolysis efficiency is believed to be improved.
  • the amount of the spontaneously supplied substance to be electrolyzed is not particularly limited, the concentration after electrolysis between the electrodes, that is, the concentration of hypochlorous acid is kept relatively low.
  • the chlorine gas generated at the anode and left without being converted into hypochlorous acid rises because of its buoyancy and moves toward the cathode.
  • an alkalescent aqueous solution near the cathode moves more slowly than air bubbles of H 2 and chlorine gas. Therefore, a chance of contact between the alkalescent aqueous solution and chlorine gas that has come from the anode increases, which facilitates the conversation of the chlorine gas into hypochlorous acid and the like.
  • the electrolysis efficiency is believed to be decreased by, for example, a decrease in the amount of the substance to be electrolyzed between the electrodes, a decrease in the effective electrode surface area due to air bubbles, and the inhibition of flow-in of a fresh substance to be electrolyzed.
  • the aqueous solution near the anode and the chlorine gas generated at the anode flow out so as to be forced out by the air bubbles of H 2 from the space between the electrodes to an open surface such as a side surface. Therefore, the stirring of the aqueous solution near the cathode and the aqueous solution near the anode is not facilitated unlike the closed electrolysis unit, and the conversation of chlorine gas into hypochlorous acid and the like is also not facilitated. In some cases, the chlorine gas itself is released from the substance to be electrolyzed to a space, and thus the effective chlorine concentration is believed to be decreased.
  • the air bubbles of H 2 is held between the electrodes regardless of the manner of inclination and the supply amount of a substance to be electrolyzed is limited.
  • the cathode when the cathode is brought on the upper side, the separation of H 2 from the cathode is delayed. Consequently, the effective electrode area of the cathode is decreased by an H 2 covering effect and the approach of the substance to be electrolyzed near the surface of the cathode is prevented. Thus, the electrolysis efficiency is believed to be decreased.
  • the cathode is brought on the lower side, the separation of H 2 is facilitated.
  • the decrease in the effective electrode area of the cathode due to an H 2 covering effect is suppressed and a fresh substance to be electrolyzed is supplied to the surface of the cathode.
  • the air bubbles of H 2 move to near the anode and the alkalescent aqueous solution near the cathode is also carried to near the anode.
  • the conversation of chlorine gas into hypochlorous acid and the like is facilitated.
  • the movement of the aqueous solution located upstream of the cathode in the direction toward the anode is facilitated with the movement of the air bubbles. Therefore, the aqueous solution located downstream of the cathode contains a small fraction of a liquid component subjected to electrolysis. This effectively works for electrolysis.
  • the concentration of the electrolyzed substance that is, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in this Experimental Example tends to increase.
  • An excessive increase in the concentration of hypochlorous acid decreases the electrolysis efficiency.
  • at least part of chlorine gas generated at the anode is released from the outlet without being converted into hypochlorous acid in the electrolysis unit and converted into hypochlorous acid through contact with water after the dilution unit. Consequently, the increase in the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the electrolysis unit is suppressed.
  • the electrolysis efficiency is believed to be improved.
  • a closed electrolysis unit is employed in which the electrodes substantially serve as an electrolytic cell or constitute a part of wall surfaces of a channel
  • the electrolysis unit includes an inlet for substances to be electrolyzed and an outlet for substances produced by electrolysis and unelectrolyzed substances
  • the electrolysis unit includes at least one of means for supplying the substances to be electrolyzed from the inlet by force and means for drawing out the substances produced by electrolysis and the unelectrolyzed substances from the outlet by force.
  • Examples of the means for supplying the substance by force include feeding the substance to the inlet with a pump, suctioning the substance from the outlet with a pump, employing a structure in which a Venturi effect is produced by the dilution unit and the periphery thereof and suctioning the substance from the outlet, and disposing a tank on the upper side and feeding the substance by gravity.
  • a pump is preferably used because the most stable feeding can be achieved. If variation is allowable to some degree, a structure that uses a Venturi effect or gravity is preferably employed without using a pump because energy for operating a pump is unnecessary, which saves the energy and reduces the cost of the pump. Obviously, some or all of the pump, the Venturi effect, and the gravity may be combined with each other.
  • Experimental Example 1 employs a structure in which a tube pump is used to supply a substance at a constant rate as much as possible.
  • the electrode pair is believed to be desirably inclined so that the anode is located above the cathode.
  • the electrode pair is also believed to be desirably inclined so that the anode is located above the cathode.
  • the electrode pair is believed to be desirably inclined so that the anode is located below the cathode.
  • the substance to be electrolyzed is supplied in a passive manner with the rise of air bubbles.
  • Chlorine gas unconverted into hypochlorous acid is easily released to a gas phase within a short time compared with the case where the closed electrolysis unit is employed.
  • the release to a gas phase is further suppressed in the closed electrolysis unit because there are many factors of facilitating conversation into hypochlorous acid.
  • the supply amount of the substance to be electrolyzed is limited and thus conversation into hypochlorous acid is easily caused by a confinement effect in the electrolysis unit and a stirring effect produced by air bubbles of H 2 .
  • conversation of chlorine gas into hypochlorous acid in the dilution unit is facilitated.
  • conversation of chlorine gas into hypochlorous acid is also caused in a line through which dilution water flows after the dilution unit.

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JP6521385B6 (ja) * 2016-04-18 2019-06-26 エア・ウォーター・バイオデザイン株式会社 電解水生成器
JP2018158285A (ja) * 2017-03-22 2018-10-11 株式会社東芝 電解水生成装置
CN107317040A (zh) * 2017-06-22 2017-11-03 清华大学 用于气体消耗反应的漂浮式气体扩散电极及其制备
KR20210024545A (ko) * 2018-06-18 2021-03-05 서브큐젝트 에이피에스 주사 디바이스를 위한 삼투 액추에이터, 및 이러한 삼투 액추에이터를 포함하는 주사 디바이스
US11535533B2 (en) * 2018-09-17 2022-12-27 Elateq, Inc. Systems and methods for electrochemically enhanced water filtration
WO2020179667A1 (fr) * 2019-03-07 2020-09-10 株式会社超微細科学研究所 Dispositif de production d'eau contenant de fines bulles
JP7161773B2 (ja) * 2019-10-30 2022-10-27 株式会社テックコーポレーション 電解水生成装置
JP7340744B2 (ja) * 2020-02-10 2023-09-08 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 携帯用電解水噴霧器
KR20210157558A (ko) * 2020-06-22 2021-12-29 현대자동차주식회사 수전해 시스템
CN112018033B (zh) * 2020-08-13 2022-05-31 华南师范大学 一种外延薄膜晶圆级剥离方法及其装置
JP6828212B1 (ja) * 2020-08-25 2021-02-10 三菱重工環境・化学エンジニアリング株式会社 電解装置
JP6845975B1 (ja) * 2021-01-14 2021-03-24 三菱重工環境・化学エンジニアリング株式会社 電解システム
TWI833527B (zh) * 2022-12-27 2024-02-21 美隆工業股份有限公司 製備次氯酸水的裝置

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JP3783653B2 (ja) * 2002-05-14 2006-06-07 栗田工業株式会社 過酸化水素製造装置
JP2005270732A (ja) * 2004-03-23 2005-10-06 Sanden Corp 次亜塩素酸発生装置及びその制御方法
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