WO2004065682A1

WO2004065682A1 - Washing machine having electrolysis apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2004065682A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000134
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hee Jung Kim
Original assignee: Hee Jung Kim
Priority date: 2003-01-22
Filing date: 2003-01-22
Publication date: 2004-08-05
Also published as: AU2003206166A1

Abstract

The present invention provides an industrial electrolysis washing machine comprising an electrolysis apparatus wherein a anode plate and a cathode plate having a punched mesh structure are positioned close to both sides of ion exchange membrane, and a cheap and thin Sn oxide is used as the main catalyst of the anode plate, so that contact surface area which water and both plates are contact is increased, electrolysis efficiency can is improved, and the whole space occupancy is reduced.

Description

WASHING MACHINE HAVING ELECTROLYSIS APPARATUS

[Technical Field]

The present invention generally relates to a washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus, and more specifically, to a washing machine for electrolyzing water with electrolytes to generate electrolyzed alkali water from a cathode reaction chamber of an electrolysis apparatus, thereby performing washing without using a detergent (surfactant).

[Background Art]

Generally, a lot of alkali water instantly need in performing a washing operation on laundries. An electrolysis apparatus requires a high generation capability of electrolyzed water so that alkali electrolyzed water generated from the electrolysis apparatus may be applied to the washing machine. The generation capability of electrolyzed water is correlated to electrolysis efficiency, size and electric power of electrode plates. For example, as the electrolysis efficiency of electrode catalyst becomes higher, the size of an electrode plate is enlarged to broaden electrolyzed surface or the amount of current becomes larger, the generation capability of electrolyzed water becomes higher. However, if a large-sized electrode plate or an electrolysis apparatus of large power consumption is used, the electrolysis apparatus occupies a large installation space in the washing machine and power consumption becomes larger. It is difficult to commercialize Pt group such as Ru, Ir, Pt, Ti, Pb, etc. used as electrode catalysts in electrolysis because they are expensive compared with non-ferrous metals.

As a result, in order to commercialize an electrolysis apparatus for a washing machine, an electrolysis apparatus has been required to have a small volume, to have the larger generation capability of electrolyzed water compared with the volume and to be economic.

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus comprised of plate-shaped anode and cathode plates having a mesh structure in the center wherein the anode plate uses Sn oxide as a main catalyst, and ion exchange membrane located between the said plates. The washing machine according to the present invention becomes smaller and economically commercialized, and has the generation capability of electrolyzed water improved by broadening contact surface with supplied water.

In an embodiment, there is provided an electrolysis washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus for receiving water and electrolytes externally and a water tank for receiving electrolyzed water, the electrolysis apparatus comprising: a case consisting of an anode reaction chamber and a cathode reaction chamber opposing each other; a separating membrane mounted in the case and separating the anode reaction chamber and the cathode reaction chamber; a plate-shaped anode plate configured to be located in parallel with the separating membrane in the anode reaction chamber and having a mesh structure; and a plate-shaped cathode plate configured to be located in parallel with the separating membrane in the cathode reaction chamber and having a mesh stmcture, wherein after externally supplied water is electrolyzed in the anode reaction chamber and the cathode reaction chamber, acidic electrolyzed water generated from the anode reaction chamber is supplied externally or to the water tank through a first channel, and alkali electrolyzed water generated from the cathode reaction chamber is supplied to the water tank through a second channel. Preferably, the anode plate comprises an electrode substrate formed of a Ti oxide and an electrode catalyst coated on the electrode substrate, and the electrode catalyst uses a Sn oxide as a main catalyst. The anode plate is an electrode substrate coated with an electrode catalyst, wherein the electrode substrate is selected from Cu including Ti, Ag, Hg or mixtures thereof and the electrode catalyst is selected from stainless steel, mild steel, Ni, Ti, Ir, Ru, oxides thereof or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the separating membrane is an ion exchange membrane. The ion exchange membrane comprises a cation exchange membrane mounted on the opposing surface of the anode reaction chamber and an anion exchange membrane mounted on the opposing surface of the cathode reaction chamber. The ion exchange membrane is a fluorinated polymer membrane or a hydro-carbonated polymer membrane. •'

Preferably, a protuberance is formed on the internal surface of the anode reaction chamber and the cathode reaction chamber in the case so that water and electrolytes may be effectively dispersed on the surface of the anode plate or the cathode plate. In the embodiment, a washing machine may comprise a plurality of electrolysis apparatuses. The plurality of electrolysis apparatuses are arranged in parallel in order to improve capacity of electrolyzed water, and in serial in order to improve acidity and alkalinity of electrolyzed water. These parallel and serial configurations have a complex stmcture depending on usage.

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a magnified perspective view of a part of the electrolysis apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the electrolysis apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an electrolysis apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating external and internal surfaces of an anode reaction chamber of the electrolysis apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating external and internal surfaces of a cathode reaction chamber of the electrolysis apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an anode gas adsorbing device.

Fig. 8 is a photograph illustrating a state of a raw fiber. Figs. 9 and 10 are photographs illustrating states of the fiber after washing of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and of a conventional washing machine using a conventional detergent.

[Preferred Embodiments] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a magnified perspective view of a part of the electrolysis apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the electrolysis apparatus of Fig. 1. In an embodiment, an electrolysis apparatus 10 may be applied to general washing machines having vortex, dram or agitator types. Although Fig. 1 shows that the electrolysis apparatus is located at the rear of the washing machine, the electrolysis apparatus may be fixated at a random place depending on design. Referring to Fig. 1, the washing machine comprises a body 1, an electrolyte storage box 6 and the electrolysis apparatus 10. The electrolyte storage box 6 stores electrolytes, and supplies a predetermined amount of electrolytes to the electrolysis apparatus 10 depending on the amount of laundries. Although electrolytes are configured to be put into an anode reaction chamber 11 in Fig. 1, electrolytes may be put into a cathode reaction chamber 12 depending on design. In the electrolyte storage box 6, a regulator (not shown) is mounted for regulating the amount of electrolytes put into the electrolysis apparatus. The regulator is operated by manipulation of a control plate 7.

A cationic electrolyte salt of electrolysis is one of Li , Na , Mg , K , Ca , Al , Mn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Be²⁺, Cs⁺, Rb⁺, Sc³⁺, Sr²⁺, Cr²⁺, Ti²⁺ and V²⁺ etc, and an anionic electrolyte salt of electrolysis is one of NO₃ ^", Co₃ ²\ SO₄ ^2", PO₄ ^3", F^", Cl^", HCO^2", Al(OH)₄ ^", B(OH)\ SiO₃ ^2", Sn(OH)₆ ^2", Sn(OH)₃ ^" and WO₄ ^2" etc. Therefore, effective electrolytes may be selected from Li₂NO₃, Li₂CO₃, Li₂SO₄, Li₃PO₄, LiF, LiCl, Na₂No₃, Na₂CO₃, Na₂SO₄, Na₃PO₄, NaF, NaCl, MgCO₃, MgSO₄, Mg₃(PO₄)₂, MgF₂, MgCl₂, K₂NO₃, K₂CO₃, K₂SO₄, K₃PO₄, KF, KC1, Ca(NO₃)₂, CaCO₃, CaSO₄, Ca₃(PO₄)₂, CaF₂, CaCl₂, MnCO₃, MnSO₄, Mn₃(PO₄)₂, MnCl₂, Ba(NO )₂, BaCO₃, BaSO₄, BaF₂, BaCl₂, and combinations thereof. In the embodiment, the electrolysis apparatus 10, which is located under the electrolyte storage box 6, electrolyzes electrolyte salts and water received from a water source, and supplies alkali electrolyzed water generated from the cathode reaction chamber 12 to a water tank 2 to perform a washing operation. The electrolyte storage box and the electrolysis apparatus are connected by an electrolysis supply pipe 5. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the electrolysis apparatus 10 consists of an anode reaction chamber 11 and a cathode reaction chamber 12 where an ion exchange membrane 15 is interposed therebetween. In the anode reaction chamber 11 and the cathode reaction chamber 12, the ion exchange membrane 15 is interposed between an anode plate 13 and a cathode plate 14 in parallel. The anode plate 13 and the cathode plate 14 are plate-shaped to broaden the contact surface area with water, and configured to occupy a space with small volume. More preferably, the anode plate 13 and the cathode plate 14 may have a punched mesh structure 32 in their center (see Fig. 3). When the center portions of the anode plate 13 and the cathode plate 14 are stuffed, it is difficult to move electrolyzed ions on the opposite side of the ion exchange membrane 15 toward the ion exchange membrane 15. However, when the center portions of the anode plate 13 and the cathode plate 14 have a mesh structure, it is easy to move electrolyzed ions toward the ion exchange membrane 15 through the mesh stmcture 32, thereby activating the ion exchange. The mesh stmcture 32 broadens the surface area where the anode plate 13 and the cathode plate 14 contact with water, thereby activating the electrolysis. The mesh stmcture 32 makes the electrolysis active on the anode plate 13 and the cathode plate 14, and enables the electrolyzed ions to move toward the ion exchange membrane 15. As a result, the ion exchange is activated, thereby improving the generation efficiency of acidic water and alkali water.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an electrolysis apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. When increase in the amount of laundries requires more alkali electrolyzed water, a plurality of electrolysis apparatuses (10a, 10b, 10c, lOd . . .) are arranged in parallel as shown in (a) of Fig. 4. Each electrolysis apparatus (10a, 10b, 10c, lOd . . .) comprises a plurality of anode plates (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, . . .) and a plurality of cathode plates (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, . . .) where a plurality of ion exchange membranes (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, . . .) are interposed therebetween, respectively. Electrolyzed water generated from each electrolysis apparatus may flow out through one channel. Therefore, when the amount of laundries increases, each electrolysis apparatus is made to generate a large amount of electrolyzed water. As shown in (b) of Fig. 4, the inside of the electrolysis apparatus 10 is divided by a plurality of ion exchange membranes (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, . . .), and the plurality of anode plates (13a, 13b, 13c, 13 d, . . .) and the plurality of cathode plates (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, . . .) are alternately arranged between the plurality of ion exchange membranes (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, . . .) in series, respectively. In the serial arrangement, electrolyzed water generated from ion exchange of the anode plate 13a with the neighboring cathode plate 14a flows into a chamber for receiving the anode plate 13b, and electrolyzed water generated from the cathode plate 14a flows into a chamber for receiving the cathode plate 14b. As a result, since the electrolyzed water generated from the chamber for receiving the anode plate passes only through the chamber for receiving the anode plate, and the electrolyzed water generated from the chamber for receiving the cathode plate passes only through the chamber for the cathode plate, electrolyzed water which flows out last has a high acidity and alkalinity.

It is easily understood by a person having an ordinary skill in the art that both parallel and serial arrangements may be carried out in one electrolysis apparatus depending on purposes. Referring to Fig. 3, gaskets 30 and 31 manufactured as insulating materials are positioned between the anode plate 13 and the ion exchange membrane 15, and between the cathode plate 14 and the ion exchange membrane 15. The gaskets 30 and 31 perform an insulating function and regulate a space between the anode plate 13, the cathode plate

14 and the ion exchange membrane 15. In order to improve the efficiency of electrolysis, the gaskets 30 and 31 are made to have a thin thickness so that the anode plate 13 and the cathode plate 14 may adhere closely to the ion exchange membrane 15. The anode plate 13 and the cathode plate 14 are connected to an anode terminal 24 and a cathode plate 14 which are positioned at the side of the electrolysis apparatus and electrically connected to a power supply device 3 of Fig. 1. The anode plate 13 is formed of an electrode catalyst coated on an electrode substrate which is a Ti oxide. The electrode catalyst coated on the electrode substrate uses a Sn oxide as a main catalyst, and uses oxides of Pt group element, Ni, Zn, Ti, Cu, Ir and Ru, etc. as a co-catalyst. Since the Pt group element is expensive, the Sn oxide is present in an amount of 80wt% as a main electrode catalyst, the Ir oxide, the Ru oxide or the Pt oxide which is a mixture thereof is present in an amount ranging from 0 to 20wt%, and the Pt is present in an amount ranging from 0 to 20wt% as a co-catalyst. Preferably, the electrode catalyst may further comprise Ag or Au mixed with polytetrafluoroethylene, mixed metals of Ni and Al, Co and Zr, etc. Depending on design, the electrode substrate of the anode plate 13 may comprise Ti, Ni, oxides thereof or mixtures thereof. In the embodiment of the present invention, the inexpensive Sn oxide used for the electrode catalyst enables mass production of electrolysis apparatus at a low price, and applied to a washing machine for commercialization.

The cathode plate 14 is manufactured by coating an electrode catalyst on an electrode substrate like the anode plate 13. The electrode substrate uses Cu including Pb, Ti, Ag, etc. and the electrode catalyst uses stainless steel, mild steel, Ni, Ti, Ir or Ru, oxides thereof or mixtures thereof.

In the ion exchange membrane 15, a cation exchange membrane is mounted on the opposing surface to the anode reaction chamber 11 and an anion exchange membrane is mounted on the opposing surface to the cathode reaction chamber. The ion exchange membrane 15 uses a fluorinated polymer membrane or a hydro-carbonated polymer membrane. Specifically, the ion exchange membrane 15 is selected from Hipore^®(Asahi Kasei), Flemion^®(Asahi Glass), Aciplex^®(Asahi Glass), PG, FM, PE, GM electrolytic membrane (Nippon Muki), FAS^®(Advanced membrane system), PVC electrolytic membrane (Mitah Manufacturing Sdn.), Hovosorb^®(Hollingworth & vose), C-SAB (SchuUer), Premier PVC (Calichem), AGM electrolytic membrane (Zenhan), Celgard^®2400 or Celgard^®2300 (Hoechst celanese), etc.

Although not described in Fig. 3, the reference 30' represents a gasket intervened between the anode reaction chamber 11 and the anode plate 13 and the reference 31' represents a gasket intervened between the cathode reaction chamber 12 and the cathode plate 14.

Hereinafter, the structures of the anode reaction chamber 11 and the cathode reaction chamber 12 of the electrolysis apparatus are described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. (a) and (b) of Fig. 5 show internal and external perspective views of the anode reaction chamber, and (a) and (b) of Fig. 6 show internal and external perspective view of the cathode reaction chamber.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, on the upper portion of the anode reaction chamber 11 are mounted a supply pipe 17 for receiving water from a water source and an electrolyte inlet 18 for supplying electrolytes. The electrolyte inlet 18 is connected to the supply pipe 5. On the upper portion of the anode reaction chamber 11 are also mounted an anode gas outlet 16 and an anode gas adsorption device 26. At the bottom of the anode reaction chamber 11 is positioned an outlet 19 for exhausting acidic water obtained by electrolyzing electrolytes and water. In the anode reaction chamber 11, a space is formed where an anode plate is mounted and water passes therethrough. A protuberance 22 is formed to protrude from the internal surface of the space unit. The protuberance 22 enables electrolytes supplied to the anode reaction chamber 11 to be effectively dispersed on the surface of the anode plate or the cathode plate, and also adheres to the anode plate 13 not be shaken by vibration.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, a pipe-shaped inlet 20 is formed at one lower side of the cathode reaction chamber 12, and water is supplied to the cathode reaction chamber of the electrolysis apparahis 10 from the water source through the inlet 20. An outlet 21 is mounted for exhausting electrolyzed alkali water on the upper portion of the cathode reaction chamber 12. Water flowing from the lower portion is transformed into alkali water in the cathode reaction chamber 12 by electrolysis, and supplied to a water tank through the outlet 21 of the upper portion. The outlet 21 may be connected through a hose at the upper or lower portion of the water tank 2. A space is also formed in the cathode reaction chamber like in the anode reaction chamber 11. The cathode plate 14 is located in the space unit, and water passes therethrough. Like the anode reaction chamber 11, a protuberance 23 is formed to protrude from the internal surface of the space unit of the cathode reaction chamber 12 so that the cathode plate may not be shaken by vibration.

In the above configuration, water flowing in the anode reaction chamber 11 forms a first channel flowing from up to down, and water flowing in the cathode reaction chamber 12 forms a second channel flowing from down to up. Accordingly, water flowing through the anode reaction chamber 11 and the cathode reaction chamber 12 in the electrolysis apparatus 10 flows oppositely on a basis of the ion exchange membrane interposed therebetween.

Fig. 7 shows an anode gas adsorption device. The anode gas adsorption device 26 adsorbs anode gas generated from by-products of water and electrolytes reacted in the anode reaction chamber 11. Since CO₂ generated as the anode gas when the electrolyte is Na₂CO₃ and Cl₂ generated as the anode gas when the electrolyte is NaCl are harmful gases, the anode gas adsorption device 26 prevents outer emission of the harmful gases.

As shown in Fig. 7, the adsorption device 26 comprises a single part (neutralization part 27, or adsorption part 28), a double part (neutralization part 27 and dehydration part 29, adsorption part 28 and dehydration part 29, or neutralization part 27 and adsorption part 28), or a triple part (neutralization part 27, adsorption part 28 and dehydration part 29). The adsorption device 26 is made of metals (stainless steel, steel, stainless, copper, etc.) or plastics (PP, PE, ABS, HIPS, PTFE, etc.), and is cylindrical and rectangular. The neutralization part 27 is filled with liquid, solid or water-swelling polymer gel. The liquid is selected from aqueous solution or aqueous solution filled with glass bead, bar-shaped glass, silica bead or bar-shaped silica. The solid is selected from NaOH, KOH or materials as having NaOH or KOH, etc. impregnated in silica or alumina as impregnated bases. The solid is also selected from bases such as alkali earth metals dispersed in K₂CO₃, carbon, alumina and silica, or bases such as alumina impregnated with NR₃ or silica impregnated with Li₂CO₃. The solid is preferably selected from anion exchange resins or mixed oxides such as SiO₂Al₂O₃, SiO₂-MgO, SiO₂-CaO, SiO₂-SrO, SiO₂-BaO, and etc. An inorganic substance is selected from BeO, MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, ZnO, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, KHCO₃, (NH₄)₂CO₃, CaCO₃, SrCO₃, BaCO₃, NaCO₃, and Na₂WO -2H₂O, etc. or activated carbon. The water-swelling polymer gel is selected from polymer gel impregnated with NaOH, KOH, alkali earth metals or polymer gel impregnated with NR₃, Li CO₃ or mixed oxides such as SiO₂-Al₂O₃, SiO₂-MgO, SiO₂-SrO, SiO₂-BaO, etc, and polymer gel impregnated with inorganic substances such as BeO, MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, ZnO, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, KHCO₃, (NH₄)₂CO₃, CaCO₃, SrCO₃, BaCO₃, KNaCO₃, and Na₂WO₄-2H₂O, etc. The adsorption part 28 is cataclastic, fibrous, granular, powdery and activated carbon, activated carbon impregnated with NaOH, KOH, alkali earth metal, activated carbon impregnated with NR₃, Li₂CO₃ or mixed oxides such as SiO Al₂O₃, SiO₂-MgO, SiO₂-SrO, SiO₂-BaO, etc., or activated carbon impregnated with inorganic substances such as BeO, MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, ZnO, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, KHCO₃, (NH₄)₂CO₃, CaCO₃, SrCO₃, BaCO₃, KNaCO₃, and Na₂WO₄-2H₂O, etc. Fe, Zn and Cu are used for metals, or activated carbon impregnated with Fe, Zn, Cu, and etc. are also used to for metals.

The dehydration part 29 is selected from anhydrous calcium carbonate, anhydrous calcium sulfate, anhydrous potassium sulfate, anhydrous magnesium sulfate, anhydrous sodium sulfate, anhydrous calcium oxide, anhydrous potassium oxide, anhydrous calcium chloride, anhydrous barium chloride, anhydrous barium chloride, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and etc. Molecular Sieve (3A, 4A or 5A) or Neobead^® (Sootaek Chemical Industry) are also used.

Hereinafter, the operation of the washing machine which has the above- described stmcture is described. If power is applied to the washing machine, a predetermined voltage is applied to the anode terminal 24 and the cathode terminal 25 of the electrolysis apparatus 10 by a power supply device 3. The current supplied to the electrolysis apparatus 10 is required to be less than 300A, and the voltage is required to be less than 100V. If laundries are put into the water tank of the washing machine, the amount of electrolytes and the amount of water are determined depending on the amount of laundries. Then, a predeteπnined amount of electrolytes generated by a regulator in the electrolyte storage box 6and water supplied from the water source flows into the anode reaction chamber 11 of the electrolysis apparatus 10. At the same time, water from the water source starts to flow into the cathode reaction chamber 12. The flowed water is electrolyzed through punches of the anode plate and the cathode plate which have a punched mesh stmcture. Ions electrolyzed in the anode reaction chamber and the cathode reaction chamber pass through the ion exchange membrane, thereby generating acidic and alkali water.

The alkali electrolyzed water (pH 7.5-14) generated from the cathode reaction chamber 12 flows into the water tank 2 through the outlet 21, thereby performing a washing operation. The acidic water of the anode reaction chamber may flow out as it is or may be used as rinsing water mixed with alkali water of the cathode reaction chamber 12. Here, anode gas (e.g. CO₂) generated from the anode reaction chamber 11 is put into the anode gas adsorption device 26 through the anode gas outlet 16. As a result, air pollution due to CO can be prevented. After the washing operation, the rinsing operation is performed with general water flowing into the water tank or with mixed water of alkali water from the cathode and acidic water from the anode. In the embodiment of the present invention, the final processed lavation has a pH ranging from 2.0 to 14, and a oxidation/reduction potential ranging from -900 to +1180. The generating amount of lavation can be regulated ranging from 100mE to 100-6 in proportion to the number of electrodes and their area if necessary.

The general washing, rinsing and dewatering of the washing machine are performed as the conventional washing machine except the washing operation with lavation by the electrolysis apparatus.

[Embodiment: Performance Experiment]

Hereinafter, the following experiments are performed to compare the performance and function of the washing machine having an electrolysis apparahis in an embodiment of the present invention with the conventional washing machine. The experiments include 1) the experiment on washing quality of washing, 2) the experiment on intensity of fiber damage of laundries and 3) the experiment on ingredient analysis of washing wastewater.

The method of the experiment is as follows.

1. Experiment on washing quality of washing

* See KS C9608 and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 60456. (1) [a] 5 pieces of white cloth ((90 x 90cm ) depending on KS) plus [b] a piece of white cloth manufactured by attaching to standard stained cloth equals 10kg (inserting a piece of [b] per 19 pieces of white cloth : the whole amount of white cloth : 100 pieces)

(2) washing method : to wash laundries using a standard washing course of high water level (washing -> rinsing - dewatering). (3) After the dewatered washing stained cloth is dried in the shade for 30 minutes, a washing stained cloth inserted between two pieces of white cloth is dried by ironing (150°C~180°C) according to IEC standard 60456.

(4) The measuring point for measuring washing quality of the washing stained cloth follows IEC 60456. (5) The chromaticity is measured by using reflectivity of light at the measuring point. The measuring devices for measuring washing quality are Mechbeth Coloreye 7000 U.S.A. NIST Traceable in case of a vortex type and Minolta CR-310 in case of a drum type.

(6) The intermediate value of is averaged by discarding the washing maximum/minimum value of the washing stained cloth used in the first washing operation.

2. Experiment on intensity of fiber damage of laundries

The intensity of fiber damage is measured by using a SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) apparatus. 3. Experiment on ingredient analysis of washing waste water

(1) The ingredient is measured by using an ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) apparatus based on a water pollution process test.

(2) The items for testing ingredient analysis test of washing waste water include BOD, COM_MΠ, Total Nitrogen, Suspended Solid and Anionic Surface Active Agents, Cl^". [Experimental Results]

1. Experiment on washing quality of washing

The washing quality experiment is performed on laundries stained by carbon black, blood, chocolate and red wine in the disclosed electrolysis washing machine and in the conventional washing machine (vortex type and a dmm type) according to the above experimental method. The following embodiments are exemplified in the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments.

A. Experimental condition of washing quality test Table 1. Experimental condition on vortex-type washing machine

Table 2. Experimental condition on drum-type washing machine

B. Experimental results of washing quality test Table 3. Experimental results of washing quality test

Tables 1 and 2 represent washing quality test conditions, and Table 3 represents experimental results of washing quality. Referring to Table 3, the washing quality results of embodiments 1 to 10 and 21 of the disclosed washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus show considerably high values than those of embodiments 11 to 20 and 22 of the conventional washing machine.

The following Tables 4 and 5 show comparison results of annual power consumption and annual water consumption in the disclosed washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus and the conventional washing machine depending on types such as dmm or vortex. As shown in Table 4, in case of a vortex type, although the conventional washing machine performs a washing operation using hot water in winter, the disclosed washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus performs a washing operation even at a low temperature. In case of a dmm type, although the conventional washing machine performs a washing operation generally at 60°C (washing time: 60min.), the disclosed washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus performs a washing operation even at room temperature (washing time: 39 min. 40 sec). As a result, the annual water consumption can be reduced as shown in Table 5.

Table 4. Comparison of annual power consumption (unit: Kw/h)

* annual 365 times (once a day) washing standard

* vortex -type washing machine : 10kg capacity washing machine, 10kg washing standard

* drum-type washing machine : 5kg capacity washing machine, 5kg washing standard Table 5. Comparison of annual water consumption (unit : 6)

2. Measuring result of fiber damage of laundries As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the results of fiber damage of laundries are compared by macrocinematography of states of the laundries after washing using the SEM apparatus. Fig. 8 shows a macrocinematography of state of original fiber, Fig. 9 shows a macrocinematography of fiber state of laundry washed by the disclosed washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus, and Fig. 10 shows a macrocinematography of fiber state of laundry washed by using a general detergent. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the. fiber state of laundry washed by the disclosed washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus is scarcely shown to have damage on the original fiber. However, as shown in Fig. 9, the fiber state of laundry washed by a general detergent is shown to have damage in fiber texture and feel smooth. Accordingly, the stained cloth washed by the disclosed washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus has a better state of fiber texture than that of the stained cloth washed by the conventional washing machine, and has less adhesion of stains.

3. Ingredient analysis result of waste water Table 6. Table of washing waste water analysis

As shown in Table 6, the values of BOD, COM_MΠ, Total Nitrogen, Suspended Solid, Anionic Surface Active Agents and Cl^" in waste water obtained by using a'detergent are higher than those of waste water obtained in the disclosed washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus. Specifically, there is a remarkable difference in the values of Anionic Surface Active Agents.

[Industrial Applicability]

As discussed earlier, in an embodiment of the present invention, an ion exchange membrane is interposed between plate-shaped anode and cathode plates which have a punched mesh stmcture, thereby increasing contact surface with water, improving electrolysis efficiency and reducing the whole width of an electrolysis apparatus. In addition, a washing machine having a commercialized electrolysis apparatus can be embodied by using inexpensive Sn oxide as a main catalyst of the anode plate.

Claims

[What is Claimed is]

1. An electrolysis washing machine having an electrolysis apparatus for receiving water and electrolytes externally and a water tank for receiving electrolyzed water, the electrolysis apparatus comprising: a case consisting of an anode reaction chamber and a cathode reaction chamber opposing each other; a separating membrane configured to be located in the case and separating the anode reaction chamber and the cathode reaction chamber; a plate-shaped anode plate configured to be located in parallel with the separating membrane in the anode reaction chamber and having a mesh structure; and a plate-shaped cathode plate configured to be located in parallel with the separating membrane in the cathode reaction chamber and having a mesh structure, wherein after externally supplied water is electrolyzed in the anode reaction chamber and the cathode reaction chamber, acidic electrolyzed water generated from the anode reaction chamber is supplied externally or to the water tank through a first channel, and alkali electrolyzed water generated from the cathode reaction chamber is supplied to the water tank through a second channel.

2. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the anode plate comprises an electrode substrate formed of a Ti oxide and an electrode catalyst coated on the electrode substrate, and the electrode catalyst uses a Sn oxide as a main catalyst.

3. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the electrode catalyst further comprises a co-catalyst selected from Pt group element, oxides such as Ni, Zn, Ti, Cu and Ru, and mixtures thereof.

4. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the main catalyst is present in an amount of 80wt% to the electrode catalyst and the co- catalyst is present in an amount of 20wt% to the electrode catalyst.

5. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the main catalyst of the electrode catalyst is an Sn oxide and the co-catalyst of the electrode catalyst is selected from Pt, Ir, Ru, oxides thereof or mixtures thereof.

6. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the Sn oxide is present in an amount of 80wt% as a main catalyst, the Ir oxide, the Ru oxide or the Pt oxide which is a mixhire thereof is present in an amount ranging from 0 to 20wt%, and the Pt is present in an amount ranging from 0 to 20wt% as a co-catalyst.

7. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the electrode catalyst further comprises Ag and Au mixed with polytetrafiuoroethylene, mixed metals of Ni and Al, Co or Zr.

8. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the electrode substrate comprises Ti, Ni, oxides thereof or mixtures thereof.

9. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the anode plate is an electrode substrate coated with an electrode catalyst, wherein the electrode substrate is selected from Cu including Ti, Ag, Hg or mixtures thereof, and the electrode catalyst is selected from stainless steel, mild steel, Ni, Ti, Ir, Ru, oxides thereof or mixtures thereof.

10. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a voltage supplied to the electrolysis apparatus is less than 100V, and a current is less than 300A.

11. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the separating membrane is an ion exchange membrane.

12. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the ion exchange membrane comprises a cation exchange membrane mounted on the opposing surface of the anode reaction chamber and an anion exchange membrane mounted on the opposing surface of the cathode reaction chamber.

13. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the ion exchange membrane is a fluorinated polymer membrane or a hydro-carbonated polymer membrane.

14. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a gasket having a window therein is intervened between the anode plate and the separating membrane or between the cathode plate and the separating membrane.

15. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytes are supplied only to an anode chamber.

16. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the electrolytes are Na₂CO₃.

17. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 16, further comprising a cathode gas adsorption device configured to be attached to the anode chamber and to adsorb CO₂ gas generated from the anode chamber.

18. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 15', wherein the electrolytes are NaCl, and the washing machine further comprises an anode gas adsorption device for adsorbing chlorine gas to an anode.

19. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a protuberance is formed on the internal surface of the anode reaction chamber and the cathode reaction chamber in the case so that water and electrolytes may be effectively dispersed on the surface of the anode plate or the cathode plate.

20. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the direction of water flowing in the first channel is opposite to that of the second channel.

21. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the electrolysis apparatus comprises a plurality of anode reaction chambers and a plurality of electrolysis apparatuses connected in parallel to a plurality of cathode reaction chambers, and after water and electrolytes are externally supplied to the plurality of anode reaction chambers and the plurality of cathode reaction chambers, electrolysis is performed in each electrolysis apparatus so that acidic electrolyzed water is generated from the anode reaction chamber and alkali electrolyzed water is generated from the cathode reaction chamber.

22. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the electrolysis apparatus is divided by a plurality of ion exchange membranes which are interposed between the anode plates and the cathode plates, alternately in series, the electrolyzed water generated from a chamber including the anode plate flows into the other chamber including the anode plate, and the electrolyzed water generated from a chamber including the cathode plate flows into the other chamber including the cathode plate.

23. The electrolysis washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the electrolysis washing machine has a complex stmcture wherein a plurality of electrolysis apparatuses are connected in series and in parallel.