WO2013136467A1

WO2013136467A1 - Ozone liquid generator, water purifier and method for cleaning ozone liquid generator

Info

Publication number: WO2013136467A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/056559
Authority: WO
Inventors: 渡邊　圭一郎; 尾崎　正昭; 吉田　陽; 高橋　理
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2012-03-14
Filing date: 2012-03-14
Publication date: 2013-09-19

Abstract

An ozone liquid generator (100) is provided with: an ozone gas generator (101), which generates an ozone gas; a mixing section (102), which mixes the ozone gas and a liquid; and a liquid storing tank (103), which stores a liquid. The ozone liquid generator is also provided with a circulation pathway (A) for circulating the liquid.

Description

Ozone liquid generator, water purifier and cleaning method thereof

The present invention relates to an ozone liquid generator, a water purifier, and a cleaning method thereof, and more particularly, to an ozone liquid generator, a water purifier, and a cleaning method thereof capable of cleaning the ozone liquid generator.

Conventionally, the ozone liquid generator is equipped with an ozone gas generator that generates ozone gas, and the ozone liquid is generated by mixing ozone gas with a liquid such as water. The mechanism of a general ozone gas generator is that an alternating voltage is applied between electrodes sandwiching an insulator to generate silent discharge, and ozone gas is generated by passing a gas such as air or oxygen above atmospheric pressure between the electrodes. I am letting. There are various types of electrode shapes, such as a type in which two flat metal plates are arranged in parallel and discharged, or between a cylindrical metal and a columnar metal arranged in the central portion of the cylindrical shape. There is a type to discharge with.

However, when these ozone gas generators are used for a long period of time, substances such as nitrogen oxides and ammonium nitrate are deposited on the electrode surface, resulting in a problem that the generation efficiency of ozone gas is lowered. This problem is caused by the fact that nitrogen or moisture in the atmosphere is combined with oxygen due to silent discharge of the ozone gas generator, and nitrogen oxides are generated. For this reason, the water purification unit which removes the deposit deposited on the electrode surface of an ozone gas generator and restores the generation efficiency of ozone gas is known.

For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-24483) discloses a bath circulation processing apparatus including an ozone liquid generator composed of an ozonizer that generates ozone gas and an ejector that mixes water and ozone gas. By switching the flow path of the liquid at the time of washing and introducing the liquid from the ejector to the ozonizer, the salt adhering to the electrode surface of the ozonizer is washed, and the liquid used for washing is drained from the drain outlet to the outside.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-24483

However, the ozone liquid generator cleaning method of Patent Document 1 introduces liquid from the ejector to the ozonizer so that the electrode surface of the ozonizer is cleaned and drained. It was necessary to provide a new drainage port. For this reason, for example, in order to mount a conventional ozone liquid generator on a water purifier or the like, it is necessary to provide at least two drainage paths, complicated piping paths and switching means for drainage treatment, and increase the size of the apparatus. There was also a problem that existing facilities could not be used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is stable over a long period of time by allowing the ozone gas generator to be washed or dried with a simple and space-saving configuration in which liquid is circulated through the ozone gas generator. An ozone liquid generator capable of maintaining the generated ozone gas generation efficiency is provided.

An ozone liquid generator according to an aspect of the present invention includes an ozone gas generator that generates ozone gas, a mixing unit that mixes the ozone gas and liquid, a liquid storage tank that stores liquid, and a liquid that is supplied to the ozone gas generator. And a circulation path for circulation.

According to the above configuration, since a gas containing ozone gas can be introduced through the circulation path, it is possible to generate a highly concentrated ozone liquid. Also, the ozone gas generator has a reduced ozone gas generation efficiency because it is possible to circulate the liquid through the circulation path, clean the ozone gas generator, and clean and remove deposits formed on the electrodes of the ozone gas generator. It is possible to restore the generation efficiency.

Further, in the above configuration, the circulation path is provided with a flow control unit that controls the flow of gas between the inside and the outside of the ozone liquid generator, and between the liquid storage tank and the flow control unit. It is preferable that a control unit for controlling the flow of gas or liquid is provided in this path.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to dry high-humidity air that causes a decrease in ozone gas generation efficiency and liquid attached to the electrodes of the ozone gas generator, and therefore it is possible to increase the ozone gas generation efficiency. .

An ozone liquid generator cleaning method according to an aspect of the present invention includes an ozone gas generator that generates ozone gas, a mixing unit that mixes the ozone gas and liquid, a liquid storage tank that stores liquid, and the ozone gas generation. A circulation path connected to the vessel, introducing a liquid into the mixing unit and sealing the circulation path with the liquid, and generating the ozone liquid from the circulation path after the first step A second step of deriving gas to the outside of the vessel, and a third step of sealing the circulation path after the second step and circulating the liquid through the circulation path to the ozone gas generator. included.

According to the above cleaning method, the liquid is circulated through the circulation path, the ozone gas generator is cleaned, and deposits formed on the electrodes of the ozone gas generator can be cleaned and removed. It is possible to restore the generation efficiency of the ozone gas generator in which the gas is reduced.

According to the present invention, an ozone liquid capable of maintaining stable ozone gas generation efficiency over a long period of time by allowing the ozone gas generator to be cleaned or dried with a simple and space-saving configuration that circulates liquid to the ozone gas generator. A generator can be provided.

It is the schematic of the ozone liquid generator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of an ozone gas generator concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of another ozone gas generator concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the mixing part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the mixing part connected to piping provided with the pumping part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the liquid storage tank concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the other liquid storage tank which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart of the ozone liquid generator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the experimental result of the ozone liquid generator which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic of the water purification unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

(Embodiment 1)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an ozone liquid generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. An ozone liquid generator 100 in FIG. 1 has a circulation path A for circulating gas or liquid, an ozone gas generator 101 for generating ozone gas in the circulation path A, a mixing unit 102 for mixing liquid and ozone gas, and a liquid. A liquid storage tank 103 for storing liquid is provided.

The ozone gas generator 101 includes an introduction port 104 connected to a pipe c that introduces a gas such as air or oxygen, an ozone gas generation element that generates ozone gas using air or oxygen that is formed by an electrode made of metal or the like as a material, and And an outlet 105 for leading out ozone gas. Ozone gas is generated from oxygen introduced from the introduction port 104 or a part of oxygen contained in the air and the like, and is derived from the discharge port 105 as ozone gas.

Here, details of one embodiment of the ozone gas generator 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cylindrical ozone gas generator 101 (a). The cylindrical ozone gas generator 101 (a) includes an introduction port 104 for introducing a gas such as air, an ozone gas generation element 21 for generating ozone gas, and a lead-out port 105 for deriving a gas such as ozone gas. Here, the ozone gas generating element 21 includes a discharge electrode 22 formed of a conductive material disposed at the center of a cylindrical ozone gas generator 101 (a), and a cylindrical shape disposed in a casing around the discharge electrode 22. And a counter electrode 23. Further, the cylindrical counter electrode 23 has a structure in which a dielectric is formed on the inner side and a conductor is applied on the outer surface. The discharge electrode 22 arranged in the center and the counter electrode 23 arranged in the casing are each connected to a power source 24 and can generate silent discharge by applying a voltage. When air is introduced from the introduction port 104, the introduced air passes between the discharge electrode 22 where the discharge phenomenon has occurred and the counter electrode 23. In the process, ozone gas is generated from a part of oxygen contained in the air, and the ozone gas is extracted from the outlet 105 together with the air.

Also, the discharge phenomenon generates not only ozone gas but also nitrogen oxides from the air. Therefore, when an ozone gas generator is used for a long time, nitrogen oxides generated by the discharge phenomenon are deposited on the surface of the discharge electrode 22 or the counter electrode 23. There arises a problem that the ozone generation efficiency is lowered due to the deposited nitrogen oxides and the like reducing the discharge efficiency.

As an embodiment of the ozone gas generator, an ozone gas generator having a discharge electrode at the center of the ozone gas generator and a counter electrode at the casing has been described. However, a conductor is formed inside the center and a dielectric is formed on the outer surface. You may make the structure which has arrange | positioned the counter electrode with which the body was apply | coated, and has arrange | positioned the discharge electrode in the casing.

Another embodiment of the ozone gas generator 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ozone gas generator 101 (b) using a flat electrode. An ozone gas generator 101 (b) using a flat electrode includes an inlet 104 for introducing a gas such as air, an ozone gas generating element 31 for generating ozone gas, and an outlet 105 for deriving a gas such as ozone gas. ing. The ozone gas generating element 31 includes a discharge electrode 32 formed from a conductive material and a counter electrode 33 formed from a conductive material and disposed opposite to the discharge electrode 32. The discharge electrode 32 and the counter electrode 33 are each connected to a power source 34. Silent discharge can be generated by applying a voltage between the discharge electrode 32 and the counter electrode 33. When air is introduced from the inlet 104, the introduced air passes between the discharge electrode 32 where the discharge phenomenon has occurred and the counter electrode 33. In the process, ozone gas is generated from a part of oxygen contained in the air, and ozone gas is led out together with the air from the outlet 105. Also in the ozone gas generator 101 (b) provided with the flat plate-type electrode, there is a problem that nitrogen oxides and the like are deposited when used for a long period of time as in the cylindrical ozone gas generator 101 (a).

Here, one embodiment of the ozone gas generator 101 has been described using the ozone gas generator of FIGS. 2 and 3, but other general ozone gas generators may be used as long as they generate ozone gas by the discharge phenomenon of electrodes. May be used.

The mixing unit 102 includes an inlet 106 for introducing a liquid such as water from the outside of the ozone liquid generator, an inlet 107 for introducing a gas such as ozone gas or air connected to the pipe a, and a gas connected to the pipe b. And a lead-out port 108 through which a gas-liquid mixture in which liquid is mixed is led out. A liquid such as water introduced from the introduction port 106 is mixed with a gas such as air or ozone gas introduced from the introduction port 107, and is led out from the outlet 108 as a gas-liquid mixture such as ozone liquid. Here, the ozone liquid indicates a state in which an ozone solution in which ozone gas is dissolved in a liquid or an ozone bubble liquid in which ozone gas is mixed as bubbles in the liquid is included. In addition, the liquid includes a solution in which ozone gas is mixed, such as water or a cultivation nutrient solution used as an agricultural solvent or a solution used as a medical solvent.

Here, details of one embodiment of the mixing unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a venturi-type mixing section. The venturi-type mixing unit 102 includes an introduction path 41 that communicates with an introduction port 106 through which liquid is introduced, a communication path 42 that communicates with the introduction path 41 and has a smaller diameter than the introduction path 41, and a communication path 42. And a lead-out path 43 having a larger diameter than the communication path 42. The lead-out path 43 communicates with the lead-out port 108 and the liquid is led out. The communication path 42 includes an introduction port 107 that is opened and provided in the middle of the path, and is connected to the ozone gas generator 101 via a pipe a. Here, the term “opening” means that a hole or the like is provided on the side surface of the pipe, and the opening port opened in the pipe as a hole can be connected to and connected to another pipe. The shape of the hole may be designed to an appropriate shape such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon.

When liquid is introduced from the introduction port 106, the liquid that has reached the communication path 42 through the introduction path 41 is introduced into a narrower tube than the introduction path 41. Therefore, as known from Bernoulli's theorem, the flow rate increases and static Pressure decreases. As a result, the static pressure of the flowing liquid becomes negative, and the gas is naturally sucked toward the communication path 42 via the pipe a. Thereafter, the introduced gas and liquid are mixed and led out from the outlet 108 connected to the outlet path 43 as a gas-liquid mixture. Here, when ozone gas is generated by the ozone gas generator 101, the introduced liquid and the ozone gas are mixed to generate an ozone liquid. Here, as one embodiment of the mixing unit, the Venturi-type mixing unit of FIG. 4 has been described. However, as long as the mixing unit is capable of natural gas suction, a mixing unit having another configuration may be used. I do not care.

Next, an embodiment of another mixing unit will be described with reference to FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the piping a or the piping c is provided with a pressure feeding unit, and is connected to the mixing unit 102 that cannot spontaneously suck gas. FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of a mixing unit connected to a pipe a including a pressure feeding unit 118. FIG. 5B shows an embodiment of the mixing unit connected to the pipe c provided with the pressure feeding unit 118.

The pressure feeding unit 118 is formed by a pump or the like, and can flow a liquid or gas through a pipe. Moreover, since the capability of the pressure feeding part 118 provided in piping needs to pump gas and a liquid with respect to the mixing part 102, what was equipped with the pumping ability higher than the water pressure applied from the mixing part 102 to the pressure feeding part 118 is used. Deploy. For this reason, in both configurations of FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), even when a mixing unit of a type having no natural suction force is arranged, the circulation unit A is provided via the circulation path A in the same manner as the mixing unit having a natural suction force. Gas can be introduced into the mixing unit 102 and mixed with the liquid introduced from the inlet 106.

The liquid storage tank 103 is composed of a container or the like that can store liquid or gas, and plays a role as a liquid storage means that can store liquid. The liquid storage tank 103 is connected to the pipe b to introduce a liquid 109, introduces a liquid to the outside of the ozone liquid generator, an outlet 110 to lead out a liquid such as water or ozone liquid, and the pipe c to connect air or ozone gas. And a lead-out port 111 through which a liquid such as water or ozone liquid is led out. The introduced liquid is stored in the lower layer of the liquid storage tank 103, and gas such as air or ozone gas is stored in the upper layer of the liquid storage tank 103.

For example, the ozone liquid introduced from the inlet 109 of the liquid storage tank 103 is separated from gases such as ozone gas and air contained in the ozone liquid as bubbles and stored in the upper layer of the liquid storage tank 103, and the liquid storage tank An ozone solution in which ozone gas is dissolved in a liquid is stored in a lower layer 103.

The outlet 111 is provided at a position higher than the position of the outlet 110 provided in the liquid storage tank 103 with respect to the direction of gravity. Since the outlet 111 is provided at a position higher than the water level of the ozone liquid stored in the liquid storage tank, the liquid was stored during the ozone liquid generation mode in which the generated ozone liquid is led out of the ozone liquid generator. Designed not to immerse in liquid. For this reason, it becomes possible to lead out the liquid from the outlet 110 and lead out the gas from the outlet 111 in the ozone liquid generation mode.

Next, details of one embodiment of the liquid storage tank 103 will be described using the schematic explanatory diagram of FIG. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the liquid storage tank 103 (a). FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the liquid storage tank 103 (a).

The liquid storage tank 103 (a) has a storage unit 62 that stores liquid or gas surrounded by the container unit 61, an introduction port 109 that introduces the liquid into the storage unit 62, and a lead that extracts liquid such as ozone liquid. An outlet 110 and a lead-out port 111 through which gas or liquid is led out are provided. Here, the outlet 111 is provided at a position higher than the outlet 110 in the direction of gravity, and the outlet 111 is preferably provided near the ceiling of the storage unit 62 in order to efficiently lead out the gas.

The liquid introduced from the introduction port 109 is stored in the storage unit 62, and when the water level of the liquid stored in the storage unit 62 exceeds the height of the output port 110, the liquid is extracted from the output port 110. . The outlet 111 is provided at a position higher than the position where the outlet 110 is provided. In addition, the outlet 111 is provided at a position higher than the water level of the liquid stored in the storage unit 62. Therefore, in the ozone liquid generation mode in which the ozone liquid generated by the ozone liquid generator is derived outside the ozone liquid generator, the outlet 111 is not immersed in the stored liquid. In the ozone liquid generation mode, the liquid is stored in the lower layer of the storage unit 62, and the gas is stored in the upper layer of the storage unit 62.

The liquid storage tank 103 is not limited to the form shown in FIG. The storage part 62 does not necessarily have a cylindrical shape, and a storage part 62 having a polygonal shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped or a conical shape may be formed. As long as it is a container capable of storing liquid and gas, a liquid storage tank having another configuration may be arranged.

The size of the liquid storage tank 103 can be appropriately changed according to the design, and the liquid storage tank may be formed by expanding a part of the piping and forming a storage section.

Next, another embodiment of the liquid storage tank 103 will be described with reference to a schematic explanatory diagram of FIG. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the liquid storage tank 103 (b). FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the liquid storage tank 103 (b).

The liquid storage tank 103 (b) in FIG. 7 derives liquid such as ozone liquid, a storage part 72 that stores liquid or gas surrounded by the outer wall 71, an introduction port 109 that introduces liquid into the storage part 72. A lead-out port 110 and a lead-out port 111 through which gas or liquid is led out are provided. The storage unit 72 has a double-pipe structure including an inner water cylinder 74 formed by an inner wall 73 communicating with the introduction port 109 and an outer water cylinder 75 formed between the outer wall 71 and the inner wall 73 and capable of storing liquid. It is formed as. The outlet 111 is provided at a position higher than the height of the wall formed by the inner wall 73 in the direction of gravity, and the outlet 110 is provided at a position lower than the height of the wall formed by the inner wall 73 in the direction of gravity. ing. Here, the outlet 111 may be provided in the vicinity of the ceiling of the storage unit 72 in order to efficiently lead out the gas, and the outlet 110 may be provided in the vicinity of the bottom of the storage unit 72 in order to efficiently lead out the liquid.

The liquid introduced from the inlet 109 is stored in the inner water tube 74 of the storage unit 72, and when the liquid level of the stored liquid overflows beyond the height of the inner wall 73, the liquid is stored in the outer water tube 75. Will be. Thereafter, the liquid stored in the outer water cylinder 75 is led out from the outlet 110. In the ozone liquid generation mode, the liquid is stored in the lower layer of the storage unit 72, and the gas is stored in the upper layer of the storage unit 72. As a result, it is possible to introduce the liquid from the inlet 109 of the liquid storage tank 103 (b) and lead the gas from the outlet 111. In the liquid storage tank 103 (b), the liquid flow introduced from the inlet 109 is blocked by colliding with the inner wall 73, stored in the inner water cylinder 74, and then discharged from the outlet 110. Gas-liquid separation of gas such as ozone gas contained in the gas can be performed more effectively.

In FIG. 7, the outlet 110 is provided on the bottom surface of the liquid storage tank 103 (b), but is positioned between the bottom surface of the outer water tube 75 and the upper portion of the inner wall 73 so that the ozone liquid can be stored in the outer water tube 75. The outlet port 110 may be provided in the outer wall 71 to be performed.

In FIG. 7, the liquid storage tank 103 (b) formed with a double tube structure has been described. Any other configuration may be used as long as it can separate the gas and the liquid.

Circulation path A is formed from a piping system consisting of hoses and pipes. The circulation path A is between the piping a connecting the outlet 105 of the ozone gas generator 101 and the inlet 107 of the mixing unit 102, and between the outlet 108 of the mixing unit 102 and the inlet 109 of the liquid storage tank 103. And a pipe c that connects between the outlet 111 of the liquid storage tank 103 and the inlet 104 of the ozone gas generator 101. The circulation path A can circulate gas or liquid in the ozone liquid generator 100 and lead the gas or liquid into the ozone gas generator 101, the mixing unit 102, or the liquid storage tank 103. For this reason, by circulating the liquid in the ozone liquid generator 100, the ozone liquid generator 100 such as the ozone gas generator 101, the liquid storage tank 103, the circulation path A, and the like can be cleaned. Further, it is possible to prevent the generation of bacteria by circulating the water stored in the liquid storage tank 103 for a long time through the circulation path A for a certain period of time.

The pipe c includes an opening 112 provided in the middle of the path, and is connected to a flow control unit that controls the flow of gas or liquid between the inside and the outside of the ozone liquid generator. . The flow control unit is configured by a pipe d provided with a first control unit 113 capable of controlling the flow amount of gas or liquid flowing through the pipe, and one of the pipes d is opened in the middle of the path of the pipe c. An external port 114 is formed which is connected to and communicates with an opening 112 provided to the outside, and the other is connected to the atmosphere. For this reason, it is possible to control the flow of gas or liquid between the external port 114 and the atmosphere by controlling the flow amount of the gas or liquid flowing through the pipe d using the first control unit 113. is there.

Further, the piping d may be provided with an ozone filter 115 having a function of reducing ozone gas. Since the ozone filter 115 provided in the pipe d leads the ozone gas to the atmosphere from the external port 114 after reducing ozone gas, the gas can be safely released from the external port 114 to the atmosphere. Here, as the ozone filter 115, a general ozone filter such as a paper in which an ozone decomposition catalyst is configured in a lattice shape or a material in which aluminum is attached is disposed.

The flow control unit only needs to be able to control the flow of gas or liquid between the inside and the outside of the ozone liquid generator 100, and the first control is directly performed on the opening 112 without the pipe d. Other configurations such as a configuration in which the unit 113 is provided may be used. Further, the external port 114 may be configured to be capable of introducing and discharging gas, and may be configured to be connected to a cylinder storing oxygen or air.

A second control unit 116 is provided between the outlet 111 and the opening 112 of the liquid storage tank 103 of the pipe c. The second control unit 116 can control the amount of gas or liquid flowing through the pipe c between the outlet 111 and the opening 112 of the liquid storage tank 103. Here, the 1st control part 113 and the 2nd control part 116 are formed from a valve | bulb etc., and can control the flow amount of the gas or liquid which flows through piping. The first control unit 113 and the second control unit 116 are electronic valves that can be electronically controlled, and are connected to a control unit 117 that can control the timing of the opening and closing control. A possible configuration may be adopted.

<Description of operation>
The operation of the ozone liquid generator according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 schematically shows a timing chart in each mode of the ozone liquid generator according to the present invention. Here, the control state of each control unit indicates the open / closed state of each control unit, the open state indicates a state in which the amount of fluid flowing through the control unit is high, and the closed state indicates that the fluid flowing through the control unit. The flow amount is stopped. The generation state of the ozone gas generator indicates the generation state of ozone gas by the ozone gas generator, the ON state indicates a state where ozone gas is generated, and the OFF state indicates a state where generation of ozone gas is stopped. .

Times t0 to t1 are timing charts for the ozone liquid generation mode, times t1 to t4 are the ozone gas generator cleaning mode, and times t4 to t5 are the ozone gas generator drying mode. Switching between the modes is shown in FIG. The order of the modes is not limited, and it is not necessary to include all the modes. In addition, each mode can be switched by controlling the control unit by using a timing programmed in advance by the control unit or using a sensor, or manually switching the control unit.

First, the ozone liquid generation mode will be described. The ozone liquid generation mode is a mode in which the ozone liquid generated by the ozone liquid generator is led out of the ozone liquid generator. As in the period from t0 to t1 in the timing chart of FIG. 8, the ozone gas generator 101 is turned on, the first control unit 113 is closed, the second control unit 116 is opened, and the mixing unit A liquid such as water is introduced into the inlet 106.

Liquid such as water introduced from the inlet 106 of the mixing unit 102 is introduced into the liquid storage tank 103 through the pipe b and stored. For this reason, a part of gas such as air stored in the liquid storage tank 103 is led out from the outlet 110 of the liquid storage tank 103 so as to be pushed out by the introduced liquid. Eventually, when the water level of the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 103 increases and exceeds the height at which the outlet 110 of the liquid storage tank 103 is located, the outlet 110 is blocked by the liquid. Moreover, since the 1st control part 113 is a closed state, the gas in the ozone liquid generator 100 will be in the sealed state confine | sealed in the space of the liquid storage tank 103, the piping a, and the piping c. Here, the sealed state is not a physically sealed state but a state where a gas is confined by a liquid.

A gas such as trapped air is flowed by a water flow, introduced into the ozone gas generator 101, and ozone gas is generated by the ozone gas generator 101. Thereafter, the ozone gas is introduced from the introduction port 107 of the mixing unit 102 via the pipe a, and is mixed with a liquid such as water introduced from the other introduction port 106 to generate an ozone liquid. The generated ozone liquid is led out to the liquid storage tank 103 via the pipe b and separated into gas and liquid.

Here, the ozone liquid includes an ozone solution in which ozone gas is dissolved in the liquid and an ozone bubble liquid in which the ozone gas is mixed as bubbles in the liquid. Separated into liquid containing ozone solution. The separated gas containing ozone gas and air returns to the original confined space and circulates again. For this reason, the gas in the liquid storage tank 103 circulates through the following route. Storage tank 103-Pipe c-Ozone gas generator 101-Pipe a-Mixing section 102-Pipe b-Storage tank 103-Pipe c-Ozone gas generator 101-Mixing section 102-Same as below. As a result, the ozone gas generator 101 cannot be dissolved in water and generates ozone gas based on the gas containing the gas gas-liquid separated ozone gas, so that a higher concentration ozone liquid is generated.

Here, the generation mechanism of the high-concentration ozone water of the ozone liquid generator according to the present invention will be described. In this description, ozone gas of about 0.4 mg / L is dissolved using an ozone gas generator that generates ozone gas having a concentration of about 500 ppm based on air of 2 L / min and a mixing unit that mixes water and ozone gas. A model for generating ozone water will be described.

The ozone water concentration of 0.4 mg / L is a state in which 0.4 mg of ozone gas is dissolved in 1 L of water, and a volume of ozone gas of about 0.18 ml is dissolved in 1 L of water. For this reason, 90 ppm of ozone gas is dissolved in 2 L of air.

The calculation formula is as follows. When the unit of ozone water concentration 0.4 mg / L is converted to mol / L, it becomes 8.33 × 10 ⁻⁶ mol / L ((0.4 mg / L) / (48 g / mol) = 8.33 × 10 ⁻⁶ mol / L). Since the volume of 1 mol is 22.4 L, 0.18 ml of ozone gas dissolves in 1 L of water ((8.33 × 10 ⁻⁶ mol / L) × (22.4 L / mol) = 0.18 ml. / L). When the concentration of 0.18 ml of ozone gas dissolved in water is calculated as a volume of 2 L / min, it becomes 90 ppm ((0.18 ml) / (2000 ml) = 90 × 10 ⁻⁶ = 90 ppm).
That is, the ozone gas concentration 500 ppm of the ozone gas generated based on the air by the ozone gas generator is larger than the ozone gas concentration 90 ppm that decreases by dissolving in water, so that the ozone gas concentration increases every time the gas is circulated. For this reason, the ozone concentration of the gas introduced into the ozone gas generator increases as time elapses from the start of circulation, and the ozone concentration of the ozone gas generated in the ozone gas generator increases to the generation capacity limit value of the ozone gas generator. Become.

Using this principle, high-concentration ozone gas is introduced into the mixing section, and as a result, high-concentration ozone liquid can be generated. In addition, the circulation path A is in a pressurized state in which air in a confined space is compressed under the influence of water pressure. For this reason, it is possible to introduce a high-density gas into the mixing portion, and it is possible to generate an ozone liquid having a drastically high concentration.

According to the calculation of the above model, the dissolved amount of ozone gas dissolved in water is about 18 ml by flowing 100 L of water, and does not greatly affect the increase or decrease of the gas circulating in the ozone water generator.

When only the ozone liquid generation mode is used, the second control unit 116 is not used, and therefore it is not necessary to provide the second control unit 116 in the ozone liquid generator 100.

Next, the ozone gas generator cleaning mode will be described. The ozone gas generator cleaning mode is a mode in which a liquid such as water is introduced into the ozone gas generator via the circulation path A to clean the ozone gas generator. As in the timing chart of FIG. 8, the first control state (t1 to t2), the second control state (t2 to t3), and the third control state (t3 to t4) that are the same as the ozone liquid generation mode. Is included. The ozone gas generator can be cleaned by switching to the second control state during the ozone liquid generation mode and then switching to the third control state.

In the first control state (t1 to t2), as in the ozone liquid generation mode, the ozone gas generator 101 is turned on, the first control unit 113 is closed, and the second control unit 116 is opened. Then, a liquid such as water is introduced into the inlet 106 of the mixing unit. After a certain period of time, the ozone liquid generator 100 is stabilized in a state where a gas such as ozone gas or air circulates in the circulation path A and the ozone liquid is led out from the outlet 110 of the liquid storage tank. The detailed process is the same as that in the description of the ozone liquid generation mode, and will be omitted.

After the flow of the liquid or gas in the ozone liquid generator 100 is stabilized in the first control state, the ozone liquid generator 100 is switched to the second control state. At this time, the switching timing may be controlled when the time for the liquid or gas flow in the ozone liquid generator to stabilize is programmed in advance and the control time has elapsed. In addition, a sensor capable of sensing the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 103 is provided, and a flow rate sensor capable of sensing the amount of liquid discharged from the liquid storage tank 103 when the liquid storage amount is stabilized at a constant water level, It may be controlled to switch when the flow rate to be derived is stabilized at a constant value. Further, a pressure gauge may be provided in the liquid storage tank 103 or the piping that is the circulation path A, and control may be performed so as to switch when the pressure to be measured is stabilized.

In the second control state (t2 to t3), the ozone gas generator is turned off, the first control unit 113 is opened, the second control unit 116 is opened, and the inlet 106 of the mixing unit 102 is opened. Continue to introduce liquids such as water.

The liquid introduced into the mixing unit 102 is introduced into the liquid storage tank 103 via the pipe b and is led out from the outlet 110 of the liquid storage tank 103. On the other hand, since the first control unit 113 is switched to the open state and the external port 114 communicated with the atmosphere becomes the atmospheric release pressure, the gas circulating in the circulation path A is led out from the external port 114 having a low atmospheric pressure. For this reason, since the volume of the gas stored in the liquid storage tank 103 decreases and the atmospheric pressure in the liquid storage tank 103 decreases, the water level of the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 103 gradually increases. Eventually, when the liquid level in the liquid storage tank 103 increases and exceeds a certain amount of liquid storage, the state is switched to the third control state.

Here, the certain amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 103 means that the liquid level in the liquid storage tank 103 is the same as or higher than the height of the outlet 111 provided in the liquid storage tank 103. Refers to liquid volume. For example, when the outlet 111 of the liquid storage tank 103 is blocked by the stored liquid, when the liquid flows in the pipe c, or when the liquid is led out from the external port 114 of the pipe d, the third It is good also as switching to a control state.

At this time, the switching timing may be controlled when a time in which the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 103 exceeds a certain amount of liquid is programmed in advance and the control time has elapsed. In addition, a sensor capable of sensing the water level of the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 103 is provided, and a sensor for detecting the flow of the liquid in the piping that is the circulation path A when the liquid storage amount exceeds a certain water level. It may be provided and controlled when liquid is detected. In addition, a pressure gauge may be provided in the liquid storage tank 103 or the piping that is the circulation path A, and control may be performed so as to switch according to the pressure to be measured.

In the third control state (t3 to t4) in the timing chart of FIG. 8, the ozone gas generator is turned off, the first control unit 113 is closed, the second control unit 116 is opened, and mixing is performed. The introduction of a liquid such as water into the unit 102 is continued.

The liquid introduced into the mixing unit 102 is continuously led out from the outlet 110 of the liquid storage tank 103. On the other hand, since the first control unit 113 is switched to the closed state and the pipes a and c are sealed again, the gas or liquid in the pipe c and the liquid storage tank 103 is sucked into the mixing unit 102.

Therefore, the gas or liquid in the ozone liquid generator 100 circulates through the circulation path A. As a result, the liquid circulating inside the ozone liquid generator 100 cleans deposits such as nitrogen oxides attached to the electrode surface of the ozone gas generator 101 provided in the circulation path A or dirt attached to the circulation path A. Is possible. Note that when only the ozone gas generator cleaning mode is used, the second control unit 116 is not used, and thus the ozone liquid generator 100 may not be provided with the second control unit 116.

Next, the ozone gas generator drying mode will be described. The ozone gas generator drying mode is a mode for drying moisture and water vapor adhering to the ozone liquid generator, and in particular, a mode for drying the liquid adhering to the electrode of the ozone gas generator.

As in the period from t4 to t5 in the timing chart of FIG. 8, the ozone gas generator is turned off, the first control unit 113 is opened, the second control unit 116 is closed, and the mixing unit 102 A liquid such as water is introduced into the inlet 106.

The liquid introduced into the mixing unit 102 is introduced into the liquid storage tank 103 via the pipe b and is led out from the outlet 110 of the liquid storage tank 103. On the other hand, since the first control unit 113 is in the open state, a gas such as air is sucked into the introduction port 107 of the mixing unit 102 from the external port 114 of the pipe d. At this time, since the gas flows through the ozone gas generator 101 via the pipe, the ozone gas generator and the pipe are dried. In particular, water vapor adhering to the electrode surface of the ozone gas generator 101 can be dried. Further, the gas introduced into the introduction port 107 of the mixing unit 102 is mixed with a liquid such as water introduced into the introduction port 106 of the mixing unit 102 and then led out from the outlet 110 of the liquid storage tank 103. It becomes.

The ozone gas generator drying mode may be performed not only after the ozone gas generator cleaning mode but also after the ozone liquid generation mode. It is generally known that ozone gas generators generate ozone gas with a high ozone gas concentration by generating ozone gas using air with low humidity rather than generating ozone gas using air with high humidity. . This is because the water vapor adheres to the electrode surface and the amount of oxygen in contact with the electrode surface decreases, or the relative oxygen amount decreases due to the water vapor contained in the air. It is due to letting. For this reason, the ozone gas generator drying mode is effective for suppressing the humidity of the gas inside the ozone liquid generator and increasing the ozone gas generation efficiency.

Further, a mode for reliably removing water existing between the outlet 111 and the inlet 104 may be added by setting the third control state again after the ozone gas generator drying mode.

According to the above description, it is possible to clean and dry the nitrogen oxide deposited on the electrode portion of the ozone liquid generator, particularly the ozone gas generator, and the ozone gas generator can self-regenerate.

<Experimental result>
Next, a cleaning experiment relating to the cleaning operation of the ozone liquid generator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram of the experimental results in FIG. In the experiment, the ozone gas generator 101 that generates 100 mg / h of ozone gas is used in the configuration of FIG. 1, and 2.5 L / min of water is introduced into the mixing unit 102 to generate ozone liquid for 20 hours. It went after passing.

The ozone gas concentration indicates the concentration of ozone gas generated by the ozone gas generator, and the ozone liquid concentration is obtained by measuring the ozone concentration of the liquid derived from the mixing unit. “No cleaning” indicates the transition of the ozone gas concentration and the ozone liquid concentration after the ozone liquid generation mode has passed for 20 hours under the above-described experimental conditions. “With cleaning” means that the ozone liquid generation mode is allowed to elapse for 20 hours under the above-described experimental conditions, water is circulated for 2 minutes in the ozone gas generator cleaning mode, and cleaning is performed for 5 minutes in the ozone gas generator drying mode. Changes in ozone gas concentration and ozone liquid concentration after drying are shown.

As a result of the experiment, in all the experimental conditions of FIG. 9, the results shown in “with cleaning” were higher in both ozone gas concentration and ozone liquid concentration than the results shown in “without cleaning”. . This is due to the recovery of the ozone gas generation capability of the ozone gas generator as a result of removing nitrogen oxides and water vapor deposited on the electrode surface of the ozone gas generator with water. For this reason, by using the ozone liquid generator according to the present invention, the ozone gas generation ability can be recovered, and the ozone liquid having a stable concentration for a long period of time can be generated.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a water purifier unit equipped with an ozone liquid generator according to the present invention. The water purification unit 200 includes an ozone liquid generator 100 that generates an ozone liquid and a filtration unit 201 that filters a liquid such as water (and a pipe that forms a path through which the liquid such as water flows). The water purification unit 200 further introduces a liquid such as tap water into the ozone liquid generator 100 to generate an ozone liquid, and an ozone liquid generation path B that generates ozone liquid, and a purified water that introduces a liquid such as tap water into the filtration unit 201 to generate purified water. Path C.

The ozone liquid generator 100 can derive the ozone liquid based on a liquid such as water introduced through a pipe. In addition, since the ozone liquid generator 100 is the same as the structure of Example 1, the same part attaches | subjects the same code | symbol and abbreviate | omits detailed description.

The filtration unit 201 is formed of a filter capable of removing particles, such as a UF membrane (Ultrafiltration Membrane) filter, and can filter out a liquid such as water introduced through a pipe.

The ozone liquid generation path B is formed from a pipe e for introducing a liquid and a pipe f provided with the ozone liquid generator 100, and the water purification path C is formed from a pipe e and a pipe g. The pipe e includes a branch point 202 that branches into a pipe f and a pipe g, and is shared by two paths of the ozone liquid generation path B and the water purification path C. The pipe f includes a control unit 203, and the pipe g includes a control unit 204. The flow amount of the liquid flowing through each pipe can be controlled. For this reason, the water purification unit 200 can be switched to an ozone liquid generation path B that generates ozone liquid and a water purification path C that generates purified water.

Note that the

control units

203 and 204 may be formed by electronic valves and connected to the control unit 205 to perform electronic control. Further, the control unit 205 may be shared with the control unit 117 of the ozone liquid generator 100 and each control unit may be controlled by one control unit.

Further, the piping e may be provided with a filtration unit 206 such as a prefilter or an activated carbon filter before the branch point 202. By adopting the above-described configuration, it is not necessary to provide filters in the two paths, and it is possible to efficiently purify the water.

<Description of operation>
Operation | movement description of the water purification unit 200 which concerns on Embodiment 2 is demonstrated based on FIG. The water purification unit 200 includes an ozone liquid generator mode and a water purification mode.

In the ozone liquid generator mode, a liquid such as water can be introduced into the ozone liquid generator 100 to generate the ozone liquid, clean the ozone gas generator, or dry the ozone gas generator. Then, the controller 204 is closed, and the liquid is introduced into the pipe e.

The introduced liquid is introduced into the ozone liquid generator 100 through the piping e and the piping f which are the ozone liquid generation path B, and the liquid is led out again through the piping f. Since the operation description of the ozone liquid generator is the same as the operation description of the ozone liquid generator 100 of the first embodiment, it will not be repeated.

Next, the water purification mode will be described. In the water purification mode, it is possible to introduce a liquid such as water into the filtering unit, purify the water, and to introduce the liquid into the pipe e by closing the control unit 203 and opening the control unit 204. . The introduced liquid is introduced into the filtration unit 201 through the pipe e and the pipe g which are the water purification path C, and after being filtered by the filtration unit 201, is again led out through the pipe g.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

100 ozone liquid generator, 101 ozone gas generator, 102 mixing section, 103, 103 (a), 103 (b) storage tank, 104 ozone gas generator inlet, 105 ozone gas generator outlet, 106 mixing section Inlet 107, inlet for mixing unit, 108 outlet for mixing unit, 109 inlet for reservoir, 110 outlet for reservoir, 111 outlet for reservoir, 112 opening, 113 first control Part, 114 external port, 115 ozone filter, 116 second control part, 117 control part, 118 pressure feeding part, 21,31 ozone gas generating element, 22,32 discharge electrode, 23,33 counter electrode, 24,34 power supply, 41 Introduction route, 42 communication route, 43 lead-out route, 61 container part, 62 storage part, 71 outer wall, 72 storage part, 73 Inner wall 74 within the water bottle, 75 outer water bottle 200 water purification units, 201 and 206 filtration unit, 203 control unit, 205 control unit, A circulation path, B ozone solution producing pathway, C purified water path.

Claims

An ozone gas generator (101) for generating ozone gas;
A mixing section (102) for mixing the ozone gas and a liquid;
A liquid storage tank (103) for storing a liquid;
An ozone liquid generator comprising a circulation path (A) for circulating a liquid in the ozone gas generator (101).
The flow path (A) is provided with a flow control unit (113) that controls the flow of gas between the inside and the outside of the ozone liquid generator (100). Ozone liquid generator.
The liquid storage tank (103) includes an inlet (109) for introducing a liquid;
A first outlet (110) for leading the liquid and a second outlet (111) provided at a position higher than the first outlet (110) in the direction of gravity;
The ozone liquid generator according to claim 2, wherein the second outlet (111) is connected to the circulation path (A).
The circulation path (A) is provided with a control unit (116) for controlling the flow of gas or liquid in a path between the liquid storage tank (103) and the flow control unit (113). Item 3. The ozone liquid generator according to Item 2.
The mixing unit (102)
An introduction path (41) for introducing a liquid;
A communication path (42) communicating with the introduction path (41) and having a smaller diameter than the introduction path (41);
A lead-out path (43) communicating with the communication path (42) and having a larger diameter than the communication path (42);
The ozone liquid generator of Claim 1 connected with the said ozone gas generator (101) through piping which can introduce | transduce gas into the said communication path (42).
The ozone liquid generator according to claim 1, wherein a pressure feeding section (118) is provided in the circulation path (A).
A water purifier provided with the ozone liquid generator according to claim 1.
A water purifier comprising the ozone liquid generator (100) according to claim 1 and a filtration unit (201) for filtering a liquid,
Switching between the ozone liquid generation path (B) for introducing the liquid into the ozone liquid generator (100) and generating the ozone liquid, and the water purification path (C) for introducing the liquid into the filtration section (201) and leading out after filtration. A water purifier that is made possible.
An ozone liquid generator (100) comprising an ozone gas generator (101) for generating ozone gas, a mixing section (102) for mixing the ozone gas and a liquid, and a liquid storage tank (103) for storing the liquid; A method of cleaning an ozone liquid generator comprising a circulation path (A) connected to the ozone gas generator (101),
A method for cleaning an ozone liquid generator, comprising: circulating a liquid through the circulation path (A) to clean the ozone gas generator (101).
An ozone gas generator (101) for generating ozone gas, a mixing section (102) for mixing the ozone gas and a liquid, a liquid storage tank (103) for storing a liquid, and the ozone gas generator (101). A method for cleaning an ozone liquid generator comprising a circulation path (A),
A first step of introducing a liquid into the mixing section (102) and sealing the circulation path (A) with the liquid;
A second step of deriving gas from the circulation path (A) to the outside of the ozone liquid generator (100) after the first step;
A third step of sealing the circulation path (A) after the second step and circulating the liquid through the circulation path (A) in the ozone gas generator (101). How to clean the generator.