WO2018075328A1

WO2018075328A1 - Three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2018075328A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/056294
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazusa SAITO
Original assignee: Molex, Llc
Priority date: 2016-10-20
Filing date: 2017-10-12
Publication date: 2018-04-26
Also published as: JP2018065106A; TW201816189A

Abstract

A three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus for generating electrolytic water by electrolyzing raw water with a chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution is provided. Raw water is supplied to an anode chamber with an anode disposed therein and a cathode chamber with a cathode disposed therein. The chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution is supplied to an intermediate chamber. The intermediate chamber is separated from the anode chamber via an anion exchange membrane and separated from the cathode chamber via a cation exchange membrane. A lower face inclined obliquely upward to a liquid discharge port is formed on an upper wall portion partitioning anode chamber and an upper wall portion partitioning cathode chamber. A lower face, positioned below each lower face of the upper wall portion partitioning anode chamber and the upper wall portion partitioning cathode chamber, is formed on an upper wall portion partitioning intermediate chamber.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2016-206153, filed October 20, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] A two-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus is known in which, when the upper face of an anode chamber and cathode chamber is inclined obliquely upward to a liquid discharge port, air bubbles produced in an anode and a cathode via the reaction during electrolysis can be smoothly discharged. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a two-tank electrolytic tank in which the upper face of a reaction chamber is inclined upward to an outflow port. Moreover, for example, Patent Document 2 describes that the upper corner portion of a two-tank electrolytic tank is formed so as to be inclined from an inner peripheral wall to an electrolytic water discharge passage.

[0004] Patent Document 1 : Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H8-158084

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-334153 SUMMARY

[0006] The present inventors consider a three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus by which air bubbles produced in an anode and a cathode via the reaction during electrolysis are smoothly discharged.

[0007] An anode chamber with an anode disposed therein, a cathode chamber with a cathode disposed therein, and an intermediate chamber with a chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution supplied thereto are provided in the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus. Additionally, in the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus, the anode chamber and the intermediate chamber are separated via an anion exchange membrane, while the cathode chamber and the intermediate chamber are separated via a cation exchange membrane. Moreover, in the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus, acidic electrolytic water is obtained from raw water supplied to the anode chamber, while alkaline electrolytic water is obtained from raw water supplied to the cathode chamber.

[0008] The technology described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 relates to smoothly discharging air bubbles produced in an anode and cathode via the reaction during electrolysis in a two-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus, and therefore cannot be directly applied to a three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus.

[0009] Furthermore, in the technology described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, although air bubbles are smoothly discharged, because air bubbles are not completely absent in the electrolytic tank, air bubbles attach to a portion of the anode and cathode. For this reason, variations in the electrolysis reaction potentially occur between portions with air bubbles attached thereto and portions without air bubbles attached thereto.

[0010] One advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus that can smoothly discharge air bubbles produced during electrolysis, in addition to also suppressing variations in the electrolysis reaction in an electrode.

[0011] In the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus proposed in the present disclosure, electrolytic water may be generated by eiectrolyzing raw water with a chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution, wherein the raw water is supplied to an anode chamber with an anode disposed therein and a cathode chamber with a cathode disposed therein, the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution is supplied to an intermediate chamber, the intermediate chamber is separated from the anode chamber via an anion exchange membrane and separated from the cathode chamber via a cation exchange membrane, and a lower face inclined obliquely upward to a liquid discharge port may be formed on an upper wall portion partitioning the anode chamber and an upper wail portion partitioning the cathode chamber, and a lower face, positioned below each lower face of the upper wall portion partitioning the anode chamber and the upper wall portion partitioning the cathode chamber, may be formed on an upper wall portion partitioning the intermediate chamber.

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a horizontal lower face may be formed on the upper wall portion partitioning the intermediate chamber.

[0013] Moreover, in one aspect of the present disclosure, on a lower wall portion partitioning the anode chamber, the cathode chamber, or the intermediate chamber, an upper face parallel to the lower face of the upper wall portion partitioning the chamber may be formed, and mutually opposing inner side faces may be formed on both side wail portions partitioning the anode chamber, the cathode chamber, or the intermediate chamber.

[0014] Moreover, in one aspect of the present disclosure, an anode chamber case partitioning the anode chamber may have the same shape as a cathode chamber case partitioning the cathode chamber, the anode may have the same shape as the cathode, and the anion exchange membrane may have the same shape as the cation exchange membrane.

[0015] In this aspect, regarding an intermediate chamber case partitioning the intermediate chamber, the shape obtained when viewing the cathode chamber case side from the anode chamber case side may be the same as the shape obtained when viewing the anode chamber case side from the cathode chamber case side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal components of a three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 1 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view during the assembly of the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 1 proposed in the present disclosure. [0018] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 1 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a right-side face view of the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 1 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view along line A- A of the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0021] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4,

[0022] FIG. 6 is a right-side face view of an intermediate chamber case of Embodiment 1 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a left-side face view of an anode chamber case of Embodiment 1 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal components of a three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 2 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a right-side face view of the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 2 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. lOA is a cross-sectional view along line C-C of the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9,

[0027] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view along line D-D of the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0028] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal components of a three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 3 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 12 is an explanatory view explaining one example of the configuration of the three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 3 proposed in the present disclosure. [0030] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal components of a three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 4 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 14 is a left-side face view of an intermediate chamber unit of Embodiment 4 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 15 is a transparent view seen from the right-side face of the intermediate chamber unit of Embodiment 4 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal components of a three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus of Embodiment 5 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 17 is a left-side face view of an intermediate chamber unit of Embodiment 5 proposed in the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 18 is a transparent view seen from the right-side face of the intermediate chamber unit of Embodiment 5 proposed in the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] One embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0037] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal components of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 proposed in the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view during the assembly of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1. FIG, 4 is a right-side face view of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 5Ais a cross-sectional view along line A-A of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a right-side face view of intermediate chamber case 34 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a left-side face view of anode chamber case 20 of Embodiment 1 .

[0038] Note that in the following description, the orientation of the opening of anode chamber recessed portion 20e formed in anode chamber case 20 illustrated on the right end in FIG. 1 is the left direction (XI direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is the right direction (X2 direction). Moreover, the orientation of the front-side face is forward (Y direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is backward (Y2 direction). Moreover, the orientation of the upper face is the upward direction (Zl direction), while the reverse ori entation thereof is the downward direction (Z2 direction).

[0039] Three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1 proposed in the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, may include anode chamber unit 10, intermediate chamber unit 12, and cathode chamber unit 14. Anode chamber unit 10 may include anode chamber case 20, O ring 22, anode 24, and anion exchange membrane 26. Intermediate chamber unit 12 may include outer O ring 30, inner O ring 32, mesh parts 33, intermediate chamber case 34, mesh parts 37, outer O ring 38, and inner O ring 40. Cathode chamber unit 14 may include cation exchange membrane 50, cathode 52, O ring 54, and cathode chamber case 56.

[0040] Anode chamber unit 10 may include plate shaped anode chamber case 20 made of resin. Anode chamber recessed portion 20e that serves as the inner wall of anode chamber 62 may be formed in the center on the left-side face of anode chamber case 20.

[0041] Cylindrical anode chamber liquid discharge port 64 may be formed on the backside on the upper face of anode chamber case 20 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, discharge passage 64a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches, from the right-side to the upper portion on the back-side on the bottom face of anode chamber recessed portion 20e, may be formed inside this anode chamber liquid discharge port 64 and anode chamber case 20. Here, for example, tapered partial discharge passage 64aa, which extends in the downward direction from the back-side on the upper face of anode chamber case 20 to the vicinity of the upper portion on the back-side on the bottom face of anode chamber recessed portion 20e, may be formed as a portion of discharge passage 64a. Moreover, partial discharge passage 64ab, which extends in the right direction from the upper portion on the back-side on the bottom face of anode chamber recessed portion 20e and is connected to partial discharge passage 64aa, may be formed as a portion of discharge passage 64a. [0042] Moreover, cylindrical anode chamber liquid supply port 60 may be formed on the front-side on the lower face of anode chamber case 20 so as to protrude downward. Moreover, inflow passage 60a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the right-side to the lower portion on the front-side on the bottom face of anode chamber recessed portion 20e, may be formed inside this anode chamber liquid supply port 60 and anode chamber case 20. Here, for example, tapered partial inflow passage 60aa, which extends in the upward direction from the front-side on the lower face of anode chamber case 20 to the vicinity of the lower portion on the front-side on the bottom face of anode chamber recessed portion 20e, may be formed as a portion of inflow passage 60a. Moreover, partial inflow passage 60ab, which extends in the right direction from the lower portion on the front-side on the bottom face of anode chamber recessed portion 20e and is connected to partial discharge passage 60aa, may be formed as a portion of inflow passage 60a.

[0043] Moreover, upper wall portion 20a, lower wall portion 20b, front-side wall portion 20c, and back-side wall portion 20d may be formed in anode chamber case 20 so as to surround anode chamber recessed portion 20e. Moreover, projecting portion 20f, which extends along the lower face of upper wall portion 20a and the upper face of lower wail portion 20b, may be formed in the center of anode chamber recessed portion 20e. Ring 22 may be housed on the peripheral edge of anode chamber recessed portion 2()e formed on the left-side face of anode chamber case 20. Moreover, plate shaped anode 24 may be disposed on the left-side face of anode chamber case 20 so as to cover anode chamber recessed portion 20e and O ring 22.

[0044] Tab shaped terminal 24a may be formed on anode 24 so as to protrude forward. Moreover, a large number of holes for allowing liquid to pass may form a mesh in anode 24. Note that these holes may be formed inside the position opposing the inner O ring 32 in anode 24 mentioned below. Examples of the material of anode 24 include iridium oxide, platinum, etc.

[0045] Anion exchange membrane 26, which is a flexible thin membrane, may be disposed on the left-side of anode 24 so as to run along anode 24, while anode chamber 62 may be liquid tightly partitioned via anion exchange membrane 26 and anode chamber recessed portion 20e. The raw water mentioned below may be flowed in from anode chamber liquid supply port 60, become acidic electrolytic water in anode chamber 62, and be discharged from anode chamber liquid discharge port 64, In FIG. 5B, the flow passage of raw water, which is flowed in from anode chamber liquid supply port 60 and discharged from anode chamber liquid discharge port 64, is represented by arrow A 1 in a two-dot chain line.

[0046] Note that as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, when raw water is flowed in one comer (for example, the lower corner on the front-side) of anode chamber 62 and discharged from the opposing corner (for example, the upper corner on the back-side), the raw water may spread all over anode chamber 62. Moreover, raw water may be branched into upside flow and downside flow by forming projecting portion 20f in anode chamber recessed portion 20e.

[0047] Intermediate chamber unit 12 may include intermediate chamber case 34 made of resin and having a rectangular frame shape. Opening 36 of intermediate chamber case 34 may be disposed so as to be directed in the right and left direction.

[0048] Moreover, upper wall portion 34a, lower wall portion 34b, front-side wall portion 34c, and back-side wall portion 34d may be formed in intermediate chamber case 34 so as to surround opening 36.

[0049] Cylindrical intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 70 may be formed on the back-side on the upper face of intermediate chamber case 34 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, discharge passage 70a, which vertically extends and reaches the upper portion on the back-side of opening 36 from the upper side, may be formed inside this intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 70 and intermediate chamber case 34. Moreover, cylindrical intermediate chamber liquid supply port 66 may be formed on the front-side on the lower face of intermediate chamber case 34 so as to protrude downward. Moreover, inflow passage 66a, which vertically extends and reaches the lower portion on the front-side of opening 36 from the lower side, may be formed inside this intermediate chamber liquid supply port 66 and intermediate chamber case 34.

[0050] Moreover, mesh parts 33 may be provided on the right-side face of intermediate chamber case 34 so as to run along anion exchange membrane 26. Thus, anion exchange membrane 26 may be supported by mesh parts 33. Mesh part 33 may be a plate shaped member made of transparent resin. Moreover, a large number of holes may be formed in the region in which mesh parts 33 overlap opening 36 when viewed along the XI -X2 direction. Moreover, holes do not have to be formed outside the region in which mesh parts 33 overlap opening 36 when viewed along the XI ~X2 direction.

[0051] Moreover, mesh parts 37 may be provided on the left-side face of intermediate chamber case 34 so as to run along the cation exchange membrane 50 mentioned below. Mesh part 37 may be a plate shaped member made of transparent resin. Moreover, a large number of holes may be formed in the region in which mesh parts 37 overlap opening 36 when viewed along the XI -X2 direction. Moreover, holes do not have to be formed outside the region in which mesh parts 37 overlap opening 36 when viewed along the XI ~X2 direction.

[0052] Moreover, a portion without holes in mesh parts 33 formed therein may be disposed so as to be sandwiched between anion exchange membrane 26 and the right-side face of intermediate chamber case 34. Moreover, a portion without holes in mesh parts 37 formed therein may be disposed so as to be sandwiched between cation exchange membrane 50 and the left-side face of intermediate chamber case 34. Thus, the space, which is present between anion exchange membrane 26 and cation exchange membrane 50, and is outside the region overlapping opening 36 when viewed along the XI -X2 direction, may be blocked with mesh parts 33 and mesh parts 37,

[0053] Moreover, projecting portion 33a may be formed on the left-side face of mesh parts 33, while projecting portion 37a may be formed at the position corresponding to projecting portion 33a on the right-side face of mesh parts 37. For example, projecting portion 33a, which extends from the lower front to the upper back, may be formed at two locations including the center on the back-side and the center on the front-side on the left-side face of mesh parts 33, while projecting portion 37a, which extends from the upper front to the lower back, may be formed at two locations including the center on the back-side and the center on the front-side on the right-side face of mesh parts 37. Additionally, when projecting portion 33a abuts projecting portion 37a, the space between mesh parts 33 and mesh parts 37 may be ensured,

[0054] The chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution mentioned below may be flowed in from intermediate chamber liquid supply port 66 into intermediate chamber 68, which is liquid tightly partitioned via anion exchange membrane 26 and the cation exchange membrane 50 mentioned below, and the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution may be discharged from intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 70. In FIG. 5B, the flow passage of a chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution, which is flowed in from intermediate chamber liquid supply port 66 and discharged from intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 70, is represented by arrow A2 in a two-dot chain line. [0055] Note that as mentioned above, when the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution is flowed in one corner (for example, the lower corner on the front-side) of opening 36 and discharged from the opposing corner (for example, the upper corner on the back-side), the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution may spread all over opening 36. Moreover, as mentioned above, mesh parts 33 and mesh parts 37 may be disposed so as to limit the space with the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution present therein. For example, the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution may not enter the space outside the region in which intermediate chamber 68 overlaps opening 36 when viewed along the X1-X2 direction.

[0056] Outer O ring 30 and inner O ring 32 may be doubly housed on the right-side face of intermediate chamber case 34. Moreover, outer O ring 38 and inner O ring 40 may be doubly housed on the left-side face of intermediate chamber case 34.

[0057] Cathode chamber unit 14 may include pi ate shaped cathode chamber case 56 made of resin. Cathode chamber recessed portion 56e that serves as the inner wall of cathode chamber 74 may be formed in the center on the right-side face of cathode chamber case 56.

[0058] Cylindrical cathode chamber liquid discharge port 76 may be formed on the backside on the upper face of cathode chamber case 56 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, discharge passage 76a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the left-side to the upper portion on the back-side on the bottom face of cathode chamber recessed portion 56e, may be formed inside this cathode chamber liquid discharge port 76 and cathode chamber case 56. Moreover, cylindrical cathode chamber liquid supply port 72 may be formed on the front- side on the lower face of cathode chamber case 56 so as to protrude downward. Moreover, inflow passage 72a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the left-side to the lower portion on the front-side on the bottom face of cathode chamber recessed portion 56e, may be formed inside this cathode chamber liquid supply port 72 and cathode chamber case 56.

[0059] Moreover, upper wall portion 56a, lower wall portion 56b, front-side wall portion 56c, and back-side wall portion 56d may be formed in cathode chamber case 56 so as to surround cathode chamber recessed portion 56e, Moreover, projecting portion 56f, which extends along the lower face of upper wall portion 56a and the upper face of lower wail portion 56b, may be formed in the center of cathode chamber recessed portion 56c. Ring 54 may be housed on the peripheral edge of cathode chamber recessed portion 56e formed on the right- side face of cathode chamber case 56. Moreover, plate shaped cathode 52 may be disposed on the right-side face of cathode chamber case 56 so as to cover cathode chamber recessed portion 56e and O ring 54.

[0060] Tab shaped terminal 52a may be formed on cathode 52 so as to protrude forward. Moreover, a large number of holes for allowing liquid to pass may form a mesh in cathode 52. Note that these holes may be formed inside the position opposing inner O ring 40. The material of cathode 52 is preferably a metal having lower ionization tendency than hydrogen atoms, with examples thereof including a platinum electrode, a diamond electrode, etc.

[0061] Cation exchange membrane 50, which is a flexible thin membrane, is disposed on the right-side of cathode 52 so as to run along cathode 52, and cathode chamber 74 may be liquid tightly partitioned via cation exchange membrane 50 and cathode chamber recessed portion 56e. The raw water mentioned below may be flowed in from cathode chamber liquid supply port 72, become alkaline electrolytic water in cathode chamber 74, and be discharged from cathode chamber liquid discharge port 76. In FIG. 5B, the flow passage of raw water, which is flowed in from cathode chamber liquid supply port 72 and discharged from cathode chamber liquid discharge port 76, is represented by arrow A3 in a two-dot chain line.

[0062] Note that as mentioned above, when raw water is flowed in one corner (for example, the lower corner on the front-side) of cathode chamber 74 and discharged from the opposing corner (for example, the upper corner on the back-side), the raw water may spread all over cathode chamber 74. Moreover, as mentioned above, raw water may be branched into the upside flow and the downside flow by forming projecting portion 20f in anode chamber recessed portion 20e.

[0063] Moreover, jointly fastening members such as screws may pass through multiple holes provided in anode chamber case 20, intermediate chamber case 34, and cathode chamber case 56 along the X1-X2 direction. Additionally, anode chamber unit 10, intermediate chamber unit 12, and cathode chamber unit 14 may be jointly fastened via the jointly fastening members, so as to mutually weld anode chamber unit 10, intermediate chamber unit 12, and cathode chamber unit 14 with pressure in the X1-X2 direction.

[0064] Moreover, anode 24 may be fixed by holding anode 24 with outer O ring 30 and O ring 22. Moreover, anode 24 may be supported by projecting portion 201. Moreover, anion exchange membrane 26 may be fixed by holding anion exchange membrane 26 with inner O ring 32 and anode 24.

[0065] Moreover, cathode 52 may be fixed by holding cathode 52 with outer O ring 38 and O ring 54. Moreover, cathode 52 may be supported by projecting portion 56f. Moreover, cation exchange membrane 50 may be fixed by holding cation exchange membrane 50 with inner O ring 40 and cathode 52.

10066] In three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus , anode chamber 62 and intermediate chamber 68 may be separated via anion exchange membrane 26, while intermediate chamber 68 and cathode chamber 74 may be separated via cation exchange membrane 50. Additionally, anion exchange membrane 26 may allow anions to run between anode chamber 62 and intermediate chamber 68, while cation exchange membrane 50 may allow cations to run between intermediate chamber 68 and cathode chamber 74.

[0067] Additionally, in three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1, anode 24 and cathode 52 may be electrically connected to a direct current power source (not illustrated) via wires that are connected to holes formed in terminal 24a of anode 24 and holes formed in terminal 52a of cathode 52. Additionally, a voltage may be applied between anode 24 and cathode 52, so as to carry out an electrolysis step in which raw water and a chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution are subjected to electrolysis.

[0068] As raw water supplied from anode chamber liquid supply port 60 to anode chamber 62, along with raw water supplied from cathode chamber liquid supply port 72 to cathode chamber 74, for example, tap water, well water, ion exchanged water, distilled water, RO water, etc, may be used. Moreover, the raw water may be water having a total electrolyte concentration of 15 ppm or less. Moreover, for example, the metal ion concentration (sodium ion concentration) in the raw water may be, for example, 2 ppm or less.

[0069] Moreover, a chlorine based electrolyte that is dissolved in the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution supplied from intermediate chamber liquid supply port 66 to intermediate chamber 68 refers to an electrolyte that produces chloride ions when dissolved in water. As the chlorine based electrolyte, for example, chlorides of alkaline metals (for example, sodium chloride and potassium chloride) as well as chlorides of alkaline earth metals (for example, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride) may be used.

0070] The concentration of the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution having a high concentration supplied from intermediate chamber liquid supply port 66 to intermediate chamber 68 does not significantly affect the quality of electrolytic water to be prepared and is preferably as high as possible. Note that for the case in which the chlorine based electrolyte contained in the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution is sodium chloride, the concentration of the sodium chloride contained in the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution is preferably 26% by mass or less.

[0071] Intermediate chamber liquid supply port 66 and intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 70 may be connected to a pipe configuring a closed water passage. Additionally, the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution may be circulated within the closed water passage via a pump (not illustrated). In this event, intermediate chamber 68 is a portion of the closed water passage.

[0072] In the abovementioned electrolysis step, chlorine ions in intermediate chamber 68 may run through anion exchange membrane 26, move to anode chamber 62, be converted into chlorine in anode 24, and produce acidic electrolytic water in anode chamber 62. In contrast, cations in intermediate chamber 68 may run through cation exchange membrane 50, move to cathode chamber 74, and produce alkaline electrolytic water in cathode chamber 74.

[0073] For the case in which the abovementioned electrolysis step is carried out, air bubbles are produced in cathode 52. Moreover, air bubbles of chlorine and oxygen may be produced in anode 24. When such air bubbles are attached to an electrode such as anode 24 and cathode 52, variations in the electrolysis reaction potentially occur between portions with air bubbles attached thereto and portions without air bubbles attached thereto.

[0074] Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, anode chamber case 20 may be formed such that the cross-section of anode chamber recessed portion 20e perpendicular to the XI -X2 direction has a rounded corner rectangular shape inclined obliquely upward from the front-side to the back-side. For example, air bubbles produced during electrolysis in anode 24 may be smoothly discharged from anode chamber liquid discharge port 64, such that a lower face inclined obliquely upward to anode chamber liquid discharge port 64 is thus formed on upper wall portion 20a,

[0075] Similarly, cathode chamber case 56 may be formed such that the cross-section of cathode chamber recessed portion 56e perpendicular to the XI -X2 direction has a rounded corner rectangular shape inclined obliquely upward from the front-side to the back-side. Accordingly, air bubbles produced during electrolysis in cathode 52 may be smoothly discharged from cathode chamber liquid discharge port 76, such that a lower face inclined obliquely upward to cathode chamber liquid discharge port 76 is thus formed on upper wall portion 56a.

[0076] Here, for example, as mentioned above, it is assumed that most ions used for the electrolysis in anode 24 and cathode 52 are supplied from the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution present in opening 36, such that opening 36 is formed in intermediate chamber case 34. In this case, the electrolysis reaction in anode 24 will be primarily carried out in the region on anode 24 overlapping opening 36 when viewed along the X1-X2 direction. Moreover, the electrolysis reaction in cathode 52 is primarily carried out in the region on cathode 52 overlapping opening 36 when viewed along the XI -X2 direction,

[0077] Therefore, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 , 2, 5 A, and 5B, it is assumed that the top surface of opening 36 is formed so as to be lower than the top surface of anode chamber 62, as well as the top surface of cathode chamber 74. That is, it is assumed that a lower face, positioned below each lower face of upper wall portion 20a partitioning anode chamber 62 and upper wall portion 56a partitioning cathode chamber 74, is formed on upper wall portion 34a partitioning intermediate chamber 68. In this case, because air bubbles produced in anode 24 move upward, most air bubbles that remain in anode chamber 62 will be present in anode chamber margin space 62a exemplified in FIGS. 5A and 5B, which is the space in anode chamber 62 above the plane obtained by expanding the lower face of upper wall portion 34a. Moreover, most air bubbles that are produced in cathode 52 and remain in cathode chamber 74 will be present in cathode chamber margin space 74a exemplified in FIGS. 5 A and 5B, which is the space in cathode chamber 74 above the plane obtained by expanding the lower face of upper wall portion 34a.

[0078] As described above, a lower face, positioned below a lower face of upper wall portion 20a partitioning anode chamber 62, may be formed on upper wall portion 34a partitioning intermediate chamber 68, so as to limit variations in the electrolysis reaction in anode 24. Moreover, a lower face, positioned below a lower face of upper wall portion 56a partitioning cathode chamber 74, may be formed on upper wall portion 34a partitioning intermediate chamber 68, so as to limit variations in the electrolysis reaction in cathode 52.

[0079] Moreover, the lower face of space formed by the entirety of air bubbles that remain in anode chamber 62 is presumably nearly horizontal. Therefore, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a horizontal lower face may be formed on upper wail portion 34a partitioning intermediate chamber 68, such that the lower face of space formed by all the remaining ai bubbles nearly coincides with the lower face of anode chamber margin space 62a. Thus, despite extra anode chamber margin space 62a, air bubbles remaining in anode chamber 62 may be suppressed from overflowing from anode chamber margin space 62a. Similarly, as mentioned above, despite extra cathode chamber margin space 74a, air bubbles remaining in cathode chamber 74 may be suppressed from overflowing from cathode chamber margin space 74a.

[0080] Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, an upper face parallel to the lower face of upper wall portion 20a may be formed on lower wall portion 20b, while an inner side face of front-side wall portion 20c (a front-side face of back-side wall portion 20d) parallel to an inner side face (a back-side face of front-side wall portion 20c) may be formed on back-side wall portion 20d. Additionally, the flow distribution of raw water flowing in anode chamber 62 may thus be nearly the same.

[0081] Similarly, an upper face parallel to the lower face of upper wall portion 56a may be formed on lower wall portion 56b, while an inner side face (a front-side face of back-side wall portion 56d) parallel to an inner side face of front-side wall portion 56c (a back-side face of front-side wall portion 56c) may be formed on back-side wail portion 56d. Additionally, the flow distribution of raw water flowing in cathode chamber 74 may thus be nearly the same.

[0082] Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 , 2, and 6, an upper face parallel to the lower face of upper wall portion 34a may be formed on lower wall portion 34b, while an inner side face (a front-side face of back-side wall portion 34d) parallel to an inner side face of front-side wall portion 34c (a back-side face of front-side wall portion 34c) may be formed on back-side wall portion 34d. Additionally, the flow distribution of the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution flowing in intermediate chamber 68 may thus be nearly the same.

[0083] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal components of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 101 of Embodiment 2 proposed in the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a right-side face view of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 101 of Embodiment 2. FIG. lOA is a cross-sectional view along line C-C of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 101 illustrated in FIG. 9, FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view along line D-D of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 101 illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0084] Note that in the following description, the orientation of the opening of anode chamber recessed portion 120e formed in anode chamber case 120 illustrated on the right end in FIG. 8 is the left direction (XI direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is the right direction (X2 direction). Moreover, the orientation of the front-side face is forward (Yl direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is backward (Y2 direction). Moreover, the orientation of the upper face is the upward direction (Zl direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is the downward direction (Z2 direction).

[0085] Three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 101 proposed in the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 8, may include anode chamber unit 1 10, intermediate chamber unit 112, and cathode chamber unit 114.

[0086] Anode chamber unit 110 may include anode chamber case 120, O ring 122, anode 124, and anion exchange membrane 126, which are the same as anode chamber case 20, O ring 22, anode 24, and anion exchange membrane 26, respectively. Tab shaped terminal 124a may be formed on anode 124 so as to protrude forward.

[0087] Anode chamber recessed portion 120e, which serves as the inner wall of the anode chamber and is the same as anode chamber recessed portion 20e, may be formed in the center on the left-side face of anode chamber case 120. Moreover, projecting portion 120f, which extends along the lower face of upper wall portion 120a and the upper face of lower wall portion 120b, may be formed in the center of anode chamber recessed portion 120e.

[0088] Anode chamber 162 may be liquid tightly partitioned via anion exchange membrane 126 and anode chamber recessed portion 120c,

[0089] Cylindrical anode chamber liquid discharge port 164 may be formed on the backside on the upper face of anode chamber case 120 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, discharge passage 164a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the right-side to the upper portion on the back-side on the bottom face of anode chamber recessed portion 120e, may be formed inside this anode chamber liquid discharge port 164 and anode chamber case 120. Moreover, cylindrical anode chamber liquid supply port 160 may be formed on the front-side on the lower face of anode chamber case 120 so as to protrude downward. Moreover, inflow passage 160a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the right-side to the lower portion on the front-side on the bottom face of anode chamber recessed portion 120e, may be formed inside this anode chamber liquid supply port 160 and anode chamber case 120. Additionally, the abovementioned raw water may be flowed in from anode chamber liquid supply port 160, become acidic electrolytic water in anode chamber 162, and be discharged from anode chamber liquid discharge port 164, In FIG. 10B, the flow passage of raw water, which is flowed in from anode chamber liquid supply port 160 and discharged from anode chamber liquid discharge port 164, is represented by arrow A4 in a two-dot chain line.

[0090] Moreover, upper wall portion 120a, lower wall portion 120b, front-side wall portion 120c, and back-side wall portion 120d may be formed in anode chamber case 120 so as to surround anode chamber recessed portion 120e.

[0091] Intermediate chamber unit 112 may include outer O ring 130, inner O ring 132, outer O ring 138, and inner O ring 140, which are the same as outer O ring 30, inner O ring 32, outer O ring 38, and inner O ring 40, respectively. Moreover, intermediate chamber unit 112 may include intermediate chamber case 134.

[0092] Opening 136 of intermediate chamber case 134 may be disposed so as to be directed in the right and left direction.

[0093] Moreover, upper wail portion 134a, lower wail portion 134b, front-side wall portion 134c, and back-side wail portion 134d may be formed in intermediate chamber case 134 so as to surround opening 136.

[0094] Cylindrical intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 170 may be formed on the back-side on the upper face of intermediate chamber case 134 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, discharge passage 170a, which vertically extends and reaches the upper portion on the back-side of opening 36 from the upper side, may be formed inside this intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 170 and intermediate chamber case 134. Moreover, cylindrical intermediate chamber liquid supply port 166 may be formed on the front-side on the lower face of intermediate chamber case 134 so as to protrude downward. Moreover, inflow passage 166a, which vertically extends and reaches the lower portion on the front-side of opening 136 from the lower side, may be formed inside this intermediate chamber liquid supply port 166 and intermediate chamber case 134.

[0095] Additionally, the abovementioned chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution may be flowed in from intermediate chamber liquid supply port 166 into intermediate chamber 168, which is liquid tightly partitioned via anion exchange membrane 126 and the cation exchange membrane 50 mentioned below, and the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution may be discharged from intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 170. In FIG. 10B, the flow- passage of the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution, which is flowed in from intermediate chamber liquid supply port 166 and discharged from intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 170, is represented by arrow A5 in a two-dot chain line.

[0096] Moreover, in intermediate chamber case 134, unlike intermediate chamber case 34, projecting portion 134e may be formed inside the groove with inner O ring 132 housed therein, as part of a peripheral wall of opening 136. Additionally, anion exchange membrane 126 may be supported by projecting portion 134e.

[0097] Moreover, in intermediate chamber case 134, unlike intermediate chamber case 34, projecting portion 134f may be formed inside the groove with inner O ring 140 housed therein, as part of a peripheral wall of opening 136, Thus, the thickness of opening 136 may be the same as the thickness of intermediate chamber case 134. Additionally, the cation exchange membrane 150 mentioned below may be supported by projecting portion 134f.

[0098] As described above, the space, which is present between anion exchange membrane 126 and cation exchange membrane 150 and outside the region overlapping opening 136 when viewed along the X1-X2 direction, may be blocked with projecting portion 134e and projecting portion 134f. Additionally, projecting portion 134e and projecting portion 134f may be thus formed so as to limit the space with the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution present therein. For example, the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution may not enter the space outside the region in which intermediate chamber 168 overlaps opening 136 when viewed along the X1-X2 direction.

[0099] Cathode chamber unit 1 14 may include cation exchange membrane 150, cathode 152, O ring 154, and cathode chamber case 156, which are the same as cation exchange membrane 50, cathode 52, O ring 54, and cathode chamber case 56, respectively. Tab shaped terminal 152a may be formed on cathode 152 so as to protrude forward.

[00100] Cathode chamber recessed portion 156e, which serves as the inner wall of the cathode chamber and is the same as cathode chamber recessed portion 56e, may be formed in the center on the right-side face of cathode chamber case 156. Moreover, projecting portion 156f, which extends along the lower face of upper wall portion 156a and the upper face of lower wall portion 156b, may be formed in the center of cathode chamber recessed portion 156e.

[00101] Cathode chamber 174 may be liquid tightly partitioned via cation exchange membrane 150 and cathode chamber recessed portion 156e.

[00102] Cylindrical cathode chamber liquid discharge port 176 may be formed on the back-side on the upper face of cathode chamber case 156 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, discharge passage 176a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the left-side to the upper portion on the back-side on the bottom face of the cathode chamber recessed portion, may be formed inside this cathode chamber liquid discharge port 176 and cathode chamber case 156. Moreover, cylindrical cathode chamber liquid supply port 172 may be formed on the front-side on the lower face of cathode chamber case 156 so as to protrude downward. Moreover, inflow passage 172a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the leftside to the lower portion on the front-side on the bottom face of the cathode chamber recessed portion, may be formed inside this cathode chamber liquid supply port 172 and cathode chamber case 56. Additionally, the abovementioned raw water may be flowed in from cathode chamber liquid supply port 72, become alkaline electrolytic water in cathode chamber 174, and be discharged from cathode chamber liquid discharge port 176. In FIG. 10B, the flow passage of raw water, which is flowed in from cathode chamber liquid supply port 172 and discharged from cathode chamber liquid discharge port 176, is represented by arrow A6 in a two-dot chain line.

[00103] Moreover, upper wall portion 156a, lower wall portion 156b, front-side wall portion 156c, and back-side wall portion 156d may be formed in cathode chamber case 156 so as to surround the cathode chamber recessed portion.

[00104] Also in three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 101, like three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1, a lower face inclined obliquely upward to anode chamber liquid discharge port 164 may be formed on upper wail portion 120a. Moreover, a lower face inclined obliquely upward to cathode chamber liquid discharge port 176 may be formed on upper wail portion 156a.

[00105] Moreover, a lower face, positioned below each lower face of upper wall portion 120a partitioning anode chamber 162 and upper wall portion 156a partitioning cathode chamber 174, may be formed on upper wall portion 134a partitioning intermediate chamber 168.

[00106] As described above, most air bubbles that are produced in anode 124 and remain in anode chamber 162 may be present in anode chamber margin space 162a exemplified in FIGS. 10A and 10B, which is the space in anode chamber 162 above the plane obtained by expanding the lower face of upper wall portion 134a. Moreover, most air bubbles that are produced in cathode 152 and remain in cathode chamber 174 may be present in cathode chamber margin space 174a exemplified in FIGS. lOA and 10B, which is the space in cathode chamber 174 above the plane obtained by expanding the lower face of upper wail portion 134a.

[00107] Moreover, a horizontal lower face may be formed on upper wall portion 134a partitioning intermediate chamber 168.

[00108] Note that mesh parts, which are the same as mesh parts 33 and mesh parts 37 and support anion exchange membrane 126 and cation exchange membrane 150, may be disposed in opening 136 of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 101.

[00109] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal components of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 201 of Embodiment 3 proposed in the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view explaining one example of the configuration of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 201 of Embodiment 3.

[00110] Note that in the following description, the orientation of the opening of anode chamber recessed portion 220e formed in anode chamber case 220 illustrated on the right end in FIG. 11 is the left direction (XI direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is the right direction (X2 direction). Moreover, the orientation of the front-side face is forward (Y l direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is backward (Y2 direction). Moreover, the orientation of the upper face is the upward direction (Zl direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is the downward direction (Z2 direction).

[00111] Three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 201 proposed in the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 11, may include anode chamber unit 210, intermediate chamber unit 212, and cathode chamber unit 214, which are the same as in three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1 except for the shapes thereof. [00112] Anode chamber unit 210 may include anode chamber case 220, O ring 222, anode 224, and anion exchange membrane 226, which are the same as in anode chamber unit 10 except for the shapes thereof. Each cross-section of O ring 222, anode 224, and anion exchange membrane 226 perpendicular to the X1-X2 direction may be substantially parailelogrammic, with the corners of the lower portion on the front-side and the upper portion on the back-side formed into a round shape. Tab shaped terminal 224a may be formed on anode 224 so as to protrude forward.

[00113] Anode chamber recessed portion 220e that serves as the inner wall of the anode chamber may be formed in the center on the left-side face of anode chamber case 220. The cross-section of anode chamber recessed portion 220e perpendicular to the XI -X2 direction may be substantially parailelogrammic, with the corners of the lower portion on the front-side and the upper portion on the back-side formed into a round shape.

[00114] Cylindrical anode chamber liquid discharge port 264 may be formed on the backside on the upper face of anode chamber case 220 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, discharge passage 264a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the right-side to the upper portion on the back-side on the bottom face of anode chamber recessed portion 220e, may be formed inside this anode chamber liquid discharge port 264 and anode chamber case 220. Moreover, cylindrical anode chamber liquid supply port 260 may be formed on the front-side on the lower face of anode chamber case 220 so as to protrude downward. Moreover, inflow passage 260a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the right-side to the lower portion on the front-side on the bottom face of anode chamber recessed portion 220e, may be formed inside this anode chamber liquid supply port 260 and anode chamber case 220. Additionally, the abovementioned raw water may be flowed in from anode chamber liquid supply port 260, become acidic electrolytic water in the anode chamber, and be discharged from anode chamber liquid discharge port 264.

[00115] Moreover, upper wall portion 220a, lower wall portion 220b, front-side wall portion 220c, and back-side wall portion 220d may be formed in anode chamber case 220 so as to surround anode chamber recessed portion 220e.

[00116] Intermediate chamber unit 212 may include outer O ring 230, inner O ring 232, intermediate chamber case 234, outer O ring 238, and inner 0 ring 240, which are the same as in intermediate chamber unit 12 except for the shapes thereof. Each cross-section of outer O ring 230 and inner O ring 232 perpendicular to the XI -X2 direction may be substantially parallelogrammic, with the corners of the lower portion on the front-side and the upper portion on the back-side formed into a round shape. Moreover, each cross-section of outer O ring 238 and inner O ring 240 perpendicular to the XI -X2 direction may be substantially parallelogrammic, with the corners of the lower portion on the back-side and the upper portion on the front-side formed into a round shape.

[00117] Opening 236 of intermediate chamber case 234 may be disposed so as to be directed in the right and left direction.

[00118] Moreover, upper wall portion 234a, lower wall portion 234b, front-side wall portion 234c, and back-side wall portion 234d may be formed in intermediate chamber case 234 so as to surround opening 236.

[00119] Cylindrical intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 270 may be formed on the front-side on the upper face of intermediate chamber case 234 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, cylindrical intermediate chamber liquid supply port 266 may be formed on the backside on the lower face of intermediate chamber case 234 so as to protrude downward. Additionally, the abovementioned chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution may be flowed in from intermediate chamber liquid supply port 266, and discharged from intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 270.

[00120] Moreover, regarding intermediate chamber case 234, the shape obtained when viewing the left-side from the right-side (the shape obtained when viewing the cathode chamber case 256 side from the anode chamber case 220 side) may be the same as the shape obtained when viewing the right-side from the left-side (the shape obtained when viewing the anode chamber case 220 side from the cathode chamber case 256 side).

[00121] Cathode chamber unit 214 may include cation exchange membrane 250, cathode 252, O ring 254, and cathode chamber case 256, which are the same as in cathode chamber unit 14 except for the shapes thereof. Each cross-section of cation exchange membrane 250, cathode 252, and O ring 254 perpendicular to the XI -X2 direction may be substantially parallelogrammic, with the corners of the lower portion on the back-side and the upper portion on the front-side formed into a round shape. Tab shaped terminal 252a may be formed on cathode 252 so as to protrude backward. [00122] The cathode chamber recessed portion that serves as the inner wall of the cathode chamber may be formed in the center on the right-side face of cathode chamber case 256. The cross-section of the cathode chamber recessed portion perpendicular to the X1-X2 direction may be substantially parallel ogrammic, with the corners of the lower portion on the back-side and the upper portion on the front-side formed into a round shape.

[00123] Cylindrical cathode chamber liquid discharge port 276 may be formed on the front-side on the upper face of cathode chamber case 256 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, discharge passage 276a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the left-side to the upper portion on the front-side on the bottom face of the cathode chamber recessed portion, may be formed inside this cathode chamber liquid discharge port 276 and cathode chamber case 256. Moreover, cylindrical cathode chamber liquid supply port 272 may be formed on the back-side on the lower face of cathode chamber case 256 so as to protrude downward. Moreover, inflow passage 272a, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the leftside to the lower portion on the back-side on the bottom face of the cathode chamber recessed portion, may be formed inside this cathode chamber liquid supply port 272 and cathode chamber case 256. Additionally, the abovementioned raw water may be flowed in from cathode chamber liquid supply port 272, become alkaline electrolytic water in the cathode chamber, and be discharged from cathode chamber liquid discharge port 276.

[00124] Moreover, upper wall portion 256a, lower wall portion 256b, front-side wall portion 256c, and back-side wall portion 256d may be formed in cathode chamber case 256 so as to surround the cathode chamber recessed portion.

[00125] Also in three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 201 , like three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 1, a lower face inclined obliquely upward to anode chamber liquid discharge port 264 may be formed on upper wall portion 220a. Moreover, a lower face inclined obliquely upward to cathode chamber liquid discharge port 276 may be formed on upper wall portion 256a.

[00126] Moreover, a lower face, positioned below each lower face of upper wall portion 220a and upper wall portion 256a, may be formed on upper wall portion 234a.

[00127] Moreover, a horizontal lower face may be formed on upper wall portion 234a.

[00128] Moreover, an upper face paral lei to the lower face of upper wall portion 220a may be formed on lower wall portion 220b, while a front-side face parallel to a back-side face of front-side wall portion 220c may be formed on back-side wall portion 220d. Similarly, an upper face parallel to the lower face of upper wall portion 256a may be formed on lower wall portion 256b, while a front-side face parallel to a back-side face of front-side wail portion 256c may be formed on back-side wall portion 256d. Moreover, an upper face parallel to the lower face of upper wall portion 234a may be formed on lower wail portion 234b, while a front-side face parallel to a back-side face of front-side wall portion 234c may be formed on back-side wall portion 234d.

[00129] FIG. 12 schematically illustrates the state when viewing three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 201 from the left. In FIG. 12, anode 224, inflow passage 260a, and discharge passage 264a are represented by two-dot chain lines, while cathode 252, inflow passage 272a, and discharge passage 276a are represented by dashed lines. Note that in FIG. 12, the description of the holes for allowing liquid to pass, which are formed in anode 224 and cathode 252, is omitted.

[00130] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 12, anode chamber case 220 may have the same shape as cathode chamber case 256. Moreover, anode 224 may have the same shape as cathode 252. Moreover, anion exchange membrane 226 may have the same shape as cation exchange membrane 250.

[00131] Additionally, cathode chamber case 256 may be disposed in the position at which anode chamber case 220 is rotated 180 degrees, with the straight line in the Z1-Z2 direction passing through the center of intermediate chamber case 234 serving as the axis. Similarly, cathode 252 and cation exchange membrane 250 may be disposed in the positions at which anode 224 and anion exchange membrane 226 are respectively rotated 180 degrees, with the abovementioned straight line serving as the axis.

[00132] As described above, the number of kinds of components configuring three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 201 may be reduced by selecting components in common.

[00133] Note that three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 201 may include mesh parts that are the same as mesh parts 33 and mesh parts 37.

[00134] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal components of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 301 of Embodiment 4 proposed in the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a left-side face view of intermediate chamber unit 312 of Embodiment 4, FIG. 15 is a transparent view seen from the right-side face of intermediate chamber unit 312 of Embodiment 4.

[00135] Note that in the following description, the orientation of the opening of the recessed portion formed in anode chamber case 320 illustrated on the right end in FIG. 13 is the left direction (XI direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is the right direction (X2 direction). Moreover, the orientation of the front-side face is forward (Yl direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is backward (Y2 direction). Moreover, the orientation of the upper face is the upward direction (Zl direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is the downward direction (Z2 direction).

[00136] Three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 301 proposed in the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 13, may include anode chamber unit 310, intermediate chamber unit 312, and cathode chamber unit 314.

[00137] Anode chamber unit 310 may include anode chamber case 320, O ring 322, anode 324, and anion exchange membrane 326. Except for being vertically long, anode chamber case 320, O ring 322, anode 324, and anion exchange membrane 326 may be the same as O ring 222, anode 224, and anion exchange membrane 226, respectively.

[00138] Intermediate chamber unit 312 may include outer O ring 330, inner 0 ring 332, intermediate chamber case 334, outer O ring 338, and inner O ring 340. Except for being vertically long, outer O ring 330, inner O ring 332, outer O ring 338, and inner O ring 340 may be the same as outer O ring 230, inner O ring 232, outer O ring 238, and inner O ring 240, respectively. Opening 336 of intermediate chamber case 334 may be disposed so as to be directed in the right and left direction.

[00139] Cathode chamber unit 314 may include cation exchange membrane 350, cathode 352, O ring 354, and cathode chamber case 356. Except for being vertically long, cation exchange membrane 350, cathode 352, O ring 354, and cathode chamber case 356 may be the same as cation exchange membrane 250, cathode 252, O ring 254, and cathode chamber case 256.

[00140] Note that in FIG. 15, the portion in which outer O ring 330 and outer O ring 338 overlap, as well as the portion in which inner O ring 332 and inner O ring 340 overlap, is represented by two-dot chain lines.

[00141] As illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15, opening 336 of intermediate chamber case 334 may be disposed so as to be directed in the right and left direction. Additionally, the cross- section of opening 336 perpendicular to the X1-X2 direction may be substantially pentagonal. Additionally, cylindrical intermediate chamber liquid supply port 366 may be formed so as to protrude downward from the position corresponding to the lowest apex of this pentagon. Moreover, cylindrical intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 370 may be formed so as to protrude upward from the upper face of opening 336 vertically positioned immediately above intermediate chamber liquid supply port 366.

[00142] Moreover, a lower face, positioned below each lower face of the upper wall portion partitioning the anode chamber and the upper wall portion partitioning the cathode chamber, may be formed on the upper wall portion partitioning the intermediate chamber. Moreover, a horizontal lower face may be formed on the upper wall portion partitioning the i ntermedi ate ch amb er.

[00143] Moreover, regarding intermediate chamber case 334, the shape obtained when viewing the cathode chamber case 356 side from the anode chamber case 320 side may be the same as the shape obtained when viewing the anode chamber case 320 side from the cathode chamber case 356 side.

[00144] Note that three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 301 may include mesh parts that are the same as mesh parts 33 and mesh parts 37.

[00145] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal components of three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 401 of Embodiment 5 proposed in the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a left-side face view of intermediate chamber unit 412 of Embodiment 5. FIG. 18 is a transparent view seen from the right-side face of intermediate chamber unit 412 of Embodiment 5.

[00146] Note that in the following description, the orientation of the opening of the recessed portion formed in anode chamber case 420 illustrated on the right end in FIG. 16 is the left direction (XI direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is the right direction (X2 direction). Moreover, the orientation of the front-side face is forward ( Yl direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is backward (Y2 direction). Moreover, the orientation of the upper face is the upward direction (Zl direction), while the reverse orientation thereof is the downward direction (Z2 direction),

[00147] Three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 401 proposed in the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 16, may include anode chamber unit 410, intermediate chamber unit 412, and cathode chamber unit 414.

[00148] Anode chamber unit 410 may include anode chamber case 420, O ring 422, anode 424, and anion exchange membrane 426. O ring 422, anode 424, and anion exchange membrane 426 may be the same as O ring 322, anode 324, and anion exchange membrane 326, respectively, except that the upper portions thereof have an M shape.

[00149] Cylindrical anode chamber liquid discharge port 464 may be formed on the backside on the upper face and the front-side on the upper face of anode chamber case 420 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, a discharge passage, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the right-side to the upper portion on the back-side on the bottom face of the recessed portion formed on the left-side face of anode chamber case 420, may be formed inside anode chamber liquid discharge port 464 and anode chamber case 420 on the back-side. Moreover, a discharge passage, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the right- side to the upper portion on the front-side on the bottom face of the recessed portion formed on the left-side face of anode chamber case 420, may be formed inside anode chamber liquid discharge port 464 and anode chamber case 420 on the front-side. Moreover, a lower face inclined obliquely upward to each of two anode chamber liquid discharge ports 464 may be formed on the upper wall portion of anode chamber case 420,

[00150] Intermediate chamber unit 412 may include outer O ring 430, inner O ring 432, intermediate chamber case 434, outer O ring 438, and inner O ring 440. Outer O ring 430 and inner O ring 432 may be the same as outer O ring 330 and inner O ring 332, respectively, except that the upper portions thereof have an M shape. Moreover, outer O ring 438 and inner O ring 440 may be the same as outer O ring 338 and inner O ring 340, respectively, except that the upper portions thereof have an M shape. Intermediate chamber case 434 may be the same as intermediate chamber case 334, except that the upper portion of a portion with outer O ring 430, inner 0 ring 432, intermediate chamber case 434, outer O ring 438, and inner O ring 440 housed therein has an M shape. [00151] Opening 436 of intermediate chamber case 434 may be disposed so as to be directed in the right and left direction. Additionally, the cross-section of opening 436 perpendicular to the X1 -X2 direction may be substantially pentagonal . Additionally, cylindrical intermediate chamber liquid supply port 466 may be formed so as to protrude downward from the position corresponding to the lowest apex of this pentagon. Moreover, cylindrical intermediate chamber liquid discharge port 470 may be formed so as to protrude upward from the upper face of opening 436 vertically positioned immediately above intermediate chamber liquid supply port 466.

[00152] Cathode chamber unit 414 may include cation exchange membrane 450, cathode 452, O ring 454, and cathode chamber case 456. Cation exchange membrane 450, cathode 452, and O ring 454 may be the same as cation exchange membrane 350, cathode 352, and O ring 354, respectively, except that the upper portions thereof have an M shape.

[00153] Cylindrical cathode chamber liquid discharge port 476 may be formed on the back-side on the upper face and the front-side on the upper face of cathode chamber case 456 so as to protrude upward. Moreover, a discharge passage, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the left-side to the upper portion on the back-side on the bottom face of the recessed portion formed on the right-side face of cathode chamber case 456, may be formed inside cathode chamber liquid discharge port 476 and cathode chamber case 456 on the backside. Moreover, a discharge passage, which has an L shaped cross-section and reaches from the left-side to the upper portion on the front-side on the bottom face of the recessed portion formed on the right-side face of cathode chamber case 456, may be formed inside cathode chamber liquid discharge port 476 and cathode chamber case 456 on the front-side. Moreover, a lower face inclined obliquely upward to each of two cathode chamber liquid discharge ports 476 may be formed on the upper wall portion of cathode chamber case 456.

[00154] Note that in FIG. 18, the portion in which outer O ring 430 and outer O ring 438 overlap, as well as the portion in which inner O ring 432 and inner O ring 440 overlap, is represented by two-dot chain lines.

[00155] Moreover, a lower face, positioned below each lower face of the upper wall portion partitioning the anode chamber and the upper wall portion partitioning the cathode chamber, may be formed on the upper wall portion partitioning the intermediate chamber. Moreover, a horizontal lower face may be formed on the upper wail portion partitioning the intermediate chamber.

[00156] Moreover, regarding intermediate chamber case 434, the shape obtained when viewing the left-side from the right-side (the shape obtained when viewing the cathode chamber case 456 side from the anode chamber case 420 side) may be the same as the shape obtained when viewing the right-side from the left-side (the shape obtained when viewing the anode chamber case 420 side from the cathode chamber case 456 side).

[00157] Note that three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus 401 may include mesh parts that are the same as mesh parts 33 and mesh parts 37.

[00158] Note that the disclosure of the present specifications is only one example, with appropriate modifications that maintain the spirit of the present disclosure but may be easily conceived by those skilled in the art included within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each portion illustrated in the drawings are schematically represented and do not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus for generating electrolytic water by electrolyzing raw water with a chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution, wherein raw water is supplied to an anode chamber with an anode disposed therein and a cathode chamber with a cathode disposed therein, the chlorine based electrolyte aqueous solution is supplied to an intermediate chamber, the intermediate chamber is separated from the anode chamber via an anion exchange membrane and separated from the cathode chamber via a cation exchange membrane, and

a lower face inclined obliquely upward to a liquid discharge port is formed on an upper wail portion partitioning the anode chamber and an upper wall portion partitioning the cathode chamber, and

a lower face, positioned below each lower face of the upper wall portion partitioning the anode chamber and the upper wall portion partitioning the cathode chamber, is formed on an upper wall portion partitioning the intermediate chamber.

2. The three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a horizontal lower face is formed on the upper wall portion partitioning the intermediate chamber,

3. The three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, on a lower wall portion partitioning the anode chamber, the cathode chamber, or the intermediate chamber, an upper face parallel to the lower face of the upper wall portion partitioning the chamber is formed, and

mutually opposing inner side faces are formed on both side wall portions partitioning the anode chamber, the cathode chamber, or the intermediate chamber.

4. The three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an anode chamber case partitioning the anode chamber has the same shape as a cathode chamber case partitioning the cathode chamber,

the anode has the same shape as the cathode, and

the anion exchange membrane has the same shape as the cation exchange membrane.

5. The three-tank electrolytic water manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, regarding an intermediate chamber case partitioning the intermediate chamber, the shape obtained when viewing the cathode chamber case side from the anode chamber case side is the same as the shape obtained when viewing the anode chamber case side from the cathode chamber case side.