WO2021204311A1

WO2021204311A1 - Immersion electrolysis cell

Info

Publication number: WO2021204311A1
Application number: PCT/DE2020/200026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maren ERNST
Original assignee: Ernst Maren
Priority date: 2020-04-08
Filing date: 2020-04-08
Publication date: 2021-10-14
Also published as: DE112020007033A5

Abstract

The invention relates to a transportable immersion electrolysis cell (1) for a water container, having a cathode and anode and also an electronics unit (11) and a microprocessor. For the electrolysis of contaminated water, a voltage potential, which converts the NaCl in the water to NaClO, is built up here between the cathode and the anode. The sodium hypochlorite in the container can pass out via openings (10) that are present, such that the water is disinfected. The control of the operating voltage and operating currents as well as the time period and measurement of the conductance is performed or regulated here by means of the microprocessor.

Description

Immersion electrolytic cell

The invention relates to a transportable immersion electrolysis cell for a water container, with a cathode and anode and a microprocessor.

Such electrolysis cells are provided for the treatment of untreated water, namely in smaller quantities of 1 to 4 liters, which are for example in a pressureless storage container. In the past, disinfection was often carried out with chlorine preparations in the form of tablets or powders. It has been found to be disadvantageous that the tablet or powder supply only has a limited shelf life and is not available everywhere abroad.

The present invention avoids the use of chlorine preparations and provides a transportable immersion electrolysis cell with the aid of which the water can be disinfected.

From DE 23 15 767 A1, for example, an electrolysis cell for disinfecting water with an anode and cathode pack is known. In this prior art, there is a special shape of the electrodes, which intermesh in a comb shape. A measuring device is provided for regulation, which controls the switching on and off of the electrolysis cell above a predetermined sodium hypoplorite limit value.

A device for disinfecting water is known from DE 34 10 489 A1, in which a hypochlorite solution is produced electrochemically by means of an electrolytic cell and is used to disinfect the water.

A method is also known from US Pat. No. 5,795,459 A in which a diaphragm electrolysis cell is immersed as an immersion electrode in the water to be treated. A disadvantage of this type of electrolysis cell is that bleaching liquor (NaOH) is produced in the separate chambers and, with the arrangement described, reaches the drinking water to be treated directly. This results in a Increase in the natural pH value, which means that three to five times the amount of oxidizing agent is required to effectively disinfect the drinking water at, for example, an increased pH value of 7.8 or more.

Alternatively, it is known to disinfect the water by irradiating the water with UV light, whereby microorganisms are effectively killed. In this case, however, no disinfectant with an appropriate supply against re-germination is used, so that the desired disinfection is not possible to the full extent.

The present invention is based on the object of showing a new type of transportable immersion electrolysis cell for a water container, which ensures an optimized final germination using a control unit.

According to the invention it is provided that the transportable immersion electrolysis cell is equipped with a microprocessor as the central element, which takes on at least the following functions:

Monitoring of the operating voltage. Detection of the conductivity of the liquid by a sensor. Monitoring of the voltage and current of the anode. Monitoring of the electrolysis time depending on the conductivity. Monitoring of the maximum operating voltage and the maximum current flow

Representation of the functional processes through optical display elements, whereby a Bluetooth interface is available, which provides a setting of the operating voltage, the minimum conductance, the operating current and the voltage at the anode and a display of the operating voltage, the conductance, the currents and the The voltage at the anode decreases, the electrolysis processes are logged and an error report is created. Further advantageous refinements of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

A major advantage of the regulated electrolysis cell compared to other conventional immersion electrolysis cells is that no unnecessarily dissolved table salt gets into the drinking water and thus adversely affects the quality and taste. In addition, there is the possibility of saving energy, with the microprocessor in particular making it possible to monitor all functions of the portable immersion electrolysis cell. For example, the operating voltage is monitored and the conductivity of the liquid is recorded by a sensor. In addition, the monitoring of the voltage and the current of the anode as well as the duration of the electrolysis depending on the conductance. Furthermore, the maximum operating voltage and the maximum current flow can be monitored, with all functional sequences being able to be represented by optical display elements. The operating voltage, the minimum conductance, the operating current and the voltage at the anode can be preset via a Bluetooth interface and the operating voltage, the conductance, the currents and the voltage can be displayed on the anode. It is also possible to log the electrolysis processes and to record possible errors in an error report. In this way, extensive functional monitoring of the immersion electrolysis line is created, which leads to an optimization of the electrolysis process.

A storage tank for NaCl is not necessary because the natural salt contained in the water is used for electrolysis. The preselected and set electrolysis current in the electrolysis cell leads to a conversion of the sodium chloride (NaCl) into sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO), which is necessary for the sterilization and disinfection. The natural pH value of the drinking water to be disinfected is not changed.

The simultaneous generation of hydrogen gas (H ₂ ) creates a turbulence in the electrolysis cell under excess pressure, so that the generated oxidizing agent NaCIO can escape in the upper area of the electrolysis cell. At the same time arises on At the foot of the electrolysis cell there is a negative pressure that supports the regulated flow of water into the electrolysis cell.

The disinfection process makes biologically contaminated water absolutely germ-free, whereby the atomic oxygen (O) in the nescendi status, for the most part together with the chlorine (CI) produced, enables a very efficient oxidation of carbon chains (Cn). The microprocessor is designed in such a way that when a defined conductance is reached, a defined voltage can automatically be applied to the electrodes and the current flow during the electrolysis process can be displayed via a light-emitting diode. The cathode and anode are arranged running parallel to each other at a defined distance and lead to an efficient conversion of the sodium chloride (NaCl) into sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO).

In a further special embodiment of the invention it is provided that the rod-shaped anode made of titanium Gr. II consists with a modified coating and the anode is designed in a spiral shape similar to an Archimedean screw. By using Titan Gr. II there is a particularly long-lasting anode and the shape of the spiral anode, similar to an Archimedean screw, also ensures that an ascending flow is created during the electrolysis process, which results in better turbulence.

The helical anode has several advantages here. The enlarged anode surface with a horizontal and vertical surface alignment enables a significantly better current yield. The shape of the anode also creates more efficient turbulence, with sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) and chlorine Cl _{2 being} formed in the first electrolysis stage and, when the hydrogen H ₂ rises, reacting suddenly to form the new substance sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO) due to the turbulence. Especially due to the spiral shape of the anode, the substances are swirled upwards faster and more efficiently due to the existing chimney effect. Because energy not only flows into the electrochemical process, but also into a thermal conversion, the advantage is achieved that, in the case of very hard water, the heating that occurs in the anode compartment causes the precipitation of calcium in the form of Scale is accelerated. This scale is deposited on the electrodes in the form of a constantly growing lime coat, which grows horizontally in the case of a round rod anode, while it increases vertically in the case of the spiral-shaped anode surface. When decalcifying, be it by reversing the polarity or by acidifying with citric acid or the like, the coating slips off more easily due to the downwardly inclined spiral shape, which is a significant advantage for maintenance work.

Via a Bluetooth connection there is also the option of displaying the current / voltage measurements and conversion into conductivity (W = 1 / R) on a display of a handheld transmitter or a mobile phone. The anode can serve as an antenna. Alternatively, the electrolysis cell can be remotely controlled via mobile radio programming or all operating data can be queried and, if necessary, changed, for example the time intervals and disinfection periods.

The special feature of the present invention is that all functions for operating the immersion electrolysis cell are controlled by a microprocessor and in this way effective sterilization and disinfection of the contaminated water is achieved. At the same time, the regulation of the microprocessor ensures that the lowest possible energy consumption is required with minimal energy expenditure and maximum yield.

The invention is explained again below with reference to the figures.

It shows

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the immersion electrolytic cell according to the invention and

2 shows a single anode in a side view. FIG. 1 shows, in a sectional representation, an immersion electrolysis cell 1, which consists of a preferably round housing jacket 2, which is used as a cathode. An anode 3 is fastened in the housing jacket 2 and is held in the housing jacket 2 via an insulator 4 with sealing elements 5, 6. The required voltage of 6 to 12 volts is supplied via a supply line 7 and a cable gland 8.

The anode 3 in the form of an Archimedean spiral is accommodated in the tubular housing jacket 2 via the insulator 4 with sealing earrings as a roof element 5, 6. The housing jacket 2 is open at the bottom so that water can penetrate into the anode space 9. The housing jacket 2 also has a plurality of bores 16 distributed around the circumference, through which the NaCl and the hydrogen H can escape from the anode space 9. The tubular housing jacket 2 here forms the cathode, so that the electrolysis process can take place in the anode space 9. The applied operating voltage is monitored via an electrical unit 11 with a microprocessor and the conductivity of the liquid is also determined by a sensor. The voltage and the current at the anode are also monitored and the electrolysis time is determined as a function of the conductance, with a maximum operating voltage and a maximum current flow being maintained. Furthermore, the various functional sequences can be represented by optical display elements of an operating device 12. The operating voltage, the minimum conductance, the operating current and the voltage at the anode are set via a Bluetooth interface, and the operating voltage, the conductance, the currents and the voltage at the anode 3 can also be displayed. Furthermore, the electrolysis processes are logged and, if necessary, an error report is created. If there is sufficient conductivity in the electrolytic chamber or in the anode space 9, an electric field is built up between the cathode and anode 3 when a voltage is applied. The incoming electrolysis current leads to an electrolysis of table salt (NaCl) to sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO). The resulting hydrogen H ₂ in the first chemical reaction is simultaneously mixed with the resulting chlorine due to the turbulence that occurs in the anode space 9, whereby the desired sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO) is formed. The hydrogen gas rising at the same time generates a light gas in the anode space 9 Overpressure, which ensures that the resulting disinfectant sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO) can escape through the lateral openings 10 and get into the drinking water to be disinfected and sterilized. The electrolysis process is set in motion via the microprocessor, so that the electrolysis process can be ended after a total exposure time of approx. 15 to 20 minutes and the sterilization and disinfection of the water can be completed. The water is therefore perfectly hygienic and can, if necessary, be poured over a separate activated charcoal filter so that the water is then safe for people.

The microprocessor can be programmed using an operating device 12, which can be a smartphone or the like, for example.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the anode 3, which has a cylindrical shaft 15 in the upper region, with a bore 16 in which, for example, an electrical connection for the supply lines can be accommodated. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the anode 3 has six filaments 17 which merge into a rounded end piece 18 at the end. The anode 3 is placed in the housing shell 2 with the aid of the insulator 4 in such a way that there is a sufficient distance from the housing wall 2 so that no short circuit can occur. If the immersion electrolysis cell 1 is immersed in a container with water, the water can penetrate into the anode space 9 in which the anode 3 is located. The electrolysis process is carried out by applying a supply voltage between the cathode and anode. The container with contaminated water can be designed to be relatively small for 1 to 4 liters. However, there is also the possibility of providing a larger container while at the same time adapting the size of the immersion electrolysis cell. Small containers can also be designed in the form of a portable backpack. List of reference symbols

1 immersion electrolytic cell

2 housing jacket

3 anode

4 isolator

5 sealing element

6 sealing element

7 supply line

8 cable gland

9 anode compartment

10 opening

11 Electronics unit

12 Control unit

15 shaft

16 bore

17 helix

18 end piece

Claims

1. Transportable immersion electrolytic cell (1) for a water tank, with a

Cathode and anode (3) and a microprocessor, characterized in that the microprocessor as a central element takes on at least the following functions:

Monitoring of the operating voltage

Detection of the conductivity of the liquid by a sensor

Monitoring of the voltage and the current of the anode (3)

Monitoring of the electrolysis time depending on the conductance Monitoring of the maximum operating voltage and the maximum current flow

Representation of the functional processes by optical display elements, whereby a Bluetooth interface is available, which provides for setting the operating voltage, the minimum conductance, the operating current and the voltage at the anode (3) and a display of the operating voltage, the conductance, the currents and the voltage at the anode (3), the electrolysis processes are logged and an error report is created.

2. Immersion electrolysis cell (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the microprocessor is designed in such a way that when a defined conductance is reached, a defined voltage can automatically be applied to the electrodes and the current flow during the electrolysis process can be displayed via a light-emitting diode.

3. Immersion electrolysis cell (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cathode and anode (3) are arranged running parallel to each other at a defined distance.

4. immersion electrolytic cell (1) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the rod-shaped anode (3) made of titanium Gr. II with a modified coating.

5. Immersion electrolysis cell (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the anode (3) is designed in a spiral shape similar to an Archimedean screw.