JP3695986B2 - Chlorine generator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a chlorine generator for electrolyzing drinking water to generate active chlorine, and in particular, electricity such as oxygen gas and hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis from drinking water after electrolysis (hereinafter referred to as chlorine-containing water). The present invention relates to a chlorine generator capable of separating cracked gas.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional chlorine generator, for example, there is one disclosed in JP-A-9-1149. In this chlorine generator, a drinking water passage is formed by a supply pipe line connected to a tank that stores drinking water, and a pair of electrodes are arranged to face each other in this passage to form a sealed electrolytic cell.
[0003]
According to this chlorine generator, the drinking water is electrolyzed by applying a predetermined DC voltage to a pair of electrodes in the electrolytic cell when drinking water is supplied, and the acidic water and alkali containing active chlorine generated by electrolysis Ionic water is mixed and supplied to the downstream side, and sterilizing power is obtained by containing active chlorine in the drinking water without causing invasion of bacteria and the like from the outside.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the conventional chlorine generator, electrolysis gas such as oxygen and hydrogen is generated by electrolyzing the drinking water in the electrolytic tank. Therefore, if the electrolytic gas is stored in the electrolytic tank or the supply pipe, There is a problem that the electrolysis efficiency is lowered and the supply amount of chlorine-containing water is changed. In addition, when the electrolysis gas is discharged from the electrolytic cell to the outside, there is a problem that chlorine-containing water in the electrolysis cell is discharged together with the electrolysis gas, and the surroundings of the discharge part are soiled.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a chlorine generator that can reliably discharge electrolysis gas generated by electrolysis and does not pollute the surroundings with chlorine-containing water discharged together with the electrolysis gas.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a chlorine generator that generates chlorine-containing water containing active chlorine by electrolyzing drinking water containing chlorine ions in a container that is shut off from the atmosphere.
A water intake valve provided in a water intake pipe for supplying the drinking water to the container;
A gas discharge part for discharging an electrolysis gas generated by electrolyzing the drinking water in the container to the outside of the container;
A pipe connecting between the gas discharge part and a cooling water tank for cooling the chlorine-containing water;
A solenoid valve provided in the pipe for opening and closing the pipe;
The cooling water tank is provided with the chlorine-containing water discharged along with the release of the electrolysis gas and the electrolysis gas by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve and the water intake valve alternately or at a predetermined timing. Provided is a chlorine generator having a control unit for releasing the gas.
[0006]
In the chlorine generator described above, the control unit preferably opens and closes the electromagnetic valve based on the accumulated electrolysis time of drinking water, and after the electromagnetic valve is opened, closes the water intake valve after a predetermined time has passed to the container. The drinking water supply may be stopped.
[0007]
In the chlorine generator described above, the treatment of chlorine-containing water discharged together with the electrolysis gas is eliminated by discharging the electrolysis gas generated by electrolyzing the filtered water in a container that is shut off from the atmosphere to the cooling water tank. . This can prevent surrounding pollution due to discharge of chlorine-containing water.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a chlorine generator of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
FIG. 1 shows a beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. A water purifier 2 that filters the drinking water supplied from a water intake pipe 1 to generate filtered water, and the filtered water that has passed through the water purifier 2 is electrically used. It has a chlorine generator 3 that decomposes to produce chlorine-containing water for syrup dilution, and a cooling coil 4A that allows the chlorine-containing water electrolyzed by the chlorine generator 3 to pass therethrough. A cooling water tank 4 for cooling the chlorine-containing water passing therethrough, a pump 6 provided in the supply pipe 5 between the chlorine generator 3 and the cooling water tank 4, and a dilution provided in the supply pipe 7 connected to the cooling coil 4A A flow controller 8A for water, a carbonator 10 connected to a supply pipe 9 branched from the supply pipe 7 to generate carbonated water, and connected to the carbonator 10 via a pipe 11 and filled with carbon dioxide. Gas cylinder 12 and Flow rate regulator 8B for carbonated water provided in supply line 13 connected to Bonator 10, dilution water supplied via supply line 7, and carbonated water supplied via supply line 13 A valve 15 that pours into the cup 14, an electromagnetic valve 16 </ b> A provided in the intake pipe 1, an electromagnetic valve 16 </ b> B provided in the supply pipeline 7, an electromagnetic valve 16 </ b> C provided in the supply pipeline 9, and the supply pipeline 13. An electromagnetic valve 16D, a gas vent pipe 17 that supplies the cooling water W to the cooling water tank 4 and discharges the electrolysis gas generated in the chlorine generator 3 into the cooling water W, and a gas vent electromagnetic provided in the gas vent pipe 17 A valve 18, a power supply unit 19 that supplies a direct current to a pair of electrodes provided in the chlorine generator 3, a motor 20 that drives the pump 6, and a sales signal based on information such as the type of beverage sold and the amount sold Sales control 21, has a main control unit 22 that controls each unit based on sales signal inputted from the sales control unit 21.
In the figure, the valve 15 is connected to a syrup conduit for supplying syrup, but is not shown.
[0010]
The water purifier 2 uses an activated carbon filter having an activated carbon packed layer as a filter member.
[0011]
The supply pipelines 5, 7, 9, and 13 are formed of polyethylene tubes, and the cooling coil 4A is formed of a stainless steel tube having excellent heat conductivity. The inner diameters of the supply pipes 5, 7, 9, and 13 are 4 mm, and the inner diameter of the cooling coil 4A is 5.5 mm.
[0012]
The flow rate regulators 8A and 8B set the flow rate per unit time of the chlorine-containing water flowing in the supply pipeline to a predetermined flow rate. The arrangement of the supply pipeline and the electrolysis of the filtered water in the chlorine generator 3 are performed. Set based on efficiency.
[0013]
The carbonator 10 forms carbonated water by dissolving carbon dioxide gas supplied from a gas cylinder 12 via a pipe 11 in chlorine-containing water supplied via a supply pipe 9. The carbonated water supply operation is performed based on the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the gas cylinder 12 by opening the electromagnetic component 16D of the supply pipeline 13 while the electromagnetic valve 16C of the supply pipeline 9 is closed. The gas cylinder 12 is provided with a supply valve for adjusting the gas supply pressure. Inside the carbonator 10, a water level sensor (not shown) such as a float switch for detecting the water level is provided. The water level sensor outputs a water level lowering signal to the main control unit 22 when the carbonated water stored in the carbonator 10 decreases to a predetermined water level. The carbonator 10 cools the carbonated water contained therein by being immersed in a cooling water tank (not shown) to a predetermined temperature.
[0014]
The degassing pipe 17 discharges hydrogen gas and oxygen gas generated by electrolyzing the filtered water in the chlorine generator 3 into the cooling water W of the cooling water tank 4, and the filtered water is supplied in the cooling water W supply mode. Cooling water W is supplied from the chlorine generator 3 to the cooling water tank 4. When filtered water is supplied to the cooling water tank 4 through the degassing pipe 17, the chlorine generator 3 is controlled so as not to electrolyze the filtered water, but electrolysis is performed to prevent the cooling water W from being contaminated. The chlorine-containing water that has been produced may be supplied.
[0015]
The degas solenoid valve 18 may be opened and closed at a predetermined timing according to the amount of electrolysis gas generated based on the electrolysis of filtered water, or may be opened and closed at a predetermined time interval.
[0016]
The power supply unit 19 energizes the electrodes 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B with a predetermined current value when supplying chlorine-containing water as dilution water and when supplying the carbonator 10. Further, in order to prevent the electrode from being consumed due to electrolysis, the polarity of positive / negative is changed at predetermined energization time (for example, 24 hours) intervals.
[0017]
FIG. 2 (a) shows a longitudinal section of the chlorine generator 3, an electrolysis tank 31 in which a pair of electrodes 30A, 30B for electrolysis are arranged inside and a gas vent part 31A is provided in the upper part, and electrolysis It has a base 32 that is attached to the lower part of the tank 31 and has an inflow part 32A and an outflow part 32B for drinking water, and fixes the electrodes 30A and 30B at a predetermined interval. The electrolysis tank 31 has a tapered shape with a reduced cross section from the lower part to the upper part, and a part continuing to the degassing part 31A is formed in a conical shape, whereby the electrolysis gas generated by the electrolysis of drinking water Is promptly guided to the gas vent 31A along the inner wall. In addition, a space 33 is provided between the electrodes 30A, 30B and the gas vent 31A so as to have a predetermined interval, and the filtered water flowing into the electrolysis tank 31 from the inflow 32A When being reversed at 33 and flowing in the direction of the outflow part 32B, separation of the liquid component and the gas component is promoted. The electrolysis tank 31 has an outer diameter (maximum part) of 43 mm, an inner diameter (maximum part) of 40 mm, and a capacity of about 150 cc.
[0018]
FIG. 2B shows a cross section of the chlorine generator 3 in the AA part of FIG. 2A, and the electrodes 30A and 30B have a size of 120 mm in length in the paper direction and 36 mm in width. In addition, titanium is formed by applying a platinum-based coating, and the electrode interval g is 3 mm. The electrodes 30A and 30B are provided so as to be in contact with the filtered water in the electrolysis tank 31 on both sides of the electrode surface, that is, so as to be immersed in the stored water. In the present embodiment, the electrode 30A is a positive electrode and the electrode 30B is a negative electrode.
[0019]
The operation of the above chlorine generator will be described based on the supply operation of chlorine-containing water in the beverage dispenser.
[0020]
When the sales signal of dilution water is output from the sales control unit 21 to the main control unit 22, the main control unit 22 energizes the electromagnetic valves 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B to open the conduits and energize the motor 20 of the pump 6. . As a result, drinking water is supplied from the intake pipe 1 to the filter 2 and filtered. The filtered water that has passed through the filter 2 is supplied to the chlorine generator 3 to store a predetermined amount of water. Further, the main control unit 22 outputs a control signal to the power supply unit 19 based on the input of the sales signal. As a result, constant current is supplied to the electrodes 30A and 30B provided in the chlorine generator 3, and the filtered water is electrolyzed.
[0021]
In the chlorine generator 3, active chlorine Cl ₂ is generated when chlorine ions Cl ⁻ release electrons at the positive electrode 30 A based on energization of the electrodes 30 A and 30 B, and dissolved in filtered water. Chlorine-containing water containing is produced. Since the solubility of chlorine in 100 g of water (water temperature: 10 ° C.) is 0.9972 g, most of the generated active chlorine is dissolved in filtered water. As a result, the chlorine-containing water has sterilizing power. In addition, the positive electrode 30A generates oxygen gas in addition to chlorine by electrolysis. On the other hand, in the negative electrode 30B, hydrogen gas is generated by electrolysis of filtered water.
[0022]
Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas based on electrolysis of filtered water rise from the electrode surface toward the gas vent 31A. Inside the chlorine generator 3, the filtered water flowing in from the inflow portion 32 </ b> A rises along the electrode 30 </ b> A, reverses in the space portion 33, and flows down along the electrode 30 </ b> B, thereby facilitating dissolution of active chlorine. It is. Further, oxygen gas generated together with chlorine at the electrode 30A is separated from filtered water at the space portion 33, and fills the space portion 33 together with hydrogen gas generated at the electrode 30B.
[0023]
FIG. 3 shows a timing chart of the degassing operation of the chlorine generator 3. The electrodes 30A, 30B, the degas solenoid valve 18, the solenoid valve 16A, and the pump 6 are ON when in the Hi state. When the energization time of the electrodes 30A and 30B reaches a predetermined cumulative time t, the energization of the electrodes 30A and 30B is stopped, the electromagnetic valve 16A is closed, the energization of the motor 20 is stopped, and the pump 6 is stopped. Then, the gas vent solenoid valve 18 is opened for 0.5 seconds to open the gas vent pipe 17 to the atmosphere. After opening to the atmosphere, the electromagnetic valve 16A is opened for 2 seconds, filtered water is supplied to the chlorine generator 3 and electrolysis is performed. Based on this filtered water supply, the electrolysis gas stored in the electrolysis tank 31 is compressed. After the intake valve 16A is closed, the electrolysis gas compressed by opening the degas solenoid valve 18 again for 0.5 second is discharged from the electrolysis tank 31 to the cooling water tank 4 through the degas pipe 17. When the electrolysis gas is released, drinking water in the electrolysis tank 31 may be discharged together with the electrolysis gas. However, the drinking water is stored in the cooling water tank 4 as the cooling water W, so that the surroundings may be contaminated. Absent.
[0024]
Figure 4 is the degassing operation described above, shows a state in which changed the closing timing of the solenoid valve 16A and the gas vent solenoid valve 18, the solenoid valve 16A is closed the timing at which the gas vent solenoid valve 18 is opened after compression of the electrolysis gas The electrolysis gas compressed by delaying the timing is pushed out together with the filtered water. As a result, the fine foam-like electrolysis gas can be swept away from the electrolysis tank 31.
[0025]
Chlorine-containing water as dilution water that has flowed downstream from the outflow part 32B of the chlorine generator 3 is cooled to a predetermined temperature by passing through the cooling coil 4A immersed in the cooling water W, and is supplied to the supply line 7. It is poured from the valve 15 into the cup 14 through the flow rate regulator 8A provided. The electromagnetic valve 16A and the electromagnetic valve 16B are closed after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the supply of the dilution water.
[0026]
When supplying carbonated water mixed with syrup to the cup 14, the main control unit 22 opens the electromagnetic valve 16 </ b> D according to the carbonated water supply timing, so that carbonated water having a predetermined gas volume is supplied from the carbonator 10. It flows into the supply line 13 and is poured from the valve 15 into the cup 14. The electromagnetic valve 16D is closed after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of carbonated water supply.
[0027]
When the carbonated water stored in the carbonator 10 decreases to a predetermined water level, a water level lowering signal is output to the main control unit 22 by a water level sensor provided inside. When the main control unit 22 receives the water level lowering signal, the main control unit 22 closes the electromagnetic valve 16B of the supply pipeline 7 and the electromagnetic valve 16D of the supply pipeline 13, outputs a control signal to the power supply unit 19, and the electromagnetic valve 16A of the intake pipe 1 And the solenoid valve 16C of the supply line 9 is opened. As a result, constant current is supplied to the electrodes 30A and 30B provided in the chlorine generator 3, and the filtered water is electrolyzed. The chlorine-containing water generated by the electrolysis is cooled to a predetermined temperature by passing through the cooling coil 4A immersed in the cooling water W, and is stored in the carbonator 10 via the supply line 7 and the supply line 9. The When predetermined chlorine-containing water is stored in the carbonator 10, the water level sensor stops outputting the water level lowering signal to the main control unit 22. The main control unit 22 closes the electromagnetic valve 16A and the electromagnetic valve 16C based on the output stop of the water level lowering signal.
[0028]
According to the above-described chlorine generator, electrolysis gases such as oxygen gas and hydrogen gas generated based on electrolysis of filtered water can be quickly and reliably released from the electrolysis tank 31. Moreover, since the drinking water discharged | emitted with the electrolysis gas from the electrolysis tank 31 was guide | induced to the cooling water tank 4 via the gas vent pipe 17, it is made not to produce the surrounding pollution by scattering of drinking water. it can.
[0029]
Moreover, the piping structure for supplying the cooling water W can be simplified by supplying the filtered water from the electrolysis tank 31 through the gas vent pipe 17 when the cooling water W is supplied to the cooling water tank 4. Thus, the configuration of the beverage dispenser can be simplified.
[0030]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the configuration in which the chlorine generator is provided in the beverage dispenser has been described. However, it can be used for a cup-type vending machine, a water cooler that cools and supplies drinking water, or an ice maker.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the chlorine generator of the present invention, the discharge pipe of the electrolysis gas of the electrolysis tank that electrolyzes the drinking water to generate chlorine-containing water is connected to the cooling water tank that cools the chlorine-containing water. And the opening and closing timing of the connecting pipe is controlled, so that the electrolysis gas generated by the electrolysis can be surely released and the surrounding contamination by the chlorine-containing water discharged together with the electrolysis gas is prevented. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a beverage dispenser having a chlorine generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) is a partial cross-sectional view of an electrolysis tank according to an embodiment of the present invention (b). FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the degassing operation of the chlorine generator.
1, intake pipe 2, water purifier 3, chlorine generator 4, cooling water tank 4A, cooling coil 5, supply line 6, pump 7, supply line 8A, flow rate regulator 8B, flow rate regulator 9, supply line 10 , Carbonator 11, pipe 12, gas cylinder 13, supply line 14, cup 15, valve 16A, solenoid valve 16B, solenoid valve 17, vent pipe 18, gas vent solenoid valve 19, power supply section 20, motor 21, sales control section 22, main control part 30A, electrode 30B, electrode 31, electrolysis tank 31A, degassing part 32, base part 32A, inflow part 32B, outflow part

Claims (3)

In a chlorine generator that generates chlorine-containing water containing active chlorine by electrolyzing drinking water containing chlorine ions in a container that is shut off from the atmosphere,
A water intake valve provided in a water intake pipe for supplying the drinking water to the container;
A gas discharge part for discharging an electrolysis gas generated by electrolyzing the drinking water in the container to the outside of the container;
A pipe connecting between the gas discharge part and a cooling water tank for cooling the chlorine-containing water;
A solenoid valve provided in the pipe for opening and closing the pipe;
The cooling water tank is provided with the chlorine-containing water discharged along with the release of the electrolysis gas and the electrolysis gas by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve and the water intake valve alternately or at a predetermined timing. A chlorine generator characterized by having a control unit that releases it. The chlorine generator according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to open and close the electromagnetic valve based on an accumulated time of electrolysis of the drinking water. The chlorine generator according to claim 1, wherein the controller closes the water intake valve and stops the supply of the drinking water to the container after a lapse of a predetermined time after the electromagnetic valve is opened.

Images