JP4856530B2 - An effective chlorine concentration adjusting method for electrolyzed water, a pH adjusting method for electrolyzed water, and an electrolyzed water generator. - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an effective chlorine concentration adjusting method for electrolyzed water generated by electrolyzing an aqueous solution in which an electrolyte is dissolved, a pH adjusting method for electrolyzed water, and an electrolyzed water generating apparatus.

A method for generating acidic water and alkaline water called electrolytic water obtained by electrolyzing an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions and its application are already known.
In general, acidic water is known to have a sterilizing effect, and is known to be highly effective in sterilization and sterilization of a wide range of pathogenic bacteria such as MRSA, E. coli, and O-157 E. coli. Disinfection of operating rooms (measures against infectious diseases), sterilization of food and dishes in the kitchen (prevention of food poisoning), disinfection of medical equipment, application to medical treatment, etc. It has been reported in recent years that it has been used.
Alkaline water also has a cleaning effect, so it can be used in the kitchen; dishes, cooking, ingredients, fingers, washing floors, walls, trolleys, in-hospital cleaning, cleaning of blood, etc. In recent years, it has been reported that it is used for cleaning.
Further, in the agricultural field, it has recently been known that alkaline water produced as a by-product when potassium chloride (KCl) is electrolyzed contains potassium ions (K +) and thus has a plant growth promoting action.
In particular, due to the efforts of researchers who have made extensive research on the utility value, hypochlorous acid water (strongly acidic secondary), which is electrolyzed water in accordance with the Food and Sanitation Law Enforcement Regulations in June 2002, according to the standards for food and additives, etc. Since the addition of chlorous acid water and slightly acidic hypochlorous acid water), its utility value has attracted attention and has reached today.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 11, a salt water chamber is formed between a pair of diaphragms spaced apart inside the casing, and an anode chamber and a cathode chamber are separately formed on both sides of the salt water chamber (intermediate chamber), An electrolyzed water generating apparatus having an electrolytic cell in which an anode and a cathode are respectively disposed in the anode chamber and the cathode chamber is known (Patent Document 1).
The device supplies tap water to the left and right anode chambers and cathode chambers, electrolyzes the saline solution supplied to the central brine chamber, generates acidic water in the anode chamber, and generates alkaline water in the cathode chamber To do. Further, in this apparatus, the water pressure acting on the central salt water chamber is set higher than the internal pressures of the left and right anode chambers and the cathode chamber. This is because the entire surface of the diaphragm is pressed against the electrode provided between the salt water chamber and each electrode chamber by water pressure. Thus, it is disclosed that it is possible to achieve the prevention of damage to the diaphragm having extremely lower rigidity than the electrode by supporting the diaphragm with the electrode that is a plate-like rigid body.
On the other hand, the Food Sanitation Law enforcement regulations have provisions regarding hypochlorous acid water (aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid as a main component obtained by electrolyzing hydrochloric acid or saline) using electrolysis. According to the regulations, “strongly acidic electrolyzed water” is defined as having an effective chlorine concentration of 20 to 60 mg / kg (effective chlorine concentration) and having a pH of 2.7 or less. Available chlorine is chlorine that is contained in water and chemicals and is effectively used for oxidation, bleaching, sterilization, and the like. The acidic electrolyzed water produced when the salt water is electrolyzed contains hypochlorous acid (HClO) and chlorine (Cl2) which are free chlorine.
The method for measuring the effective chlorine concentration is stipulated in the standards for food and additives (Ministry of Health and Welfare Notification No. 370 in 1959). The pH is generally measured by a glass electrode specified in JIS Z 8802: 1984.
However, as a result of various experiments conducted by the inventors, the method described in Patent Document 1 described above cannot satisfy the above-mentioned regulations because the effective chlorine concentration can satisfy the above-mentioned regulations, but the pH value does not decrease. It was. Furthermore, the Food Sanitation Law enforcement regulations dictate “strongly acidic hypochlorous acid water” (pH 2.7 or less), “slightly acidic hypochlorous acid water” (pH 5) depending on the difference in effective chlorine concentration and pH of hypochlorous acid water. The standard is divided into 0.0 to 6.5), etc., and an apparatus that efficiently and stably generates electrolyzed water that conforms to each standard is required.
Japanese Patent No. 3500173

This invention makes it a subject to provide the method for providing the electrolyzed water provided with the effective chlorine concentration and pH value which are calculated | required, and the apparatus which can provide the said electrolyzed water.
In addition, the purpose is to stably provide “strongly acidic electrolyzed water” containing 20-60 mg / kg of effective chlorine as stipulated in the Food Sanitation Law Enforcement Regulations and having a pH of 2.7 or lower. is there.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present application has the following configuration. That is,
A method for adjusting the effective chlorine concentration of electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing an aqueous electrolyte solution containing chlorine ions,
A diaphragm selectively permeable to anions and a conductive electrode plate having water permeability provided adjacent to the diaphragm;
A salt water chamber to which an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions having an opening facing the diaphragm is supplied;
A reaction chamber having an opening facing the electrode plate,
By forming the water pressure in the reaction chamber higher than the water pressure in the salt water chamber to form a space between the diaphragm and the electrode plate by deformation of the diaphragm ,
By varying the volume of the space or the space formed between the deformation of the diaphragm by adjusting the pressure differential thus the diaphragm and the electrode plate of the said brine chamber and the reaction chamber, the electrolyte discharged from said reaction chamber A method for adjusting the effective chlorine concentration of electrolyzed water, characterized by increasing or decreasing the effective chlorine concentration of water.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application has the following configuration. That is,
A method for adjusting the effective chlorine concentration of electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing an aqueous electrolyte solution containing chlorine ions,
A diaphragm selectively permeable to anions and a conductive electrode plate having water permeability provided adjacent to the diaphragm;
A salt water chamber to which an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions having an opening facing the diaphragm is supplied;
A reaction chamber having an opening facing the electrode plate;
A water-permeable spacer supported in the salt water chamber,
The spacer is provided with a plurality of convex portions provided so that the ends thereof are arranged on the same plane facing the opening of the salt water chamber,
By making the water pressure in the reaction chamber higher than the water pressure in the salt water chamber, the diaphragm is brought into contact with the convex part of the spacer surface by deformation of the diaphragm, and the diaphragm and the electrode plate at a part not in contact with the convex part Forming a space between
By changing or adjusting the distance between the tip position of the convex part and the electrode plate, the distance between the diaphragm and the electrode plate or the volume of the formed space is changed, and the effective chlorine concentration of the electrolyzed water discharged from the salt water chamber A method for adjusting the effective chlorine concentration of electrolyzed water, characterized by increasing or decreasing the amount of water.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present application has the following configuration. That is,
An electrolyzed water generating device using the method for adjusting the effective chlorine concentration of electrolyzed water according to claim 1 or 2.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present application has the following configuration. That is,
A method for adjusting the pH of electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing an aqueous electrolyte solution containing chloride ions,
A diaphragm selectively permeable to anions and a conductive electrode plate having water permeability provided adjacent to the diaphragm;
A salt water chamber to which an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions having an opening facing the diaphragm is supplied;
A reaction chamber having an opening facing the electrode plate,
By forming the water pressure in the reaction chamber higher than the water pressure in the salt water chamber to form a space between the diaphragm and the electrode plate by deformation of the diaphragm ,
By varying the volume of the space or the space formed between the deformation of the diaphragm by adjusting the pressure differential thus the diaphragm and the electrode plate of the said brine chamber and the reaction chamber, the electrolyte discharged from said reaction chamber A method for adjusting the pH of electrolyzed water, wherein the pH of water is increased or decreased.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application has the following configuration. That is,
A method for adjusting the pH of electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing an aqueous electrolyte solution containing chloride ions,
A diaphragm selectively permeable to anions and a conductive electrode plate having water permeability provided adjacent to the diaphragm;
A salt water chamber to which an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions having an opening facing the diaphragm is supplied;
A reaction chamber having an opening facing the electrode plate;
A water-permeable spacer supported in the salt water chamber,
The spacer is provided with a plurality of convex portions provided so that the ends thereof are arranged on the same plane facing the opening of the salt water chamber,
By making the water pressure in the reaction chamber higher than the water pressure in the salt water chamber, the diaphragm is brought into contact with the convex part of the spacer surface by deformation of the diaphragm, and the diaphragm and the electrode plate at a part not in contact with the convex part Forming a space between
Thus the deformation of the diaphragm due to change or adjust the distance between the tip position and the electrode plate of the convex portion, varying the volume of the space or the space formed between the diaphragm and the electrode plate is discharged from the brine chamber A method for adjusting the pH of electrolyzed water, characterized by increasing or decreasing the pH of the electrolyzed water.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application has the following configuration. That is,
An electrolyzed water generating apparatus using the method for adjusting pH of electrolyzed water according to claim 4 or 5.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present application has the following configuration. That is,
An electrolytic cell having a salt water chamber to which an aqueous electrolyte solution containing chlorine ions is supplied and two reaction chambers provided on both sides of the salt water chamber,
The brine chamber is connected to both reaction chambers via an ion permeable membrane and a conductive electrode plate having water permeability provided adjacent to the ion permeable membrane,
In the salt water chamber, there is provided a spacer formed with a plurality of convex portions whose tips substantially abut against the surface of the ion permeable membrane,
By increasing the water pressure in the reaction chamber than in the salt water chamber, the ion permeable membrane is pressed against the spacer surface having the convex portions,
The distance between the ion permeable membrane and the electrode plate is the minimum in the vicinity where the convex portion is in contact, and the portion where the convex portion is not provided is separated by the swelling of the ion permeable membrane due to the water pressure. An electrolyzed water generator characterized by being made.

First, the present invention has an effect that the effective chlorine concentration and the pH value can be appropriately set and generated according to required standards, intended purposes, and the like.
In addition, the present invention secondly has the effect that “strongly acidic electrolyzed water” containing 20 to 60 mg / kg of effective chlorine and having a pH of 2.7 or less can be produced.
Third, the present invention has the effect that even if pinhole-shaped pores are opened in the diaphragm due to the deterioration of the diaphragm, the salt water in the intermediate chamber does not flow into the acidic chamber that generates “strongly acidic electrolyzed water”. .

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Drawing 1 is an explanatory view for explaining an outline of an electrolyzed water generating device concerning the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrolytic cell. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the electrolytic cell. FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the spacer. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an electrolytic cell showing an operation state.

An electrolyzed water generating apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus”) 1 is mainly composed of an electrolyzer 2, a salt water tank 6 connected to the electrolyzer 2, various pipes, and a control means (not shown) that performs electrical control. ing. The electrolytic cell 2 is divided into three chambers, having an intermediate chamber 3 serving as a salt water chamber in the center, an acidic water reaction chamber (acid chamber) 4 on the left side in the drawing, and an alkaline water reaction chamber (on the right side) (Alkaline chamber) 5. In the specification of the present application, the salt water chamber refers to a chamber to which an aqueous solution in which an electrolyte is dissolved is supplied as well as the saline solution.
Further, as will be described in detail later, the intermediate chamber 3 and the acid chamber 4 and the intermediate chamber 3 and the alkali chamber 5 are arranged adjacent to each other via the anion exchange membrane 7 and the cation exchange membrane 8, respectively. . An anion exchange membrane is a diaphragm having a property of selectively allowing anions to permeate and a cation exchange membrane selectively allowing cations to permeate. For example, when NaCl is used in the electrolyte, the ion exchange membrane works to prevent sodium ions (Na +) from moving to the acidic chamber and chlorine ions (Cl-) to the alkaline chamber. Electrolyzed water that does not contain (that is, electrolyzed water that does not contain Na +) is produced.

In the acidic chamber 4, an anode plate 9, which is a planar electrode plate, is disposed close to the anion exchange membrane 7, and in the alkaline chamber 5, a cathode plate 10, which is a planar electrode plate, is disposed. It is arranged close to the cation exchange membrane 8.
The apparatus 1 having this configuration supplies a direct current to the electrode plates 9 and 10, and circulates saturated saline in the middle intermediate chamber 3 while supplying the acid chamber 4 and the alkali chamber 5 with soft water-treated raw water. By supplying, acidic water containing hypochlorous acid is obtained from the acidic chamber 4, and alkaline water is obtained from the alkaline chamber 5.
By using an electrolytic cell divided into three chambers as in the present invention, it is possible to generate electrolyzed water (acid water containing effective chlorine) containing almost no salt as described above.
Acidic water generated by the apparatus is less corrosive than acidic water generated in a two-chamber electrolytic cell containing an unelectrolyzed electrolyte.
In the present invention, the case where sodium chloride (NaCl) is used as an electrolyte to be placed in the salt water tank 6 is mainly described. However, in the agricultural field, potassium chloride (KCl) is used as an electrolyte, and other electrolytes can be used. As an electrolyte containing chlorine ions, ammonium chloride [NH 4 Cl], hydrochloric acid [HCl], or the like is used.

  Here, a power source (not shown) for supplying a direct current is most preferably a constant current power source. When the concentration of the salt water supplied to the intermediate chamber 3 changes, the electric resistance changes, so that it becomes difficult for current to flow, and as a result, the amount of effective chlorine generated decreases. Therefore, it is important in the present invention that the power supply is controlled to automatically adjust the voltage so that the electrolytic current is constant and the amount of effective chlorine generated is constant.

Hereinafter, the details of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
The electrolytic cell 2 will be described. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrolytic cell 2, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the assembled electrolytic cell 2, and FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view of the electrolytic cell 2.
The electrolytic cell 2 has a central housing 12 in which a rectangular opening 11 penetrating front and back is formed in a rectangular thick plate, and two side plates 13 and 14 that substantially cover both the left and right side surfaces of the central housing 12. .
The opening 11 is formed as a hole penetrating front and back, and a space serving as the intermediate chamber 3 is formed in the hole. Polypropylene (PP) is used as the optimum material for the central housing 12 and the side plates 13 and 14. In addition, polyphenyl sulfide (PPS), polyethylene (PE), vinyl chloride (PVC), and the like can be used.
On both side surfaces of the central housing 12, step portions 15 and 16 having a certain width and a certain depth from the side surface are provided along the opening edge of the opening 11.

By forming the step portions 15 and 16, a flange-like convex edge 17 that is thinner than the central housing 12 and protrudes toward the center side is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the opening 11.
On the front and back (steps 15, 16) of the flange-shaped convex edge 17, a partition member 19 composed of an anode plate 9 and a diaphragm (anion exchange membrane) 7, and a cathode plate 10 and a diaphragm (cation exchange) A partition wall member 22 composed of a membrane 8 is mounted.
Elastic seal members 23 and 24 are provided on the outer peripheral edges of the partition members 19 and 22, respectively. The elastic seal members 23 and 24 are sandwiched between the side plates 13 and 14 attached to the side surface of the central housing 12 and the convex edge 17 in the opening 11 to fix the partition wall member 19 and the partition wall member 22 and act as packings. is there.

The opening 11 provided in the central housing 12 is formed in a rectangular shape like the outer shape of the central housing 12.
The aforementioned convex edge 17 is formed inside the opening 11, and the intermediate chamber 3 is formed by the partition member 19 and the partition member 22 mounted on the front and back of the convex edge 17 and the convex edge 17. ing.
Further, salt water (water in which salt solution or other electrolyte is dissolved) is circulated and supplied to the intermediate chamber 3 through connection portions 25 and 26 provided at two locations on the outer periphery of the central housing 12. . In the example shown in FIG. 3, salt water is supplied through the connection portion 25, the salt water passes through the intermediate chamber 3 from the lower side toward the upper side, and the salt water after the reaction is passed through the connection portion 26 to the salt water tank 6. It has come to be collected.

The intermediate chamber 3 accommodates a spacer 28 having an outer dimension substantially the same as the inner shape of the intermediate chamber 3. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the spacer 28. The spacer 28 has a lattice-like internal structure integrally formed of synthetic resin, and is configured by connecting two plate-like divided bodies 29 and 31. The spacer 28 is formed with high dimensional accuracy so that the back surface of each of the divided bodies 29 and 31 is brought into contact with each other to be coupled with each other in the intermediate chamber 3 with less backlash.
On both surfaces of the spacer 28, a plurality of ridges (convex portions) 33 provided along the flow direction of the salt water are provided at substantially equal intervals in a state of protruding to the partition wall member side. In the present embodiment, the ridges 33 are provided at an interval of about 5.5 mm, and the heights of the tops of the ridges 33 are formed to be equal. The width of the ridge 33 is 1.5 mm, and has a flat portion having a width of about 0.5 mm at the center of the tip, and both sides of the flat portion are curved surfaces having a radius of 0.5 mm. That is, the ridge 33 is formed so that the cross section has a shape that approximates a semicircle.
In addition, the ridge 33 is formed integrally with the connecting portion 30 that forms a lattice perpendicular to the ridge 33. The surface of the connecting portion 30 is a rectangular flat surface, and the flat surface is provided so as to be approximately 0.5 mm lower than the height of the tip of the ridge 33.

The shape of the outer peripheral portion of the spacer 28 is substantially the same as the inner space of the intermediate chamber 3 formed by the convex edge 17 in the opening 11, and the claw-like engaging portion 40 provided on the convex edge 17. It is fixed by engaging with. The spacer 28 is provided so as to almost completely fill the intermediate chamber 3, but a space for allowing salt water to pass therethrough is provided therein.
The spacer 28 is inserted into the central housing 12 from the anode side, engages with four engaging portions 40 projecting from the four sides of the inner peripheral surface of the convex edge 17 toward the center, and both from the contact position. It is regulated not to move to the reaction chamber side. In the center of the outer peripheral portion of the four sides of the spacer 28, a concave portion 41 that engages with the engaging portion 40 is provided on both sides.
The engaging portion 40 and the concave portion 41 of the spacer 28 are formed with high dimensional accuracy. At the position where the engaging portion 40 and the concave portion 41 are engaged, the top portion of the protruding line 33 of the spacer 28 is the opening surface 11. It is set to be flush with the height of the step portion 15 provided at a depth of about 4 mm on both outer peripheral surfaces (the height of the opening surface formed by the convex edge 17). This structure maintains the positional relationship between the anode plate 9, the anion exchange membrane 7 and the ridge 33 accurately, and controls the pH and the effective chlorine concentration of hypochlorous acid required by the positional relationship of each member. It is an important factor.

A partition wall member 19 composed of the anode plate 9 and the anion exchange membrane 7 is attached to the step portion 15 formed on the periphery of the opening 11 of the central housing 12. An elastic seal member 23 also serving as a seal packing is provided on the outer periphery of the partition wall member 19. The elastic seal member 23 is watertightly held by the side plate 13 attached to the step portion 15 and the central housing 12. Has been.
On the inner surface (on the side of the central housing 12) of the side plate 13, a concave portion having a predetermined depth having an opening shape similar to the opening formed by the convex edge 17 of the central housing 12 is formed. The opening of the recess is closed by the partition member 19 so that a space as the acidic chamber 4 is formed.
The acidic chamber 4 is supplied with water (normal tap water or softened water) through the connection part 42 and acquires acidic water containing hypochlorous acid through the connection part 43. ing.

Similarly, a partition wall member 22 composed of the cathode plate 10 and the cation exchange membrane 8 is attached to the step portion 16 formed at the periphery of the opening 11 of the central housing 12. An elastic seal member 24 that also serves as a seal packing is provided around the outer periphery of the partition wall member 22, and the elastic seal member 24 is sandwiched in a watertight manner by the side plate 14 attached to the step portion 16 and the central housing 12. ing.
On the inner surface (on the side of the central housing 12) of the side plate 14, a concave portion having a predetermined depth having an opening shape similar to the opening formed by the convex edge 17 of the central housing 12 is formed. The opening of the concave portion is closed by the partition wall member 22 so that a space as the alkali chamber 5 is formed.
Water (normal tap water or softened water) is supplied to the alkali chamber 5 through the connection portion 44, and alkaline water is discharged through the connection portion 45.

As described above, the partition member 19 includes the anode plate 9 and the diaphragm (anion exchange membrane) 7. The anode plate 9 is a film 47 having an acid resistance function and a catalytic function on the surface of a metal plate 46 that is resistant to corrosion, such as titanium, in which small holes that allow passage of softened water and anion ions are formed. It is configured as a plate-like body having water permeability coated with iridium or platinum. A direct current is supplied to the anode plate 9 via the electrode terminal 20. Two electrode terminals 20 are provided so as to be exposed to the outside from between the central housing 12 and the side plate 13. The reason for providing two electrode terminals 20 is to aim for an effect that even if one electrode terminal is corroded, the other terminal can supply current.
An anion exchange membrane 7 is disposed on the electrode surface of the anode plate 9 facing the intermediate chamber (salt water chamber) 3 in close proximity to the electrode surface. As the anion exchange membrane 7, those described above are used. The anion exchange membrane 7 is a membrane having strength that is not broken by the water pressure difference between the acidic chamber 4 and the intermediate chamber 3 and flexibility that is deformed to some extent by the water pressure difference.

The partition member 22 includes a cathode plate 10 and a diaphragm (cation exchange membrane) 8. The cathode plate 10 has protective films 49 (on both surfaces of a metal plate 48 that is resistant to corrosion, such as titanium, in which a large number of small holes having the same purpose as the anode plate that allows passage of softened water and cations can be passed. It is configured as a plate-like body having water permeability coated with platinum or the like. A direct current is supplied to the cathode plate 10 via the electrode terminal 21. Two electrode terminals 21 are provided so as to be exposed to the outside from between the central housing 12 and the side plate 14.
Further, a cation exchange membrane 8 is disposed on the electrode surface of the cathode plate 10 facing the intermediate chamber 3 so as to be close to the electrode surface. As the cation exchange membrane 8, those described above are used. The cation exchange membrane 8 is a membrane having a strength that is not broken by a water pressure difference between the alkali chamber 5 and the intermediate chamber 3 and a flexibility that is deformed to some extent by the water pressure difference.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell 2 in which the above-described members are assembled. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view when the electrolytic cell 2 is placed sideways and the lower side in use is viewed from the paper surface side, and is fixed in the housing of the apparatus 1 in the posture shown in FIG. 3 in actual use. . That is, the salt water supplied to the intermediate chamber 3, the water flowing into the acid chamber 4 and the alkali chamber 5 are supplied from below and discharged from above in actual use, and in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. Is supplied from the front side and flows toward the back side.
As shown in FIG. 1, a saturated saline solution is supplied to the electrolytic cell 2 as an electrolyte aqueous solution from a salt water tank 6 provided integrally or separately from the apparatus 1 by a circulation pump 60, and passes through the electrolytic cell 2. The treated water is returned to the salt water tank 6 again. The salt water tank 6 is an overflow tank, and a constant water pressure is always applied to the circulation pump 60 by having a constant water surface with respect to the electrolytic cell 2.
Further, the water pressure in the intermediate chamber 3 is always constant by the height of the water surface in the salt water tank 6 and the steady operation of the circulation pump 60. The internal pressure of the intermediate chamber 3 is appropriately changed according to the required specifications of the electrolyzed water, depending on the position of the salt water surface in the overflow tank, the adjustment of the rotational speed of the circulation pump 60, the flow rate adjusting valve, and the like. Since water circulates in the salt water tank 6 in a state where undissolved salt is always present, the supplied water is almost saturated saline.

Tap water or softened water is supplied to the acid chamber 4 and the alkali chamber 5 of the electrolytic cell 2. Since water softened, that is, soft water, has few magnesium and calcium components that cause scale, there is little generation of scale in the electrolytic cell and piping. The acid chamber 4 and the alkali chamber 5 are formed so that the depth (distance from the electrode surface to the inner wall surface) forms a narrow gap of about 4 mm. That is, it passes through a narrow gap so that the supplied water efficiently contacts the entire electrode surface where electrolysis is performed.
Also, relatively large spaces 50 and 50 are formed near the upper end and the lower end of the narrow gap formed between the electrode surfaces (near the water supply unit and the water discharge unit). The spaces 50 and 50 are buffer chambers for buffering the momentum of water flowing into the tank and the deviation of water pressure in order to obtain substantially equal flow rates of water in contact with the electrode surfaces.

Next, the effect | action of the electrolytic cell 2 of the apparatus 1 in this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 7 shows the state of the electrolytic cell 2 during operation. In addition, since the figure is shown schematically for explanation, it has a part different from other figures in detail.
FIG. 7 shows an intermediate chamber 3 in which a spacer 28 is fixed at the center of the interior, an acidic chamber 4 arranged adjacent to the intermediate chamber 3 via an anion exchange membrane 7 and an anode plate 9, and the intermediate chamber 3. And the alkali chamber 5 arranged adjacent to each other via the cation exchange membrane 8 and the cathode plate 10. About another structure, it is as having shown in FIG. 1, and it abbreviate | omits about piping, a control means, and other description.
As an example, saline is supplied to the intermediate chamber 3 from below to above, and the saline passes through the inside of the spacer 28 and the gap between the surface of the spacer 28 and both ion exchange membranes 7 and 8. ing. Further, the untreated water (for example, tap water) distributed from one water supply path is supplied to the acidic chamber 4 and the alkali chamber 5 so as to flow from below to above in each reaction chamber. Note that the flow rate of water supplied to the alkali chamber 5 may be limited by adjusting a flow rate control means (not shown) such as a throttle. In this embodiment, the pressure in the alkali chamber 5 is limited by limiting the flow rate. Is set lower than the pressure in the acidic chamber 4.

  And in the apparatus 1 in this Embodiment, since the water pressure in the acidic chamber 4 and the alkali chamber 5 is set higher than the water pressure in the intermediate chamber 3, the ion exchange membranes 7 and 8 are intermediate | middle by the said water pressure difference. It is pushed to the chamber 3 side. The ion exchange membranes 7 and 8 that are bent toward the intermediate chamber 3 side due to the water pressure difference are supported by the surface portion of the spacer 28.

Since the water pressure in the acid chamber 4 and the alkali chamber 5 only needs to be set relatively high with respect to the water pressure in the intermediate chamber 3, as described above, a throttle is provided at the connecting portion 25 to the intermediate chamber 3 to reduce the flow rate. A method may be used in which the water pressure in the intermediate chamber 3 is relatively lower than the other two chambers as a result.
On the other hand, as a method of making the water pressure in the two chambers other than the intermediate chamber relatively higher than those in the intermediate chamber 3, a method of adding a throttling function to the connecting portions 43 and 45 and an electrolysis water outlet from the electrolyzed water generator There is a method of providing a throttle valve and a pressure adjustment valve in the vicinity. From the viewpoint of fluctuations in the supplied water pressure, fluctuations in water pressure due to the installation status of the apparatus, and adjustment of the corresponding water pressure, a method in which a throttle valve or a pressure adjustment valve is provided in the portion closest to the electrolytic water outlet is preferable.
These pressure regulating valves are appropriately set appropriately according to the amount (flow rate) of electrolytic water used.

  Note that the method for making the water pressure in the two chambers other than the intermediate chamber, which is a salt water chamber, relatively higher than that in the intermediate chamber 3 is not limited to the case where the variable pressure regulating valve is provided as described above. That is, it is possible to adopt a mode in which several devices with a fixed water pressure difference are provided in series, and one device can be selected from the plurality of devices according to the application. The technical scope of the present invention also includes preparing a plurality of models having different water pressure differences regardless of the model name or series name. Moreover, what has the same effect by components replacement | exchange is also included in the technical scope of this invention.

The surface of the spacer 28 has a lattice shape by a plurality of ridges 33 provided in the vertical direction and a connecting portion 30 provided so as to be orthogonal to the ridges 33. The ion exchange membranes 7 and 8 are in contact with the entire surface almost uniformly.
Further, the ridge 33 provided in a lattice shape and the connecting portion 30 provided at a position slightly lower than the ridge 33 include the anion exchange membrane 7, the anode plate 9, and the cation exchange membrane at the contact portion. 8 and the cathode plate 10 have a function of maintaining a predetermined distance, that is, a function of generating electrolyzed water having desired physical properties.
In other words, even if water pressure fluctuations occur when running tap water, etc., or even if the water pressure difference fluctuates due to the discharge outlet of acidic water or alkaline water being installed higher than the electrolytic cell, ion exchange with the electrode The distance from the film is always substantially constant at the tip of the ridge 33.

On the other hand, since the portion without the ridge 33 and the connecting portion 30 is the same as the hole formed in a grid shape, the ion exchange membrane pressed by the water pressure swells so as to protrude from the portion. The wavy portion shown in FIG. 7 schematically represents the state of the ion exchange membrane 8 protruding from the hole portion.
Since the ion exchange membranes 8 and 9 are slightly elastically deformed (stretched), the amount of deformation differs depending on the water pressure difference with the intermediate chamber 3, and the distance between the electrode of the deformed portion and the ion exchange membrane, The size of the space formed between the electrode and the ion exchange membrane varies.

Here, it will be described how the difference in water pressure affects the generated electrolyzed water (hypochlorous acid water). FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the pH value and the effective chlorine concentration when the water pressure difference fluctuates. In the graph, the horizontal axis represents the water pressure difference (differential pressure: kPa) which is a value obtained by subtracting the pressure in the intermediate chamber from the pressure in the acidic chamber.
The left vertical axis is the pH value. Under the condition of strongly acidic hypochlorous acid water stipulated in the Food Sanitation Law, the pH value is 2.7 or less. The vertical axis on the right represents the effective chlorine concentration (mg / kg)
Under the conditions stipulated in the Food Sanitation Law, it is 20 to 60 mg / kg.
That is, as can be seen from the graph, the effective chlorine concentration decreases although the pH value is lowered (the acid tendency is strong) by increasing the water pressure difference. It can also be seen that the effective chlorine concentration is increased by lowering the water pressure difference, but the pH value is high (acidity tendency is weak).

The experimental results when the distance between the anion exchange membrane 7 and the anode plate 9 is varied regardless of the pressure difference will be described.
FIG. 9a shows a state in which a non-conductive net having a thickness of 1 mm is sandwiched between the anion exchange membrane 7 and the anode plate 9. The table shown in FIG. 10a corresponds to FIG. 9a and shows data when the net is sandwiched between before and between the anion exchange membrane 7 and the anode plate 9. According to the table, it is understood that the effective chlorine concentration decreases when the net is sandwiched, although the pH value decreases. This is consistent with the phenomenon when the water pressure difference is increased.

FIG. 9 b shows a state where a 1 mm thick net is sandwiched between the anion exchange membrane 7 and the spacer 28. That is, the anion exchange membrane 7 is pressed against the anode plate 9.
The table shown in FIG. 10b is data corresponding to FIG. 9b. According to the table, it can be seen that when the anion exchange membrane 7 and the anode plate 9 are close to each other, the effective chlorine concentration increases, but the pH value increases. This is consistent with the phenomenon when the water pressure difference is lowered.

FIG. 9 c shows a state in which a 1 mm thick net is sandwiched between the anion exchange membrane 7 and the spacer 28 and between the cation exchange membrane 8 and the spacer 28. The table shown in FIG. 10c is data corresponding to FIG. 9c. From the experimental results, it can be seen that by pressing the membrane against the electrode, water with little electrolyte flowing between the membrane and the electrode that has become a resistance disappears, the voltage decreases, and the power consumption decreases.
Since the apparatus in the present embodiment performs control to keep the amount of current flowing between the electrodes constant, the increase in voltage is proportional to the increase in power consumption.

As described above, it is understood that the effective chlorine concentration and the pH value vary depending on the distance between the ion exchange membrane and the electrode plate. The distance between the ion exchange membrane and the electrode plate can be set by changing or adjusting the distance between the tip position of the convex portion of the spacer 28 and the electrode plate. Specifically, the thickness of the spacer 28 can be changed structurally, the mounting position can be changed, or a gap adjusting plate can be sandwiched between two spacers 28. it can. There are various specific means. As a result, if the distance between the ion exchange membrane and the electrode plate is variable, all belong to the technical scope of the present invention.
The method for setting the distance between the ion exchange membrane and the electrode plate is not limited to the adjustment of the thickness of the spacer 28 and the mounting position as described above. An intermediate such as a net may be sandwiched between the ion exchange membrane and the electrode plate, as was done in experiments according to the required specifications.
Also, in addition to the one in which the distance between the ion exchange membrane and the electrode plate can be arbitrarily set in one device, several devices in which the distance between the ion exchange membrane and the electrode plate is set in several ways are serially set. It is also possible to adopt a mode in which one device can be selected from the plurality of devices according to use. Moreover, the aspect which provided the diaphragm body for exchange which set several distances between an electrode plate and a diaphragm, and made it possible to select one diaphragm body from the said several diaphragm body according to a use may be sufficient. Any case is included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Further, other actions of the invention of the present application will be described together with the description of the experiment conducted separately. This experiment assumes the case where a hole is opened due to deterioration of the ion exchange membrane, etc., and verifies the situation where the saline solution in the intermediate chamber 3 enters the acidic chamber 3 and mixes with the generated hypochlorous acid water. It is a thing.
FIG. 9 d shows a state in which hypochlorous acid water is generated in a state where the water pressure in the central intermediate chamber 3 is higher than that in the acidic chamber 3 and the alkaline chamber 4. FIG. 9d shows a state in which no hole is formed in the ion exchange membrane, and data corresponding to this is the column d in FIG. 10d. Whether or not the saline solution is mixed in the hypochlorous acid solution can be determined by measuring the conductivity of the solution. In the example of FIG. 9d, the conductivity is 175 (mS / m) in a state where no saline is mixed. That is, if the conductivity is 175 or less, it can be determined that there is no contamination of saline.

FIG. 9e shows an ion exchange membrane provided with five holes of about 0.5 mm diameter for the experiment. The following three experiments (FIG. 9f, FIG. 9g, and FIG. 9h) were performed with the diaphragm provided with the hole.
FIG. 9 f shows a case where salt water is leaked from the intermediate chamber 3 by applying pressure from the intermediate chamber 3 toward the reaction chamber (the acid chamber 4 and the alkali chamber 5). In this case, as shown in the column f of FIG. 10d, the conductivity increased to 645 (mS / m), and it can be seen that the saline solution was mixed.
FIG. 9 g shows the case where the same pressure as the intermediate chamber pressure is applied from the reaction chamber (4, 5) toward the intermediate chamber 3.
In this case, as shown in the column g of FIG. 10d, the conductivity is 423 (mS / m), and it can be seen that saline is mixed.
FIG. 9h shows a case where the pressure is further increased from the reaction chamber toward the intermediate chamber 3 than in the state of FIG. 9g. In this case, as shown in the h column of FIG. 10d, the conductivity is 143 (mS / m), and it can be seen that there is no contamination of saline.
From the above experiment, it is said that by increasing the water pressure on the reaction chamber side as compared with the salt chamber as in the present invention, salt is not mixed into the generated electrolyzed water even if a hole is opened due to breakage of the ion exchange membrane. An effect can be obtained. When salt is mixed in hypochlorous acid water, a chlorine odor is strongly generated, so it is required not to mix.

  The present invention is a technique that can be used for an apparatus that generates electrolyzed water having disinfection and sterilization effects.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline | summary of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of an electrolytic cell. It is an external appearance perspective view of an electrolytic cell. It is an exploded sectional view of an electrolytic cell. It is sectional drawing of an electrolytic cell. It is a perspective view of a spacer. It is explanatory drawing of the electrolytic cell showing an operation state. It is a graph showing the relationship between pH value at the time of changing the water pressure difference in an electrolytic vessel, and effective chlorine concentration. It is sectional drawing etc. of the electrolytic cell in the case of various experiments. It is a table | surface showing an experimental result. It is sectional drawing of the electrolytic cell of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electrolyzed water generator (apparatus)
2 Electrolysis tank 3 Intermediate room (salt water room)
4 acidic water reaction chamber (acid chamber)
5 Alkaline water reaction chamber (alkali chamber)
6 Salt water tank 7 Membrane (anion exchange membrane)
8 Diaphragm (cation exchange membrane)
9 Anode plate (electrode plate)
10 Cathode plate (electrode plate)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Opening 12 Central housing 13, 14 Side plate 15, 16 Step part 17 Convex edge 19 Partition member 20 Electrode terminal 21 Electrode terminal 22 Partition member 23, 24 Elastic seal member 25, 26 Connection part 28 Spacer 29 Plate-shaped division body 30 Connection Part 31 Plate-like divided body 33 Projection (convex part)
40 engaging portion 41 recess 42 connecting portion 43 connecting portion 44 connecting portion 45 connecting portion 46 metal plate 47 coating 60 circulating pump 50 space

Claims (7)

A method for adjusting the effective chlorine concentration of electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing an aqueous electrolyte solution containing chlorine ions,
A diaphragm selectively permeable to anions and a conductive electrode plate having water permeability provided adjacent to the diaphragm;
A salt water chamber to which an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions having an opening facing the diaphragm is supplied;
A reaction chamber having an opening facing the electrode plate,
By forming the water pressure in the reaction chamber higher than the water pressure in the salt water chamber to form a space between the diaphragm and the electrode plate by deformation of the diaphragm ,
By varying the volume of the space or the space formed between the deformation of the diaphragm by adjusting the pressure differential thus the diaphragm and the electrode plate of the said brine chamber and the reaction chamber, the electrolyte discharged from said reaction chamber A method for adjusting the effective chlorine concentration of electrolyzed water, characterized by increasing or decreasing the effective chlorine concentration of water. A method for adjusting the effective chlorine concentration of electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing an aqueous electrolyte solution containing chlorine ions,
A diaphragm selectively permeable to anions and a conductive electrode plate having water permeability provided adjacent to the diaphragm;
A salt water chamber to which an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions having an opening facing the diaphragm is supplied;
A reaction chamber having an opening facing the electrode plate;
A water-permeable spacer supported in the salt water chamber,
The spacer is provided with a plurality of convex portions provided so that the ends thereof are arranged on the same plane facing the opening of the salt water chamber,
By making the water pressure in the reaction chamber higher than the water pressure in the salt water chamber, the diaphragm is brought into contact with the convex part of the spacer surface by deformation of the diaphragm, and the diaphragm and the electrode plate at a part not in contact with the convex part Forming a space between
By changing or adjusting the distance between the tip position of the convex part and the electrode plate, the distance between the diaphragm and the electrode plate or the volume of the formed space is changed, and the effective chlorine concentration of the electrolyzed water discharged from the salt water chamber A method for adjusting the effective chlorine concentration of electrolyzed water, characterized by increasing or decreasing the amount of water.   An electrolyzed water generating device using the method for adjusting the effective chlorine concentration of electrolyzed water according to claim 1 or 2. A method for adjusting the pH of electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing an aqueous electrolyte solution containing chloride ions,
A diaphragm selectively permeable to anions and a conductive electrode plate having water permeability provided adjacent to the diaphragm;
A salt water chamber to which an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions having an opening facing the diaphragm is supplied;
A reaction chamber having an opening facing the electrode plate,
By forming the water pressure in the reaction chamber higher than the water pressure in the salt water chamber to form a space between the diaphragm and the electrode plate by deformation of the diaphragm ,
By varying the volume of the space or the space formed between the deformation of the diaphragm by adjusting the pressure differential thus the diaphragm and the electrode plate of the said brine chamber and the reaction chamber, the electrolyte discharged from said reaction chamber A method for adjusting the pH of electrolyzed water, wherein the pH of water is increased or decreased. A method for adjusting the pH of electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing an aqueous electrolyte solution containing chloride ions,
A diaphragm selectively permeable to anions and a conductive electrode plate having water permeability provided adjacent to the diaphragm;
A salt water chamber to which an aqueous solution of an electrolyte containing chlorine ions having an opening facing the diaphragm is supplied;
A reaction chamber having an opening facing the electrode plate;
A water-permeable spacer supported in the salt water chamber,
The spacer is provided with a plurality of convex portions provided so that the ends thereof are arranged on the same plane facing the opening of the salt water chamber,
By making the water pressure in the reaction chamber higher than the water pressure in the salt water chamber, the diaphragm is brought into contact with the convex part of the spacer surface by deformation of the diaphragm, and the diaphragm and the electrode plate at a part not in contact with the convex part Forming a space between
Thus the deformation of the diaphragm due to change or adjust the distance between the tip position and the electrode plate of the convex portion, varying the volume of the space or the space formed between the diaphragm and the electrode plate is discharged from the brine chamber A method for adjusting the pH of electrolyzed water, characterized by increasing or decreasing the pH of the electrolyzed water.   An electrolyzed water generating apparatus using the method for adjusting pH of electrolyzed water according to claim 4 or 5. An electrolytic cell having a salt water chamber to which an aqueous electrolyte solution containing chlorine ions is supplied and two reaction chambers provided on both sides of the salt water chamber,
The brine chamber is connected to both reaction chambers via an ion permeable membrane and a conductive electrode plate having water permeability provided adjacent to the ion permeable membrane,
In the salt water chamber, there is provided a spacer formed with a plurality of convex portions whose tips substantially abut against the surface of the ion permeable membrane,
By increasing the water pressure in the reaction chamber than in the salt water chamber, the ion permeable membrane is pressed against the spacer surface having the convex portions,
The distance between the ion permeable membrane and the electrode plate is the minimum in the vicinity where the convex portion is in contact, and the portion where the convex portion is not provided is separated by the swelling of the ion permeable membrane due to the water pressure. An electrolyzed water generator characterized by being made.

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