JP2017056376A - Electrolysis tank and electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrolyzed water generating apparatus having excellent electrolysis efficiency.SOLUTION: There is provided an electrolysis tank which is two first electrodes 18a and 18b, at least one second electrode 20 which is different in polarity from the first electrodes, an intermediate chamber 15 in which the second electrode is disposed, a first electrode chamber 14a and a second electrode chamber 14b in which the first electrodes are disposed respectively, wherein the electrolysis tank comprises the first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b which are disposed so as to sandwich the intermediate chamber 15 from both sides, a first diaphragm 16a for partitioning between the first electrode chamber and the intermediate chamber and a second diaphragm 16b for partitioning between the second electrode chamber and the intermediate chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electrolytic cell and an electrolyzed water generating apparatus using the electrolytic cell.

  In recent years, there has been provided an electrolyzed water generating apparatus that generates electrolyzed water having various functions by electrolyzing water, for example, alkaline ionized water, ozone water, or hypochlorous acid water. As a method for producing electrolyzed water, for example, there is a method of producing chlorine gas at the anode by electrolyzing an electrolytic solution containing chlorine and reacting this chlorine gas with water to produce hypochlorous acid water and hydrochloric acid water. Are known. Known methods of using hypochlorous acid water include sterilization and deodorization.

  As an electrolyzed water generating apparatus for generating such hypochlorous acid water, there are electrolyzers having a one-diaphragm two-chamber electrolytic cell and a two-diaphragm three-chamber electrolytic cell. The one-diaphragm two-chamber type electrolytic cell includes an electrolytic cell in which an anode chamber containing an anode and a cathode chamber containing a cathode are opposed to each other with a diaphragm passing only specific ions. The one-diaphragm two-chamber electrolytic cell is one in which, for example, water mixed with salt is allowed to flow as an electrolytic solution, and acidic water is generated in the anode chamber and alkaline water is generated in the cathode chamber. The acidic water is water in which hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid are mixed, and the alkaline water is water containing sodium hydroxide water or dissolved hydrogen.

  In the two-diaphragm three-chamber electrolytic cell, an intermediate chamber filled with an electrolytic solution such as salt water is disposed between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber in order to prevent salt from being mixed into the generated acidic water and alkaline water. The intermediate chamber and the anode chamber are separated by an anion exchange membrane, and the intermediate chamber and the cathode chamber are separated by a cation exchange membrane. And only the anion or cation required for electrolysis from salt water is passed through the anode chamber or the cathode chamber.

Japanese Patent No. 3287649 Japanese Patent No. 3500173

  The subject of this embodiment is providing the electrolytic cell which can aim at the improvement of a production | generation capability and mechanical strength, and an electrolyzed water generating apparatus provided with this electrolytic cell.

  According to the embodiment, the electrolytic cell of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus includes two first electrodes, at least one second electrode having a polarity different from that of the first electrode, an intermediate chamber in which the second electrode is disposed, A first electrode chamber and a second electrode chamber in which the first electrode is disposed, respectively, the first electrode chamber and the second electrode chamber disposed so as to sandwich the intermediate chamber from both sides; and the first electrode chamber And a first diaphragm that partitions the intermediate chamber and a second diaphragm that partitions the second electrode chamber and the intermediate chamber.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an electrolytic cell of the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrolytic cell. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first cover plate of the electrolytic cell. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the inner diameter of the joint pipe, the amount of flowing water, and the pressure loss. FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an electrolytic cell of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an electrolytic cell of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the third embodiment.

  Various embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected to a common structure through embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram for promoting the embodiment and its understanding, and its shape, dimensions, ratio, etc. are different from the actual device, but these are considered in consideration of the following description and known techniques. The design can be changed as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
Drawing 1 is a figure showing roughly the composition of the whole electrolyzed water generating device which has the electrolysis tank concerning a 1st embodiment. First, the configuration of the entire electrolyzed water generating device will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 includes a so-called three-chamber electrolytic tank 11. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 is an apparatus that generates hypochlorous acid water used for sterilization and sterilization. Water and an electrolytic solution are supplied to the electrolytic cell 11, and electrolysis is performed by performing necessary electrolytic treatment in the electrolytic cell 11. Hypochlorous acid water and unnecessary waste water are discharged from the tank 11.

  The electrolytic cell 11 is formed in, for example, a rectangular box shape, and the inside thereof is left and right on both sides of the intermediate chamber 15 and the intermediate chamber 15 by two ion exchange membranes (a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm) 16a and 16b. It is partitioned into a first electrode chamber 14a and a second electrode chamber 14b that are positioned symmetrically. The electrolytic cell 11 has at least a pair of electrodes, and at least one of a pair of electrodes is provided outside the other electrode, and the other is an electrode chamber containing these two electrodes. An intermediate chamber (electrode chamber) containing the electrodes is sandwiched from the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the electrolytic cell 11 includes two first electrodes (two anodes) 18a and 18b and a second electrode (cathode) 20 having a polarity different from that of the first electrode. The two first electrodes 18a and 18b are disposed in the first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b, and face the ion exchange membranes 16a and 16b, respectively. The first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b function as a first anode chamber and a second anode chamber that accommodate the anode, respectively. The second electrode (cathode) is disposed in the intermediate chamber 15 and faces the ion exchange membranes 16a and 16b with a gap. The intermediate chamber 15 functions as an electrolyte chamber for storing an electrolyte solution and a cathode chamber for storing a cathode. Accordingly, the intermediate chamber 15 accommodating the second electrode 20 is sandwiched from the outside by the first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b accommodating the first electrodes 18a and 18b, respectively. The electrolytic cell 11 is formed symmetrically about the intermediate chamber 15.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 includes an electrolyte solution supply unit 19 that supplies an electrolytic solution containing a halogen element to the intermediate chamber 15 of the electrolytic cell 11, for example, salt water in which salt is dissolved, and a first electrode chamber. 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b to be electrolyzed water, for example, a water supply unit 21 for supplying water, a power source 23 for applying a positive voltage and a negative voltage to the first electrodes 18a, 18b and the second electrode 20, respectively, and a power source And a controller 24 that controls the controller 23.

  The electrolyte supply unit 19 includes a salt water tank 25 that generates salt water, a supply pipe 19 a that guides the salt water from the salt water tank 25 to a lower portion of the intermediate chamber 15, and an electrolyte that flows in the intermediate chamber 15 from the upper portion of the intermediate chamber 15. A drainage pipe 19b for draining, a water supply pipe 19c for supplying water from the water supply unit 21 to the upper part of the salt water tank 25, a solenoid valve (a throttle valve) 30a provided in the water supply pipe 19c, and a drain pipe 19b A solenoid valve (throttle valve) 30b. In addition, the electrolyte solution supply part 19 may be provided with the liquid feeding pump provided in the water supply piping 19c.

  The water supply unit 21 includes a water supply source (not shown) that supplies water, a first water supply pipe 21a that guides water from the water supply source to a lower portion of the first electrode chamber 14a and a lower portion of the second electrode chamber 14b, and the first electrode chamber 14a. A first drain pipe 21b for discharging water flowing from the upper part of the first electrode chamber 14a, a second drain pipe 21c for discharging water flowing through the second electrode chamber 14b from the upper part of the second electrode chamber 14b, And a solenoid valve (throttle valve) 30c provided in the middle of the one water supply pipe 21a. In addition, the water supply pipe 19c of the electrolyte solution supply unit 19 described above is connected to the first water supply pipe 21a between the water supply source and the electromagnetic valve 30c.

An operation of electrolyzing salt water to generate acidic water (hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid) and alkaline water (sodium hydroxide) by the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, while supplying salt water from the salt water tank 25 to the intermediate chamber 15 of the electrolytic cell 11, water is supplied to the first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b. At the same time, a positive voltage and a negative voltage are applied from the power source 23 to the first electrodes 18a and 18b and the second electrode 20, respectively. Chlorine ions ionized in the brine flowing into the intermediate chamber 15 are attracted to the first electrodes 18a and 18b, pass through the ion exchange membranes 16a and 16b, and go to the first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b. Inflow. Then, chlorine ions are reduced at the first electrodes 18a and 18b to generate chlorine gas. Thereafter, the chlorine gas reacts with water in the first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b to generate hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid. The acidic water (hypochlorous acid water and hydrochloric acid) generated in this way flows out from the first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b through the first drain pipe 21b and the second drain pipe 21c, and is illustrated. Not sent to water storage tank etc.

In the intermediate chamber 15, water is electrolyzed by the second electrode 20 to generate hydrogen gas. At the same time, the generated hydroxide ions are combined with sodium ions to generate an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (alkaline water). To do. The generated sodium hydroxide aqueous solution and hydrogen gas flow out from the intermediate chamber 15 to the drain pipe 19b and are drained through the drain pipe 19b.
The power supply 23 and the controller 24 operate so that a positive voltage is applied to the first electrodes 18a and 18b and a negative voltage is applied to the second electrode 20, and the current flowing between the two electrodes is maintained at a set constant current. To do. As a result, the above-described electrolytic reaction becomes a constant generation amount based on the charge amount, and generates electrolyzed water having a predetermined concentration.

  By installing the two first electrodes 18a and 18b so as to sandwich both sides of the intermediate chamber 15 in this way, it is possible to flow twice the current while leaving the area of the electrolytic cell 11 unchanged. The electrolytic cell 11 and the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 can be realized in a compact manner. Further, it is necessary to flow a large amount of water to the electrolytic cell 11 as the amount of production increases, but the first and second electrode chambers 14a and 14b housing the first electrodes 18a and 18b are arranged on the outermost side of the electrolytic cell 11. Therefore, as will be described later, this can be dealt with by increasing the thickness of the first and second electrode chambers 14a and 14b and increasing the inner diameter of the inflow and outflow joint pipes.

  In the embodiment, the same current is distributed and supplied to the first electrodes 18a and 18b. However, for electrode consumption and water quality adjustment, the two electrodes are operated alternately to pause one or The size may be arbitrarily changed.

Next, the configuration of the electrolytic cell 11 will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrolytic cell.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electrolytic cell 11 has a pair of rectangular frame-shaped intermediate frames 32a and 32b that function as partition walls, and have an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to that of the intermediate frames 32a and 32b. A rectangular plate-shaped first cover plate (first cover member) 34 covering the frame and a rectangular plate-shaped second cover plate (first cover member) having an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to that of the intermediate frames 32a and 32b and covering the other side surface of the intermediate frame. 2 cover member) 36. The intermediate frames 32a and 32b form an intermediate chamber 15 by their inner peripheral surfaces. The first cover plate 34 forms a first electrode chamber 14a by a recess formed in the inner surface thereof, and the second cover plate 36 forms a second electrode chamber 14b by a recess formed in the inner surface thereof. doing.

  First inflow joint pipes 38a and 38b communicating with the intermediate chamber 15 are formed at the lower end portions of the side walls of the intermediate frames 32a and 32b, respectively. One outflow joint pipe 40a, 40b is provided. A supply pipe 19a is connected to the first inflow joint pipes 38a and 38b, and a drain pipe 19b is connected to the first outflow joint pipes 40a and 40b.

A second inflow joint pipe 42a (see FIG. 4) communicating with the first electrode chamber 14a is formed at the lower end of the side wall of the first cover plate 34, and the first electrode chamber is formed at the upper end of the other side wall of the first cover plate 34. A second outflow joint pipe 42b communicating with 14a is formed. Similarly, a third inflow joint pipe 44a communicating with the second electrode chamber 14b is formed at the lower end of the side wall of the second cover plate 36, and the second electrode chamber 14b is formed at the upper end of the other side wall of the second cover plate 36. A third outflow joint pipe 44b that communicates is formed.
The first water supply pipe 21a is connected to the second inflow joint pipe 42a and the third inflow joint pipe 44a, and the first drain pipe 21b and the second drain pipe 21c are connected to the second outflow joint pipe 42b and the third outflow joint pipe 44b. Each is connected.

  The second electrode (cathode) 20 is formed in a rectangular plate shape having an outer diameter substantially equal to the intermediate frames 32a and 32b, and has a connection terminal 31 protruding from the upper edge. The second electrode 20 is fixed to the electrolytic cell 11 with its peripheral edge sandwiched between the intermediate frames 32 a and 32 b and is located in the intermediate chamber 15.

  An anion exchange membrane 16a is disposed as a first diaphragm between the intermediate frame 32a and the first cover plate 34, and separates the intermediate chamber 15 and the first electrode chamber 14a. The first electrode (anode) 18a is formed in a rectangular plate shape having an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the intermediate frames 32a and 32b, and has a connection terminal 33a protruding from the upper edge thereof. The first electrode 18 a is fixed to the electrolytic cell 11 with the peripheral edge portion sandwiched between the intermediate frame 32 a and the first cover plate 34. Thereby, the 1st electrode 18a is located in the 1st electrode chamber 14a in the state which faced and approached the anion exchange membrane 16a.

  An anion exchange membrane 16b is disposed as a second diaphragm between the intermediate frame 32b and the second cover plate 36, and separates the intermediate chamber 15 and the second electrode chamber 14b. The first electrode (anode) 18b is formed in a rectangular plate shape having an outer diameter substantially equal to the intermediate frames 32a and 32b, and has a connection terminal 33b protruding from the upper edge thereof. The first electrode 18b is fixed to the electrolytic cell 11 with the peripheral edge portion being sandwiched between the intermediate frame 32b and the second cover plate 36. Thereby, the 1st electrode 18b is located in the 2nd electrode chamber 14b in the state where the anion exchange membrane 16b approached. The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are not limited to ion exchange membranes, and may be porous membranes having water permeability.

  Between the constituent members of the electrolytic cell 11, that is, between the peripheral edge of the first cover plate 34 and the peripheral edge of the first electrode 18a, between the peripheral edge of the anion exchange membrane 16a and the intermediate frame 32a, and the intermediate frame 32a. Between the peripheral edge of the first electrode 18b, between the peripheral edge of the second electrode 20 and the intermediate frame 32b, between the intermediate frame 32b and the peripheral edge of the anion exchange membrane 16b, and the peripheral edge of the first electrode 18b. A rectangular frame-shaped and sheet-shaped sealing material 48 for preventing water leakage is disposed between the first cover plate 36 and the peripheral edge of the second cover plate 36.

  A plurality of fixing bolts 50 are inserted through the peripheral edge of each component member, for example, inserted from the second cover plate 36 side, and the tip portion protrudes from the first cover plate 34. A nut 52 is screwed into the tip of each fixing bolt 50. The fixing bolts 50 and the nuts 52 as fastening members fasten the peripheral portions of the constituent members to each other and maintain the water tightness of the intermediate chamber 15, the first electrode chamber 14a, and the second electrode chamber 14b.

Next, each component of the electrolytic cell 11 is demonstrated in detail.
As shown in FIG. 3, each of the anion exchange membranes 16a and 16b has an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the intermediate frame 32a and is formed in a thin rectangular plate shape having a thickness of about 100 to 200 μm. The anion exchange membranes 16a and 16b have a characteristic of allowing only specific ions to pass therethrough. A plurality of through holes through which the fixing bolts 50 are inserted are formed in the peripheral portions of the anion exchange membranes 16a and 16b.

  The anion exchange membrane 16a is disposed to face one side of the intermediate frame 32a, and the peripheral edge thereof is in close contact with the intermediate frame 32a via the sealing material 40. Similarly, the anion exchange membrane 16b is disposed to face the other surface side of the intermediate frame 32b, and the peripheral edge thereof is in close contact with the intermediate frame 32b via the sealing material 40. The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are not limited to ion exchange membranes, and may be porous membranes having water permeability.

  The first electrodes 18a and 18b and the second electrode 20 are each formed of a metal flat plate having a thickness of about 1 mm, and are formed in a rectangular shape having substantially the same outer diameter as that of the intermediate frames 32a and 32b. Yes. A fine through hole for allowing liquid to pass through is formed in the central portion (effective region) of the first electrode 18a, 18b and the second electrode 20, and a plurality of holes for inserting the fixing bolt 50 are inserted in the peripheral portion of the electrode. A through hole is formed. The first electrodes 18a and 18b have connection terminals 33a and 33b protruding from one side edge thereof. The 1st electrode 18a is arrange | positioned facing the anion exchange membrane 16a, and is in contact with the anion exchange membrane 16a. The first electrode 18b is disposed to face the anion exchange membrane 16b and is in close contact with the anion exchange membrane 16b.

The first and second cover plates 34 and 36 of the electrolytic cell 11 will be described in more detail. Since the first cover plate 34 and the second cover plate 36 have the same configuration, the first cover plate 34 will be described as a representative here.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inner surface side of the first cover plate. As shown in this figure, the first cover plate 34 has an inner surface 34a facing the first electrode 18a and an outer surface on the opposite side. A rectangular recess 60 is formed in the inner surface 24 a of the first cover plate 34, and the first electrode chamber 14 a is formed by the recess 60. The first electrode chamber 14a is provided with a plurality of channels through which water flows. That is, a plurality of linear ribs 64 are erected on the bottom surface of the recess 60 and extend, for example, in the vertical direction (second direction Y). These ribs 64 are provided in parallel to each other and at a predetermined interval. Between the two adjacent ribs 64, linear flow grooves 65 extending in the vertical direction are formed. The plurality of flow grooves 65 are opposed to the central portion of the first electrode 18a, and each form a first flow path P1 through which water flows. The width and depth of the flow groove 65 are, for example, width: 8 mm and depth: 2 mm.

  In the first electrode chamber 14a, a pair of upper and lower lateral grooves 66a communicating with both end portions of each flow groove 65 is formed. The lateral groove 66a is a portion that receives water supply and drainage to the first electrode chamber 14a, has a large capacity, and forms a manifold.

  The second inflow joint pipe 42a provided at the lower portion of the side wall of the first cover plate 34 communicates with the lower lateral groove 66a. A second outflow joint pipe 42b provided on the other side wall of the first cover plate 34 communicates with the upper lateral groove 66a.

  The first cover plate 34 configured as described above is made of resin and has a plate thickness L of 20 mm. Usually, since the resin cover plate is soft, it often swells due to water pressure, but in the present embodiment, the thickness L of the first cover plate 34 and the second cover plate 36 is increased more than double the conventional one. Specifically, the bending rigidity by plate | board thickness is strengthened by setting it as 15 mm or more. The number of bolts and nuts 50 and 52 necessary for crushing the sealing material 48 for preventing water leakage is reduced to about half that of the prior art, and the swelling of the electrolytic cell 11 due to water pressure is reduced to about 1/10 of that of the conventional method. In addition, mechanical deformation and displacement of the ion exchange membrane can be prevented.

  Further, the second inflow joint pipe 42a and the second outflow joint pipe 42b are joint pipes having a large inner diameter d of 15 mm. Specifically, by setting the inner diameter d to 10 mm or more, it is possible to cope with a large amount of hypochlorous acid water generation. Specifically, by setting the inner diameter d of the joint pipe communicating with the electrode chamber to 10 mm or more, a large amount of flowing water of 10 L / min or more can be realized with a low pressure loss, and the first and second electrode chambers 14a and 14b. The flow rate of chlorine ions that permeate and diffuse through the anion exchange membranes 16a and 16b can be suppressed to a minimum by increasing the flow rate of the internal flow sufficiently, and the chlorine gas generation efficiency can be increased.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the inner diameter d of the joint pipe and the pressure loss for each flowing water amount. Here, the pressure loss includes pressure loss in the pipes 21a and 21c connected to the first electrode chamber 14a (or the second electrode chamber 14b). However, since the flow groove 65 of the first electrode chamber is arranged so as to extend over a large width, almost no pressure loss occurs, and the pressure loss mainly occurs in the inflow / outflow joint pipe and the subsequent piping section. In this embodiment, since the inner diameter of both the inflow / outflow joint pipes is 15 mm, the pressure loss can be suppressed to about 5 kPa even when the flow is 30 L / minute. That is, 60 L / min of running water can be fed at about 5 kPa according to the first and second electrode chambers 14a and 14b.

  As can be seen from the figure, the relationship between the flow rate and the pressure loss is not linear, and has a feature that it increases rapidly as the flow rate increases. For this reason, in the electrolyzed water generating apparatus that generates a large flow rate of 10 L / min or more, it is important to set the inner diameter of the inflow / outflow joint part to 10 mm or more and the pressure loss to 5 kPa or less.

In the electrolytic cell 11, two anode chambers (first and second electrode chambers 14 a and 14 b) for generating the required hypochlorous acid water are arranged symmetrically, and a second electrode (cathode) is provided. The intermediate chamber (cathode chamber) is sandwiched between the two anode chambers from both sides. Moreover, a strong and large flow rate electrolytic cell is realized by sandwiching a thin intermediate chamber (cathode chamber) from both sides with a thick anode chamber (first and second cover plates). Furthermore, by providing two first electrodes (anodes), double the amount of hypochlorous acid water can be generated if the electrolytic density at each first electrode is constant. On the other hand, if the amount of anode current is constant, the current density can be reduced to half that of a conventional single anode, and the life of the electrode can be extended.
From the above, according to the first embodiment, an electrolytic cell capable of improving the generation capability and the mechanical strength and an electrolyzed water generating apparatus including the electrolytic cell are obtained.

  In the first embodiment described above, two first electrodes are anodes and one second electrode is a cathode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the two first electrodes are cathodes and one second electrode is an anode. It is good. That is, when alkaline water is mainly produced, an intermediate chamber (anode chamber) is arranged in the center of the electrolytic cell, and first and second electrode chambers (cathode chambers) are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides, and two first electrodes ( By adopting a configuration in which the intermediate chamber (anode chamber) is sandwiched between the cathode), a large amount of alkaline water generated at the cathode can be generated in a simple electrolytic cell.

  Next, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to another embodiment will be described. In other embodiments described below, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted, and the parts different from those in the first embodiment. Will be described in detail.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrolyzed water generating device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an electrolyzer of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the second embodiment.
According to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the second electrodes (cathodes) 20 a and 20 b are also two, and are arranged in the intermediate chamber (cathode chamber) 15. That is, the second electrode 20a faces the first electrode 18a with the anion exchange membrane 16a interposed therebetween. The second electrode 20b faces the first electrode 18b with the anion exchange membrane 16b interposed therebetween. The two second electrodes 20 a and 20 b are connected to the power source 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the intermediate chamber 15 of the electrolytic cell 11 is formed by a single intermediate frame 32. The second electrodes 20a and 20b are each formed in a rectangular plate shape having an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the intermediate frame 32, and have connection terminals 31a and 31b protruding from the upper edge thereof. The second electrode 20 a is fixed to the electrolytic cell 11 with its peripheral edge sandwiched between the intermediate frame 32 and the ion exchange membrane 16 a and is located in the intermediate chamber 15. The second electrode 20 b is fixed to the electrolytic cell 11 with its peripheral edge sandwiched between the intermediate frame 32 and the ion exchange membrane 16 b and is located in the intermediate chamber 15. Thus, the first electrode 18a is stacked on the second electrode 20a with the anion exchange membrane 16a interposed therebetween, and the first electrode 18b is stacked on the second electrode 20b with the anion exchange membrane 16b interposed therebetween. Other configurations of the electrolytic cell 11 are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

  According to the second embodiment, by using a single intermediate frame, the component configuration of the electrolytic cell can be further consolidated and simplified. In addition, it is possible to reduce the electrolytic voltage by narrowing the interval between the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby realizing power saving of the apparatus. In addition, also in 2nd Embodiment, the effect similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above can be acquired. Also in the second embodiment, the first electrode may be a cathode and the second electrode may be an anode.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrolyzed water generating device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an electrolyzer of the electrolyzed water generating device according to the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the electrolytic cell 11 includes two first electrodes (anodes) 18a and 18b and two second electrodes (cathodes) 20a and 20b. The electrolytic cell 11 includes an intermediate chamber 15 in which two second electrodes 20a and 20b are disposed, a first electrode chamber 14a that is disposed on both sides of the intermediate chamber 15, and stores the first electrodes 18a and 18b, respectively. The second electrode chamber 14b, the first electrolyte chamber 43a disposed between the intermediate chamber 15 and the first electrode chamber 14a, and the second electrolysis disposed between the intermediate chamber 15 and the second electrode chamber 14b. And a liquid chamber 43b. A first cation exchange membrane (third membrane) 45a and a second cation exchange membrane (fourth membrane) 45b are provided on both sides of the intermediate chamber 15 as membranes. The first cation exchange membrane 45a partitions the intermediate chamber 15 and the first electrolyte chamber 43a, and the second cation exchange membrane 45b partitions the intermediate chamber 15 and the second electrolyte chamber 43b. Yes. Furthermore, in the electrolytic cell 11, the 1st anion exchange membrane (1st diaphragm) 16a which partitions off the 1st electrolyte solution chamber 43a and the 1st electrode chamber 14a, the 2nd electrolyte solution chamber 43b, and the 2nd electrode chamber 14b Is provided with a second anion exchange membrane (second diaphragm) 16b.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the electrolytic cell 11 includes a rectangular frame-shaped intermediate frame 32 that forms the intermediate chamber 15, a first cover plate 34 having a first electrode chamber 14a, and a second electrode chamber 14b having a second electrode chamber 14b. A cover frame 36, a rectangular frame-shaped first frame 46a that is disposed between the intermediate frame 32 and the first cover plate 34 and forms the first electrolyte chamber 43a, and between the intermediate frame 32 and the second cover plate 36. And a rectangular frame-like second frame 46b that forms the second electrolyte solution chamber 43b. The first cover plate 34 and the second cover plate 36 are each formed to have a thickness of 20 mm or more.

  The first electrodes 18a and 18b are each formed in a rectangular plate shape having an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to that of the intermediate frame 32, and have connection terminals 31a and 31b protruding from the upper edge thereof. The first electrode 18a is fixed to the electrolytic cell 11 with its peripheral edge sandwiched between the first cover plate 34, the first frame 46a, and the first anion exchange membrane 16a. Is located. The first electrode 18b is fixed to the electrolytic cell 11 with its peripheral edge sandwiched between the second cover plate 36, the second frame 46b, and the second anion exchange membrane 16b, and the second electrode chamber 14b Is located.

  The second electrodes 20a and 20b are each formed in a rectangular plate shape having an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the intermediate frame 32, and have connection terminals 31a and 31b protruding from the upper edge thereof. The second electrode 20a is fixed to the electrolytic cell 11 with its peripheral edge sandwiched between the intermediate frame 32, the first cation exchange membrane 45a and the first frame 46a, and is located in the intermediate chamber 15. Yes. The second electrode 20b is fixed to the electrolytic cell 11 with its peripheral edge sandwiched between the intermediate frame 32, the second cation exchange membrane 45b and the second frame 46b, and is positioned in the intermediate chamber 15. Yes. Thus, the first electrode 18a and the second electrode 20a are disposed to face each other with the first anion exchange membrane 16a, the first cation exchange membrane 45a, and the first electrolyte chamber 43a interposed therebetween. Yes. The first electrode 18b and the second electrode 20b are disposed to face each other with the second anion exchange membrane 16b, the second cation exchange membrane 45b, and the second electrolyte chamber 43b interposed therebetween. .

  A first inflow joint pipe 38 communicating with the intermediate chamber 15 is formed at the lower end of the side wall of the intermediate frame 32, and a first outflow joint pipe communicating with the intermediate chamber 15 is provided at the upper end of the other side wall of the intermediate frame 32. Yes. A first water supply pipe 21a is connected to the first inflow joint pipe, and a third drainage pipe 21d is connected to the first outflow joint pipe.

A second inflow joint pipe communicating with the first electrode chamber 14a is formed at the lower end portion of the side wall of the first cover plate 34, and a second communicating with the first electrode chamber 14a is formed at the upper end portion of the other side wall of the first cover plate 34. An outflow joint pipe 42b is formed. Similarly, a third inflow joint pipe communicating with the second electrode chamber 14b is formed at the lower end of the side wall of the second cover plate 36, and communicated with the second electrode chamber 14b at the upper end of the other side wall of the second cover plate 36. A third outflow joint pipe 44b is formed.
The first water supply pipe 21a is connected to the second inflow joint pipe and the third inflow joint pipe, and the first drain pipe 21b and the second drain pipe 21c are connected to the second outflow joint pipe and the third outflow joint pipe 44b, respectively. The

  Furthermore, a fourth inflow joint pipe (not shown) communicating with the first electrolyte solution chamber 43a is provided on the lower wall portion of the first frame 46a, and the first electrolyte solution chamber 43a is provided on the upper wall portion of the first frame 46a. Is provided with a fourth outflow joint pipe 50b. A fifth inflow joint pipe (not shown) communicating with the second electrolyte chamber 43b is provided on the lower wall portion of the second frame 46b, and communicated with the second electrolyte chamber 43b on the upper wall portion of the second frame 46b. A fifth outflow joint pipe 52b is provided. A supply pipe 19a of the electrolyte solution supply unit 19 is connected to the fourth inflow joint pipe and the fifth inflow joint pipe. The first electrolyte drain pipe 19b and the second electrolyte drain pipe 19d of the electrolyte supply unit 19 are connected to the fourth outlet joint pipe 50b and the fifth outlet joint pipe 52b.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the electrolytic solution supply unit 19 of the electrolytic water generating apparatus 10 includes a salt water tank 25 that generates salt water, a lower portion of the first electrolytic solution chamber 43a and a lower portion of the second electrolytic solution chamber 43b from the salt water tank 25. A supply pipe 19a for introducing salt water into the supply pipe 19a, a liquid feed pump 35 provided in the supply pipe 19a, and the electrolyte flowing through the first electrolyte chamber 43a are drained from the upper part of the first electrolyte chamber 43a to the salt water tank 25. A first electrolyte drain pipe 19b leading to the second electrolyte chamber 43b, and a second electrolyte drain pipe 19d leading to the salt water tank 25 by draining the electrolyte flowing in the second electrolyte chamber 43b from the upper part of the second electrolyte chamber 43b. I have.

The water supply unit 21 includes a water supply source (not shown) that supplies water, and a first water supply pipe 21a that guides water from the water supply source to a lower portion of the first electrode chamber 14a, a lower portion of the second electrode chamber 14b, and a lower portion of the intermediate chamber 15. A first drain pipe 21b for discharging water flowing through the first electrode chamber 14a from the upper part of the first electrode chamber 14a, and a first drain for discharging water flowing through the second electrode chamber 14b from the upper part of the second electrode chamber 14b. 2 drainage piping 21c and an electromagnetic valve (throttle valve) 30c provided in the middle of the first water supply piping 21a.
The power source 23 applies a positive voltage to the first electrodes 18a and 18b and a negative voltage to the second electrodes 20a and 20b.

An operation of electrolyzing salt water to generate acidic water (hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid) and alkaline water (sodium hydroxide) by the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, salt water is supplied from the salt water tank 25 to the first and second electrolyte chambers 43a and 43b of the electrolytic cell 11, and is supplied to the first electrode chamber 14a, the intermediate chamber 15, and the second electrode chamber 14b. Supply water. At the same time, a positive voltage and a negative voltage are applied from the power source 23 to the first electrodes 18a and 18b and the second electrodes 20a and 20b, respectively. Chlorine ions ionized in the salt water flowing into the first and second electrolyte chambers 43a and 43b are attracted to the first electrodes 18a and 18b and pass through the first and second anion exchange membranes 16a and 16b. Then, it flows into the first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b. Then, chlorine ions are reduced at the first electrodes 18a and 18b to generate chlorine gas. Thereafter, the chlorine gas reacts with water in the first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b to generate hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid. The acidic water (hypochlorous acid water and hydrochloric acid) generated in this way flows out from the first electrode chamber 14a and the second electrode chamber 14b through the first drain pipe 21b and the second drain pipe 21c, and is illustrated. Not sent to water storage tank etc.

  Further, in the intermediate chamber 15, water is electrolyzed by the second electrodes 20 a and 20 b to generate hydrogen gas, and at the same time, the generated hydroxide ions are combined with sodium ions to provide a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (alkaline water). Is generated. The generated sodium hydroxide aqueous solution and hydrogen gas flow out from the intermediate chamber 15 to the third drain pipe 21d, and are sent to the water storage tank or the like through the third drain pipe 21d.

  According to the electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to the third embodiment configured as described above, the electrolytic cell 11 has one intermediate chamber (cathode chamber) 15 that houses two second electrodes (cathodes) 20a20b in the center. The first electrolyte chamber 43a and the second electrolyte chamber 43b are disposed outside the first and second cation exchange membranes 40a and 40b, and the first and second anions are disposed outside the first electrolyte chamber 43a and the second electrolyte chamber 43b. A first electrode chamber 14a and a second electrode chamber 14b in which the first electrodes (anodes) 18a and 18b are accommodated are arranged via the ion exchange membranes 16a and 16b. When the first and second electrolyte chambers 43a and 43b dedicated for flowing the electrolyte are added, the structure is complicated, but the mixture of the electrolyte into the intermediate chamber (cathode chamber) is eliminated, and the cathode water (here Then, sodium hydroxide water) can be used effectively. In addition, also in 3rd Embodiment, the effect similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above can be acquired. Also in the third embodiment, the first electrode can be a cathode and the second electrode can be an anode.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.
For example, the electrolytic solution may be other than salt water, and the generated electrolytic water may be electrolytic water other than hypochlorous acid water.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Electrolyzer, 14a ... 1st electrode chamber, 14b ... 2nd electrode chamber, 15 ... Intermediate | middle chamber,
16a ... 1st anion exchange membrane, 16b ... 2nd anion exchange membrane,
18a, 18b ... 1st electrode, 19 ... Electrolyte supply part,
20, 20a, 20b ... second electrode, 21 ... water supply unit,
34 ... 1st cover board (1st cover member), 36 ... 2nd cover board (2nd cover member),
43a ... first electrolyte chamber, 43b ... second electrolyte chamber, 45a ... first cation exchange membrane,
45b ... 2nd cation exchange membrane, 42b ... 2nd outflow joint pipe, 44b ... 3rd outflow joint pipe

Claims (10)

  Two first electrodes; at least one second electrode having a polarity different from that of the first electrode; an intermediate chamber in which the second electrode is disposed; a first electrode chamber in which the first electrode is disposed; A first electrode chamber and a second electrode chamber disposed so as to sandwich the intermediate chamber from both sides, a first diaphragm partitioning the first electrode chamber and the intermediate chamber, An electrolytic cell comprising: a second diaphragm that partitions between the second electrode chamber and the intermediate chamber.   A first cover plate having the first electrode chamber; a second cover plate having the second electrode chamber and disposed opposite to the first cover plate; the first cover plate and the second cover plate; An intermediate frame that forms the intermediate chamber, and at least one of the first cover plate and the second cover plate has a plate thickness of 15 mm or more. Electrolyzer.   The electrolytic cell according to claim 2, further comprising a joint pipe provided on the first cover plate and communicating with the first electrode chamber, wherein the joint pipe has an inner diameter of 10 mm or more.   The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a flow rate of flowing water into the first or second electrode chamber is 10 L / min or more. Comprising two second electrodes disposed in the intermediate chamber;
One second electrode faces the first electrode in the first electrode chamber across the first diaphragm, and the other second electrode sandwiches the second diaphragm in the second electrode chamber. The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic cell faces the first electrode.   A first electrolyte chamber provided between the intermediate chamber and the first electrode chamber; a second electrolyte chamber provided between the intermediate chamber and the second electrode chamber; and the first electrolyte chamber. And the first diaphragm that partitions the first electrode chamber, the third diaphragm that partitions the first electrolyte chamber and the intermediate chamber, the second electrolyte chamber, and the second electrode chamber The electrolytic cell according to claim 5, further comprising: the second diaphragm that partitions the space between the second electrolyte solution chamber and the intermediate chamber.   The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode.   The electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode. The electrolytic cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A water supply unit for supplying water to the first electrode chamber and the second electrode chamber;
An electrolyte supply unit for supplying an electrolyte to the intermediate chamber;
A power source for applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode;
An electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising: The electrolytic cell according to claim 6;
A water supply unit for supplying water to the first electrode chamber, the second electrode chamber, and the intermediate chamber;
An electrolyte supply section for supplying an electrolyte to the first electrolyte chamber and the second electrolyte chamber;
A power source for applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode;
An electrolyzed water generating apparatus comprising:

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