JPH0933479A - Sensor cover and apparatus for generating electrolytic solution using it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure a characteristic of an electrolytic solution, e.g. pH, ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) or the like in an electrolytic cell during an electrolysis. SOLUTION: A pH sensor 10 is inserted in a space S of a shielding wall 11 made of a conductor and set in an electrolytic cell. While an electrolysis is being carried out, pH value is measured in real time. Since the interior of the space S in the shielding wall of the conductor is not influence by an electric field from an electrode, the measured value is stable and the characteristic can be measured accurately.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrolyzed water producing apparatus for electrolyzing water or the like to produce acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water, and in particular, various characteristic values of electrolyzed water such as temperature,
The present invention relates to a sensor cover that can measure a pH value, an ORP value, an EC value, and a dissolved oxygen amount in real time, and an electrolyzed water generator using the sensor cover.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Acidic electrolyzed water obtained by electrolyzing water has an effect of tightening the skin by an astringent action, and particularly pH of 2.7 or less, redox potential (hereinafter,
Strongly acidic electrolyzed water with an ORP value (also called ORP value) of 1000 mV or more has the effect of suppressing the survival or reproduction of microorganisms and killing them by the synergistic effect of the strong oxidation action of oxygen generated during electrolysis and hydrated chlorine. .

On the other hand, alkaline electrolyzed water obtained at the same time as the production of acid electrolyzed water contains calcium contained in water,
Since minerals such as sodium, magnesium and potassium exist as cations, when used as a beverage, it has a medical effect of suppressing abnormal fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, indigestion, diarrhea, excessive gastric acid and the like. In addition, the pH is 11.
Strong alkaline electrolyzed water having an ORP value of 0 or more and an ORP value of -800 mV or less is also known to have an effect of decomposing and washing proteins and fats and oils, and an effect of preventing oxidation by a strong reduction potential.

As a device for producing this kind of electrolyzed water, there is a conventional water-flowing type (continuous type) electrolyzed water producing device described in, for example, JP-A-3-98,690, and JP-A-59-59. A water storage type (batch type) electrolyzed water generator described in Japanese Patent No. 59,288 is known.

[0005]

By the way, in order to fully exhibit the various effects of the above-mentioned acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water, it is necessary to secure the characteristic value of the electrolyzed water according to each use. For example, when using strongly acidic electrolyzed water for sterilization, let alone pH value and ORP value,
It is an important factor that the electric conductivity (hereinafter, also referred to as an EC value) and the amount of dissolved oxygen are within a predetermined range. Therefore, these characteristic values and the raw water temperature for correcting them are measured in real time, Needs feedback control.

However, in both the conventional water-flowing type and water-storage type electrolyzed water generators, if a pH sensor or the like is provided in the electrolyzer, there is a problem that the measured value is not stable due to the influence of the electric field generated by the electrode plate. Therefore, for example, in the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-98,690, sensors are provided at the inlet and outlet of the electrolytic cell. In particular, in the water storage type electrolyzed water generator, since the sensor cannot be provided at the inlet and the outlet of the electrolytic cell, the characteristic value was measured by interrupting the electrolysis and immersing the sensor in the electrolytic cell. Therefore, the electrolysis was insufficient or excessive, and it was difficult to generate the target electrolyzed water.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and provides a sensor cover capable of measuring various characteristic values of electrolyzed water in real time and an electrolyzed water generator using the same. With the goal.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the sensor cover of the present invention is characterized by having a shield wall made of a conductor surrounding a measuring terminal of a sensor for measuring a characteristic value of a liquid. . In order to achieve the above object, the electrolyzed water producing apparatus of the present invention is an electrolyzed water producing apparatus having an electrolyzer in which at least a pair of electrode plates is provided, and a shielding wall made of a conductor in the electrolyzer. A space surrounded by is formed, and a measuring terminal of a sensor for measuring a characteristic value of the electrolyzed water is inserted into the space.

In the sensor cover and the electrolyzed water producing apparatus using the same according to the present invention, since the space surrounded by the shield wall made of the conductor is formed in the electrolytic cell, even if a voltage is applied to the electrode plate. The electric field from the electrode plate is shielded by the shielding wall, so that the space is not affected by the electric field. Therefore,
The measurement information from the measurement terminal of the sensor provided in this space becomes stable, and the characteristic value of the electrolyzed water during electrolysis can be fed back in real time.

In the present invention, it is more preferable that an inner wall made of a non-conductor is formed inside the shielding wall. This is because the inner wall can prevent the generation of noise due to the measurement terminal of the sensor being short-circuited with the shielding wall.

The electrolyzed water producing apparatus of the present invention can be applied to both a water flow type electrolyzed water producing apparatus and a water storage type electrolyzed water producing apparatus, but in particular, it is a water storage type electrolyzed water producing apparatus. More preferable. In the water storage type electrolyzed water generator,
This is because the measurement terminal of the sensor must be immersed in the electrolytic cell to measure the characteristic value of the electrolyzed water during electrolysis.

The characteristic values of electrolyzed water in the present invention are as follows:
Examples thereof include temperature, pH value, ORP value, EC value, and dissolved oxygen amount.

The shield wall according to the present invention is formed of a conductor such as stainless steel, platinum or gold, and the inner wall according to the present invention is formed of a non-conductor such as acrylic resin, glass or hard vinyl chloride. There is. Particularly, when the shielding wall is made of stainless steel, the redox reaction is unlikely to occur, so it is more preferable to immerse the shielding wall in the electrolytic cell.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a shielding wall according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an electrolyzed water producing apparatus according to the present invention.

The electrolyzed water producing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a so-called water storage type (batch type) electrolyzed water producing apparatus, and has an electrolytic cell 1. Inside the electrolytic cell 1, an anode plate 2 and a cathode plate 3 are arranged. By partitioning these two electrode plates 2 and 3 with a diaphragm 4, an anode chamber 5 and a cathode plate are provided in the electrolytic cell 1. A chamber 6 is formed. A DC power supply 7 obtained by rectifying an AC power supply by a rectifier is applied to the anode plate 2 and the cathode plate 3, and the start and stop of electrolysis can be performed by operating the operation panel (not shown). Done.

In each of the anode chamber 5 and the cathode chamber 6,
Outflow passages 8 and 9 for taking out the electrolyzed water are formed, and when the valves 8a and 9a are opened, water is discharged from the outflow passages 8 and 9 by the weight of the electrolyzed water. Specifically, acidic electrolyzed water is discharged from the outflow passage 8 provided in the anode chamber 5, and the pH of
In the case of strongly acidic electrolyzed water having a pH of about 2.7 or more, it is used as sterilizing / disinfecting water, and for example, in the case of acidic electrolyzed water having a pH higher than that, it is used as face wash water. On the other hand, alkaline electrolyzed water is discharged from the outflow passage 9 provided in the cathode chamber 6, and for example, in the case of strong alkaline electrolyzed water having a pH of about 11 or more, it is suitable for use as washing water for removing proteins and the like. For example, in the case of alkaline electrolyzed water having a pH lower than that, it is used as drinking water or the like. The applications of acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water are not limited to the above-mentioned ones, and can be used for all purposes.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a pH for measuring the pH value in the electrolytic cell 1 during electrolysis in real time.
Although the sensor 10 is provided, the pH sensor 10 of this type is affected by the electric field from the electrode plates 2 and 3 and the measured value is not stable. Therefore, the space S surrounded by the shielding wall 11 is formed in the electrolytic cell 1. Has been done. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a cylindrical body made of a conductor such as stainless steel and having open upper and lower ends is used as a shielding wall 11, and an inner wall 12 made of a non-conductor such as acrylic resin is formed inside the shielding wall 11. There is. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the measurement terminal 10a of the pH sensor 10 is inserted into the space S formed inside the shielding wall 11.

The pH sensor 10 is a sensor using a glass electrode having a glass thin film that allows only hydrogen ions to pass therethrough,
The pH value is measured by utilizing the potential when hydrogen ions permeate due to the hydrogen ion concentration gradient. Therefore, the electrode for measuring this potential is affected by the electric field from the electrode plates 2 and 3 provided in the electrolyzed water generating device, noise is generated in the measured potential, and stable data cannot be obtained. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the electric field from the electrode plates 2 and 3 can be shielded by the shield wall 11 made of a conductor. As a result, the measuring terminal 10a of the pH sensor 10
The electric field does not act on the controller, and the stable pH value is controlled by the controller 1.
3 can be output. Further, since the inner wall 12 made of a non-conductive material such as acrylic resin is formed inside the shielding wall 11, the measurement terminal 10a of the pH sensor 10 is not covered by the shielding wall 1.
There is no possibility of contacting 1 and causing a short circuit.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the pH sensor 10 is used.
The measurement data obtained by the above is sent to the controller 13 of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus and compared with the target pH value input in advance. Then, when the real-time measurement data from the pH sensor 10 reaches the target pH value, the electrolysis is immediately stopped, so that efficient generation without waste can be performed.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the shield wall 1
Although the pH sensor 10 is used as the sensor inserted into the inside of 1, the other sensor may be inserted to measure the characteristic value of the electrolyzed water. For example, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of electrolyzed water, an oxidation-reduction potentiometer for measuring an ORP value, an electric conductivity meter for measuring an EC value, and a dissolved oxygen content meter for measuring a dissolved oxygen amount. And so on.

When the electrolyzed water in the internal space S of the shielding wall 11 stays and the characteristic value of the electrolyzed water in the electrolyzer 1 cannot be accurately measured, the inside of the electrolyzer 1 is stirred or convected. It is desirable to make the electrolyzed water uniform.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a control flow in the embodiment of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus of the present invention. First, before starting the electrolysis, the target pH value of the electrolyzed water to be generated is set in the controller 13 in advance (S1). For example, when acidic electrolyzed water is used as the sterilizing / disinfecting water, the target pH value is set to 2.5, and when it is used as face washing water, the target pH value is set to 4.0, for example. The target pH value can be set to a desired value by the user according to the application.

Next, the electrolysis start switch is turned on.
And electrolysis is started (S2). At the same time, the pH sensor 1 inserted in the internal space S of the shielding wall 1 in the electrolytic cell 1
The measured pH value is taken into the controller 13 from 0 (S
3) The controller 13 compares the target pH value with the measured pH value (S4).

Then, the electrolysis is continued until the measured pH value reaches the target pH value, and when the measured pH value reaches the target pH value, the voltage application switch is turned off to end the electrolysis.

As a result, electrolyzed water having a pH value which is neither large nor small with respect to the target pH value can be produced, and the effect of the electrolyzed water can be sufficiently exerted in the intended use. . In addition, since wasteful electrolysis can be prevented, it is possible to contribute to shortening the generation time and energy saving.

The above-described embodiments are described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above-described embodiments is intended to include all design changes and equivalents within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Example 1] In the center of the electrolytic cell 1 having a capacity of 2 liters,
Electrode plates 2 and 3 having a surface area of 74 × 114 mm ² were provided facing each other with a plate-to-plate distance of 4 mm, and a porous diaphragm 4 was arranged between them. A DC power supply 7 was applied to the electrode plates 2 and 3 so that the voltage was constant at 12 V (current was about 0.4 A). Anode plate 2
The cylindrical body having the shielding wall 11 shown in FIG. 1 is dipped in each of the anode chamber 5 provided with and the cathode chamber 6 provided with the cathode plate 3, and the pH sensor 10 is measured in the internal space S of the cylindrical body. The terminal 10a was inserted. The shield wall 11 of the cylindrical body has a plate thickness of 0.
Made of 1 mm stainless steel, the inner wall 12 has a plate thickness of 2 mm
Of acrylic resin. The outer diameter of the cylinder is 25 mm,
The inner diameter was 20.8 mm and the length was 130 mm. After the electrolysis tank 1 was filled with tap water and electrolysis was started, the pH values of the anode chamber 5 and the cathode chamber 6 were measured by the pH sensor 10 at intervals of 1 minute. The pH value in the anode chamber 5 is shown by "◇" in FIG. 4, and the pH value in the cathode chamber 6 is shown in FIG.
Is indicated by “△”.

[Comparative Example 1] Using the same electrolyzed water generator as in Example 1 except that the cylindrical body was removed, the same tap water as in Example 1 was filled in the electrolytic cell 1 and then electrolysis was started. After that, the voltage application to the electrode plates 2 and 3 was stopped at intervals of 5 minutes, and the pH values of the anode chamber 5 and the cathode chamber 6 were measured using the same pH sensor 10 as in Example 1. The pH value in the anode chamber 5 is shown by "■" in FIG. 4, and the pH value in the cathode chamber 6 is shown by "◆" in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 4, the pH value measured in Example 1 is the same as the pH value measured in Comparative Example 1.
This value is in agreement with the value, and the electric field shielding effect of the shielding wall 11 of the present invention was confirmed.

[Embodiment 2] An electrolyzed water generator having the same structure as that of Embodiment 1 is used except that the sensor inserted into the internal space S of the cylindrical body is an electric conductivity meter, and the electrolytic cell 1 is filled with tap water. After the electrolysis was started, the anode chamber 5 was opened at 1 minute intervals.
The EC values of the cathode chamber 6 and the cathode chamber 6 were measured with an electric conductivity meter. The EC value in the anode chamber 5 is shown by "◇" in FIG. 5, and the EC value in the cathode chamber 6 is shown by "Δ" in FIG.

[Comparative Example 2] The same electrolyzed water generator as in Example 1 from which the cylindrical body was removed was used, and the same tap water as in Example 2 was filled in the electrolytic cell 1, and then electrolysis was started. After that, the voltage application to the electrode plates 2 and 3 was stopped at intervals of 5 minutes, and the EC values of the anode chamber 5 and the cathode chamber 6 were measured by the same conductivity meter as in Example 2. The EC value in the anode chamber 5 is shown by "■" in FIG. 5, and the EC value in the cathode chamber 6 is shown by "◆" in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 5, the EC value measured in Example 2 matches the EC value measured in Comparative Example 2, and the electric conductivity meter also has the electric field shielding effect of the shielding wall of the present invention. I was able to confirm that.

[Embodiment 3] An electrolyzed water generator having the same construction as that of Embodiment 1 was used in the electrolytic cell 1 except that an ORP meter (oxidation-reduction potentiometer) was used as a sensor inserted in the internal space S of the cylindrical body. After filling the tap water and starting the electrolysis, the ORP values of the anode chamber 5 and the cathode chamber 6 are ORed at 1-minute intervals.
It was measured with a P meter. The ORP value in the anode chamber 5 is shown by “⋄” in FIG. 6, and the ORP value in the cathode chamber 6 is shown by “Δ” in FIG.

[Comparative Example 3] Using the same electrolyzed water generator as in Example 1 with the tubular body removed, the same tap water as in Example 3 was filled in the electrolytic cell 1, and then electrolysis was started. After that, the voltage application to the electrode plates 2 and 3 was stopped at intervals of 5 minutes, and the ORP value of each of the anode chamber 5 and the cathode chamber 6 was measured by the same ORP meter as in Example 3. The ORP value in the anode chamber 5 is shown by "■" in FIG. 6, and the ORP value in the cathode chamber 6 is shown in FIG.
Is indicated by "◆". As is clear from FIG. 6, the ORP value measured in Example 3 matches the ORP value measured in Comparative Example 3, and even the ORP meter has the electric field shielding effect of the shielding wall of the present invention. It could be confirmed.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the inside of the space surrounded by the shield wall is not affected by the electric field from the electrode plate, the electrolyzed water in the electrolytic cell can be obtained even during electrolysis. The characteristic value of can be measured in real time. as a result,
Electrolyzed water having a desired characteristic value can be efficiently generated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a shielding wall according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an electrolyzed water generator of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow in the embodiment of the electrolyzed water producing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing measurement data of pH values obtained in the examples of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing measured data of EC values obtained in the example of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing measurement data of ORP values obtained in the example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electrolyte tank 2, 3 ... Electrode plate 4 ... Diaphragm 5 ... Anode chamber 6 ... Cathode chamber 7 ... DC power supply 10 ... pH sensor 10a ... Measuring terminal 11 ... Shielding wall 12 ... Inner wall S ... Space

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A sensor cover having a shield wall made of a conductor surrounding a measuring terminal of a sensor for measuring a characteristic value of a liquid. 2. The sensor cover according to claim 1, wherein an inner wall made of a non-conductor is formed inside the shielding wall. 3. An electrolyzed water producing apparatus having an electrolysis cell having at least a pair of electrode plates provided therein, wherein a space surrounded by a shielding wall made of a conductor is formed in the electrolysis cell, and electrolysis is performed in the space. An electrolyzed water generator, wherein a measuring terminal of a sensor for measuring a characteristic value of water is inserted. 4. The electrolyzed water producing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an inner wall made of a non-conductor is formed inside the shielding wall. 5. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 3, which is a water storage type electrolyzed water generating apparatus.