ELECTROLYSIS APPARATUS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DISINFECTANT OR CLEANING AGENT, AND ELECTROLYSIS METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for preparing a disinfectant or a cleaning agent according to an additive. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an electrolysis apparatus comprising: an additive container to which an additive to be used for electrolysis is added; and a diaphragm-free electrolysis cell in which the electrolysis occurs, wherein, with respect to the electrolysis, water containing chloride ions (Cl.sup.), sodium chloride (NaCl) and a hydrochloric acid (HCl) aqueous solution are electrolyzed in the diaphragm-free electrolysis cell.

Claims

1. An electrolysis apparatus comprising: a container to receive at least one additive to be used to perform electrolysis; and a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell in which the electrolysis is performed, wherein the electrolysis is performed by electrolyzing water containing chloride ions (Cl.sup.) and the additive in the non-diaphragm electrolytic cell.

2. The electrolysis apparatus of claim 1, wherein a pH value of a product obtained by the performing of the electrolysis varies according to the at least one additive.

3. The electrolysis apparatus of claim 1, wherein the performing of electrolysis produces hypochlorous acid (HOCl) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) according to the at least one additive.

4. An method for selectively producing a disinfectant or a cleaning agent by performing electrolysis, the method comprising: putting water containing chloride ions (Cl.sup.) into a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell; adding at least one additive; and supplying power to an electrode provided in the non-diaphragm electrolytic cell.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the electrolysis produces hypochlorous acid (HOCl) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) according to the at least one additive.

6. The electrolysis apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one additive includes sodium chloride (NaCl), and a hydrochloric acid aqueous solution (HCl).

7. The electrolysis apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container includes a plurality of storage parts where the at least one additive is selectively received.

8. The electrolysis apparatus of claim 6, wherein the container includes a plurality of storage parts where the at least one additive is selectively received.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the additive includes sodium chloride (NaCl), and a hydrochloric acid aqueous solution (HCl).

10. The method of claim 4, wherein a pH value of a product obtained by the performing of the electrolysis varies according to the at least one additive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a concept view of an electrolysis apparatus 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an electrolysis method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a measuring container of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a measuring cup of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of one side of the measuring cup according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the portion A of FIG. 5 in detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same or similar elements regardless of signs in the drawings, and a redundant explanation thereof is omitted. The suffixes module and part used for elements in the following description are given or used interchangeably only in consideration of easy writing of specification, and have no distinct meaning or role. In the description of exemplary embodiment, certain detailed explanations of related art are omitted when it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure. In addition, the accompanying drawings are just for easy understanding of embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, and do not limit the technical concept disclosed in the present disclosure. In addition, it should be understood that the present disclosure includes all variations, equivalents, and substitutes within the technical concept and the scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] If the terms such as first and second are used to describe elements, these elements should not be limited by such terms. These terms are used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element only.

[0034] In the following description, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being coupled to or connected to another element, the element may be directly coupled or connected to another element or there may be an intervening element therebetween. On the other hand, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being directly coupled to or directly connected to another element, there is no intervening element therebetween.

[0035] The singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] It will be further understood that the term include or have used in the present application indicates the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and components described in the specification, or a combination thereof, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, or components, or a combination thereof.

[0037] Sodium hypochlorite is a colorless or pale greenish yellow liquid, and has odor of chlorine. The formula is NaClO. Sodium hypochlorite dissolves easily in water, and an aqueous solution thereof decomposes during storage, thereby generating chlorine gas. Therefore, if sodium hypochlorite is stored for a long time, sodium hypochlorite is not effective as a disinfectant. Sterilizing power is influenced by pH and an amount of available chlorine, and accordingly, may increase when sodium hypochlorite is in an undissociated state and pH is low, and the sterilizing power is reduced by amino acid, protein, sugar, etc. The sterilizing power is the greatest when sodium hypochlorite is diluted to have a concentration of 100 ppm and pH is adjusted to 8-9. Sodium hypochlorite is highly corrosive and thus should not contact a metal container. To increase the sterilizing power, tableware should be cleaned before sodium hypochlorite is used to sterilize tableware. Sodium hypochlorite should be stored in a lightproof glass container.

[0038] Hypochlorous acid (HClO) is used for water, fruits, tableware, tofu, etc. as a disinfectant. Hypochlorous acid is produced by distilling bleaching powder in a carbon dioxide atmosphere, shaking a carbon tetrachloride solution of chlorine dioxide with water simultaneously, or passing chlorine gas through an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate at low temperature, and has the feature of existing as an aqueous solution. A concentrated solution of a highest concentration of 25% has a greenish yellow color, and a dilute solution is colorless and has pungent odor similar to that of bleaching powder. Hypochlorous acid is less acidic than acetic acid, and an aqueous solution thereof is unstable, discharges oxygen and decomposes, and generates hydrochloric acid and chloric acid and shows strong oxidation. When hypochlorous acid is stored at 20 C., hypochlorous acid may be stored for many days, but, when it is stored at room temperature, it is not easier to store than sodium hypochlorite.

[0039] In an electrolysis process for producing sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL), hypochlorous acid (HOCL) is produced along with hydrogen (H) and hypochlorite ion (OCL.sup.) may also be generated. Hypochlorous acid has about 70 times sterilizing power of sodium hypochlorite. In addition, hypochlorous acid has a big difference in sterilizing power according to a hydrogen ion concentration (pH), and has the greatest sterilizing power when pH is 4.3-5.9.

[0040] The present disclosure suggests a method for generating (producing hypochlorous acid in a home through electrolysis and directly using the same. Therefore, even if it is not easy to store hypochlorous acid, hypochlorous acid may be directly and easily produced and used through the suggested method.

[0041] Furthermore, an embodiment of the present disclosure suggests a method for producing hypochlorous acid or sodium hypochlorite as a disinfectant, or producing potassium hydroxide as a cleaning agent according to a kind of an additive added in an electrolysis apparatus.

[0042] To achieve this, an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell provided with an electrode, and water containing chloride ions (Cl.sup.), sodium chloride (NaCl), and a hydrochloric acid aqueous solution (HCl) may be electrolyzed on the non-diaphragm electrolytic cell.

[0043] In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an additive container to add an additive to the electrolysis.

[0044] The additive container will be described in detail below.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a selective product may be obtained according to a kind of an additive, and results of experiments therefor are attached as follows:

[0046] [Experiment Method 1]

[0047] 1) An additive was added to source water (tap water) of 500 ml (water containing chloride ions), non-diaphragm electrolysis was performed for about 5 minutes, and then pH of a product was measured.

[0048] 2) The experiment was conducted many times by changing a ratio of salt water (NaCl) of 30% concentration and hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the additive.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 pH value of a product according to a ratio of salt water to a hydrochloric acid aqueous solution in the additive Ratio 2:1 4:1 1:1 5 ml:2.5 ml 4 ml:2 ml 5 ml:1.25 ml 3 ml:3 ml 2 ml:2 ml 1.sup.st experiment 3.37 5.37 3.93 2.95 2.96 2.sup.nd experiment 3.36 4.30 4.52 2.46 3.01 3.sup.rd experiment 3.67 5.06 4.01 2.56 2.75 4.sup.th experiment 3.33 5.12 4.83 2.85 3.52 5.sup.th experiment 3.48 5.62 3.89 2.48 3.12 6.sup.th experiment 3.63 5.83 4.12 2.49 3.48

[0049] [Experiment Method 2]

[0050] 1) An additive was added to different amounts of source water (tap water, water containing chloride ions) (500 ml, 1000 ml), non-diaphragm electrolysis was performed for about 5 minutes, and then pH of a product was measured.

[0051] 2) The experiment was conducted many times after the additive is made to have the 1:1 ratio of salt water (NaCl) of 15% concentration and hydrochloric acid (HCl) (2 ml: 2 ml)

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 pH value of a product according to an amount of source water Amount of source water 500 ml 1000 ml 1.sup.st experiment 3.41 5.82 2.sup.nd experiment 3.56 5.76 3.sup.rd experiment 3.45 5.55 4.sup.th experiment 3.85 5.01 5.sup.th experiment 5.58 5.80 6.sup.th experiment 5.97 5.67

[0052] [Experiment Method 3]

[0053] 1) An additive was added to source water (tap water) of 500 ml (water containing chloride ions), non-diaphragm electrolysis was performed for about 5 minutes, and then pH of a product was measured.

[0054] 2) The experiment was conducted many times by changing an amount of potassium carbonate (K.sub.2CO.sub.3) aqueous solution of the additive.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 pH value of a product according to an amount of potassium carbonate aqueous solution Amount of potassium carbonate aqueous solution 2 ml 4 ml 6 ml 1.sup.st experiment 10.78 10.93 11.04 2.sup.nd experiment 10.70 10.90 11.01 3.sup.rd experiment 10.69 10.94 11.02 4.sup.th experiment 10.65 10.95 11.02 5.sup.th experiment 10.68 10.91 11.06 6.sup.th experiment 10.60 10.91 11.05

[0055] As a result of the experiments by the experiment methods 1 and 2, a hypochlorous acid solution (HOCl) was produced as a product, and as a result of the experiments by the experiment method 3, potassium hydroxide (KOH) was produced as a product.

[0056] According to the experiment methods 1 and 2, the following reactions occur on respective (+) and () electrodes, and hypochlorous acid is generated:

(+) electrode

HCl.fwdarw.H.sup.++Cl.sup.

2Cl.fwdarw.Cl.sub.2+2e.sup.

C.sub.2l+H.sub.2O.fwdarw.HOCl (hypochlorous acid)+HCl

() electrode

HCl.fwdarw.H.sup.++Cl.sup.

2H.sup.++2e.sup..fwdarw.H.sub.2

[0057] It is apparent that the hypochlorous acid solution may be utilized as a disinfectant having very high sterilizing power as described above, and potassium hydroxide may be used for various purposes as a natural cleaning agent.

[0058] Therefore, the present disclosure suggests the apparatus and the method for producing a cleaning agent or a disinfectant based on the results of the experiments described above.

[0059] FIG. 1 is a concept view of an electrolysis apparatus 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an electrolysis method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrolysis apparatus 101 may include a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell 103 and a container 102

[0061] An liquid storage part A 10 and a liquid storage part B 20 are integrally formed with a container main body 30 which is formed with synthetic resin by molding, and a measuring cup 40 having the volume scale displayed on a side surface thereof is disposed on an upper portion of the container main body 30. Pumping tubes 11, 21 are coupled to both sides of the container main body 30 to pump materials stored in the A liquid storage part 10 and the B liquid storage part 20 into the measuring cup 40, and an opening and closing lid 50 is removably coupled to an upper portion of the measuring cup 40 by screwing.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the measuring container of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the measuring cup of the present disclosure.

[0063] The discharge measuring container of the present disclosure may contain different materials in the liquid storage part A 10 and the liquid storage part B 20.

[0064] That is, in the electrolysis apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a different product may be produced according to a kind of an additive, and the liquid storage part A 10 and the liquid storage part B 20 of the container 102 are provided to contain different additives, respectively. Table 4 presented below shows examples of additives that may be separately stored in the container 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 1.sup.st additive in the liquid 2.sup.nd additive in the liquid storage part A 10 storage part B 20 1.sup.st example Salt water (15%) Hydrochloric acid (2.5%) aqueous solution 2.sup.nd example Salt water (15%) Citric acid (150 ml + 30 g) aqueous solution 3.sup.rd example Salt water (15%) + Potassium hydroxide hydrochloric acid (2.5%) aqueous solution aqueous solution 4.sup.th example Salt water (15%) + citric Potassium hydroxide acid aqueous solution aqueous solution 5.sup.th example Salt water (15%) Vinegar

[0065] When different additives are stored in the respective storage parts 10, 20 according to the 1.sup.st to 4.sup.th examples, a user may selectively add a desired additive, and also, may mix the two additives at an exact ratio and may put the mixture to the electrolysis.

[0066] A mixing ratio of additives according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is important. This is because pH of a desired level varies according to a user. For example, if a user thinks that a disinfectant of low pH is effective and satisfies his/her own using condition, the user may increase the amount of second additive stored in the liquid storage part B 20 in the 1.sup.st or 2.sup.nd example.

[0067] pH may be changed according to a purpose. In this case, there may be a need to change the mixing ratio of the additives appropriately. For example, when a user wishes to sterilize a bathroom, the user may mix additives to reduce pH to obtain higher sterilizing power. To the contrary, if a user wishes to sterilize a body such as a wound, the user should mix additives to reach pH which is close to neutral pH and is effective.

[0068] When a user wishes to apply additives according to various situations such as purposes or skin types, the user may exactly measure additives separately stored in the liquid storage part A 10 and the liquid storage part B 20 of the container 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and may easily add the additives.

[0069] When the liquid storage part A 10 is pressed, the first additive is pumped through the pumping tube 11 and a selected amount of the first additive is contained in the measuring cup 40. Each additive may be individually and independently used, or, by pumping the second additive by pressing the B liquid storage part 20, the first and second additives may be mixed at a selected ratio and may be used in the mixed state.

[0070] That is, the container 102 which may discharge and measure materials according to the present disclosure may store different kinds of materials, simultaneously, and may selectively use only a specific material if necessary or may mix two or more materials at a selected ratio and use the same, such that using convenience of a product may be maximized.

[0071] In addition, when potassium hydroxide is used as the second additive contained in the liquid storage part B 20 as in the 3.sup.rd and 4.sup.th examples, a disinfectant and a cleaning agent may be selectively produced as described in the 1.sup.st to 3.sup.rd experiments.

[0072] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a backflow prevention structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. A backflow prevention instrument 60 is provided in a connection part with the pumping tube 11, 21 in the measuring cup 40. A net 61 is disposed on a side surface of the measuring cup 40 to prevent the backflow prevention instrument 60 from being released and to prevent foreign substances from entering, and an inclined surface 62 inclining downward toward the pumping tube 11, 21 is formed in the connection part with the pumping tube 11, 21 to maintain the backflow prevention instrument 60 in contact with an outlet of the pumping tube 11, 21.

[0073] In addition, a lubrication layer 62a may be coated on the inclined surface 62 to prevent the backflow prevention instrument 60 from adhering and to prevent foreign substances from being adsorbed, and it is preferable that the lubrication layer 62a is formed with a mixture composition of 20-40 weight % of Teflon, 10-30 weight % of nano-silver, 10-20 weight % of methyl metacrylate (MMA), 10-20 weight % of silica glass, 5-10 weight % of unsaturated polyester resin, 1-5 weight % of oyster shell powder.

[0074] According to the structure as described above, the backflow prevention instrument 60 usually blocks an inlet of the pumping tube 11, 21 due to the presence of the inclined surface 62, and opens by a pressure interaction only when the pumping tube is pumped.

[0075] Accordingly, a liquid mixed in the measuring cup 40 may be prevented from flowing back through the pumping tubes 11, 21 by the backflow prevention instrument 60 during a discharge process.

[0076] Since the lubrication layer 62a is formed on the inclined surface 62, the backflow prevention instrument 60 smoothly moves and a problem caused by adsorption of foreign substances may be solved. In particular, since oyster shell powder, methyl metacrylate, and silica glass are added, the durability of the lubrication layer 62a increases and a crack on the lubrication layer 62a, which is caused by contact by the backflow prevention instrument 60, may be prevented.

[0077] In addition, the unsaturated polyester resin increases binding power of oyster shell powder and silica glass, such that the lubrication layer 62a may be prevented from being peeled off in part.

[0078] The electrolysis method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is explained by referring to FIG. 2. In process S201, water containing chloride ions is put into the non-diaphragm electrolytic cell 103.

[0079] Next, in process S202, the above-described additives may be added. For example, a selected amount of a first additive in liquid storage part A 10 and a selected amount of a second additive in liquid storage part B 20 may be pumped to the measuring cup 40, respectively, thereby making a selected amount of a mixed liquid. And then, the mixed liquid of the additives is put into the non-diaphragm electrolytic cell 103. A product obtained by electrolysis and a pH value of the product may vary according to the additive as described above.

[0080] In process 203, power is supplied to the electrode of the non-diaphragm electrolytic cell 103, and electrolysis is performed for producing a cleaning agent or a disinfectant.

[0081] While embodiments of the electrolysis method and the electrolysis apparatus using the same according to the present disclosure have been described, they may be described as at least one embodiment, and the technical concept of the present disclosure and constitutions and operations thereof are not limited by the embodiments, and the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited/restricted by the drawings or the detailed descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the concept of the disclosure and the embodiments suggested in the present disclosure may be used by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, as a basis for modifying to or designing a different structure for performing the same object of the present disclosure. An equivalent structure modified or changed by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs is included in the technical scope of the present disclosure described in the claims, and various changes, substitutions, and variations may be made without departing from the technical concept or the scope of the present disclosure described in the claims.