Patent Publication Number: US-2017355625-A1

Title: Electrolysis apparatus for water sterilization and pipe cleaning

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an electrolysis apparatus for water sterilization and pipe cleaning, and more particularly to an electrolysis apparatus which has high electrolyzing efficiency, so it could achieve high effects of water sterilization and pipe cleaning with compact structure. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Usually, in swimming pools or facilities using water, electrolysis method is used for sterilizing water and cleaning pipe line used to supply the water. For this, an electrolysis apparatus is coupled to the pipe line, and electrolyte is added to the supplied water and electrolysis reaction is implemented. Then, the water is electrolyzed and sterilized, and the slurry attached on the inner surface of the pipe is ionized and removed by the oxidative and reductive electrolytes generated by the water electrolysis, which results in pipe cleaning. 
     To enhance the electrolysis efficiency, the treated water should sufficiently contact electrodes of the electrolysis apparatus. But, in the conventional electrolysis apparatus, the treated water rapidly flows into and flows out of the electrolysis tank, so the treated water could not sufficiently contact the electrodes of the electrolysis apparatus. Accordingly high efficiency of electrolysis could not be expected. 
     In addition, to enhance the electrolysis efficiency, high current should be applied to the electrodes of the electrolysis apparatus, which result in the overheating of the electrodes, so the duration of the electrodes is reduced. Therefore, the means to prevent the overheating of the electrodes is required. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems, and the object of the invention is to provide a new electrolysis apparatus which has high electrolyzing efficiency, so it could achieve high effects of water sterilization and pipe cleaning with compact structure. 
     Technical Solution 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrolysis apparatus for water sterilization and pipe cleaning, wherein the apparatus comprises: 
     a pipe  100  with U or S shape which has a forward flowing portion  110 , a backward flowing portion  120  whose base end is connected to the forward flowing portion  110  and whose fore end is positioned separately apart from the forward flowing portion  110  so that the treated water can flow backwardly against the direction of the treated water flowing in the forward flowing portion  110 ; 
     an electrolyzing chamber  200  positioned between the forward flowing portion  110  and the backward flowing portion  120  of the pipe  100 , and having an electrolyte inlet  210  and an outlet  220  communicating with the forward flowing portion  110  or the backward flowing portion  120  to let the products generated from the electrolysis reaction exhaust into the forward flowing portion  110  or the backward flowing portion  120 ; and 
     +, − electrodes  300  installed in the electrolyzing chamber  200 . 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrolysis apparatus, wherein the +, − electrodes  300  have inserts  302  extending into the forward flowing portion  110  and the backward flowing portion  120 . 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrolysis apparatus, wherein the + electrode  300  and the − electrode  300  are positioned on the opposite side of the electrolyzing chamber  200 , 400  respectively. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrolysis apparatus, wherein a second forward flowing portion  130  is connected to the backward flowing portion  120 , in which the treated water flow in the same direction with the treated water in the forward flowing portion  110 , and a second electrolyzing chamber  400  is provided between the backward flowing portion  120  and the second forward flowing portion  130 . 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to the present invention, as the treated water flows in the bent pipe  100 , the flow speed of the treated water may be reduced, so that the treated water can contact the electrodes  300  sufficiently, and the electrolysis efficiency will be enhanced. 
     In addition, as the electrolyzing chamber  200  is formed between the forward flow portion  110  and the backward flow portion  120 , the overall structure of the apparatus may be compact, so it can be installed in narrow space. 
     And, as the electrodes  300  installed in the electrolyzing chamber  200  have inserts  302  extending into the forward flowing portion  110  and the backward flowing portion  120 , electrolysis reaction may be generated in the pipe  100  additionally, so the efficiency of electrolysis reaction may be further increased. 
     And, as the inserts  302  of the electrodes  300  contact the treated water, the +, − electrodes  200  can be cooled, so the damage of the electrodes  300  due to overheating can be prevented. 
     And, as the +, − electrodes  300  are positioned on the opposite side of the electrolyzing chamber  200  respectively, the current may be applied on the overall electrodes  300  uniformly, so the efficiency of the electrolysis may be enhanced. 
     As mentioned above, as the efficiency of electrolysis reaction of the present invention is high, if the invention is used in the pipe line of the swimming pool and other various facilities, the water and the pipe line can be effectively sterilized and cleaned, so the hygienic management of the water and the pipe line can be achieved. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention 
         FIG. 2  is a side section of the above embodiment 
         FIG. 3  is a section according to line A-A of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 4  is a section in used state of the above embodiment 
         FIG. 5  is a section of the second embodiment of the present invention 
         FIG. 6  is a view showing the path of the current flow 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3  are a perspective view and sections of the first embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 4  is a section in used state. As shown in the drawings, the invention includes a pipe  100  in which the treated water flows, an electrolyzing chamber  200  formed in the space partitioned by the pipe  100 , and +, − electrodes  300  installed in the electrolyzing chamber  200 . 
     The pipe  100  has a U shape and includes a forward flowing portion  110  in which the treated water flows forwardly and a backward flowing portion  120  connected to the forward flowing portion  110  and in which the treated water flows backwardly against the water direction in the forward flowing portion  110 . The backward flowing portion  120  connected to the forward flowing portion  110  by the bent portion  119  formed at the fore end of the forward flowing portion  110  is positioned separately apart from the forward flowing portion  110 . 
     Therefore, the treated water flowing into the pipe  100  can flow through the U shape bent flow path formed by the forward flowing portion  110  and the backward flowing portion  120 . Agitating projections  111 ,  121  are formed in the inner wall of the pipe  100  to agitate and mix the water with the products generated by the electrolysis reaction as mentioned in the following. 
     An electrolyzing chamber  200  is formed between the forward flowing portion  110  and the backward flowing portion  120  of the pipe  100 . The electrolyzing chamber  200  has an electrolyte inlet  210  through which electrolyte is introduced from outside, and an outlet  220  communicating with the forward flowing portion  110  or the backward flowing portion  120  to let the products generated from the electrolysis reaction exhaust. 
     +, − electrodes  300  are installed in the electrolyzing chamber  200 . The +, − electrodes  300  are made of rectangular plates and they are positioned faced to each other. The electrodes  300  have inserts  302  on the upper and lower ends extending into the forward flowing portion  110  and the backward flowing portions  120 . For this, openings  101  are formed between the electrolyzing chamber  200  and the forward flowing portion  110  and between the electrolyzing chamber  200  and the backward flowing portion  120  respectively. The inserts  302  of the electrodes  300  are inserted in these openings  101  and extend into the forward flowing portion  110  and the backward flowing portion  120 . 
     A plurality of pores  310  are formed on the electrodes  300 , which may enhance flowing of the treated water or mixing of the treated water with the electrolyte near the electrodes  300  to increase the efficiency of electrolysis reaction. The electrodes  300  have connecting terminals  320 ,  330  to connect the outer electric power lines. 
     Preferably, the pipe  100  and the electrolyzing chamber  200  are formed in one body with the plastic material though the injection molding process. Preferably, the body of the invention consisting of the pipe  100  and the electrolyzing chamber  200  is made of two divided parts in consideration of easily assembling. 
     Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be described. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, weak hydrochloric acid is used for electrolyte. The pipe  100  is connected to supply lines  2  from which the treated water is supplied. Accordingly, the treated water is introduced from the forward flowing portion  110  of the pipe  100  and flows out though the backward flowing portion  120  of the pipe  100 . And weak hydrochloric acid as electrolyte is injected through the electrolyte inlet  210  into the electrolyzing chamber  200 . 
     When the current is applied to the +, − electrodes  300 , the weak hydrochloric acid is electrolyzed and chlorine gas is produced, The produced chlorine gas is introduced through outlet  220  into the forward flowing portion  110  and the backward flowing portion  120 , and the chlorine gas is dissolved in the treated water to produce hypochlorous acid, and eventually hypochlorous acid water. 
     The above reaction is shown in the formula below. 
       2HCl+H 2 O→HOCl+HCl+H 2  
 
     This time, other materials also be produced and these materials will be exhausted through the outlet  220  together with the chlorine gas. 
     Meanwhile, hydrochloric acid is also generated during the above reaction of generating hypochlorous acid from chlorine gas, and the generated hydrochloric acid will be electrolyzed by the inserts  302  of the electrodes  300  projecting into the forward flowing portion  110  and the backward flowing portion  120  of the pipe  100  to produce hypochlorous acid additionally. 
     As described above, as the weak hydrochloric acid as electrolyte is electrolyzed, the hypochlorous acid is produced, then the treated water may be sterilized by the hypochlorous acid and the inside of the pipe line  2  will also be sterilized and cleaned by the hypochlorous acid. 
     Particularly, as the pipe  100  is formed in the bent form of U shape, the flow speed of the treated water in the pipe  100  may be relatively reduced, so the treated water can contact the inner surface of the pipe  100  sufficiently, which will result in the enhanced efficiency of electrolysis reaction. And, as mentioned above, the additional electrolysis reaction may be carried out in the pipe  100 , so the efficiency of electrolysis is additionally enhanced. 
     And, as the inserts  302  of the electrodes  300  contact the treated water flowing in the pipe  100 , so they can be cooled by the treated water, so the damage of the electrodes  300  due to the heating can be effectively prevented. 
     Until now, the present invention is described as it uses weak hydrochloric acid as electrolyte. But other material such a NaCl or NaOCl can be used. If NaCl is used to be electrolyzed, sodium hypochlorite will be produced, and if the sodium hypochlorite is electrolyzed, ClO 3   −  will be produced. 
     In the above embodiment, a pair of electrodes  300  is provided in the electrolysis apparatus. But plural pairs of electrodes can be provided in the apparatus. 
     The other embodiment of the invention will be described in reference with  FIG. 5 , and the description about the same components with those of the first embodiment will be omitted. 
     The pipe  100  of this embodiment is formed of S shape, and the second forward flowing portion  130  is connected to the backward flowing portion  120 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a bent portion  119  is further connected to the fore end of the backward flowing portion  120 , and the second forward flowing portion  130  is connected to the other end of the bent portion  119 . As the forward flowing portion  110  and the second flowing portion  130  are provided on both side of the backward flowing portion  120 , the electrolyzing chamber  200  is to be formed between the forward flowing portion  110  and the backward flowing portion  120 , and the second electrolyzing chamber  400  is to be formed between the backward flowing portion  120  and the second forward flowing portion  130 . That is, two electrolyzing chambers  200 ,  400  can be provided. 
     Electrodes are also installed in the second electrolyzing chamber  400 , and preferably, the electrodes  300  installed in the electrolyzing chamber  200  extend into the second electrolyzing chamber  400 . 
     Same or different kind of electrolyte can be used to be injected into the two electrolyzing chambers  200 ,  400 . For example, if weak hydrochloric acid is injected in the electrolyzing chamber  200 , hydrogen peroxide may be injected in the second electrolyzing chamber  400 . If hydrogen peroxide is injected in the second electrolyzing chamber  400 , the hydrogen peroxide will be electrolyzed to generate water and oxygen, and the oxidizing power of the generated oxygen can sterilize the treated water and the pipe line. 
     In addition, to enhance the efficiency of electrolysis, the +, − electrodes  300  are installed so that the connecting terminals  310 , 320  electrically connected with the electrodes are positioned on the opposite side of the electrolyzing chamber  200 ,  400 . In general, the efficiency of the electrolysis is affected by various factors such as current amount, size of electrode. Particularly, the larger the size of electrode is, the higher the efficiency of electrolysis is. But, even though the size of the electrode is large, if the current is not distributed on the surface of the electrode uniformly, then the efficiency of electrolysis reaction in consideration of the surface area of the electrode will be reduced. That is, as the current would flow through the shortest route, if the current is applied on the electrodes, the current will form the route from the adjacent part of the +electrode connecting terminal  310  to the adjacent part of the—electrode connecting terminal  320 . That is, the current value on the part far away from the connecting terminal  310 ,  320  may be relatively low, so electrolyzing reaction cannot be actively carried out. Therefore, the efficiency of the electrolysis reaction may be lowered. 
     Accordingly, to enhance the efficiency of electrolysis, the current should be distributed on the surface of the electrode uniformly. For this, in this embodiment of the invention, the connecting terminal  310  of the + electrode  300  is installed on the opposite side of the connecting terminal  320  of the − electrode  300 . If the connecting terminal  310 , 320  of the +, − electrodes  300  are installed on the opposite side to each other, the distance of current travel will be same regardless of the current route, so that the current can be applied on the overall surface of the +, − electrodes  300 , and the relatively large surface of the electrode can participate to the electrolysis reaction, so the efficiency of the electrolysis will be enhanced.