Apparatus and method for producing electrolyzed water

• US 20060076248A1
• Filed: 10/07/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EAU Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Electric Aquagenics Unlimited
• Inventors: Kindred, Douglas Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 8,425,756 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 205/743
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4618 for producing "ionised" acidic or basic water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46185 only anodic or acidic water, e.g. for oxidizing or sterilizing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46125 Electrical variables
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4618 Supplying or removing reactants or electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH

Abstract

An apparatus for producing electrolyzed water includes an electrochemical cell and a solution reservoir containing a solution and having an outlet. An injection pump has an input end in fluid communication with the outlet of the solution reservoir and an output end in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell, wherein the injection pumps an amount of the solution from the solution reservoir to mix with a water solution and enter the electrochemical cell. A current feedback sensor senses a cell current in the electrochemical cell. A current control unit in data communication with the current feedback sensor and the injection pump wherein the current control unit compares the cell current with a preselected current and adjusts the amount of solution pumped from the injection pump responsive to the comparison. The apparatus may also include an automatic control feedback system to monitor and adjust pH.

Claims

1. A method for producing electrolyzed water, the method comprising:

(a) flowing a solution into an input portion of an electrochemical cell;

(b) applying a cell current from a power source to the electrochemical cell;

(c) sensing the cell current;

(d) electrolyzing the solution in the electrochemical cell to produce anolyte solution and catholyte solution electrolyzed water;

(e) comparing the cell current to a preselected current; and

(f) adjusting the amount of the solution flowing into the electrochemical cell in response to the difference between the cell current and the preselected current.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) further comprises adjusting the amount of solution flowing into the electrochemical cell until the cell current becomes substantially equal to the preselected current

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the solution includes a component selected from the group consisting of:

sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, and salt compounds.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising flowing water into a mixing chamber, and wherein step (a) further comprises flowing the solution into the mixing chamber and diluting the solution prior to entry into the electrochemical cell.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

discharging the anolyte solution and the catholyte solution from the electrochemical cell;

sensing an output pH of the catholyte solution exiting the electrochemical cell;

comparing the output pH to a preselected pH; and

mixing a portion of the catholyte solution discharged from the electrochemical cell with a portion of the solution entering the electrochemical cell in response to a difference between the output pH and the preselected pH.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising adjusting the amount of catholyte solution flowing into the electrochemical cell until the output pH becomes substantially equal to the preselected pH.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the preselected pH is greater than about 5.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the preselected pH is in the range of about 5 to about 6.

9. A method for producing electrolyzed water, the method comprising:

(a) injecting an amount of a cleaning solution to mix with a water solution;

(b) flowing the mixture of the cleaning solution and the water solution into an input portion of an electrochemical cell;

(c) sensing a cell current in the electrochemical cell; and

(d) adjusting the amount of the cleaning solution flowed into the electrochemical cell responsive to comparing the cell current with a preselected current.

(e) sensing an output pH of an amount of solution exiting an output portion of the electrochemical cell; and

(f) flowing an amount of a catholyte solution exiting the output portion of the electrochemical cell to mix with the cleaning solution entering the electrochemical cell responsive to comparing the output pH with a preselected pH.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cleaning solution includes a component selected from the group consisting of:

sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, and salt compounds.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the preselected pH is greater than about 5.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the preselected pH is in the range of about 5 to about 6.

13. An apparatus for producing electrolyzed water, the apparatus comprising:

an electrochemical cell having an input portion and an output portion, the electrochemical cell having first and second chambers separated by a membrane defining an anode chamber and a cathode chamber;

a solution reservoir containing a solution and having an outlet and having an outlet in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell;

a first pump having an input end in fluid communication with the outlet of the solution reservoir and an output end in fluid communication with the chambers of the electrochemical cell, wherein the first pump flows an amount of the solution from the solution reservoir to enter the electrochemical cell;

a current feedback sensor to sense a cell current in the electrochemical cell; and

a current control unit in data communication with the current feedback sensor and the first pump, wherein the current control unit includes a feedback component that compares the cell current with a preselected current and adjusts the amount of solution flowed from the first pump responsive to the comparison between the cell current with the preselected current.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a power supply unit that supplies the electric current to the electrochemical cell, and wherein the current feedback sensor is positioned between the power supply unit and the electrochemical cell.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the current control unit adjusts an amount of chlorine entering the electrochemical cell.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the solution includes a component selected from the group consisting of:

sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, and salt compounds.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a second pump having an input end in fluid communication with a catholyte solution exiting the output portion of the electrochemical cell and an output end in fluid communication with the solution entering the input portion of the electrochemical cell, wherein the second pump flows an amount of the catholyte solution from the output portion of the electrochemical cell to mix with the solution entering the electrochemical cell;

a pH feedback sensor to sense an output pH of an amount of solution exiting the electrochemical cell; and

a pH control unit in data communication with the pH feedback sensor and the second pump, wherein the pH control unit compares the output pH with a preselected pH and adjusts the amount of catholyte solution flowed from the second pump responsive to the comparison of the output pH with the preselected pH.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the output portion of the electrochemical cell comprises an anolyte conduit and a catholyte conduit, wherein the pH sensor is in data communication with the anolyte conduit, and wherein the second pump is in fluid communication with the catholyte conduit.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the preselected pH is greater than about 5.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the preselected pH is in the range of about 5 to about 6.