Membrane-electrode assembly, electrolytic unit using the same, electrolytic water ejecting apparatus, and method of sterilization

• US 7,964,068 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2007
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: De Nora Permelec Ltd. (Industrie De Nora S.p.A), Institute of National Colleges of Technology Japan
• Original Assignee: Institute of National Colleges of Technology Japan, Permelec Electrode, Ltd.
• Inventors: Tanaka, Hozumi, Yamane, Genzo, Hamaguchi, Katsumi, Sekido, Kota, Nishiki, Yoshinori, Kitaori, Noriyuki, Furuta, Tsuneto
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell; Bruce F
• Application Number:
  US11/858,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20080067078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,370 Days
• Field of Search: 204/164, 204/252, 204/260, 204/283, 429/30, 429/31, 429/41, 429/479, 429/480, 429/483, 205/629, 205/626, 205/746, 205/770
• US Class Current: 204/260
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0088 Liquid substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/183 Ozone dissolved in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/186 Peroxide solutions
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/11 Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/15 Biocide distribution means, e.g. nozzles, pumps, manifolds, fans, baffles, sprayers
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4618 for producing "ionised" acidic or basic water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/66 by neutralisation; pH adjustment for degassing C02F1/20; using ion-exchange C02F1/42; for flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities C02F1/52; for removing dissolved compounds C02F1/58
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46138 Electrodes comprising a substrate and a coating
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46152 characterised by the shape or form electrodes in particulate form or with conductive or non-conductive particles between them C02F1/46114
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/003 Coaxial constructions, e.g. a cartridge located coaxially within another
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46115 Electrolytic cell with membranes or diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46125 Electrical variables
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/04 Surfactants, used as part of a formulation or alone
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/13 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 11/02 characterised by shape or form
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 13/02 characterised by shape or form

Abstract

The present invention provides: a membrane-electrode assembly having a first electrode having a shape of a rod-form or a cylindrical-form, a strip-form diaphragm covering the periphery of the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on a surface of the strip-form diaphragm; an electrolytic unit containing the membrane-electrode assembly; an electrolytic water ejecting apparatus containing the electrolytic unit; and a method of sterilization using the membrane-electrode assembly.

Claims

1. A membrane-electrode assembly comprising:

a first electrode having a shape of a rod-form or a cylindrical-form;

a strip-form diaphragm covering the periphery of the first electrode; and

a second electrode disposed on a surface of the strip-form diaphragm,

wherein the strip-form diaphragm spirally covers the periphery of the first electrode.

2. The membrane-electrode assembly of claim 1,

wherein the strip-form diaphragm covers the periphery of the first electrode so as to form a space between parts of the diaphragm.

3. The membrane-electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the strip-form diaphragm includes recesses and protrusions.

4. The membrane-electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes openings formed therethrough.

5. The membrane-electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the strip-form diaphragm comprises an ion-exchange membrane.

6. The membrane-electrode of claim 1, wherein the second electrode spirally covers a periphery of the strip-form diaphragm.

7. An electrolytic unit comprising:

a membrane-electrode assembly comprising;

a first electrode having a shape of a rod-form or a cylindrical-form;

a strip-form diaphragm covering the periphery of the first electrode; and

a second electrode disposed on a surface of the strip-form diaphragm,

wherein the strip-form diaphragm spirally covers the periphery of the first electrode;

a tube, the membrane-electrode assembly being fixed in the tube; and

an electric supply terminal connected to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode in the tube.

8. An electrolytic water ejecting apparatus comprising:

a vessel containing a raw water;

the electrolytic unit according to claim 7;

a head to eject an electrolytic water prepared by electrolyzing the raw water with the electrolytic unit.

9. A method of sterilization with an electrolytic water, the method comprising:

electrolyzing a raw water with a membrane-electrode assembly comprising;

a first electrode having a shape of a rod-form or a cylindrical-form;

a strip-form diaphragm covering the periphery of the first electrode; and

a second electrode disposed on a surface of the strip-form diaphragm to produce a electrolytic water; and

ejecting the electrolytic water to a substance to be sterilized.