US008491771B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8.491,771 B2

Sano (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 23, 2013
(54) ELECTROLYZER CELL FOR PRODUCING (56) References Cited
ACDIC OR ALKALINE ELECTROLYZED
WATER U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,137,136 A 1/1979 Ueda et al.
(75) Inventor: Yoichi Sano, Kanagawa-ken (JP) 7,967,958 B2 * 6/2011 Sano ............................. 204/193
(Continued)
(73) Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc., St. Paul, MN (US) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
JP O8229565 A 9, 1996
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this JP 1999-319839 * 11/1999
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 (Continued)
U.S.C. 154(b) by 512 days.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(21) Appl. No.: 12/743,785 KR2005.0020298 Human Translation Translation of
KR2005OO2O298.
(22) PCT Filed: Nov. 19, 2008 (Continued)
(86). PCT No.: PCT/US2O08/O12921 Primary Examiner — Keith Hendricks
Assistant Examiner — Salil Jain
S371 (c)(1),
(2), (4) Date: May 19, 2010 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Andrew D. Sorensen;
Shaoni L. Mitchell
(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2009/067213 (57) ABSTRACT
PCT Pub. Date: May 28, 2009 A three-electrode electrolyzer cell is described that can pro
duce either alkaline water or acid water, by selecting polarity
(65) Prior Publication Data and ion exchange membrane type. The cell has a middle
chamber and two side electrolysis chambers bordering the
US 2010/027O172 A1 Oct. 28, 2010 middle chamber. Each of the side electrolysis chambers is
separated from the middle chambers by a membrane, which is
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data the same on both sides. Porous electrodes are placed on the
electrolysis side of each membrane. The electrolysis chamber
Nov. 20, 2007 (JP) ................................. 2007-008959 electrodes are placed next to the membranes, and they are
both charged with either positive or negative polarity at the
(51) Int. Cl. same time. The electrode in the middle chamber is charged
C25B 9/10 (2006.01) with the opposite polarity to the electrolysis chamber elec
CO2F L/46 (2006.01) trodes. Each of the electrolysis chambers has inlets and out
lets for flowing a solution to be electrolyzed through the cells.
(52) U.S. Cl. The electrolyte solution is in the middle chamber. It is not
USPC ........... 204/633; 204/252; 204/630; 204/634; circulated, or is only circulated to replenish electrolytes or
205/748 remove gases. The electrolyzer of the invention is signifi
(58) Field of Classification Search cantly more efficient than prior art electrolyzers, when only
USPC ................. 204/252,253,263, 627, 628, 630, one type of water (acid or alkaline) is required.
204/632, 633: 205/742,743, 746, 748
See application file for complete search history. 6 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet

12 13

%
 US 8,491,771 B2
Page 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS KR 102005.0022496. A 3, 2005

2006/0260954 A1* 11/2006 Sano et al. .................... 205,742
2009/007 1843 A1* 3/2009 Miyashita et al. ... 205,746 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
2009. O165823 A1* 7/2009 Brown et al. ................... 134/18
JP 1999-319839 Suzuki MT, Machine Translation of JP 1999
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 319839.
KR 2005OO2O298 * 3/2005
KR 102005.0020298 A 3, 2005 * cited by examiner
 US 8,491,771 B2
1. 2
ELECTROLYZER CELL FOR PRODUCING the unwanted kind of electrolysis water (either acid or alka
ACDIC OR ALKALINEELECTROLYZED line.) The middle chamber will have provision for ventilation
WATER of gas, and may have provisions for circulating limited Vol
umes of electrolyte to replenish the Supply contained in the
PRIORITY middle chamber. In the case of generating alkaline water, if
the composition electrolyzed is selected not to produce chlo
This application claims priority to Japanese utility model rine gas, then one may use the same size anode in the middle
application publication.JP3139159 (U), filed Nov. 20, 2007, chamber and the same size membranes as would be used in a
and assigned to First Ocean KK. conventional cell to generate more of the desired water than
10 could be produced in a conventional cell without damaging
BACKGROUND electrodes or membranes. It is even possible to increase the
total electric current, so as to generate even more alkaline
1. Technical Field water for a given size of cell and membrane, than in a con
This invention describes an electrolysis cell which can ventional 3-chamber electrolysis cell.
generate one kind of electrolyzed water continuously, either 15
acidic water or alkaline water, without producing a stream of BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
the other kind of water.
2. Technical Background FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of an electrolysis cell of
In the past, two methods have been used to generate acidic this invention.
water and alkaline water through electrolysis. One method is
the two chamber electrolysis cell wherein water containing a DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
small concentration of electrolyte is fed into a cell divided by
a membrane into a positive chamber and a negative chamber. An electrolysis cell is presented that can produce acid
The other method is the three chamber electrolysis cell. The water or alkaline water separately. FIG. 1 shows a vertical
cell is divided by membranes into an electrolysis chamber 25 cross section of the electrolysis cell of this invention. FIG. 1
with a positively charged electrode (anode), a middle cham has the following components:
ber, and an electrolysis chamber with a negatively charged 1, 2 the side walls of the electrolysis cell
electrode (cathode). (See for example Japan Patent Publica 3, 4 sheets forming the middle chamber
tion #3113645). Usually, flows of both acidic water and alka 5, 6 the ion exchange membranes
line water are generated from these types of cells. However, 30 7, 8 the entrances for the solution to be electrolyzed
for a user who needs only one of these types of water, a 9, 10 the exits for the solution which is electrolyzed
flowing stream of the unwanted kind of water is generated at 11 the entrance for the electrolyte solution into the middle
the same time, and is wasted as a result. chamber
12, 13—the exits for the electrolyte solution
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE 35 15, 16 the electrolysis chambers
INVENTION 17, 18 the two sections of the middle chamber
A, C the electrolysis chamber electrode sheets
The purpose of this invention is to provide an electrolysis B the middle chamber electrode sheet
cell that produces a stream of alkaline electrolyzed water or a This invention presents an electrolysis cell that can pro
stream of acidic electrolyzed water, but not both. This inven 40 duce acidic water or alkaline water separately. The electroly
tion offers an electrolysis cell that does not generate a flowing sis cell consists of two electrolysis chambers with a middle
stream of the unwanted type of electrolyzed water, either chamber between them. The structure is as follows. The elec
acidic or alkaline. In addition, when water is electrolyzed to trolysis cell has sections 17 and 18 of a chamber in the middle.
generate acidic or alkaline water, this invention enhances the On the outside of these two sections, there are electrolysis
production of the desired type of water relative to a conven 45 chambers 15 and 16. Each electrolysis chamber (15, 16) is
tional 3-chamber electrolyzer of similar size. separated from the chamber in the middle by membranes (5.
6). Electrodes A and B, having numerous pores or holes, are
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION placed on the electrolysis chamber side of each membrane.
Electrodes A and B are both charged to either positive or
A three chamber electrolysis cell for water has been used in 50 negative polarity at the same time. Each of the electrolysis
the prior art where there is a middle chamber between two chambers has an inlet 7 or 8 below the cell to guide water in
electrolysis chambers, which generate acidic water and alka to be electrolyzed. Then, to guide the water out, there are
line water. There is an electrode in each electrolysis chamber, outlets 9 and 10 in the upper section of the chambers.
one positively charged and one negatively charged. Gener The electrolyte solution is contained in the middle cham
ally, water or dilute electrolyte is flowed through each elec 55 ber, which is separated into two sections by the electrode B,
trolysis chamber. In this setup, both acidic water and alkaline having many pores or holes. Below that, there is at least one
water are generated. inlet 11 to guide the electrolyte solution in. In the higher part,
The present invention also has three chambers, but instead on both sides of the electrode sheet, there are two outlets 12
places a third electrode sheet in the middle (or central) cham and 13 for the removal of electrolyte solution orgas on each
ber, and charges it to the opposite polarity to the electrode 60 side of the electrode B. The electrode B in the middle chamber
sheets in the two outer electrolysis chambers, which are both is charged to the polarity opposite that of A and C. For the
of the same polarity. By doing this, one may generate either before-mentioned electrolysis cell for water, the following
acidic water alone or alkaline water alone in the two elec setups may be arranged. The two electrodes which are placed
trolysis chambers. Meanwhile, the electrolyte solution in the next to each membrane may be charged to positive polarity,
middle chamber changes its composition through electro 65 and the electrode sheet in the middle chamber can be charged
chemical reactions on the Surface of the electrode, or through to negative polarity, and, at the same time, each membrane is
the production of reaction gas, but will not generate a flow of preferably selected to be a negative ion exchange membrane.
 US 8,491,771 B2
3 4
In Such a setup, it is also possible to have each membrane be The electrolyte solution is contained in sections 17 and 18
a negative ion exchange membrane, and have the electrodes of the middle chamber. On the lower part, there is at least one
on the electrolysis side of each membrane, and to have each inlet to guide the electrolyte solution in. For example, both
porous planar electrode separated from the ion exchange sections 17 and 18 of the middle chamber may have their own
membrane by a protective membrane with many slits. (Such 5 inlet on the lower part. Or, as FIG. 1 shows, only the section
a protective membrane is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7.967, 17 of the middle chamber may have the inlet 11 to guide the
958.) electrolyte solution in. The electrolyte which is guided in
In a different embodiment, the two electrodes which are through the inlet 11, may also be guided into section 18 of the
placed next to each membrane may be charged to negative middle chamber to fill it. On the upperpart of section 17 of the
polarity, and the electrode sheet which is placed in the middle 10 middle chamber, there is the outlet 12 for the electrolyte
chamber is charged to positive polarity. In that embodiment, solution to be guided out. On the upper part of section 18 of
each membrane may be a positive ion exchange membrane. A the middle chamber, there is the outlet 13 to guide the elec
protective membrane with many slits may be placed in the trolyte out. The outlets 12 and 13 are also used to let gas out
when it is generated at the time of electrolysis. There may be
middle chamber to protect the ion exchange membranes, if 15 additional inlets or outlets if required for efficiency in a par
required by the chemistry of the reactive species generated. ticular cell.
With some chemistries no protective membrane is required. This is how the electrolysis cell is constructed. The mem
brane 5 and the electrodesheet A are placed next to each other.
Preferred Embodiment to Carry Out the Invention So are the membrane 6 and the electrode sheet B. However,
they may be constructed in layers. The electrode sheets A, B,
A vertical cross section of this invention is shown in FIG.1. and Care porous or have numerous holes from face to face. It
In FIGS. 1, 1 and 2 are the side walls of the electrolysis cell in is preferred to have 1.0 to 3.0 mm caliber holes. The preferred
rectangular parallelepiped. The walls are made of a material materials for the electrode sheets are titanium coated by plat
which does not conduct electricity. The electrolysis cell is ing with platinum or platinum group elements or their oxides.
divided by membranes 5 and 6. The electrolysis chamber 15 25 As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolysis cell is constructed by
is the space between the side wall 1 and the membrane 5. The lining up the side wall 1, the electrode sheet A, the membrane
electrolysis chamber 16 is the space between the side wall 2 5, the electrode sheet C, the membrane 6, the electrode sheet
and the membrane 6. A is the electrode which is placed next B, and the side wall 2. To create the middle chamberspaces 17
to the membrane 5 on the side of electrolysis chamber 15. C and 18, the gasket sheets 3 and 4 are inserted properly. The
is the electrode which is placed next to the membrane 6 on the 30 entire assembly is held tightly together by any of a variety of
side of electrolysis chamber 16. These electrodes A and Care means, including an external frame or a multiplicity of bolts
porous or have numerous holes. and nuts placed around the perimeter of the housing. For
The space between the membrane 5 and the membrane 6 is example, in FIG. 1, bolts and nuts, 14 and 14, are used in the
the middle chamber. The middle chamber is between the upper part and the lower part.
electrolysis chambers 15 and 16. In the middle chamber, there 35 The method for generating either acidic water or alkaline
are sections 17 and 18 created by the electrode sheet B which water using the electrolysis cell of this invention is shown
is placed in the middle of the chamber. This electrode sheet B here. When acidic electrolyzed water is to be generated,
is porous or has numerous holes. Sheets 3 and 4 are gaskets charge the electrode sheets A and C with positive polarity, and
inserted to create the spaces 17 and 18 in the middle chamber. the electrode sheet B with negative polarity. Then, apply the
They form the circumference of the spaces 17 and 18, with the 40 direct current. In this case, the sections 17 and 18 of the
middle area of the sheets 3 and 4 cut out. They are made of middle chamber are filled with a solution of salts with chlo
electrically non-conductive materials such as plastic. ride ion, for example, Sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or
Each electrolysis chamber has an inlet on the lower part to hydrochloric acid solutions, to be electrolyzed. In the elec
guide the water in to be electrolyzed. On the upper part, there trolysis chambers 15 and 16, the acidic water is generated.
is an outlet to guide the water out after it is electrolyzed. As 45 This acidic water is the electrolysis water with hypochlorous
illustrated, on the lower part of the electrolysis chamber 15, acid as a sanitizing ingredient at an effective chlorine concen
there is an inlet 7 to guide the water in to be electrolyzed. On tration of 10-80 ppm. (Suitable operating conditions for such
the upperpart of the electrolysis chamber 15, there is an outlet a cell are known, and some are described or referred to in our
9 to guide the water out after it is electrolyzed. As for the co-pending application US 2006/0260954A1.) In sections 17
electrolysis chamber 16, it has an inlet 8 on the lower part to 50 and 18 of the middle chamber, sodium hydroxide or potas
guide the water in to be electrolyzed. On the upper part of the sium hydroxide and hydrogen gas are generated. The gener
electrolysis chamber 16, there is an outlet 10 to guide the ated gas is discharged from nozzles on outlets 12 and 13. The
water out after it is electrolyzed. There may be additional electrolyte solution to be contained in sections 17 and 18 of
inlets or outlets if required for efficiency in a particular cell. the middle chamber may be circulated between the middle
When the water is guided in to be electrolyzed, the water 55 chamber and a separate cell on the outside with the help of
may first be divided into two portions; one portion may be gravity or a pump. Such circulation may be used to remove
sent to the inlet 7 to go into the electrolysis chamber 15, and gas from the cell, or to maintain the concentration of electro
the other portion may be sent to the inlet 8 to go to the lytes in the middle cell.
chamber 16. When the electrolyzed water leaves outlets 9 and Under the above-mentioned conditions, chlorine gas is
10, both streams may be collected together as the generated 60 generated on the Surface of the positive electrode sheets A and
Water. C. By the action of that chlorine gas, the neighboring mem
Another method may be to guide the water into inlet 7 to be brane (negative ion exchange membrane) deteriorates, which
electrolyzed in the electrolysis chamber 15, then when the causes unsteady production. To solve this problem, protective
electrolyzed water comes out from outlet 9, it may be guided membranes with multiple slits are used. When the electrode
into the inlet 8 to the electrolysis chamber 16 to be electro 65 sheets A and B are placed on the electrolysis chamber side of
lyzed there. The finished water may be guided out from the each membrane, these protective membranes with slits are
outlet 10 as the generated water. placed between each membrane and electrode sheet (not
 US 8,491,771 B2
5 6
illustrated). By doing this, the chlorine gas can escape the middle chamber and the membranes on each side of the
through the multiple slits before it is confined around each middle chamber, if required by the chemistry of the solutions
membrane. Therefore, the amount of chlorine gas directly in use.
touching the membrane is reduced, which prevents the mem
brane from being attacked. Example 1
Materials for the protective membrane are selected from
asbestos, glass wool, poly vinyl chloride fibers, poly FIG. 1 shows the electrolysis cell of this invention. In this
vinylidene fibers, polyester fibers, aromatic polyamide fibers, example, an acidic water is generated through electrolysis in
or their nonwoven cloth. Sometimes, paper and cellophane the electrolysis cell. A resin membrane with negative ion
are used. The most desirable material is a nonwoven cloth 10 exchangeability is used for the membranes 5 and 6 to separate
with good ion permeability. The desirable width between each electrolysis chamber from the middle chamber. The
slits, which are oriented vertically on the protective mem electrode sheets A and C are sheets which, in this example,
branes, is 1 to 10 mm. The most desirable width is 3 to 7 mm. have a usable overall area of 55 cm, and are provided with
These protective membranes with slits are easy to produce. numerous holes (caliber of 2 mm) The material for the sheets
However, there is a possibility of a negative nature where the
15 is titanium with platinum/iridium fired on. The electrode
sheet B has a usable area of 55 cm with numerous holes
chlorine gas may touch the ion exchange membrane because (caliber of 2 mm). The material for the sheet is titanium with
the uneven pressure may work on the membrane, or the pres platinum plated on. Between the electrode sheet A and the
Sure opens the slits slightly to let the chlorine gas escape membrane 5, and also between the membrane 6 and the
toward the ion exchange membrane. electrode sheet C, the protective membrane is placed in close
Another example of a protective membrane is the use of contact. For this, protective film MF250B manufactured by
rectangular pieces of nonwoven cloth. To achieve this effect, Yuasa Membrane System is used. Numerous vertical slits of
onto the edge of the first piece of nonwoven cloth, the second 5 mm in separation are added to this membrane.
piece of nonwoven cloth is placed slightly overlapping. Onto As the electrolyte solution in the middle chamber, a sodium
the edge of the second piece of nonwoven cloth, the third 25 chloride solution of about 30% in concentration is used. To
piece of nonwoven cloth is placed slightly overlapping. Keep each of the electrode sheets A and C, a direct current of 6.5
repeating this to cover the area. Then, at the end, use adhesive amperes at 7 volts is applied. To the electrode sheet B, a direct
to put the pieces together at the periphery. The overlapped current of 13 amperes at 7 volts is applied. The original
areas work as slits. How much to overlap depends on the size solution to be supplied to the electrolysis cell is directed into
of the membrane. Generally speaking, 1 to 5 mm of overlap is 30 two flows. One flow is supplied to the electrolysis chambers
preferable. This type of protective membrane is suitable to 15 and 16 as the solution to be electrolyzed. The other flow is
protect a larger area. Even if the membrane is distorted by the the solution not to be electrolyzed, which is mixed with the
uneven pressure, or the membrane expands for some reason, electrolyzed solution which comes out of the electrolysis
chambers 15 and 16. That is the acidic water intended to be
the overlapped areas still work as slits. 35 generated. The amount of solution to be electrolyzed in the
When an alkaline water such as potassium hydroxide or chambers 15 and 16 is set at 200 cc/minute, and the amount of
sodium hydroxide is the desired electrolyzed water, the elec solution not to be electrolyzed is set at 2000 cc/minute, then,
trodes A and Care charged to negative polarity. The electrode after electrolysis, the solutions are mixed, so that the gener
B is charged to positive polarity. Then, the direct current is ated amount of the acid electrolyzed water is 2200 cc/minute.
applied. In this case, the electrolyte solution in the middle 40 The pH value is 3.2, and the effective chlorine concentration
chambers 17 and 18 is, for example, sodium carbonate solu is 35 ppm. Such a solution is useful for many purposes, and in
tion, or potassium carbonate solution, or sodium hydrogen particular for cleaning and disinfecting. In this case, the pH of
carbonate (sodium bicarbonate) solution, or potassium the electrolyte solution in the middle chambers at the start is
hydrogen carbonate (potassium bicarbonate) solution. Simi pH=10.0. It begins to climb until it reaches 13. However, the
lar materials, or combinations of the materials named and/or 45 goal of not generating a continuous flow of alkaline water is
similar materials, may also be used. In particular, the middle reached.
chamber contains a Solution comprising monovalent cations,
and preferably contains a potentially volatile anion Such as Example 2
carbonate orbicarbonate anions. In a preferred embodiment,
the carbonate or bicarbonate anions in the middle chamber 50 FIG. 1 shows an electrolysis cell of this invention. In this
are more than 90% of the anions in the middle chamber (by example, alkaline water is generated through electrolysis in
number.) the electrolysis cells. A resin membrane with positive ion
In the electrolysis chambers 15 and 16, a flowing alkaline exchange is used for the membranes 5 and 6 to separate each
water is generated, having a main component of potassium electrolysis chamber from the middle chamber. The electrode
and/or sodium hydroxide, which has a lower redox potential 55 sheets A and C are placed in close contact with the mem
and high pH. Such a solution is useful for many purposes, and branes 5 and 6. The electrode sheets A and C and also the
in particular for cleaning and disinfecting. In sections 17 and electrode sheet Bhave a usable area of 55 cm with numerous
18 of the middle chamber, carbon dioxide and oxygen gas are holes (caliber of 2 mm). They are made of a titanium sheet
generated, but the unwanted acidic water is not generated. with platinum plated on. In the middle chamber, the electro
The generated gas is discharged through nozzles 12 and 13. 60 lyte solution of potassium carbonate at approximately 50%
The electrolyte solution to be contained in sections 17 and 18 concentration by weight is contained.
of the middle chamber may be circulated between the middle The original solution to be supplied to the electrolysis cell
chamber and a separate cell on the outside with the help of a is directed into two flows. One half of the solution is supplied
pump. (Sodium or potassium carbonate or bicarbonate is to the electrolysis chamber 15, and the other half is supplied
consumed in the reaction and may be replaced.) With these 65 to the electrolysis chamber 16. By combining the solutions
chemicals, no protective membrane is needed. However, a coming out of the chamber 15 and the chamber 16, the alkali
protective membrane may be placed between the electrode in water is successfully gained. The direct current applied to the
 US 8,491,771 B2
7 8
electrode sheets is 20 amperes at 9 volts. The combined stood by one of skill in the art to which the disclosed invention
amount of Solution Supplied to the electrolysis chambers is belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or
measured. The amount is varied, from 200 cc/minute through equivalent to those described herein can be used in the prac
1000 cc/minute, to measure the pH and the oxidation-reduc tice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods,
tion potential (ORP). The result is shown in Table 1 (below). devices, and materials are as described. Publications cited
herein and the material for which they are cited are specifi
TABLE 1. cally incorporated by reference, where Such incorporation is
permitted. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission
Cc/min to electrolysis that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by
chambers pH ORP
10 virtue of prior invention, where relevant. Those skilled in the
2OO 12.57 -81.8 art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than
3OO
400
12.33
12.25
-690
-600
routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific
600 12.12 -614 embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equiva
800 12.01 -SSO lents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
1OOO 11.91 -52O 15
The invention claimed is:
As Table 1 shows, an alkaline water with higher pH and 1. A method of producing a flow of either acidic or alkaline
with lower oxidation-reduction potential is generated when a electrolyzed water, wherein the production of a second flow
smaller flow rate of solution is supplied to the electrolysis of a complementary alkaline or acidic electrolyzed water is
chambers. As the flow rate of solution increases, it generates inhibited, the method comprising:
alkaline water with lower pH. At the same time, oxidation (a) providing a three chamber electrolysis cell with at least
reduction potential rises. In this example, when the amount of two electrolysis chambers and a middle chamber,
solution supplied to the electrolysis chambers is between 200 wherein each of the two electrolysis chambers contain
cc and 800 cc/minute, the most desirable alkaline water is an electrode separated from the middle chamber by an
obtained, having a pH greater than pH 12, and with less than 25 ion exchange membrane and the middle chamber con
-500 mV oxidation-reduction potential. Such a solution is tains an electrode which is bound in part by the ion
useful for many purposes, and in particular for cleaning and exchange membranes wherein the ion exchange mem
disinfecting. branes are selected to exchange eitheranions or cations;
It should be noted, from the data in Table I, that the pH and (b) applying a voltage between the electrode in the middle
ORP are correlated, as is the level of ions (including cations 30
chamber and the electrodes in the two electrolysis cham
here, and free chlorine in an acid water producing cell), and bers wherein the electrodes in the two electrolysis cham
may be varied by operating conditions or by post-electrolysis bers are electronically charged with either positive or
dilution to obtain solutions optimized for a particular use. negative polarity, and the electrode in the middle cham
Comparison with Prior Art Electrolysis Cells ber is charged with an opposite polarity wherein the ion
In comparison with the invention, a conventional three exchange membranes have negative ion exchange abil
chamber electrolysis cell is described. In the conventional 35 ity when the electrodes have positive polarity and
case, there are two electrolysis chambers, one on each side of wherein the ion exchange membranes have positive ion
the middle chamber. (There is one positive electrode sheet exchange ability when the electrodes have negative
and one negative electrode sheet, one in each electrolysis polarity; and
chamber, and none in the middle chamber.) In this example, wherein the middle chamber contains a solution comprising
40 at least one of carbonate and bicarbonate anions wherein the
the effective area of the electrode sheets is made the same (55 carbonate and bicarbonate anions in the middle chamber are
cm) as in Example 2. In this case, the electrode sheets are more than 90% of the anions in the middle chamber;
supplied with a direct current of 6.5 ampere at 6 volt to (c) circulating a solution to be electrolyzed through the
hydrolyze the solution. When the amount of solution supplied electrolysis chambers thereby generating electrolyzed
to the negative chamber is 80 cc/minute, 120 cc/minute, and water in the electrolysis chambers, wherein polarity of
200 cc/minute, the generated alkaline water's pH is 12.39, 45
the electrodes and correlated exchange characteristics of
12.29, and 12.14 respectively. The ORP is -725 volt, -750 the membranes cause the electrolyzed water to be acidic
volt, and -600 volt respectively. or alkaline.
Thus, the conventional cell and the cell of this invention are 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the membranes are anion
compared to prove that the conventional cell does not gener exchange membranes and the electrodes in the two electroly
ate an alkaline water of the same level of pH and of oxidation 50
sis chambers have a positive polarity and the electrode in the
reduction potential as does the new cell as shown in Example middle chamber has a negative polarity.
2, even though both cells are of similar size and membrane 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of
area. To generate the alkaline water of the same level of pH adding non-electrolyzed water to the electrolyzed water from
and the same ORP as shown in Example 2 using the conven the electrolysis cells, wherein a selected value of pH, free
tional cell, the flow rate of solution supply needs to be reduced 55 chlorine or oxidation-reduction potential in the final acid
to 30-40% of what was used in the cell of this invention. In
other words, comparing the data from Table 1 with the date electrolyzed water is obtained.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the middle chamber
from the prior art experiment, it appears that the rate of contains a solution comprising halide anions.
production of an alkaline water of a given pH and ORP in the 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the membranes are
improved cell of the invention, compared to a prior art cell of cation exchange membranes and the electrodes in the two
the same membrane area, is at least about 2 times as great, and 60
electrolysis chambers have a negative polarity and the elec
probably 2.5 to 3 times as great. Thus, the system of the trode in the middle chamber has a positive polarity.
invention produces significant increases in the efficiency of 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the middle chamber
production of electrolyzed water.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms contains a solution comprising monovalent cations.
used herein have the same meanings as commonly under k k k k k