U.S. patent application number 14/005293 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-16 for electrolysis device and related detergentless washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to General Electric Company. The applicant listed for this patent is Wei Cai, Ronald Scott Tarr, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Zijun Xia, Rihua Xiong, Hai Yang, Chengqian Zhang. Invention is credited to Wei Cai, Ronald Scott Tarr, Ramasamy Thiyagarajan, Zijun Xia, Rihua Xiong, Hai Yang, Chengqian Zhang.
Application Number | 20140014145 14/005293 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46929293 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140014145 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Xia; Zijun ; et al. |
January 16, 2014 |
ELECTROLYSIS DEVICE AND RELATED DETERGENTLESS WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
An electrolysis device is disclosed for producing alkaline water
from water including an electrolysis vessel, a positive electrode,
a negative electrode, a bipolar membrane element, and at least one
cation exchangeable membrane within the electrolysis vessel. The
bipolar membrane element has a cation exchangeable side and an
anion exchangeable side, the cation exchangeable side being closer
to the negative electrode than the anion exchangeable side. The at
least one cation exchangeable membrane is arranged between the
anion exchangeable side of the bipolar membrane element and the
positive electrode, so as to define an alkali chamber between the
bipolar membrane element and the cation exchangeable membrane. An
ionic exchange resin is associated with the vessel, whereby flow of
the water though the vessel and the ionic exchange resin produces
alkaline water in the alkali chamber. Various options and
modifications are possible. A related washing machine such as a
dishwasher is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Xia; Zijun; (Shanghai,
CN) ; Tarr; Ronald Scott; (Louisville, KY) ;
Yang; Hai; (Shanghai, CN) ; Thiyagarajan;
Ramasamy; (Louisville, KY) ; Xiong; Rihua;
(Shanghai, CN) ; Cai; Wei; (Shanghai, CN) ;
Zhang; Chengqian; (Shanghai, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Xia; Zijun
Tarr; Ronald Scott
Yang; Hai
Thiyagarajan; Ramasamy
Xiong; Rihua
Cai; Wei
Zhang; Chengqian |
Shanghai
Louisville
Shanghai
Louisville
Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai |
KY
KY |
CN
US
CN
US
CN
CN
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
General Electric Company
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
46929293 |
Appl. No.: |
14/005293 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
April 1, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2011/000567 |
371 Date: |
September 16, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/115R ;
204/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 2001/422 20130101;
D06F 35/003 20130101; A47L 15/4238 20130101; C02F 2103/002
20130101; C02F 2001/425 20130101; C02F 1/4693 20130101; C02F 1/4618
20130101; C02F 2201/46115 20130101; A47L 15/4229 20130101; C02F
2307/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/115.R ;
204/252 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/42 20060101
A47L015/42 |
Claims
1. An electrolysis device for producing alkaline water from water
comprising: an electrolysis vessel; a positive electrode, a
negative electrode, a bipolar membrane element, and at least one
cation exchangeable membrane within the electrolysis vessel, the
bipolar membrane element having a cation exchangeable side and an
anion exchangeable side, the cation exchangeable side being closer
to the negative electrode than the anion exchangeable side, the at
least one cation exchangeable membrane being arranged between the
anion exchangeable side of the bipolar membrane element and the
positive electrode, so as to define an alkalic chamber between the
bipolar membrane element and the cation exchangeable membrane; and
an ionic exchange resin associated with the vessel, whereby flow of
the water though the vessel and the ionic exchange resin produces
alkaline water in the alkalic chamber.
2. The electrolysis device of claim 1, wherein an acidic chamber is
defined between the anion exchange membrane and the bipolar
membrane, whereby flow of the water though the vessel and the ionic
exchange resin produces acidic water from the acidic chamber.
3. The electrolysis device of claim 1, further including an anion
exchangeable membrane between the negative electrode and the cation
exchangeable side of the bipolar membrane element, an acidic
chamber being defined between the anion exchangeable membrane and
the bipolar membrane element, whereby flow of the water though the
vessel and the ionic exchange resin produces acidic water from the
acidic chamber.
4. The electrolysis device of claim 3, wherein a second alkalic
chamber is defined between the cation exchange membrane and the
bipolar membrane, whereby flow of the water though the vessel and
the ionic exchange resin produces alkaline water from the second
alkalic chamber.
5. The electrolysis device of claim 1, further including a
container for holding the alkaline water produced by the alkalic
chamber and for supplying the alkaline water either back to the
alkalic chamber or to an end use location.
6. The electrolysis device of claim 2, further including a
container for holding the acidic water produced by the acidic
chamber and for supplying the acidic water either back to the
acidic chamber or to an end use location.
7. The electrolysis device of claim 1, wherein the ionic exchange
resin is located within the alkalic chamber of the electrolysis
vessel.
8. The electrolysis device of claim 2, wherein the ionic exchange
resin is located within the acidic chamber of the electrolysis
vessel.
9. The electrolysis device of claim 1, wherein the ionic exchange
resin is held within a container located outside of the and in
liquid communication with the electrolysis vessel.
10. The electrolysis device of claim 1, wherein the ionic exchange
resin in the alkalic chamber is an anion exchange resin.
11. The electrolysis device of claim 2, wherein the ionic exchange
resin in the acidic chamber is a cation exchange resin.
12. The electrolysis device of claim 2, wherein the ionic exchange
resin in the alkalic chamber and the acidic chamber is a mixture of
anion exchange resins and cation exchange resins.
13. A detergentless washing machine comprising: a washing
compartment for washing objects; and an electrolysis vessel for
supplying alkaline water to the washing compartment, the
electrolysis vessel including: a positive electrode, a negative
electrode, a bipolar membrane element, and at least one cation
exchangeable membrane within the electrolysis vessel, the bipolar
membrane element having a cation exchangeable side and an anion
exchangeable side, the cation exchangeable side being closer to the
negative electrode than the anion exchangeable side, the at least
one cation exchangeable membrane being arranged between the anion
exchangeable side of the bipolar membrane element and the positive
electrode, so as to define an alkalic chamber between the bipolar
membrane element and the cation exchangeable membrane; and an ionic
exchange resin associated with the vessel, whereby flow of the
water though the vessel and the ionic exchange resin produces the
alkaline water in the alkalic chamber to be provided to the washing
compartment for washing the objects.
14. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein an acidic chamber is
defined between the anion exchange membrane and the bipolar
membrane, whereby flow of the water though the vessel and the ionic
exchange resin produces acidic water from the acidic chamber.
15. The washing machine of claim 13, further including a container
for holding the alkaline water produced by the alkalic chamber and
for supplying the alkaline water either back to the alkalic chamber
or to an end use location.
16. The washing machine of claim 14, further including a container
for holding the acidic water produced by the acidic chamber and for
supplying the acidic water either back to the acidic chamber or to
an end use location.
17. The washing machine of claim 13, wherein the ionic exchange
resin is located within the alkalic chamber of the electrolysis
vessel.
18. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein the ionic exchange
resin is located within the acidic chamber of the electrolysis
vessel.
19. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the ionic exchange
resin is held within a container located outside of the and in
liquid communication with the electrolysis vessel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally
electrolysis devices useful for cleaning and to related washing
machines that can operate without use of detergent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Most clothes washers and dishwashers use detergents to clean
the desired objects (clothing or cookware). Various formulations of
detergents have been introduced that provide excellent cleaning in
either type of machine. For example, clothes washers often use a
surfactant such as a linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, usually along
with water softeners, bleaches, enzymes, etc. Dishwashers also use
surfactants, water softeners, bleaches, enzymes, and other
ingredients.
[0003] Detergents have become substantially more environmentally
sensitive over the years in terms of wastewater processing concerns
of the various ingredients. However, use of detergents generally
requires use of rinse cycles, which in turn requires that
additional water and energy be used by the machine. Further,
additional wastewater is generated during such a rinse cycle,
requiring additional treatment in a septic or sewage system.
[0004] In order to avoid or reduce use of detergents, detergentless
ionic washing has been proposed in clothing and dishwashers. For
example, a number of such ionic washers are disclosed in US
2009/0159448, owned by Applicants' Assignee, and incorporated by
reference herein. In that patent application, alkaline water is
produced for detergentless washing in various embodiments of
electrolysis devices. However, due to the low conductivity of
typical tap water, energy consumption of such ionic devices may be
high. Also, undesirable scaling may occur in some such systems in
some conditions. Accordingly, an improved detergentless ionic
washing system would be welcome.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0006] According to certain aspects of the disclosure, an
electrolysis device is disclosed for producing alkaline water from
water including an electrolysis vessel, a positive electrode, a
negative electrode, a bipolar membrane element, and at least one
cation exchangeable membrane within the electrolysis vessel. The
bipolar membrane element has a cation exchangeable side and an
anion exchangeable side, the cation exchangeable side being closer
to the negative electrode than the anion exchangeable side. The at
least one cation exchangeable membrane is arranged between the
anion exchangeable side of the bipolar membrane element and the
positive electrode, so as to define an alkalic chamber between the
bipolar membrane element and the cation exchangeable membrane. An
ionic exchange resin is associated with the vessel, whereby flow of
the water though the vessel and the ionic exchange resin produces
alkaline water in the alkalic chamber. Various options and
modifications are possible.
[0007] According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, a
detergentless washing machine includes a washing compartment for
washing objects and an electrolysis vessel for supplying alkaline
water to the washing compartment. The electrolysis vessel includes
a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a bipolar membrane
element, and at least one cation exchangeable membrane within the
electrolysis vessel. The bipolar membrane element has a cation
exchangeable side and an anion exchangeable side, the cation
exchangeable side being closer to the negative electrode than the
anion exchangeable side. The at least one cation exchangeable
membrane is arranged between the anion exchangeable side of the
bipolar membrane element and the positive electrode, so as to
define an alkalic chamber between the bipolar membrane element and
the cation exchangeable membrane. An ionic exchange resin is
associated with the vessel, whereby flow of the water though the
vessel and the ionic exchange resin produces the alkaline water in
the alkalic chamber to be provided to the washing compartment for
washing the objects. Again, various options and modifications are
possible.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 provides a schematic view of a washer having an
electrolysis device according to certain aspects of the
disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 provides a schematic view of one possible
electrolysis device useful in the washer of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 provides a schematic view of another possible
electrolysis device useful in the washer of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of another possible
electrolysis device useful in the washer of FIG. 1; and
[0014] FIG. 5 provides a schematic view of another possible
electrolysis device useful in the washer of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary washing machine 10. The
exemplary washing machine 10 may include for example a cabinet 12,
a hinged door 14, a washing compartment 16 in which washing of
objects occurs, a water supply 18, and a water outlet 20. If
desired, water supply 18 may include separate hot and cold water
supplies (not shown). Water supply 18 and outlet 20 are connected
to washing compartment 60 in conventional ways. Washing compartment
16 could be fixed (as in a dishwasher or the like) or could include
a movable/rotatable drum within a larger container (as in a clothes
washer or the like). Washing compartment 16 could include various
conventional items within it such as sprayers, racks, tumbling
structures, vents and drains, etc., as desired.
[0017] Washing machine 10 may include a user interface 22 including
one or more input devices such as buttons, and one or more output
devices such as displays, LED's, etc. A conventional controller 24,
for example including a memory and processor, within washing
machine 10 may receive and send signals from user interface 22 and
other components of the device (not shown for clarity as
unnecessary to fully disclose and explain the present inventive
concepts), such as pumps, motors, valves, containers, sensors,
power sources, rectifiers, etc., as are known to perform desired
washing activities and cycles.
[0018] It should therefore be understood that washing machine 10
could comprise a clothes washer, a dish washer, a medical device
sterilizer, or any other water-based machine for washing items.
Therefore, conventional components of such devices as mentioned
above could be adapted to employ the detergentless cleaning devices
disclosed herein.
[0019] FIG. 1 further schematically shows an electrolysis device 28
located within washing machine 10 and including an electrolysis
cell 30. A container 32 holds the alkaline product of electrolysis
device 30. Conduits 34 and 36 connect container 32 to electrolysis
device 30, and conduit 38 connects container 32 to washing
compartment 16. A container 40 holds the acidic product of
electrolysis device 30. Conduits 42 and 44 connect container 40 to
electrolysis device 30, and conduit 46 connects container 40 to
washing compartment 16. Electrolysis device 30 may receive water
from water supply 18 as well via conduit 48.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, a cell unit 50 includes a positive
electrode 52 and a negative electrode 54. The electrodes may be
highly porous metals, such as titanium mesh for example. The cell
unit includes a vessel 56 and a number of cells 58, 60, 62, and 64.
The cells are divided by ion exchange membranes 66,68, and 70.
Membrane 66 is an anion exchange membrane, membrane 70 is a cation
exchange membrane, and membrane 68 is a bipolar exchange membrane.
Membrane 68 has an anion exchange side 72 and a cation exchange
side 74.
[0021] Inlets 76,78,80 and 82 and outlets 84,86,88, and 90 are
provided for the cells 58-64, respectively. Each cell has within it
a mixture of both cation and anion exchange resins 92 which may be
any of a number of commercially available resins. For example, the
resins may be cross-linked divinylbenzene, if desired. The cation
exchange resin may have as a functional group a sulfonic group
(--SO3H or -SO3Na), and the anion exchange resin may have as a the
functional group a quaternary amine group.
[0022] An acid container 94 and an alkaline container 96 are
provided as well. Acid container 94 has a first outlet 98 connected
to cell inlets 78 and 82, and a second outlet 100 that is connected
to a desired end use location, such as the interior of a washer 10.
An inlet 102 is connected to cell outlets 86 and 90. Acidic liquid
can thus cycle through cells 60 and 64 (acidic chambers) and
container 94 via a pump (not shown). Alkaline container 96 has a
first outlet 104 is similarly connected to cell inlets 76 and 80
and a second outlet 106 connected to a desired end use location.
Inlet 108 is connected to cell outlets 84 and 88. Alkaline liquid
can thus cycle through cells 58 and 62 (alkalic chambers) in a
similar fashion.
[0023] Cells 58-64 should be large enough to generate sufficient
alkaline water for cleaning the desired objects in a reasonable
amount of time. For example, if used in a dishwasher, typical wash
cycles vary from 30-75 minutes or so, depending on the device and
the chosen cycle. Therefore, the size, flow rate, current, etc. can
be chosen to obtain an amount of alkaline water needed for a given
cycle. To generate 1.2 gallons of alkaline water of a pH of over
11, for example, might require cells with membranes as large as
10.times.20 cm, that run for an amount of time such as 20-25
minutes or so. Such alkaline water can be used in a dishwasher
instead of detergent to clean cookware during a typical cleaning
cycle. The acidic water generated can be used during rinsing to
sanitize or sterilize as well.
[0024] The presence of the ion exchange resins within the cells
allows the cells to operate while reducing CaCO.sub.3 scaling and
other such deposits on the ion exchange membranes while still
allowing the chemical and electrical reactions to occur. It is
believed that the regeneration of H and OH ions caused by the ion
exchange resins beneficially prevents such scaling deposits.
Further, by placing the ion exchange resins in the cells, the
resins do no wear out, or will do so much more slowly so that they
need not be changed out during the life of the product.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a variation of cell unit 50 of FIG. 2. In FIG.
3, like parts receive like reference numerals, so all need not be
mentioned herein. Cell unit 150 of FIG. 3 differs from that of FIG.
2 in that cells 158-164 do not include mixtures of ion exchange
resins. Instead, anion exchange resins 191 are located in cells 158
and 162, and cation exchange resins 193 are located in cells 160
and 164. Resins may be of the types described above. Splitting the
resins on a per cell basis may provide better performance in
certain situation in terms of higher acid and alkaline generation
at a given set of parameters.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows another modified version in which mixed resins
may be employed. However, cell unit 250 of FIG. 4 includes three
separate cells on each side of bipolar membrane 268 and formed by
additional exchange membranes. As shown, cells 258 and 262 are
connected to alkaline container 296, as before. Cells 260 and 264
are connected to acidic container 294 in similar fashion. Membranes
265 and 270 are cation exchange membranes and membranes 266 and 271
are anion exchange membranes. Cells 259 and 263 are connected to a
water cycle. Ion exchange resins 292 are mixed as illustrated, but
could be separated out according to anion and cation as above, if
desired. Therefore, cell 250 provides a further separated system in
which feed water can be provided as needed via a separate inlet.
The feed water need not be circulated as shown, but may simply be
provided to the washing device or drained after cycling though cell
20. Cell 250 may thus provide another arrangement for created
alkaline water and acidic water for cleaning, while providing a
ready source of water to the device as substances are used during
cleaning.
[0027] Finally, FIG. 5 shows an alternate device in which cell 350
is a modified version of cells 50 and 150 above. In cell 350,
however, separate containers 395 and 397 are provided for the anion
exchange resin 391 and the cation exchange resin 393, respectively.
Placing the exchange resins exterior to cell 350 does provide a
number of the regenerative and anti-scaling benefits discussed
above. However, in case performance degrades over time due to the
resins and/or other portions of the cell becoming fouled or scaled,
the resins can be replaced in containers 395 and 397 without having
to replace the entire cell vessel 356. In some applications, this
may be sufficient to provide the benefits mentioned above while
still allowing for maintenance. Alternatively. The resins can be
periodically changed on a regular schedule regardless of any
fouling, degradation, etc., if desired to ensure peak performance
of cell 350.
[0028] Accordingly, using the various electrolytic devices above
and variations as disclosed, a detergentless wash can be achieved
using alkalic and/or acidic water. In a dishwasher, sufficient
alkalic water can be generated in a typical cycle amount of time,
using minimal electric power as compared to the entire power demand
of the machine, to suitably clean cookware using approximately 1.2
gallons of alkalic water at approximately 11 pH or more. Thus,
detergent need not be employed, providing cost and environmental
benefits. It should be understood that the electrolytic device
herein may be used with various applications, including clothes and
dish washing devices. However, other washing devices and other
devices requiring alkaline and/or acidic water may be practiced
using the present teachings.
[0029] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *