Membrane-electrode assembly, electrolytic cell employing the same, electrolytic-water sprayer, and method of sterilization

Abstract

The present invention provides a membrane-electrode assembly which comprises: at least one rod-form or tubular electrode; a tubular diaphragm disposed around the periphery of the electrode; and a wire-form counter electrode disposed around the periphery of the diaphragm, the diaphragm being fixed to the rod-form or tubular electrode with the wire-form counter electrode to thereby form an electrode chamber having a gas/liquid passage between the diaphragm and the rod-form or tubular electrode.

1 . A membrane-electrode assembly which comprises:
 at least one rod-form or tubular electrode;   a tubular diaphragm disposed around the periphery of the electrode; and   a wire-form counter electrode disposed around the periphery of the diaphragm,   the diaphragm being fixed to the rod-form or tubular electrode with the wire-form counter electrode to thereby form an electrode chamber having a gas/liquid passage between the diaphragm and the rod-form or tubular electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The membrane-electrode assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of rod-form or tubular electrodes. 
     
     
         3 . The membrane-electrode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wire-form counter electrode is spirally wound at a pitch of 1-10 mm. 
     
     
         4 . A membrane-electrode assembly which comprises:
 at least one rod-form or tubular electrode;   a tubular diaphragm disposed around the periphery of the electrode; and   a porous counter electrode disposed around the periphery of the diaphragm,   the diaphragm being fixed to the rod-form or tubular electrode with the porous counter electrode to thereby form an electrode chamber having a gas/liquid passage between the diaphragm and the rod-form or tubular electrode.   
     
     
         5 . A membrane-electrode assembly which comprises:
 at least one rod-form or tubular electrode having a recessed part formed therein;   a tubular diaphragm disposed around the periphery of the electrode so as to form an electrode chamber having a gas/liquid passage between the diaphragm and the electrode; and   a platy counter electrode disposed around the periphery of the diaphragm.   
     
     
         6 . The membrane-electrode assembly of any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the rod-form or tubular electrode comprises diamond. 
     
     
         7 . The membrane-electrode assembly of any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the rod-form or tubular electrode is an anode and the counter electrode is a cathode. 
     
     
         8 . An electrolytic cell which comprises:
 the membrane-electrode assembly of any one of  claims 1  to  5 ;   a feeder wire-fixing tube fitted to at least one of openings of the electrode chamber of the assembly; and   a feeder wire fixed between the opening and the feeder wire-fixing tube.   
     
     
         9 . An electrolytic cell which comprises:
 the membrane-electrode assembly of any one of  claims 1  to  5 ; and   a tube for forming a tubular counter electrode chamber, the tube being disposed around the electrode chamber and the counter electrode.   
     
     
         10 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 8 , which yields electrolytic water, the electrolytic water comprising ozonized water as a main component. 
     
     
         11 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 9 , which yields electrolytic water, the electrolytic water comprising ozonized water as a main component. 
     
     
         12 . An electrolytic-water sprayer which comprises:
 the electrolytic cell of any one of  claims 8  to  11 ;   a vessel containing raw water; and   a head,   wherein the raw water is electrolyzed with the electrolytic cell and the electrolytic water thus yielded is ejected from the head.   
     
     
         13 . A method of sterilization with electrolytic water which comprises:
 yielding electrolytic water with the electrolytic-water sprayer of  claim 11 ; and   ejecting the resultant electrolytic water to a substance to be sterilized.