Abstract:
Method and system of rejuvenating pressurized fluid solvents used for cleaning a substrate in a pressurized vessel (10). A primary flow (20) of the pressurized fluid solvent is continuously cycled from the pressurized vessel through a series of filters (32-38) to remove insoluble and soluble contaminants, and then returned to the pressurized vessel (10). A secondary flow (40) of the pressurized fluid solvent, preferably equivalent to less than about 40 % of the primary flow, is directed to an evaporator (42) to evaporate the pressurized fluid solvent of the secondary flow into a vapor and to separate the contaminants therefrom. The vapor form the evaporator is then either liquified by a compressor or condenser (54) to create rejuvenated pressurized fluid solvent and redirected to the pressurized vessel for further use, or vented to atmosphere and replaced by new pressurized fluid solvent from a supply tank. Pressure equalization lines (71, 73) extend between a storage tank (70) and various system components to allow solvent vapor to displace therebetween.
Abstract:
A dry cleaning system particularly suited for employing supercritical CO2 as the cleaning fluid consisting of a sealable cleaning vessel (10) containing a rotatable drum (110) adapted for holding soiled substrate, a cleaning fluid storage vessel (12), and a gas vaporizer vessel (11) for recycling used cleaning fluid is provided. The drum (110) is magnetically coupled to a motor (120) so that it can be rotated during the cleaning process. The system is adapted for automation which permits increased energy efficiency as the heating and cooling effect associated with CO2 gas condensation and expansion can be channeled to heat and cool various parts of the system.
Abstract:
A closed circuit solvent cleaning method and system in which the object to be cleaned is placed in a chamber (10) and subjected to a negative gauge pressure (12) to remove air and other non-condensible gases, after which a solvent is introduced (14) to the evacuated chamber and the object is cleaned (16). Following this, the solvent is recovered (18) from the object and chamber and then the clean object is removed.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a cooling unit for cooling fluid in a dry cleaning system and a method therefore. The cooling unit (12) comprises a device (1, 7, 8) containing cooled fluid such as carbon dioxide, and a tube section (11) for conveying the fluid from a first compressor stage (2) to a second compressor stage (3), arranged so that the fluid in the tube section (11) is cooled by the cooled fluid in the device (1, 7, 8).
Abstract:
An auxiliary group (1) for water washing machines (2), of the type that comprises a cabinet (3) provided with an internal chamber suitable for containing water, a basket that can rotate within the chamber, a duct (4a) for introducing water into the chamber and a duct (4b) for discharging water from the chamber, and a motor element designed to move the basket. The group (1) comprises a duct (5) for delivery to the internal chamber and a duct (6) for return from the internal chamber. The delivery duct (5) and the return duct (6) are intercepted by at least one of an element (7) for the forced circulation of gas for desiccation and drying and an apparatus (8) for the forced circulation of washing solvents.
Abstract:
An improved dry cleaning system and process capable of producing satisfactory fabric cleaning results through multiple fabric laundering cycles without the need to replace or dispose of the solvent and other components in the system. The present system and process employ a novel solvent usage and reclamation regimen.
Abstract:
A system and method are provided for dry cleaning articles utilizing a siloxane solvent. The system (5) includes a cleaning basket (10) for receiving articles therein and one or more tanks (14, 16) for containing a siloxane solvent. Coupled between the tank and the cleaning basket is a pump (12) for immersing the articles in the cleaning basket with the siloxane solvent. Also included is a still (24) for distilling the dirty siloxane solvent to recover the pure siloxane solvent. A condenser (26) is coupled to the cleaning basket and/or the still for recovering condensed vapors. For decanting any water in the siloxane solvent received from the condenser, a separator (28) is coupled to the condenser. A fan (32) is coupled to the cleaning basket for circulating air past the condenser, then the heater coils (34) and into the cleaning basket for drying and cooling the articles.
Abstract:
A device for cleaning textile articles with a densified liquid state treatment gas, comprising a treatment chamber (10), a supply tank (18) for densified treatment gas and an evaporator chamber (36), which spaces are connected to each other by way of suitable tubes to allow pressure balance between the different spaces, filling of the treatment chamber (10) with liquid state treatment gas from the supply tank (18), as well as drainage of liquid state treatment gas from the treatment chamber (10) to the evaporator chamber (36). Compressor means (46) are arranged which are organized partly to achieve essentially complete drainage of gaseous treatment gas from the treatment chamber (10), and partly constitute the driving means during one in the treatment process included distillation phase, where densified treatment gas in the evaporator chamber (36) is gasified and through condenser means (44) conveyed back to the supply tank (18). The condenser means are in heat conducting touch with the evaporator chamber (36), and form together with the compressor means (46) a heat pump, which alone furnish the necessary heat energy for evaporating the liquid in the evaporator chamber (36). In a modified embodiment the treatment chamber (10) is adapted so as to act also as an evaporation chamber.
Abstract:
A system for processing a product with a solvent containing volatile constituents, the system including a pressure chamber (12) for receiving the product, a vacuum pump (18) for evacuating the chamber, a solvent recirculating system for admitting the solvent at a predetermined pressure into the chamber, the solvent recirculating system including a heater (13) for maintaining the temperature of the chamber at the saturation temperature of the solvent, gas liquid separator (34) for separating the gas and liquid components of the solvent discharged from the chamber (12), a first closed loop system connected to the separator to return the gas constituent to the chamber and a second closed loop system connected to the separator to return the liquid component to the chamber.