Abstract:
Described herein is a solution for use in cleaning articles comprising, a dry cleaning agent, wherein the dry cleaning agent comprises a siloxane solvent, a hydrocarbon solvent or a combination thereof, and an enhancer, which raises a KBV value of the solution. The enhancer can be soluble in the dry cleaning agent and water. Also described herein is a dry cleaning system that utilizes the solution, as well as a purification system for purifying the solution.
Abstract:
Un método y aparato de lavado utilizando dióxido de carbono se describe y reivindica. La presente invención cuenta con un tanque de almacenamiento, un compartimento de lavado, medios de filtrado del fluido de lavado, medios de estrangulamiento del fluido de lavado, medios de evaporación del fluido de lavado, una columna de destilación, medios de compresión del fluido de lavado, una bomba y medios de condensación del fluido de lavado. El método de lavado incluye varias etapas. Una de las etapas es la corrección de la calidad del fluido de lavado en la que se destila y se aumenta o disminuye la relación vapor saturado/mezcla total del fluido de lavado. En caso de ser necesario aumentar la relación vapor saturado/mezcla total del fluido de lavado se hace pasar fluido en estado líquido a través de un medio de estrangulamiento al paso del cuál desciende la presión y la temperatura del fluido de lavado, después se hace pasar a través de un medio de evaporación en el que la mayor parte del fluido de lavado cambia a estado gaseoso. En tercer lugar pasa por una columna de destilación en la que se evapora la fracción del fluido de lavado que aún se encontraba en estado líquido, después pasa a través de un medio de condensación en el que parte fluido de lavado cambia a estado líquido y finalmente se lleva al tanque de almacenaje destilado, con una mayor relación vapor saturado/mezcla total del fluido. En caso de ser necesario disminuir la relación vapor saturado/mezcla total del fluido de lavado se condensa parte del vapor saturado del sistema. El sistema cuenta con un control electrónico automático que acciona los diferentes elementos del sistema para realizar distintas operaciones.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an article cleaning apparatus (1000) comprising an air management mechanism (1), a cleaning basket assembly (2), a fluid regeneration device (7), a working fluid device (6), a clean fluid device (8), and a controller (5). The working fluid device (6) is coupled to the fluid regeneration device (7), the cleaning basket assembly (2), and the air management mechanism. The clean fluid device (8) is coupled to the cleaning basket assembly (2) and the fluid regeneration device (7). The controller (5) is coupled to the air management mechanism (1), the cleaning basket assembly (2), the working fluid device (6), the regeneration device (7), and the clean fluid device (8). The controller (5) is configured to control a cleaning process (350). The present invention also provides a method for performing the cleaning process (350).
Abstract:
A method for conserving carbon dioxide vapor in a carbon dioxide dry cleaning system employing a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution to clean articles, where the method includes removing carbon dioxide vapor from a wash tank to a vapor tank, storing the carbon dioxide vapor in the vapor tank; and charging the wash tank with carbon dioxide vapor from the vapor tank. The method may be performed as part of a wash cycle that includes filling the wash tank with cleaning solution, washing articles to be cleaned in the wash tank, and emptying the cleaning solution out of the wash tank. An apparatus may also be employed for conserving carbon dioxide vapor in a carbon dioxide dry cleaning system employing a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution to clean articles, where the apparatus includes a wash tank for contacting the articles to be cleaned with the liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, a working tank for storing liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, a vapor tank for storing carbon dioxide vapor, a first piping system providing fluid communication between the wash tank and the vapor tank, where the first piping system includes a first line and a first valve residing in the first line, and a second piping system providing fluid communication between the working tank and the wash tank. Methods and apparatus for collecting liquid carbon dioxide in a collecting tank are also provided.
Abstract:
A machine for washing and/or cleaning articles comprises a sealable enclosure for containing the articles to which cleaning liquid is to be supplied. The cleaning liquid is heated to a high temperature and forced into the enclosure under high pressure as finely dispersed or diffused droplets forming a mist or vapour. A pressure greater than atmospheric is maintained in the enclosure to force the cleaning liquid into at least the surface if not through and into the very structure of the material from which the articles are formed, so as to assist the cleaning process by producing a quicker and more efficient saturation of the articles by the cleaning liquid. The latter may comprise water and detergent or a dry-cleaning solvent. The cleaning liquid is removed from the articles and the interior of the enclosure by means of a suction pump. If a rinse is required, it is replaced by clean liquid for rinsing, preferably also at higher than atmospheric pressure and if desired also heated to higher than ambient temperatures. The rinsing liquid is also removed from the enclosure by suction. The suction is obtained by a suction pump typically a venturi vacuum pump and this is also employed to create a partial vacuum in the enclosure during a drying phase after the cleaning and, if desired rinsing stages.
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:
The present invention relates to a dry cleaning apparatus comprising an arrangement for cooling fluid being used as solvent in the apparatus, and a method for cooling the fluid. The cooling unit (3) is arranged so that it can cool the fluid by using
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a dry cleaning apparatus comprising an arrangement for cooling fluid being used as solvent in the apparatus, and a method for cooling the fluid. The cooling unit is arranged so that it can cool the fluid by using water.