WO2001057303A9 - Methods for carbon dioxide dry cleaning with integrated distribution - Google Patents
Methods for carbon dioxide dry cleaning with integrated distributionInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001057303A9 WO2001057303A9 PCT/US2001/003545 US0103545W WO0157303A9 WO 2001057303 A9 WO2001057303 A9 WO 2001057303A9 US 0103545 W US0103545 W US 0103545W WO 0157303 A9 WO0157303 A9 WO 0157303A9
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- cleaning
- dry cleaning
- carbon dioxide
- process according
- solvent
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06L—DRY-CLEANING, WASHING OR BLEACHING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR MADE-UP FIBROUS GOODS; BLEACHING LEATHER OR FURS
- D06L1/00—Dry-cleaning or washing fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods
- D06L1/02—Dry-cleaning or washing fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods using organic solvents
Definitions
- This invention relates to methods and systems for carbon dioxide dry cleaning that facilitate the simple distribution of ingredients, and optionally recovery of waste products.
- Organic solvents such as perchloroethylene and other low-pressure liquid solvents have long been popular for use in cleaning systems such as dry cleaning systems.
- a dry cleaning facility employing these systems typically receives solvent and detergent from a supplier or suppliers, and garments or other articles to be cleaned from customers. Garments are returned to the customers, and some solvent escapes to the atmosphere. Lint, filter media, and other still residue (from the distillation of solvent on site) are classified as a hazardous waste and should be disposed of accordingly.
- a carbon dioxide dry cleaning process is carried out in which a concentrated detergent formulation is mixed at the site ofthe cleaning facility with carbon dioxide.
- the concentrated detergent formulation preferably includes a cosolvent that makes possible the easy mixing of the concentrated detergent formulation.
- the present invention makes possible the separate shipping of the carbon dioxide to the cleaning facility.
- any convenient source of carbon dioxide can be used at the cleaning facility, including but not limited to beverage grade carbon dioxide (currently distributed for soda fountain use), carbon dioxide produced for industrial purposes, etc.
- the present invention provides a dry cleaning process that facilitates distribution of detergent and solvent and (optionally) facilitates recovery of cleaning by-products in conjunction with the cleaning of articles at a dry cleaning facility.
- the process comprises the steps of:
- the process further comprises the step of:
- the process may be implemented at a plurality of cleaning facilities, each of which can receive the concentrated detergent formulation from a common source or supplier, and each of which may receive the dry cleaning solvent from a common or different source or supplier, which may be the same as or different from the concentrated detergent formulation supplier. Likewise, he plurality of cleaning facilities may return the sill residue to a common or different waste reprocessor.
- Figure 1 illustrates a conventional dry cleaning facility employing perchlorethylene (“perc”) or organic solvent cleaning processess, in which still residue, lint, filter media and the like are treated as a hazardous waste.
- perc perchlorethylene
- organic solvent cleaning processess in which still residue, lint, filter media and the like are treated as a hazardous waste.
- Figure 2 illustrates a carbon dioxide cleaning facility incorporating the current DrywashTM carbon dioxide cleaning system, in which the carbon dioxide and detergent formulations are premixed and sold to the dry cleaning facility or user as a premixed solution.
- Figure 3 illustrates a carbon dioxide cleaning process of the invention in which the CO 2 is supplied to the cleaning facility separately from the detergent, and in which still residue is returned to a central reprocessor (typically for incineration).
- Figure 4 illustrates a process of the present invention implemented at a plurality of cleaning facilities.
- Figure 5 schematically illustrates a carbon dioxide cleaning method and apparatus that may be implemented in a dry cleaning facility to carry out the present invention.
- Figure 6 illustrates a preferred carbon dioxide dry cleaning system employing an optional vapor tank that may be used to carry out the present invention.
- Figure 7 illustrates a carbon dioxide dry cleaning system employing optional vapor tank and an optional liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank that may be used to carry out the present invention.
- cleaning refers to any removal of soil, dirt, grime, or other unwanted material, whether partial or complete.
- the invention may be used to clean nonpolar stains (i.e., those which are at least partially made by nonpolar organic compounds such as oily soils, sebum and the like), polar stains (i.e., hydrophilic stains such as grape juice, coffee and tea stains), compound hydrophobic stains (i.e., stains from materials such as lipstick and candle wax), and particulate soils (i.e., soils containing insoluble solid components such as silicates, carbon black, etc.).
- nonpolar stains i.e., those which are at least partially made by nonpolar organic compounds such as oily soils, sebum and the like
- polar stains i.e., hydrophilic stains such as grape juice, coffee and tea stains
- compound hydrophobic stains i.e., stains from materials such as lipstick and candle wax
- particulate soils i.e., soils
- Articles that can be cleaned by the method of the present invention are, in general, garments and fabrics (including woven and non-woven) formed from materials such as cotton, wool, silk, leather, rayon, polyester, acetate, fiberglass, furs, etc., formed into items such as clothing, work gloves, rags, leather goods (e.g., handbags and brief cases), etc.
- the process as implemented at a particular cleaning facility 31, involves receiving from a source a dry cleaning solvent 32, the solvent consisting essentially of carbon dioxide, and receiving from the same or different source a concentrated detergent formulation 33 (preferably a liquid formulation).
- the concentrated detergent formulation preferably includes a cosolvent, as explained in greater detail below.
- the cleaning facility accepts from customers soiled articles such as garments 34 to be cleaned.
- the dry cleaning solvent and the concentrated detergent formulation are mixed at the cleaning facility, preferably in the cleaning apparatus (but optionally in a separate mixing vessel, the contents of which then transferred to the cleaning apparatus), to provide a dry cleaning formulation comprised of from 30 or 40 to 99 percent by weight of carbon dioxide solvent.
- Lint, filter media, and other by products 35 may be discarded as nonhazardous waste, and still residue 37, created by at least periodically (e.g., intermittently or continuously) distilling the dry cleaning formulation to recover carbon dioxide and produce a still residue comprising surfactant and soil; may be returned to a waste reprocessor 39 for appropriate disposal (e.g., for incineration).
- the concentrated detergent formulation comprises from 5 to 95 percent by weight of cosolvent (typically an organic cosolvent), and the dry cleaning formulation comprises from .1 to 60 or 80 percent by weight ofthe cosolvent.
- cosolvent typically an organic cosolvent
- dry cleaning formulation comprises from .1 to 60 or 80 percent by weight ofthe cosolvent.
- the concentrated detergent formulation preferably comprises from 5 to 95 percent by weight of surfactant, and the dry cleaning formulation comprises from .1 to 10 percent by weight ofthe surfactant.
- the concentrated detergent formulation may be received by the cleaning facility in a container, and the still residue is returned to the waste reprocessor in the same the container (e.g., a 1 or 5 to 55 or 100 gallon container).
- This facilitates handling of all cleaning constituents and by-products entering and leaving the cleaning facility, and facilitates the maintenance of a clean, orderly work environment at the cleaning facility.
- Liquid dry-cleaning formulations or compositions useful for carrying out the present invention include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,858,022 and commonly owned, copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/234,145 (Filed January 19, 1999), the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
- Such compositions typically comprise:
- surfactant preferably from 0.01, 0.1 or 0.5 percent to 5 or 10 percent
- the concentrated detergent formulation will not include carbon dioxide, but will typically include the other of the aforesaid ingredients in appropriate proportion to provide or produce the carbon dioxide dry cleaning formulation when mixed with carbon dioxide at the cleaning facility
- the dry cleaning composition is provided in liquid form at ambient, or room, temperature, which will generally be between zero and 50° Centigrade.
- the composition is held at a pressure that maintains it in liquid form within the specified temperature range.
- the cleaning step is preferably carried out with the composition at ambient temperature.
- the organic co-solvent is, in general, a hydrocarbon co-solvent.
- the co-solvent is an alkane co-solvent, with C ⁇ 0 to C 20 linear, branched, and cyclic alkanes, and mixtures thereof (preferably saturated) currently preferred.
- the organic co-solvent preferably has a flash point above 140° F., and more preferably has a flash point above 170° F.
- the organic co-solvent may be a mixture of compounds, such as mixtures of alkanes as given above, or mixtures of one or more alkanes in combination with additional compounds such as one or more alcohols (e.g., from 0 or 0.1 to 5% of a CI to C15 alcohol (including diols, triols, etc.)).
- Biodegradable cosolvents are, in general, natural oils such as seed oils (cottonseed, canola,) corn oil, soybean oil, etc., which may utilized in their naturally occurring or modified form.
- Any surfactant can be used to carry out the present invention, including both surfactants that contain a CO 2 -philic group (such as described in PCT Application WO96/27704) linked to a CO 2 -phobic group (e.g., a lipophilic group) and surfactants that do not contain a CO 2 -philic group (i.e., surfactants that comprise a hydrophilic group linked to a hydrophobic (typically lipophilic) group).
- a single surfactant may be used, or a combination of surfactants may be used. Numerous surfactants are known to those skilled in the art.
- Examples of the major surfactant types that can be used to carry out the present invention include the: alcohols, alkanolamides, alkanolamines, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonic acids, alkylbenzenes, amine acetates, amine oxides, amines, sulfonated amines and amides, betaine derivatives, block polymers, carboxylated alcohol or alkylphenol ethoxylates, carboxylic acids and fatty acids, a diphenyl sulfonate derivatives, ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated alkylphenols, ethoxylated amines and/or amides, ethoxylated fatty acids, eth
- dry-cleaning composition includes detergents, bleaches, whiteners, softeners, sizing, starches, enzymes, hydrogen peroxide or a source of hydrogen peroxide, fragrances; etc.
- an article to be cleaned and a liquid dry cleaning composition as given above are combined in a closed drum or "wash vessel".
- the liquid dry cleaning composition is preferably provided in an amount so that the closed drum contains both a liquid phase and a vapor phase (that is, so that the drum is not completely filled with the article and the liquid composition).
- the article is then agitated in the drum, preferably so that the article contacts both the liquid dry cleaning composition and the vapor phase, with the agitation carried out for a time sufficient to clean the fabric.
- the cleaned article is then removed from the drum.
- the article may optionally be rinsed (for example, by removing the composition from the drum, adding a rinse solution such as liquid CO 2 (with or without additional ingredients such as water, co-solvent, etc.) to the drum, agitating the article in the rinse solution, removing the rinse solution, and repeating as desired), after the agitating step and before it is removed from the drum.
- a rinse solution such as liquid CO 2 (with or without additional ingredients such as water, co-solvent, etc.)
- the dry cleaning compositions and the rinse solutions may be removed from the wash vessel by any suitable means, including both draining and venting.
- Figure 4 illustrates a process of the present invention implemented at a plurality of cleaning facilities designated A, B, and C (52, 53, 54).
- the concentrated detergent formulation 51 is distributed from a common supplier to each of the cleaning facilities, and the still residue 55 may be returned to a waste reprocessor, who may be the same or different for each cleaning facility.
- the concentrated detergent formulation may be shipped in relatively small containers as described above, which need not be pressurized or maintained at high pressure.
- still residue 55 may be returned to a waste collector as described above (which may be the same or different for each cleaning facility) in the same containers in which the concentrated detergent formulation 51
- Each cleaning facility may obtain carbon dioxide from a common source or a separate source as described below, and the carbon dioxide need not be premixed with the detergent formulation prior to shipping to the cleaning facility.
- a standardized carbon dioxide dry- cleaning system i.e., one that can be carried out with the same methods, apparatus, and instructions and operating procedures at a plurality of different cleaning facilities
- the system can be franchised to a plurality of different owners, thus facilitating the widespread use and acceptance of the methods and processes described herein.
- franchise as used herein has its conventional meaning, in which the franchisor develops a standardized dry cleaning process as described herein, typically including standardized operating instructions which are recorded in written form , which process and instructions are then supplied to the franchisee who builds, purchases or otherwise establishes the individual cleaning facility, pursuant to a contract (e.g., a fixed term renewable contract) between the franchisor and the franchisee.
- a contract e.g., a fixed term renewable contract
- any suitable carbon dioxide cleaning apparatus may be employed at the cleaning facility.
- such apparatus includes a wash vessel 61, a working vessel 62, a pump 63, and a still 64.
- System piping, generally illustrated as 65 (a variety of piping arrangements may be employed) is included with appropriate valves and controls (not shown) to provide fluid communication between the necessary components.
- the cleaning formulation is typically stored in the working vessel 62 between cleaning cycles, and pumped into the wash vessel 61 by pump 63 during the wash cycle.
- the formulation can be distilled in still 64 to provide distilled carbon dioxide, which is preferably returned to the system, and a still residue which is discarded as described herein.
- Filters, compressors for vapor recovery, pumps for the addition of the concentrated detergent formulation into the system may also be included.
- the carbon dioxide may be delivered in any form, in a preferred embodiment, the carbon dioxide is delivered to a storage tank 66 located on site at the cleaning facility, which storage tank contains the carbon dioxide as a cryogenic gas.
- both horizontal drum and vertical drum apparatus may be employed.
- the agitating step is carried out by simply rotating the drum.
- the drum is a vertical drum it typically has an agitator positioned therein, and the agitating step is carried out by moving (e.g., rotating or oscillating) the agitator within the drum.
- a vapor phase may be provided by imparting sufficient shear forces within the drum to produce cavitation in the liquid dry-cleaning composition.
- agitation may be imparted by means of jet agitation as described in U.S. Pat. No.
- the liquid dry cleaning composition is preferably an ambient temperature composition, and the agitating step is preferably carried out at ambient temperature, without the need for associating a heating element with the cleaning apparatus.
- Other dry cleaning apparatus that can be used to carry out the present invention include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,267,455 to Dewees et al; U.S. Patent No. 5,683,977 to Jureller et al; U.S. Patent No. 5,970,554 to Shore et al; and PCT Application WO97/33031 to Taricco, the disclosures of all U.S. Patent references of which are to be incorporated herein by reference.
- one system for the controlled addition of detergent formulations and the like to a carbon dioxide cleaning apparatus comprises: (a) a high pressure wash vessel; (b) an auxiliary vessel; (c) a drain line connecting said auxiliary vessel to said wash vessel; (d) a vent line connecting said auxiliary vessel to said wash vessel; (e) a detergent reservoir; and (f) a detergent supply line connecting said detergent reservoir to said auxiliary vessel.
- An alternate system for the addition of aqueous detergent formulations and the like to a carbon dioxide dry cleaning system under turbulent conditions comprises: ( ⁇ ) a high pressure wash vessel; (b) a filter; (c) a carbon dioxide cleaning solution drain line interconnecting said wash vessel to said filter; (d) a carbon dioxide cleaning solution supply line connecting said filter to said wash vessel; (e) a first high pressure pump operably connected to said drain line; a detergent formulation reservoir; (g) a detergent formulation supply line connecting said reservoir to said carbon dioxide cleaning solution supply line; and (h) a second high pressure pump operably connected to said detergent formulation supply line for transferring detergent formulation from said detergent formulation reservoir into said carbon dioxide cleaning solution under turbulent conditions.
- FIG. 6 A particular system and apparatus for carrying out dry cleaning with carbon dioxide is illustrated in Figures 6-7. While method and apparatus employs a vapor recovery feature to reduce carbon dioxide escape to the atmosphere during each cleaning cycle, it will be appreciated that such vapor recovery is preferred but not mandatory in carrying out the present invention. Referring first to Figure 6, a wash cycle will be described, focusing particularly on charging carbon dioxide vapor into and removing carbon dioxide vapor from wash tank 154.
- a wash cycle may be performed in the following steps: (1) placing clothes to be cleaned into wash tank 154; (2) removing air from the wash tank through vacuum pump 160; (3) charging carbon dioxide vapor into wash tank 154 to pressurize it; (4) transferring liquid cleaning solution, comprising liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent, from working tank 153 to wash tank 154 via pump 155; (5) washing clothes in wash tank 154; (6) draining liquid cleaning solution from wash tank 154 and transferring liquid cleaning solution via pump 155 back to working tank 153; (7) extracting remaining liquid cleaning solution from clothes in wash tank 154; (8) removing carbon dioxide vapor from wash tank 154 to depressurize it; and (9) removing clean clothes from wash tank 154.
- Valves 101-115 are shut, compressor 152 and pump 155 are secured, and system pressure and temperature are at or near saturated conditions for the given cleaning solution, preferably between about 55 to 62°F (10 to 17°C) at between about 681 to 756 psig for a carbon dioxide based system.
- system pressure and temperature are at or near saturated conditions for the given cleaning solution, preferably between about 55 to 62°F (10 to 17°C) at between about 681 to 756 psig for a carbon dioxide based system.
- carbon dioxide dry cleaning systems can be operated at a variety of pressures and temperatures.
- the liquid cleaning solution may be drained from wash tank 154 by opening valves 109,
- pump 155 which transfers the liquid cleaning solution from wash tank 154 through lines 135, 134, and 133 back to working tank 153. Once the liquid cleaning solution is transferred, pump 155 is secured and valves 109, 110,
- lines may be selected from a group comprising piping, conduit, and other means of fluid communication that can withstand system temperature and pressure.
- Piping for the system is preferably schedule 40, stainless steel, and conforms to ANSI standards B31.3.
- a piping system may be comprised of one or more lines and that zero or more valves may reside in the one or more lines.
- any remaining liquid cleaning solution may be mechanically or otherwise extracted from the clothes in wash tank 154, and the remaining liquid cleaning solution may be drained from wash tank 154 using the drain procedure outlined above.
- the atmosphere in wash tank 154 is comprised primarily of carbon dioxide vapor.
- the carbon dioxide vapor in wash tank 154 may be removed to a vapor tank as follows, depressurizing wash tank 154 and allowing clean clothes to be removed. Valves 101 and 104 are opened, allowing the carbon dioxide vapor to move from wash tank 154 through lines 124 and 122 to vapor tank 150. Vapor tank 150 preferably has a volume of about 6 to about 60 ft 3 (about 0.17 to about 1.7 m 3 ). One skilled in the art will be able to select appropriate tanks to withstand system pressure and temperature by using, for example, the ASME Pressure Vessel Code.
- Valve 101 and line 124 may be sized to provide adequate restriction to the vapor flow to limit the velocity of this gas stream when the differential pressure between wash tank 154 and vapor tank 150 is at its greatest, about 700 psig or greater.
- Valve 101 is preferably a 1/2" full-flow ball valve, model #8450 commercially available from Watts Regulator Company of N. Andover, MA.
- Line 124 is preferably a 1" schedule 40, stainless steel pipe conforming to ANSI standards B31.3.
- One who is skilled in the art could select a suitable valve to limit the flow rate resulting from other pressure differentials.
- valves 102 and 103 may be opened to facilitate vapor transfer by providing an additional flow path through lines 123 and 121.
- valves 101 and 103 are shut and compressor 152 is started.
- Compressor 152 pumps carbon dioxide vapor from wash tank 154 through lines 123, 121, and 122 to vapor tank 150.
- wash tank 154 When the pressure in wash tank 154 is at or near atmospheric pressure, preferably less than about 100 psig, more preferably less than about 50 psig, compressor 152 is secured and valves 102 and 104 are shut. Any vapor remaining in wash tank 154 may be vented through valve 113. Wash tank 154 is now depressurized and clean clothes may be removed from it.
- draining a solution comprising liquid carbon dioxide out of wash tank 154 may result in carbon dioxide vapor remaining in wash tank 154. Removing most if not all of this carbon dioxide vapor to a vapor tank rather than condensing it to liquid carbon dioxide conserves the carbon dioxide vapor for reuse in charging wash tank 154 at the beginning of a cycle.
- use of the vapor tank may eliminate the need for a condenser and may reduce the capital and operating costs of the cleaning system.
- conserving the carbon dioxide vapor for reuse in charging the wash tank at the beginning of a cycle may improve the thermodynamic efficiency of the system. Additionally, which may reduce or eliminate the need to remove air from the system at the beginning of each wash cycle.
- the need for a vacuum pump may be reduced or even eliminated resulting in lower capital costs and operating expenses.
- higher concentrations of air in the system may increase the efficiency of the system by providing a partial pressure in the head-space ofthe working tank, resulting in increased net positive suction head for a pump.
- compressor 152 may be used to remove all or almost all of the carbon dioxide vapor from wash tank 154 as just described, this process may be somewhat inefficient. As the pressure in vapor tank 150 builds, the compressor 152 reaches high compression ratios and the vapor transfer rate through compressor 152 decreases. Thus, compressor 152 may have to run for a long time to remove all or nearly all of the vapor from wash tank 154, resulting in energy and time inefficiencies.
- the vapor removal step described above may be augmented to utilize condenser 151, partially if not completely eliminating these inefficiencies by reducing the pressure in vapor tank 150 as follows.
- valves 101 and 104 are shut and compressor 152 is started.
- Valve 114 is opened and condenser 151 is brought on-line.
- the remaining vapor in wash tank 154 is transferred through lines 123, 121, and 122 to vapor tank 150.
- Valve 105 is opened and some of the vapor flowing through line 122 begins to flow through line 127, condense in condenser 151, and flow as liquid through line 128 into working tank 153.
- wash tank 154 When the pressure in wash tank 154 is at or near atmospheric pressure, preferably less than about 100 psig, most preferably less than about 50 psig, compressor 152 is secured and valves 102, 104, 105, and 114 are shut. Any vapor remaining in wash tank 154 may be vented through valve 113. Wash tank 154 is now depressurized and clean clothes may be removed from it.
- a condenser must be sized to provide sufficient cooling during peak load conditions.
- condenser 151 By utilizing condenser 151 to condense only a portion of the carbon dioxide vapor removed from wash tank 154 rather than all or almost all of the vapor, the size of condenser 151 may be drastically reduced because the peak load experienced by the condenser has been drastically reduced. This embodiment may therefore result in lower capital and operating costs.
- the temperature within wash tank 154 may decrease as the vapor expands. This temperature decrease may cause frozen carbon dioxide, commonly known as dry ice, to form on the clothes in wash tank 154.
- wash tank 154 which is at atmospheric pressure.
- the cleaning solution in working tank 154 is at or near saturated conditions, preferably between about 55 to 62°F (10 to 17°C) at between about 681 to 756 psig for a carbon dioxide based system.
- the pressure differential between working tank 153 and wash tank 154, roughly 700 psig, may be reduced to facilitate safely transferring liquid cleaning solution to wash tank 154 by charging conserved carbon dioxide vapor from vapor tank 150 into wash tank 154 to pressurize it.
- Wash tank 154 may be pressurized by charging the conserved carbon dioxide vapor from vapor tank 150 to wash tank 154 as follows. Valves 104 and 101 are opened, allowing vapor to move from vapor tank 150 through lines 122 and 124 to wash tank 154. Valve 101 and line 124 may be sized to provide adequate restriction to the vapor flow to limit the velocity of this gas stream when the differential pressure between vapor tank 150 and wash tank 154 is at its greatest. When this differential pressure has been reduced sufficiently, preferably less than 200 psi differential, valves
- valves 103 and 102 may be opened to facilitate vapor transfer by providing an additional flow path through lines 121 and 123.
- compressor 152 pumps conserved carbon dioxide vapor from vapor tank 150 through lines 121, 121, and 124 to wash tank 154 until the differential pressure between working tank 153 and wash tank 154 has been reduced such that it is less than about 300 psig, preferably less than 200 psig, more preferably less than or equal to 100 psig. Then, compressor 152 is secured and valves 103 and 101 are shut. Alternatively, only valve 101 could be shut, keeping valve 103 open and compressor 152 running to facilitate transfer of cleaning solution from the working tank 153 to wash tank 154 as described below.
- Wash tank 154 has now been pressurized such that the differential pressure between wash tank 154 and working tank 153 is at or near zero and cleaning solution may be transferred safely from working tank 153 to wash tank 154. Charging conserved carbon dioxide vapor from vapor tank 150 to wash tank
- compressor 152 may be used to pump the remaining conserved carbon dioxide vapor from vapor tank 150 to pressurize wash tank 154 as just described, this process may be somewhat inefficient. As the pressure in wash tank 154 builds, the compressor 152 reaches high compression ratios and the vapor transfer rate through compressor 152 decreases. Thus, compressor 152 may have to run for a long time to pressurize wash tank 154 completely or nearly completely, resulting in energy and time inefficiencies.
- the vapor charging step described above may be augmented as follows, partially if not completely eliminating these inefficiencies.
- valves 104 and 102 are shut and compressor 152 is started.
- Compressor 152 pumps conserved carbon dioxide vapor from vapor tank 150 through lines 121, 121, and 124 to wash tank 154.
- valve 105 is opened. Vapor pressure in working tank 153 drops and cleaning solution in working tank 153 begins to boil.
- Vapor from working tank 153 flows through line 128, through condenser 151 which is off-line, and through line 127 where this vapor joins the flow of vapor in line 122 coming from the compressor 152 and flows into the wash tank through line 124.
- compressor 152 is secured and valves 103, 105, and 101 are shut.
- Wash tank 154 has now been pressurized such that the differential pressure between wash tank 154 and working tank 153 is at or near zero and cleaning solution may be transferred safely from working tank 153 to wash tank 154.
- the present invention may reduce capital costs and operating expenses and may be more thermodynamically efficient.
- Cleaning solution may be transferred from working tank 153 to wash tank 154 by opening valves 112, 110, 108, 101, and 105 and starting pump 155. Cleaning solution moves from working tank 153 through lines 136, 135, 134, and 132 into wash tank 154. When a sufficient amount of cleaning solution has been transferred, pump 155 is secured and valves 112, 110, 108, 101, and 105 are shut. While cleaning solution is being transferred from working tank 153 to wash tank 154, the pressure in vapor tank 150 may be reduced by opening valves 103 and 105, bringing condenser
- valve 114 opening valve 114 and starting compressor 152.
- This pressure may be reduced to better prepare vapor tank 150 to receive vapor during the next cycle.
- pressure in vapor tank 150 has been reduced to preferably less than 100 psig, most preferably less than 50 psig, compressor 152 is secured and valves 103, 105, and 114 are shut.
- cleaning solution may be transferred using compressor 152 instead of pump 155.
- compressor 152 is allowed to continue running after the differential pressure between vapor tank 150 and wash tank 154 has been reduced such that it is at or near zero.
- valve 101 is shut and valve 105 is opened such that the outlet pressure from compressor 152 pressurizes the vapor space in working tank 153.
- condenser 151 is not providing cooling to the vapor in line 127 because valve 114 is closed.
- valves 112 and 111 are opened. Cleaning solution is transferred from working tank 153 to wash tank 154 through lines 136 and 135. When a sufficient amount of cleaning solution has been transferred, compressor
- valves 112, 111, 105, and 103 are shut. Washing clothes in wash tank 154 is commenced.
- solution may be transferred from wash tank 154 to working tank
- Vapor from vapor tank 150 may be transferred to wash tank 154 to raise the pressure in wash tank 154 above that of working tank 153 by opening valves 103 and 101 and starting compressor 152. Solution may then be transferred from wash tank 154 to working tank 153 by opening valves 111 and 112. When the desired amount of solution has been transferred, valves 111 and 112 may be shut, compressor 152 may be secured, and valves 101 and 103 may be shut.
- the temperature of the system may increase for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, heat input from pumping cleaning solution, heat input from ambient and heat input from warming clothes in wash tank 154. It may be desirable to cool down the system for several reasons including maintaining optimal system conditions and preventing overpressure.
- Cleaning solution in wash tank 154 may be cooled by transferring vapor from wash tank 154 to condenser 151, condensing the vapor there, and transferring the liquid carbon dioxide to working tank 153. Transferring vapor from wash tank 154 may cause the pressure in wash tank 154 to drop slightly, which may cause vaporization of some of liquid cleaning solution, resulting in removal of heat due to the heat of vaporization ofthe boiled liquid. The quantity of vapor transferred may be small enough that the differential pressure between wash tank 154 and condenser 151 should provide sufficient driving force to move the vapor. Additionally, the quantity of cleaning solution vaporized may be small enough that no cleaning solution need be added back to the wash tank.
- Vapor may be transferred by opening valves 101, 105, and 114 causing vapor to flow through lines 124, 122, and 127, condense in condenser 151, and flow as liquid through line 128 into working tank 153.
- valves 101, 105, and 114 may be shut.
- cleaning solution in working tank 153 may be cooled by transferring vapor from working tank 153 to condenser 151, condensing the vapor there, and returning the liquid carbon dioxide to working tank 154 as follows.
- Valve 114 may be opened, bringing condenser 151 on-line and allowing vapor in line 128 to condense.
- valve 114 may be shut.
- vapor from wash tank 154 may be transferred to vapor tank 150, which may be maintained at a pressure sufficiently below the pressure of wash tank 154 such that the pressure differential between the two tanks drives vapor flow.
- vapor tank 150 is preferably maintained at a pressure less than about 300 psig. Vapor transfer may be performed by opening valves 101 and 104. When the cleaning solution in wash tank 154 reaches the desired temperature, valves 101 and 104 can be shut.
- the vapor thus transferred may be transferred to condenser 151 using compressor 152 and the resulting liquid carbon dioxide returned to working tank 153 by opening valves 103, 105, and 114 and starting compressor 152 causing vapor to flow through lines 121, 123, 121, 122, and 127, condense in condenser 151 and flow as liquid through line 128 into working tank 153.
- compressor 152 can be secured and valves 103, 104, and 114 shut.
- vapor may be transferred from working tank 153 to vapor tank 150 to provide desired cooling to solution in working tank 153 as follows. With valve 114 shut, such that condenser 151 is off-line, valves 105 and 104 may be opened, transferring vapor from working tank 153, which is at a higher pressure, to vapor tank 150, which is at a lower pressure.
- working tank 153 is at system pressure described above and vapor tank is at a pressure less than system pressure, preferably less than 500 psig, more preferably less than 300 psig.
- Transferring vapor from working tank 153 may cause the pressure in working tank 153 to drop slightly, which may cause vaporization of some of the liquid cleaning solution, resulting in removal of heat due to the heat of vaporization of the boiled liquid. This vapor may be condensed and returned to the working tank as described above.
- Valves 201-215, lines 225-241, and equipment 250-253 and 260 correspond to valves 101- 115, lines 120-136, and equipment 150-156 and 160 in Figure 6. Additionally, a wash cycle for the system shown in Figure 7 occurs as described above for the system shown in Figure 6.
- Liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 collects liquid CO 2 , which may then be used in a variety of ways described below.
- Liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 has an inlet line 229 and an outlet line 231.
- Inlet line 229 is connected to line 228, the outlet to condenser 251, such that when liquid flows through line 228 from condenser 251 to working tank 253, the liquid is diverted to liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259.
- Outlet line 231 runs between liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 and wash tank 254.
- the elevation of liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 is higher than that of wash tank 254 such that fluid in liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 may be gravity fed through line 231 into wash tank 254 by opening valves 206, 205, and 201.
- Liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 should have a sufficient volume to perform desired procedures such as rinsing the contents of wash tank 254 or washing filter 257.
- Liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank preferably has a capacity of about 5 to about 30 gallons and more preferably has a capacity of about 5 to about 15 gallons. When liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 is full, its excess contents may spill out through lines 229 and 228 into working tank 253.
- Liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 may be filled with liquid CO 2 from a number of different sources either individually or in combination including the following.
- One source of liquid CO 2 may be working tank reflux.
- the cleaning solution in working tank 253 may heat up due to heat transfer into the tank from higher ambient temperatures. If this happens, the cleaning solution may begin to boil. Vapor will travel from the vapor space in working tank 253 through line 228 into condenser 251. When valve 214 is open and condenser 251 is on-line, the vapor condenses and flows back down line 228 as liquid CO 2 . This liquid CO 2 will flow through line 229 into liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259.
- Another source of liquid CO 2 may be the CO 2 that condenses during the vapor removal step described above for the system in Figure 4 where valve 214 is opened and condenser 251 is brought on-line, valve 205 is opened and some of the vapor flowing through line 222 begins to flow through line 227, condense in condenser 251, and flow as liquid through line 228.
- This liquid CO 2 flows into liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259.
- Yet another source of liquid CO 2 may be CO 2 condensed from distillation of cleaning solution in still 258. Cleaning solution may be transferred to still 258 and distilled to separate the CO solvent from surfactants and contaminates among other things. Cleaning solution is transferred by opening valves 211, and 218 and starting pump 255.
- valves 210 and 212 are shut.
- the cleaning solution in still 258 is distilled by opening valve 216, bringing still 258 on-line.
- Valve 214 is opened and condenser 251 is brought on-line, then valves 207 and 205 are opened and vapor flows from still 258 through lines 240, 232, 222, and 227 into condenser 251 where it condenses.
- Liquid CO 2 then flows through lines 228 and 229 into liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259.
- Still another source of liquid CO 2 may be wash tank reflux that occurs when liquid in wash tank 254 is heated by opening valve 215, bringing heating element 256 on-line.
- Valve 214 is opened and condenser 251 is brought on-line, then valves 208, 207, and 205 are opened. Vapor flows from wash tank 254 through lines 232, 222, and 227 into condenser 251 where it condenses. The liquid CO 2 flows through lines 228 and 229 into liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259. Another source of liquid CO2 may be vapor transfer from vapor tank 250 after a system cooling procedure has been performed as described above for the system in Figure 6.
- Liquid CO in liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 may be used to rinse clothes in wash tank 254 as follows. Liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 has been filled with liquid CO 2 as described above. A wash cycle, as described above for the system in Figure 4, proceeds through the extraction step. Valves 206, 205, and 201 are opened allowing the contents ofthe liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259, in this case liquid CO 2 , to flow through line 231 into wash tank 254. When the desired amount of liquid CO has been added to wash tank 254, valves 206, 205, and 201 are shut. Clothes in wash tank 254 are contacted with the liquid CO 2 for a sufficient amount of time to rinse any residual cleaning solution from the clothes.
- Liquid in liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 may be used to wash filter 257.
- the cleaning system could include one or more than one filter in many different configurations.
- Liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 has been filled with liquid carbon dioxide as described above.
- a wash of the filter may be performed as a periodic operation. In the preferred embodiment, a wash may be performed on a weekly basis, more preferred for commercial operations at a time when cleaning operations are not scheduled.
- the filter wash may be initiated by employees as they leave for the day. The cycle would commence and follow a normal wash cycle, as described above for the system in Figure 6, through the vapor charging step with the exception that no clothes would be added to wash tank 154.
- additives may be added to the liquid CO 2 in liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 through additive injection port 217 to form a filter wash solution. These additives may shift the adsorption equilibrium of adsorbed dyes or other contaminants such that they become soluble in liquid carbon dioxide.
- the precise additive needed to clean filter 257 will depend on the type of contaminant to be removed from it and will be known to those skilled in the art.. If no additives are added to liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259, the filter wash solution consists of liquid carbon dioxide.
- liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 The contents of liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 are added to wash tank 254 by opening valves 206, 205, and 201, allowing the filter wash solution to flow through line 231.
- valves 206, 205, and 201 are shut. Valves 211, 218, and 208 are opened and pump 255 is started.
- Filter wash solution is circulated from wash tank 254 through lines 235 and 238, through filter 257, through lines 239 and 241, through still 258, which is off-line, and through lines 240 and 232 back to wash tank 254.
- the filter wash solution may be transferred either to working tank 254 or to still 258.
- Filter wash solution may be transferred to working tank 254 by shutting valve 208 and opening valves 209, 201, and 205.
- pump 255 is secured and valves 211, 218, 209, 201, and 205 are shut.
- filter wash solution may be transferred from wash tank 254 to still 258 by shutting valve 208.
- pump 255 is secured and valves 218 and 211 are shut.
- Filter 257 may be positioned at an elevation above still 258 so that filter 257 may be drained into still 258 by gravity.
- the filter wash solution may then be distilled by opening valves 207 and 205, then opening valves 216 and 214, bringing the still and the condenser online. Vapor from the still travels through lines 240, 232, 222, 227, condenses in condenser 251, then liquid carbon dioxide travels through line 228 into liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259.
- valves 216, 214, 207, and 205 are shut.
- Carbon dioxide vapor in wash tank 254 may be removed as described above for the system in Figure 6.
- Liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 may be refilled by one ofthe methods described above.
- Liquid in liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 may be used to help remove non-volatile residues present on clothes in wash tank 254 after the wash cycle.
- Liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 has been filled with liquid CO 2 as described above.
- a wash cycle, as described above for the system in Figure 6, proceeds through the extraction step.
- a second extraction step may be performed as follows. Valves 206, 205, and 201 are opened allowing the contents of the liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259, in this case liquid CO 2 , to flow through line 231 into wash tank 254. Clothes in wash tank 254 are contacted with the liquid CO for a sufficient amount of time to remove some or all of the remaining non- volatile residues from the clothes.
- heating element 256 is brought on-line by opening valve 215.
- the carbon dioxide vapor created condenses on the cooler clothes that are in wash tank 254, which may extract the residues.
- the condensed carbon dioxide vapor falls back to the bottom of wash tank 254 and may be reboiled.
- heating element 256 is taken off-line by shutting valve 215.
- the drain and extraction steps described above for the system in Figure 6 may be repeated to remove the liquid from wash tank 254.
- Wash tank 254 may be depressurized as described above for the system in Figure 6.
- Liquid carbon dioxide collecting tank 259 may be refilled by one of the methods described above.
- the present invention may be carried out in an any suitable carbon dioxide dry cleaning apparatus, particularly an apparatus as described in J. McClain et al., copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/047,013 (filed March 24, 1998); an apparatus as described in J. McClain et al., copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/306,360 (filed May 6, 1999)(disclosing a direct drive system); an apparatus as disclosed in J. DeYoung et al., copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/312,556 (filed May 14, 1999); and an apparatus as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/405,619, filed 24 September 1999, to McClain et al. entitled System for the Control of a Carbon Dioxide Cleaning Apparatus which is commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosures of all of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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AU2001234788A AU2001234788A1 (en) | 2000-02-03 | 2001-02-01 | Methods for carbon dioxide dry cleaning with integrated distribution |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/497,823 US6248136B1 (en) | 2000-02-03 | 2000-02-03 | Methods for carbon dioxide dry cleaning with integrated distribution |
US09/497,823 | 2000-02-03 |
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WO2001057303A1 WO2001057303A1 (en) | 2001-08-09 |
WO2001057303A9 true WO2001057303A9 (en) | 2002-10-31 |
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PCT/US2001/003545 WO2001057303A1 (en) | 2000-02-03 | 2001-02-01 | Methods for carbon dioxide dry cleaning with integrated distribution |
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US (2) | US6248136B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2001234788A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001057303A1 (en) |
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-
2000
- 2000-02-03 US US09/497,823 patent/US6248136B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-02-01 WO PCT/US2001/003545 patent/WO2001057303A1/en active Application Filing
- 2001-02-01 AU AU2001234788A patent/AU2001234788A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-04-26 US US09/842,603 patent/US6332342B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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US20010013148A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 |
US6248136B1 (en) | 2001-06-19 |
WO2001057303A1 (en) | 2001-08-09 |
US6332342B2 (en) | 2001-12-25 |
AU2001234788A1 (en) | 2001-08-14 |
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