A low-water plasma washing and drying integrated device and method

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of little water plasma washes and dries integrated device and method, belong to low-temperature plasma fabric processing field.The invention forms dielectric barrier discharge area in rotating drum by alternating current power, makes air and water mist activation produce ozone, hydroxyl radical and active oxygen nitrogen particle.Through the same dielectric barrier discharge plasma system, fabric washing and low-temperature drying function are realized, in washing mode, micron water mist is combined to realize fabric decontamination and sterilization, in drying mode, by increasing discharge power, using plasma non-thermal equilibrium characteristics and ion wind to promote water evaporation, low-temperature drying without traditional heating element is realized.The equipment has the characteristics of replaceable drum size, visual monitoring and lightweight structure.Compared with traditional washing and drying mode, the application has the advantages of low energy consumption, low water consumption, high uniformity and convenient maintenance, and plasma treatment also gives the fabric good wetting property, softness and antistatic performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of fabric washing and drying, and relates to a water-saving plasma washing and drying integrated device and method. It aims to utilize the high-energy electrons and active particles contained in plasma to efficiently degrade and dry surface contaminants on fabrics with little or no water. Simultaneously, while maintaining the fabric structure without damage, the plasma-treated fabrics acquire excellent antistatic properties and softness. Background Technology

[0002] Textiles, due to their numerous hydrophilic groups and fibrous pores, possess high surface energy, making them highly susceptible to various water and oil stains. Traditional washing methods have significant shortcomings. While wet washing is widely used, many garments, such as wool and down, are unsuitable for water washing. This is because the polar groups in the fabric readily react with water molecules, causing swelling and deformation, affecting appearance and wearability. Furthermore, although dry cleaning technology can address these issues to some extent, it typically uses large amounts of toxic and harmful volatile organic compounds, which have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Moreover, the high cost of dry cleaning solvents significantly increases costs; dry cleaning machines require large floor space and professional operation, hindering their adoption in homes. Additionally, traditional washing and drying processes are time-consuming, preventing garments from being worn immediately after washing.

[0003] Traditional fabric care methods typically use substances containing cationic surfactants or silicone softeners. These substances adsorb onto the fabric surface, forming a soft film that imparts excellent properties such as good wettability, antistatic properties, and softness. However, the use of these organic substances not only wastes resources but can also irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions to some extent. Furthermore, they are difficult to degrade and pose a threat to the environment.

[0004] Traditional drum washing machines typically use high-speed spin-drying to remove moisture from fabrics, with spin speeds generally ranging from 800 to 1200 rpm, and some high-end models reaching 1400 rpm. During high-speed rotation, the fabric is subjected to significant centrifugal force and mechanical stretching, easily leading to deformation and wrinkling. Traditional dryers usually use hot air to evaporate the moisture in the fabric, thus achieving the purpose of drying. However, this method can easily cause thermal stress damage and shrinkage to the clothing fibers. Especially for delicate fabrics such as wool and silk, the above spin-drying and drying processes can accelerate fiber aging and damage, reduce fabric dimensional stability and lifespan, and fail to meet the needs of high-quality fabric care. In addition, traditional dryers cannot completely dry fabrics in high-humidity environments, and residual moisture and suitable temperatures provide growth conditions for microorganisms such as mold, producing odor substances that adhere to the fabric surface.

[0005] Plasma-based fabric cleaning technology promises to efficiently remove fabric stains under water-saving or waterless conditions. Its rich array of high-energy reactive species (including electrons, ions, free radicals, and excited-state molecules) can interact with stains on the fabric surface, selectively breaking weak bonds such as C+ and CH, and disrupting the conjugated structure of organic pollutants. Simultaneously, free radicals initiate chain reactions that gradually oxidize large hydrocarbon molecules into low-boiling-point products such as CO, CO2, and H2O, which are then volatilized and removed from the treatment chamber. This technology achieves in-situ stain decomposition through physicochemical processes, with no volatile organic compound emissions and no need for water / organic solvent consumption, thus aligning well with green environmental protection principles. Furthermore, while degrading stains, plasma grafts oxygen-containing groups, such as -OH and -COOH, onto the fabric surface, significantly improving its wettability and softness. It also creates more conductive paths on the fabric surface, allowing for more efficient charge conduction and release, improving antistatic properties and significantly enhancing wearing comfort. However, most existing plasma treatment equipment uses a fixed electrode structure, resulting in limited treatment area, uneven plasma distribution, and low treatment efficiency. Meanwhile, most devices only have a single processing function and cannot simultaneously wash and dry fabrics. Furthermore, most plasma fabric washing devices and commercially available drum washing machines currently use fixed-size drum structures, meaning the drum size cannot be changed, lacking flexibility and adaptability, and making it difficult to flexibly select the processing volume based on the amount of fabric to be washed. When the number of fabrics to be washed is small, the entire drum still needs to be driven, resulting in low energy efficiency; additionally, the drum is usually fixedly connected to the whole machine, making disassembly and internal cleaning difficult, which is not conducive to long-term equipment maintenance.

[0006] Patent CN214767505U discloses a vacuum plasma cleaning device. This device fixes a plate of material to be cleaned onto a positioning plate, and a driver moves the positioning plate into the plasma cleaning chamber. After cleaning, the driver is removed. This device is relatively simple in design and operation. However, it requires a vacuum pump for vacuuming, making the operation cumbersome and time-consuming, and the vacuum pump occupies a large space.

[0007] Patent CN1108712A discloses a low-temperature plasma treatment process and equipment for wool fiber materials, which uses low-temperature plasma to modify the surface of wool fibers to enhance their surface friction coefficient and antistatic properties, but does not involve the field of fabric cleaning.

[0008] Patent CN111926545A discloses a clothes drying device that uses low-temperature plasma technology in a clothes dryer. This technology utilizes high-energy electrons and free radicals to decompose odor molecules, converting them into odorless small molecules such as carbon dioxide and water. However, this device still dries fabrics by introducing hot air and is only suitable for environments above 60°C, making it unsuitable for low-temperature drying modes.

[0009] Patent CN106192294A discloses a method for using dielectric barrier discharge to assist in the removal of everyday dirt. This method uses dielectric barrier discharge to directly treat stains on fabrics via plasma. However, this method does not have a drying effect and cannot achieve the effect of washing and wearing immediately. Furthermore, it requires an additional dielectric barrier discharge device, has low integration with existing washing machines or laundry equipment, and requires argon gas for the discharge, making it difficult to directly apply to household laundry scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0010] This invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by proposing a low-water plasma washing and drying integrated device and method. This technology utilizes the high-energy electrons and active particles contained in plasma to ionize water vapor, generating various active substances that effectively act on contaminants adhering to the fabric, thereby efficiently degrading and expelling them from the reaction chamber. This method offers high cleaning efficiency, eliminates the need for toxic or harmful chemical reagents, and is simple, stable, and controllable in operation. Simultaneously, the oxygen-containing groups generated during the treatment process endow the fabric with excellent wettability, softness, and antistatic properties, significantly improving the fabric's hand feel. Furthermore, this invention utilizes the non-thermal equilibrium characteristics of plasma and ion wind-enhanced low-temperature mass transfer to achieve fabric dehydration without the need for an additional hot air system. Simultaneously, the active substances generated by the plasma provide antibacterial treatment to the fabric surface during the drying process, improving the fabric's hygienic properties and avoiding fiber thermal stress damage and shrinkage caused by traditional hot air drying methods. This invention achieves both washing and low-temperature drying of fabrics using a single dielectric barrier discharge plasma system. In washing mode, the synergistic effect of plasma active particles and micron-sized water mist decomposes stains. In drying mode, the non-thermal equilibrium characteristics of plasma and ion wind achieve low-temperature dehydration and drying of fabrics. This avoids the problem of independent washing and hot air drying systems in traditional laundry equipment, realizing integrated washing and drying, significantly shortening processing time, reducing equipment size and overall energy consumption, and improving system integration. Furthermore, this invention employs a detachable and replaceable drum structure to adapt to the processing needs of fabrics with different capacities. Throughout the washing and drying process, the drum rotates at a low speed, eliminating the need for traditional high-speed dehydration processes, effectively reducing deformation and fiber damage to easily deformable fabrics such as wool and silk caused by centrifugal force.

[0011] According to the technical solution of the present invention:

[0012] A water-saving plasma washing and drying integrated device and method, the device includes a housing 1, a drum 2, a gas collection hood 3, a high-voltage AC power supply 4, a support 5, a control system 6, a motor 7, a blower 8, a mass flow controller 9, a filter 10, an atomizing device 11, a liquid storage box 12, and a condensing device 13.

[0013] The roller 2 is a detachable rotating structure that can be driven by the motor 7 to rotate relative to the box 1; it includes an outer wall 14 and an inner wall 15 that are fixed to each other. The inner surface of the inner wall 15 is provided with a disturbance structure 16 to improve the uniformity of fabric turning. A high voltage electrode 17 is provided between the outer wall 14 and the inner wall 15. A grounding electrode 18 is provided at the center of the roller 2. The grounding electrode 18 is covered with a dielectric insulation layer 19.

[0014] The end of the roller 2 is provided with a gas collection hood 3; the gas collection hood 3 is fixed on the box body 1; the gas collection hood 3 is provided with a visible door 21 and an exhaust port 22, a filter 10 is provided at the bottom for filtering debris, and an annular condensation device 13 is provided on the inner wall.

[0015] The high-voltage AC power supply 4 is connected to the high-voltage electrode 17 and the grounding electrode 18 respectively to form a dielectric barrier discharge area inside the drum 2, and to realize fabric washing and low-temperature drying through mode switching.

[0016] The control system 6 is used to control the drum speed, dielectric barrier discharge power, water mist spray, and switching between washing and drying modes.

[0017] The blower 8 is connected to the air inlet pipe and communicates with the inside of the drum through a rotary pneumatic connector to ensure that the rotation of the drum 2 is not affected; the mass flow controller 9 is set on the air inlet pipe between the blower 8 and the drum 2 to adjust the air flow into the discharge area and change the atmosphere inside the drum in real time to ensure the continuous and stable generation of plasma.

[0018] The atomizing device 11 is located in the air inlet pipe between the mass flow controller 9 and the roller 2. The sprayed water mist mixes with the air and enters the roller 2. The liquid storage box 12 is used to store water, detergent or functional liquid to provide atomizing liquid for the atomizing device 11.

[0019] Furthermore, the roller 2 is connected to the motor 7 on the housing 1 via a belt, and the motor 7 drives the belt for transmission. Both ends of the roller 2 are connected to the gas collection hood 3 and the bracket 5 via bearings, respectively, to ensure that the gas collection hood 3 and the bracket 5 do not affect the rotation of the roller 2. The roller 2 is a detachable and replaceable structure with different volume specifications to adapt to the processing needs of different quantities of fabric, with a volume range of 20–80 L. The disturbance structure 16 is evenly distributed on the inner circumferential side of the inner wall 15. The disturbance structure 16 is a guide rib, a raised rib, or a turbulence turning structure, used to enhance the uniformity of fabric turning and the airflow disturbance in the discharge area.

[0020] Furthermore, the atomizing device 11 sprays droplets with a diameter of 10–50 μm and a flow rate of 5–50 mL / min.

[0021] Furthermore, the gaps between the outer wall 14, the inner wall 15 and the high-voltage electrode 17 are filled with insulating material, such as quartz, ceramic or polytetrafluoroethylene; the high-voltage electrode 17 consists of multiple rod-shaped electrodes, the length direction of which is parallel to the axial direction of the roller 2, and is distributed between the outer wall 14 and the inner wall 15. Different high-voltage electrodes 17 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the roller, and adjacent high-voltage electrodes 17 are connected by a conductive connection structure 20. The high-voltage electrode 17 and the grounding electrode 18 are made of conductive material and their lengths correspond to the axial length of the roller 2.

[0022] Furthermore, the conductive material is copper, aluminum, stainless steel or tungsten metal, and the dielectric insulating layer 19 is filled with quartz, ceramic or polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0023] Furthermore, after the gas generated inside the drum 2 enters the gas collection hood 3, the O3 generated by the reaction and the volatile components generated by the decomposition of stains are discharged through the exhaust port 22, and the water vapor condenses on the surface of the annular condensation structure 13 to form condensate; the outlet of the filter 10 is connected to the liquid storage box 12, and the condensate flows into the liquid storage box 12 for recycling after being filtered by the filter 10.

[0024] The water-saving washing and drying method of any one of the plasma washer-dryer integrated devices according to claims 1-6 includes the following steps:

[0025] S1: Place the fabric to be cleaned inside the drum 2 and close the visible door 21.

[0026] S2: The control system 6 starts the rotation of the drum 2, starts the blower 8, and controls the flow rate through the mass flow controller 9 to introduce air into the discharge area.

[0027] S3: The atomizing device 11 is activated in the washing mode by the control system to spray micron-level water mist into the discharge area.

[0028] S4: Start the high-voltage AC power supply 4, adjust it to a suitable power, and generate a stable plasma discharge to treat the fabric surface.

[0029] S5: Start the condenser 13. The O3 generated by the plasma reaction and the volatile components generated by the decomposition of stains are discharged through the exhaust port 22. The water vapor is condensed to form condensate, which is filtered by the filter 10 and flows into the storage box 12 for recycling to prevent the stains from re-contaminating the fabric.

[0030] S6: After washing, the atomizing device 11 is turned off by the control system and the drying mode is switched to increase the power of the high-voltage AC power supply 4. The fabric is dried at low temperature by utilizing the non-thermal equilibrium characteristics of plasma and ion wind.

[0031] Furthermore, the fabric to be cleaned in step S1 is a pure textile, a blended textile, or a mixed textile; the stain is grease, pigment, or protein-based organic matter.

[0032] Furthermore, the atomizing device in step S3 can atomize a small amount of detergent solution into a large amount of micron-sized water mist, greatly increasing the contact area with the fabric. Simultaneously, the introduced water mist can be effectively ionized by plasma, generating a large amount of ROS that fully acts on the fabric, promoting the oxidative decomposition of stains.

[0033] Furthermore, in steps S3 and S6, the high-voltage AC power output is 300–350 W in the washing mode. Active particles generated by dielectric barrier discharge work synergistically with micron-sized water mist to remove dirt and sterilize the fabric. In the drying mode, the high-voltage AC power output is 350–450 W. The non-thermal equilibrium characteristics of plasma and ion wind enhance mass transfer on the fabric surface to achieve low-temperature dehydration and drying. During washing and drying, the drum speed is controlled at 30–60 r / min to reduce the centrifugal force and mechanical stretching on the fabric, minimizing deformation and fiber damage to high-quality fabrics.

[0034] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0035] This invention utilizes plasma discharge to treat the surface of fabrics, providing both washing and fabric care effects. Unlike traditional water washing and dry cleaning methods, it avoids the use of large amounts of water and toxic or harmful chemical reagents, aligning with green and environmentally friendly principles.

[0036] This invention eliminates the need for an additional hot air heating system, and the washing and drying processes are completed within the same processing chamber, simplifying the equipment structure and reducing equipment costs and floor space.

[0037] This invention adopts a detachable roller structure, which can realize the quick replacement of rollers of different specifications. Rollers of different volumes can be flexibly selected according to the amount of fabric, thereby improving the applicability and processing efficiency of the equipment. At the same time, the rollers can be disassembled and cleaned independently, reducing the difficulty of equipment maintenance and ensuring the long-term clean operation of the processing chamber.

[0038] This invention employs a rotary discharge treatment method and installs a disturbance device inside the drum, which fully ensures the uniformity of stain treatment on the fabric surface, while avoiding localized over-drying or over-wetting caused by uneven airflow in traditional hot air drying.

[0039] In the washing and drying process of this invention, the drum rotates at a low speed of only 30–60 r / min. It mainly relies on active particles and ion wind generated by dielectric barrier discharge to achieve stain removal and low-temperature drying. There is no need for the high-speed dehydration process of 800–1400 r / min in traditional drum washing machines. This significantly reduces the mechanical stress on the fabric, avoids deformation, shrinkage and fiber damage of delicate fabrics such as wool and silk, and improves the quality of fabric care.

[0040] This invention incorporates an atomizing device, which transforms a small amount of detergent solution into a large quantity of micron-sized water mist, significantly increasing the contact area with the fabric. Simultaneously, the introduced water mist can be effectively ionized by plasma, generating a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that fully act on the fabric, promoting the oxidative decomposition of stains. Typically, 100 g of water is sufficient to wash 1 kg of fabric. Compared to anhydrous plasma treatment, the introduction of a small amount of water mist can substantially improve stain degradation while simultaneously achieving the goal of fabric care.

[0041] This invention uses air as the plasma source, avoiding the use of heavy and bulky steel cylinders for argon, oxygen, etc. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for expensive vacuum equipment, achieving stable and continuous plasma generation at room temperature and pressure. This makes the entire device lighter and reduces costs, making it suitable for both home users and professional laundry facilities.

[0042] This invention utilizes the non-thermal equilibrium characteristics of plasma discharge and the generated ion wind to dry residual moisture on the surface of fabrics, eliminating the need for traditional high-speed dehydration and hot air heating processes. This avoids thermal stress damage, shrinkage, and structural deformation of fabric fibers caused by the combined effects of high centrifugal force and high temperature, while simultaneously reducing energy consumption.

[0043] This invention uses plasma-generated ROS to kill microorganisms on the surface of fabrics, which can effectively inhibit mold growth and prevent odor.

[0044] This invention installs an exhaust port and a condensation device to ensure the timely removal of waste gas / wastewater and stains, thus maintaining a clean environment inside the container.

[0045] The rotating dielectric barrier plasma discharge device used in this invention does not experience a significant temperature increase during long-term operation, demonstrating stability and reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the plasma treatment drum.

[0048] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection between the roller and the gas collection hood.

[0049] Figure 4The images show infrared thermal images of the plasma device in operation. (a), (b), (c), and (d) are infrared thermal images of the plasma device after 0, 10, 20, and 30 minutes of operation, respectively. As can be seen from the images, the temperature fluctuation range is small as the processing time increases, demonstrating the stability and reliability of the plasma processing device of this invention.

[0050] Figure 5 The decontamination rates under different processing times in different embodiments of the device of the present invention are shown, wherein (a) is the decontamination rate of embodiments 1 and 3, and (b) is the decontamination rate of embodiments 2 and 4.

[0051] Figure 6 The electrostatic half-life of the device under different embodiments of the present invention at different processing times is shown, wherein (a) is the electrostatic half-life of embodiments 1 and 3, and (b) is the electrostatic half-life of embodiments 2 and 4.

[0052] Figure 7 The bending stiffness of the device under different processing times in different embodiments of the present invention are shown, wherein (a) is the bending stiffness of embodiments 1 and 3, and (b) is the bending stiffness of embodiments 2 and 4.

[0053] Figure 8 The fracture strengths under different processing times in different embodiments of the device of the present invention are shown, wherein (a) is the fracture strength of embodiments 1 and 3, and (b) is the fracture strength of embodiments 2 and 4.

[0054] In the diagram: 1. Housing; 2. Roller; 3. Gas collection hood; 4. High-voltage AC power supply; 5. Bracket; 6. Control system; 7. Motor; 8. Blower; 9. Mass flow controller; 10. Filter; 11. Atomizing device; 12. Liquid storage box; 13. Condensation device; 14. Outer wall; 15. Inner wall; 16. Disturbance structure; 17. High-voltage electrode; 18. Grounding electrode; 19. Dielectric insulation layer; 20. Wire; 21. Door; 22. Exhaust port. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand and implement the present invention. However, the embodiments described are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0056] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the rotary plasma washing and drying integrated device includes a housing 1, a drum 2, a gas collection hood 3, a high-voltage AC power supply 4, a support 5, a control system 6, a motor 7, a blower 8, a mass flow controller 9, a filter 10, an atomizing device 11, a liquid storage box 12, and a condensing device 13.

[0057] The roller 2 is a detachable rotating structure that can be driven by the motor 7 to rotate relative to the box 1; it includes an outer wall 14 and an inner wall 15 that are fixed to each other. The inner surface of the inner wall 15 is provided with a disturbance structure 16 to improve the uniformity of fabric turning. A high voltage electrode 17 is provided between the outer wall 14 and the inner wall 15. A grounding electrode 18 is provided at the center of the roller 2. The grounding electrode 18 is covered with a dielectric insulation layer 19.

[0058] The end of the roller 2 is provided with a gas collection hood 3; the gas collection hood 3 is fixed on the box body 1; the gas collection hood 3 is provided with a visible door 21 and an exhaust port 22, a filter 10 is provided at the bottom for filtering debris, and an annular condensation device 13 is provided on the inner wall.

[0059] The high-voltage AC power supply 4 is connected to the high-voltage electrode 17 and the grounding electrode 18 respectively to form a dielectric barrier discharge area inside the drum 2, and to realize fabric washing and low-temperature drying through mode switching.

[0060] The control system 6 is used to control the drum speed, dielectric barrier discharge power, water mist spray, and switching between washing and drying modes.

[0061] The blower 8 is connected to the air inlet pipe and communicates with the inside of the drum through a rotary pneumatic connector to ensure that the rotation of the drum 2 is not affected; the mass flow controller 9 is set on the air inlet pipe between the blower 8 and the drum 2 to adjust the air flow into the discharge area and change the atmosphere inside the drum in real time to ensure the continuous and stable generation of plasma.

[0062] The atomizing device 11 is located in the air inlet pipe between the mass flow controller 9 and the roller 2. The sprayed water mist mixes with the air and enters the roller 2. The liquid storage box 12 is used to store water, detergent or functional liquid to provide atomizing liquid for the atomizing device 11.

[0063] The roller 2 is connected to the motor 7 on the housing 1 via a belt, and the motor 7 drives the belt for transmission. Both ends of the roller 2 are connected to the gas collection hood 3 and the bracket 5 via bearings to ensure that the gas collection hood 3 and the bracket 5 do not affect the rotation of the roller 2. The roller 2 is provided with different volume specifications, with a volume range of 60 L. The disturbance structure 16 is evenly distributed on the inner circumferential side of the inner wall 15. The disturbance structure 16 is a raised rib, which is used to enhance the uniformity of fabric turning and the airflow disturbance in the discharge area.

[0064] The drum rotation speed is 40 r / min.

[0065] The atomizing device 11 sprays droplets with a diameter of 30 μm and a flow rate of 20 mL / min.

[0066] The gaps between the outer wall 14, the inner wall 15 and the high-voltage electrode 17 are filled with insulating material, which is polytetrafluoroethylene. The high-voltage electrode 17 consists of multiple rod-shaped electrodes, the length of which is parallel to the axial direction of the roller 2, and is distributed between the outer wall 14 and the inner wall 15. Different high-voltage electrodes 17 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the roller, and adjacent high-voltage electrodes 17 are connected by a conductive connection structure 20. The high-voltage electrode 17 and the grounding electrode 18 are made of conductive material and their lengths correspond to the axial length of the roller 2.

[0067] The conductive material is copper, and the dielectric insulating layer 19 and the filling insulating material are polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0068] After the gas generated inside the drum 2 enters the gas collection hood 3, the O3 generated by the reaction and the volatile components generated by the decomposition of stains are discharged through the exhaust port 22. Water vapor condenses on the surface of the annular condensation structure 13 to form condensate. The outlet of the filter 10 is connected to the liquid storage box 12. After being filtered by the filter 10, the condensate flows into the liquid storage box 12 for recycling.

[0069] Example 1

[0070] Lay the cotton cloth stained with chili oil as flat as possible inside the drum, then close the door tightly. Start the drum rotation, turn on the blower, and control the flow rate to 250 sccm using the mass flow controller to send air into the drum. Next, activate the atomizing device to atomize the detergent liquid in the water tank into micron-sized water mist, which is then introduced into the drum. Immediately afterward, check the equipment connections and turn on the AC power, adjusting the discharge power to 350 W to generate a stable plasma discharge inside the drum. Simultaneously, activate the condensation device to condense the water vapor that has reacted with the stain, preventing re-contamination of the fabric. The atmosphere inside the drum is constantly refreshed, ensuring stable plasma generation while promptly removing waste gases generated during the reaction, such as ozone and volatile components from stain decomposition. Then, turn off the atomizing device, switch to drying mode, and adjust the discharge power to 400 W to generate a stable plasma discharge inside the drum, utilizing the non-thermal equilibrium characteristics of plasma and ion wind to achieve low-temperature drying. The above process was carried out for 10, 12, and 15 minutes respectively to ensure effective degradation of stains and effective drying of fabrics. The stain removal rate, antistatic properties, bending stiffness, and breaking strength data were recorded at 10, 12, and 15 minutes.

[0071] Example 2

[0072] The remaining steps are the same as in Example 1, except that the substrate is changed to wool fabric.

[0073] Example 3

[0074] The remaining steps are the same as in Example 1, except that the chili oil stains are replaced with carrot juice stains.

[0075] Example 4

[0076] The remaining steps are the same as in Example 1, except that the chili oil stain is changed to carrot juice stain and the cotton fabric is changed to wool fabric.

[0077] The stain removal rate, antistatic properties, bending stiffness, and breaking strength of the cotton and wool fabric samples treated in Examples 1-4 are as follows: Figure 5-8 As shown, the removal rates of chili oil and carrot juice stains on cotton and wool fabrics gradually increased with increasing plasma treatment time. Simultaneously, the electrostatic half-life of both fabrics gradually decreased, indicating enhanced surface charge dissipation and significantly improved antistatic properties. Furthermore, bending stiffness is an evaluation index of fabric softness; lower bending stiffness indicates a softer fabric. Figure 7 The results showed that the softness of both fabrics improved with increasing treatment time. Notably, plasma treatment did not significantly change the breaking strength of either fabric, indicating that the fabric structure was not damaged by the plasma. In conclusion, the application of the aforementioned plasma washer-dryer integrated equipment for fabric treatment shows promising prospects.

[0078] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A low-water plasma washing and drying integrated device, characterized in that: The device includes a housing (1), a roller (2), a gas collection hood (3), a high-voltage AC power supply (4), a bracket (5), a control system (6), a motor (7), a blower (8), a mass flow controller (9), a filter (10), an atomizing device (11), a liquid storage box (12), and a condensing device (13). The roller (2) is a detachable rotating structure that can be driven by a motor (7) to rotate relative to the box (1); it includes an outer wall (14) and an inner wall (15) fixed to each other. The inner surface of the inner wall (15) is provided with a disturbance structure (16) to improve the uniformity of fabric turning. A high voltage electrode (17) is provided between the outer wall (14) and the inner wall (15). A grounding electrode (18) is provided at the center of the roller (2). The grounding electrode (18) is covered with a dielectric insulation layer (19). The end of the roller (2) is provided with a gas collection hood (3); the gas collection hood (3) is fixed on the box (1); the gas collection hood (3) is provided with a visible door (21) and an exhaust port (22), a filter (10) is provided at the bottom for filtering debris, and an annular condensation device (13) is provided on the inner wall. The high-voltage AC power supply (4) is connected to the high-voltage electrode (17) and the grounding electrode (18) respectively to form a dielectric barrier discharge area inside the drum (2) and realize fabric washing and low-temperature drying through mode switching. The control system (6) is used to control the drum speed, dielectric barrier discharge power, water mist spray and the switching between washing and drying modes. The blower (8) is connected to the air inlet pipe and communicates with the inside of the drum through a rotary pneumatic connector to ensure that the rotation of the drum (2) is not affected; the mass flow controller (9) is set on the air inlet pipe between the blower (8) and the drum (2) to adjust the air flow into the discharge area and change the atmosphere inside the drum in real time to ensure the continuous and stable generation of plasma. The atomizing device (11) is located in the air inlet pipe between the mass flow controller (9) and the roller (2), and the sprayed water mist mixes with the air and enters the roller (2); the liquid storage box (12) is used to store water, detergent or functional liquid, and provides atomizing liquid for the atomizing device (11).

2. The low-water plasma washing and drying integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The roller (2) is connected to the motor (7) on the box (1) by a belt. The motor (7) drives the belt for transmission. The two ends of the roller (2) are connected to the gas collection hood (3) and the bracket (5) by bearings respectively, so as to ensure that the gas collection hood (3) and the bracket (5) do not affect the rotation of the roller (2). The roller (2) is a detachable and replaceable structure with different volume specifications to adapt to the processing needs of different quantities of fabric. The volume range is 20–80 L. The disturbance structure (16) is evenly distributed on the inner circumference of the inner wall (15). The disturbance structure (16) is a guide rib, a raised rib or a disturbance turning structure, used to enhance the uniformity of fabric turning and the airflow disturbance in the discharge area.

3. The low-water plasma washing and drying integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The atomizing device (11) sprays droplets with a diameter of 10–50 μm and a flow rate of 5–50 mL / min.

4. The low-water plasma washing and drying integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gap between the outer wall (14), the inner wall (15) and the high-voltage electrode (17) is filled with insulating material, which is quartz, ceramic or polytetrafluoroethylene; the high-voltage electrode (17) is a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes, the length direction of the rod-shaped electrodes is parallel to the axial direction of the roller (2), and they are distributed between the outer wall (14) and the inner wall (15). Different high-voltage electrodes (17) are evenly distributed along the circumference of the roller, and adjacent high-voltage electrodes (17) are connected by a conductive connection structure (20). The high-voltage electrode (17) and the grounding electrode (18) are made of conductive material and their length corresponds to the axial length of the roller (2).

5. The low-water plasma washing and drying integrated device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The conductive material is copper, aluminum, stainless steel or tungsten metal, and the dielectric insulating layer (19) and the filling insulating material are quartz, ceramic or polytetrafluoroethylene.

6. The low-water plasma washing and drying integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the gas generated inside the drum (2) enters the gas collection hood (3), the O3 generated by the reaction and the volatile components generated by the decomposition of stains are discharged through the exhaust port (22). Water vapor condenses on the surface of the annular condensation structure (13) to form condensate. The outlet of the filter (10) is connected to the liquid storage box (12). After the condensate is filtered by the filter (10), it flows into the liquid storage box (12) for recycling.

7. A method for integrating water-saving plasma washing and drying using any one of the water-saving plasma washing and drying devices described in claims 1-6, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Place the fabric to be cleaned into the drum (2) and close the visible door (21). S2: Start the rotation of the drum (2) through the control system (6), start the blower (8), and introduce air into the discharge area by controlling the flow rate through the mass flow controller (9); S3: The atomizing device (11) is activated in the washing mode by the control system to spray micron-level water mist into the discharge area; S4: Start the high-voltage AC power supply (4), adjust it to a suitable power, and generate a stable plasma discharge to treat the fabric surface; S5: Start the condenser (13). The O3 generated by the plasma reaction and the volatile components generated by the decomposition of stains are discharged through the exhaust port (22). The water vapor is condensed to form condensate, which is filtered by the filter (10) and flows into the storage box (12) for recycling to prevent the stains from contaminating the fabric again. S6: After washing, the atomizing device (11) is turned off by the control system and the drying mode is switched to increase the power of the high voltage AC power supply (4) to achieve low-temperature drying of the fabric by utilizing the non-thermal equilibrium characteristics of plasma and ion wind.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fabric to be cleaned in step S1 is a pure textile, a blended textile, or a mixed textile; the stain is grease, pigment, or protein-based organic matter.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The atomizing device (11) in step S3 can atomize a small amount of detergent solution into a large amount of micron-sized water mist, greatly increasing the contact area with the fabric; at the same time, the introduced water mist can be effectively ionized by plasma to generate a large number of active oxygen species and fully act on the fabric to promote the oxidative decomposition of stains.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: In the two modes of steps S3 and S6, the high-voltage AC power output power is 300-350 W in the washing mode. The active particles generated by the dielectric barrier discharge work together with the micron-level water mist to achieve fabric cleaning and sterilization. In the drying mode, the high-voltage AC power output is 350–450 W. The non-thermal equilibrium characteristics of plasma and the ion wind enhance the mass transfer on the fabric surface to achieve low-temperature dehydration and drying. During the washing and drying process, the drum speed is controlled at 30–60 r / min to reduce the centrifugal force and mechanical stretching of the fabric, thereby reducing the deformation and fiber damage of high-quality fabrics.

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