Absorptive Medium Steam Cleaning for Contaminant Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning methods for large contaminated surfaces often generate significant chemical waste, and methods using only steam and mechanical rubbing may not be sufficient to effectively clean or strip contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A method involving covering a contaminated surface with an absorptive medium saturated with a cleaning solution, applying steam to facilitate contaminant transfer to the medium, and optionally using pressure or friction to enhance removal, while minimizing chemical usage and waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional chemical cleaning methods are used to clean large contaminated surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but chemical waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning solution and contaminants from the traditional rinse-water stream by using an absorptive medium that selectively absorbs the cleaning solution and dissolved contaminants while allowing rinse water to pass through. This separation removes the need for large volumes of rinse water and eliminates chemical waste disposal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an absorptive medium with porous structure that allows selective absorption of cleaning solution and contaminants while permitting rinse water to pass through. The porous material enables this differentiation based on molecular size and polarity, achieving waste reduction without compromising cleaning effectiveness.
2Loss of substance
If only steam and mechanical rubbing are used for cleaning, then chemical usage is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an absorptive medium as an intermediary between the steam cleaning process and the surface being cleaned. This medium is saturated with cleaning solution and transfers it to the contaminated surface through the action of steam, providing effective cleaning while using minimal chemicals that are subsequently absorbed and retained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and distribution of the cleaning solution by saturating an absorptive medium with the solution before application. The steam heat activates the cleaning solution for effective contaminant removal, while the absorptive medium controls the release and prevents excess chemical usage.
3Reliability
If cleaning solution is rinsed away with water, then cleaning completeness is improved, but water consumption and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning solution and contaminants from the rinse water stream through the absorptive medium, which selectively absorbs the cleaning solution and dissolved contaminants while allowing rinse water to pass through. This eliminates the need for large volumes of rinse water and removes chemical waste disposal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the cleaning solution and contaminants by having them absorbed into the absorptive medium, rather than discarding them in the rinse water stream. The absorbed contaminants are then removed with the medium, eliminating the need for extensive water rinsing and waste water disposal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces chemical waste by collecting contaminants and cleaning solution in the absorptive medium, effectively breaking down and removing contaminants without excessive chemical usage, thus lowering disposal costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
capillary action of the medium
Implementation Method 2
applying steam to the saturated absorptive medium
Implementation Method 3
transferring the contaminants to the absorptive medium
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for cleaning a contaminated surface (106) is provided. The method includes covering at least a portion of the contaminated surface (106) with an absorptive medium (104). At least a portion of the absorptive medium (104) is saturated with a cleaning solution before the portion of the contaminated surface (106) is covered with the absorptive medium (104), or at least a portion of the absorptive medium (104) is saturated with a cleaning solution after the portion of the contaminated surface (106) is covered with the absorptive medium (104). Steam (140) is applied to the saturated absorptive medium for a period of time to facilitate removing contaminants (110) from the contaminated surface (106) and to facilitate transferring the contaminants (110) to the absorptive medium (104), wherein the saturated absorptive medium is substantially stationary relative to the contaminated surface (106) as steam (140) is applied to the saturated absorptive medium.