Cleaning Apparatus With Isolation Jet For Surface Decontamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning methods for large contaminated surfaces often produce significant chemical waste and may not be sufficient to effectively clean or strip surfaces without the use of chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a combination of a cleaning jet with dry steam and a rinsing jet with wet steam to remove contaminants and chemical residue from surfaces, where the rinsing jet is directed at a pressure sufficient to isolate the cleaning jet from the ambient environment, reducing chemical waste and airborne contamination.
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 production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is segmented into distinct functional zones: a cleaning jet zone that applies chemicals to break down contaminants, and a rinsing jet zone that removes chemicals and contaminants. This segmentation allows controlled chemical application only where needed, reducing overall chemical waste while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The rinsing jet is configured to capture and redirect chemical-laden runoff back toward the cleaning jet or into containment areas, allowing for partial recovery and reuse of cleaning chemicals. This reduces chemical waste disposal requirements while maintaining effective contaminant removal.
2Loss of substance
If only steam and mechanical rubbing are used to clean surfaces, then chemical waste is reduced, but cleaning sufficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple cleaning mechanisms into a single integrated system: chemical cleaning (via cleaning jet), thermal cleaning (via steam), and mechanical cleaning (via pressurized water impact and rubbing action). This combination achieves thorough contaminant removal that would be insufficient with steam and mechanical rubbing alone, while using chemicals more efficiently to reduce waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces extensive mechanical rubbing and manual cleaning operations with a pressurized jet system that combines chemical, thermal, and mechanical forces. The high-velocity jets perform the mechanical cleaning function that would otherwise require intensive manual rubbing, reducing chemical waste while maintaining or improving cleaning sufficiency.
3Reliability
If cleaning chemicals are applied to break down contamination, then contaminant removal is improved, but airborne contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rinsing jet acts as an intermediary between the cleaning chemicals and the environment. It captures chemical-laden vapors and droplets that would otherwise become airborne contamination, redirecting them into contained runoff streams for proper disposal. This mediator function maintains contaminant removal effectiveness while reducing airborne hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The rinsing jet is positioned and configured to create a protective barrier that prevents cleaning chemicals from escaping into the ambient environment. By establishing this preliminary protective action, the system prevents airborne contamination before it occurs, while still allowing effective chemical application for contaminant removal.
4Reliability
If high pressure is used to direct cleaning jet, then contaminant removal is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes pressure parameters by using high pressure only in the cleaning jet where contaminant removal is critical, while the rinsing jet operates at lower pressures sufficient for its function. This selective parameter application reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining effective contaminant removal where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning jet applies excessive pressure locally at the contaminant-surface interface to ensure complete contaminant removal, while the overall system uses moderate pressures. The concentrated high-pressure application is partial in scope but excessive in intensity where needed, achieving effective cleaning with reduced total energy input compared to uniformly high-pressure systems.
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
The method effectively removes contaminants and chemical residue while minimizing chemical waste and preventing airborne contamination, making the process more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a first nozzle configured to direct a cleaning jet towards a contaminated surface at a pressure sufficient to remove contaminants from the surface
Implementation Method 2
the rinsing jet is directed at a pressure sufficient to isolate the cleaning jet from an ambient environment
Data Source
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AI summary
A cleaning apparatus is provided that includes a first nozzle (220) configured to direct a cleaning jet (222) towards a contaminated surface at a pressure sufficient to remove contaminants from the surface. At least one second nozzle (240, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 252) is configured to direct a rinsing jet (260) towards the contaminated surface to remove cleaning fluid therefrom, wherein the rinsing jet (260) is directed at a pressure sufficient to isolate the cleaning jet (222) from an ambient environment.