Portable Dry Ice Blasting Robot for ISO Container Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cleaning methods for ISO containers, such as high-pressure wash with solvents, generate excessive waste water and require extensive purification, are time-consuming, and involve manual operation, posing environmental and logistical challenges.
Innovation Solution
A portable cleaning tool using dry ice blasting technology, integrated with a robot and a truck system, allows for automated cleaning of ISO containers, reducing waste, eliminating drying time, and utilizing existing transportation infrastructure, with a self-sufficient dry ice production unit and power source, and a housing designed to protect the robot from environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high-pressure wash with solvent is used for cleaning containers, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but waste water production increases and requires extensive purification
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the cleaning medium from liquid (water/solvent) to solid (dry ice pellets). This parameter change eliminates waste water production while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the sublimation and expansion of CO2 pellets upon contact with the container surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions of carbon dioxide (from solid pellets to gas upon sublimation) to achieve cleaning. The rapid phase change creates expansion forces that effectively remove contaminants without generating liquid waste, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and waste water production.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-pressure wash with solvent is used for cleaning containers, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cleaning time increases due to drying requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The use of dry ice blasting exploits the phase transition from solid to gas, which leaves no liquid residue requiring drying time. The CO2 sublimes completely, providing immediate readiness of the container for next use, thus eliminating the time loss associated with traditional liquid-based cleaning methods.
3Ease of operation
If manual high-pressure wash operation is used, then cleaning flexibility is maintained, but labor costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic robot control that autonomously navigates and operates the dry ice blasting process. The robot self-manages the cleaning operation without requiring manual intervention, reducing labor costs while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control sequences.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a portable cleaning tool is designed for container cleaning, then mobility and adaptability are improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into separate functional modules (robot unit, dry ice storage, control system) that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the core cleaning robot to remain relatively lightweight while mobility requirements are met through modular attachment to transport equipment, resolving the contradiction between portability and weight.
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 dry ice blasting method significantly reduces waste production, eliminates the need for solvent use, and automates the cleaning process, saving costs and time, while being environmentally friendly and adaptable for outdoor use with existing transportation systems.
Implementation Method 1
The robot and the nozzle are adapted to clean the interior of the container by means of dry ice blasting
Implementation Method 2
said cleaning medium is dry ice
Data Source
AI summary
A tool and method for cleaning the interior of a freight container of ISO type. The tool having a framework, a robot movably connected to the framework and provided with a nozzle for supplying dry ice. The robot and the nozzle are adapted to clean the interior of the container by means of dry ice blasting. An actuating unit is arranged to move the robot between the framework and the interior of the container. The tool is a portable unit and has a size and a design that allows a truck adapted for gripping and carrying freight containers of ISO type to grip and carry the tool in order to move the tool to and from the container to be cleaned.