Process for washing fabrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current textile washing processes using solvents or water solutions with detergents are environmentally harmful and can leave residues on fabrics, leading to non-uniform cleaning, high energy consumption, and the generation of toxic waste, while existing carbon dioxide washing processes face issues with uniformity, continuous operation, and efficient recirculation of the solvent.
Innovation Solution
A process that unwinds and rewinds fabrics through pressurized rolls, using super-cooled liquid carbon dioxide or a two-phase mixture, with optional gaseous carbon dioxide delivery and ultrasound to enhance cleaning, and continuous recirculation and regeneration of carbon dioxide to maintain efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a rotating rack is used to immerse garments in liquid CO2, then the washing treatment is applied, but energy consumption increases due to the weight and inertia of the rack and material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rotating rack mechanical system with a stationary rack system. Instead of rotating the heavy rack and immersed garments to apply washing treatment, the system uses liquid CO2 circulation and pressure differential to move the washing fluid through the stationary rack, thereby eliminating energy consumption associated with rotating heavy masses while maintaining effective washing treatment application
2Manufacturing precision
If garments are inserted in a rotating rack apparatus, then washing treatment is applied, but uniform cleaning is not achieved due to non-uniform positioning in the bath
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the garments from the rotating rack system and places them in a stationary rack where they maintain fixed, uniform positioning. The washing treatment is then applied uniformly through controlled circulation of liquid CO2 that penetrates all garments evenly, eliminating the non-uniform positioning problems inherent in rotating rack systems
3Reliability
If traditional washing processes use solvents or water solutions with detergents, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but environmental harm and toxic waste are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the washing fluid from traditional solvents or water-detergent solutions to liquid carbon dioxide. This parameter change maintains cleaning effectiveness through CO2's solvent properties for oils and fats, while eliminating environmental harm and toxic waste generation, as CO2 is non-toxic and can be recycled
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a recycling system where used liquid CO2 is recovered, regenerated, and reused in the washing process. This eliminates the need to continuously introduce fresh solvent and prevents waste discharge, transforming the linear waste-generating process into a closed-loop sustainable system
4Reliability
If carbon dioxide is used as washing fluid in liquid state, then solvent power for non-polar substances is achieved, but surface tension and viscosity limitations restrict wetting ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unique property of carbon dioxide where its surface tension and viscosity can be dynamically adjusted by changing pressure and temperature parameters. By operating at supercritical conditions or near-critical parameters, the system optimizes CO2's wetting ability while maintaining its superior solvent power for non-polar substances like oils and fats
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 process ensures uniform washing, reduces energy consumption, eliminates the need for additives, and produces non-toxic waste, achieving high fabric cleanliness with minimal environmental impact by continuously recirculating and regenerating carbon dioxide.
Implementation Method 1
Liquid carbon dioxide has a considerable solvent power in particular for non-polar substances that allow it to pass through the limit layer of the surfaces of the fibers to be treated
Implementation Method 2
using super-cooled liquid carbon dioxide or a two-phase mixture
Implementation Method 3
with optional gaseous carbon dioxide delivery and ultrasound to enhance cleaning
Implementation Method 4
continuous recirculation and regeneration of carbon dioxide to maintain efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A process for washing fabrics comprises: inserting a fabric (12) to be washed into a treatment chamber (14), creating a desired pressure inside the treatment chamber (14), carrying out a washing treatment on the fabric (12) using carbon dioxide (CO2) as the washing fluid, and restoring atmospheric pressure in the treatment chamber (14).