Laundry Drying-Aid Composition to Reduce Energy Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drying operations in industrial laundry processes are inefficient and energy-intensive, with existing methods requiring significant upfront investments for mechanical improvements or chemical modifications, which delay energy cost savings.
Innovation Solution
A process involving an aqueous rinse bath with an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide (EO/PO/EO) triblock copolymer and aminosilicone composition, applied to textiles to reduce drying time through a synergistic effect, thereby lowering energy consumption and costs without the need for costly equipment or chemical modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If mechanical extraction equipment is improved to enhance water removal efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but significant up-front investment is required which delays cost savings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the aqueous bath by adding specific compositions (surfactants, polymers, or solvents) that modify water-textile interaction. This allows existing mechanical equipment to operate more effectively without requiring expensive equipment upgrades, thereby reducing energy consumption without significant up-front investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces chemical intermediaries (compositions added to the aqueous bath) that mediate between the water and textile. These intermediaries facilitate water removal by altering surface properties and water-textile adhesion, enabling existing mechanical systems to achieve better drying efficiency without costly modifications.
2Use of energy by moving object
If textiles are chemically modified to retain less water, then drying energy is reduced, but significant up-front investment is required to modify or replace textiles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables existing textiles to self-modify their water retention properties through exposure to specially formulated aqueous baths. The compositions penetrate and temporarily alter the textile structure during the washing process, allowing the textile to shed water more effectively without permanent chemical modification or replacement, thus avoiding up-front investment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary chemical treatment of textiles during the washing process by adding compositions to the aqueous bath. This preliminary action modifies the textile's surface properties temporarily, reducing water retention before the drying stage, thereby reducing drying energy without requiring permanent textile modification.
3Ease of manufacture
If compositions are added to aqueous bath to reduce water retention, then energy savings are immediate with minimal up-front cost, but ongoing composition purchase costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the concentration and type of compositions added to the aqueous bath to achieve the minimum effective dosage. By carefully selecting surfactants, polymers, or solvents and optimizing their concentrations, the invention reduces the quantity of composition needed per wash cycle while maintaining effective water removal, thereby minimizing ongoing consumption costs.
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 composition significantly reduces drying time and energy consumption, providing immediate cost savings by integrating into existing laundry processes without the need for expensive upgrades or chemical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
the aqueous rinse bath comprises from 0.05 g to 10 g of an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide (EO/PO/EO) triblock copolymer per kg of textile; from 0.01 g to 7.5 g of an aminosilicone per kg of textile
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided are drying aid compositions, which comprise an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide (EO/PO/EO) triblock copolymer and an aminosilicone. The compositions can be added to the aqueous bath during the laundry process to reduce the drying time of a textile. Also provided is a process for laundering a textile, which comprises contacting the textile with an aqueous bath containing a drying aid composition comprising an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide (EO/PO/EO) triblock copolymer and an aminosilicone.