Laundry Chemical-Line Ozone Injection for Stable Wash-Cycle Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ozone and hydroxyl radical injection systems for laundry machines face challenges such as low maintenance, high installation costs, inability to customize ozone and hydroxyl levels per wash cycle, and inefficiencies in maintaining adequate cleaning concentrations throughout the wash cycle, particularly due to limitations in injection methods and reactivity with alkali detergents.
Innovation Solution
An ozone and hydroxyl injection system that injects these radicals into the chemical lines at various stages and entry points of the laundry system, using a UV ozone and hydroxyl generator in conjunction with a venturi by-pass manifold or other dissolving systems, allowing for controlled and customizable concentrations based on soil levels, minimizing off-gassing and maintaining effective cleaning throughout the cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ozone and hydroxyl radicals are injected into water fill lines, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but maintenance requirements increase and installation costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ozone injection and hydroxyl radical injection into a single integrated system that operates through chemical lines. The UV generator produces both ozone and hydroxyl radicals simultaneously, and the chemical line injection system merges these two functions into one delivery mechanism, reducing the need for separate injection systems and lowering installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical line injection system serves multiple functions: it delivers detergent, bleach, and other chemicals, and simultaneously serves as the injection pathway for ozone and hydroxyl radicals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated injection lines, reducing installation costs and maintenance requirements while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
2Productivity
If ozone and hydroxyl levels are increased per wash cycle, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but system complexity and customization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of ozone and hydroxyl radical concentrations by modifying UV generator operating parameters such as power input and exposure time. The controller can vary these parameters based on soil levels and wash cycle requirements, enabling customization of radical levels without adding complex injection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical lines provide continuous flow throughout the wash cycle, allowing sustained injection of ozone and hydroxyl radicals. This continuous action maintains adequate cleaning concentrations throughout the entire cycle, eliminating the need for complex intermittent injection systems with multiple valves and timing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If injection points are increased throughout the system, then radical concentration is maintained, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical lines act as intermediaries that transport ozone and hydroxyl radicals from the UV generator to the wash water. By utilizing the existing chemical line infrastructure as the delivery medium, the system avoids the need for separate injection points and complex distribution networks, simplifying the overall system while maintaining adequate radical concentrations.
4Productivity
If ozone injection is used, then cleaning power is improved, but harmful byproducts are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potential harm of ozone byproducts into a benefit by simultaneously generating hydroxyl radicals through UV irradiation. The hydroxyl radicals provide additional cleaning power through different oxidation mechanisms that produce fewer harmful byproducts, effectively compensating for and mitigating the harmful effects of ozone decomposition.
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 system provides a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution that maintains adequate ozone and hydroxyl levels, optimizing cleaning efficiency and reducing rewash rates, with hydroxyl concentrations maintained between 0.1-5 ppm, achieving a rewash rate of 1-2% compared to traditional wash processes.
Implementation Method 1
a UV generator to produce the ozone and hydroxyl radicals
Implementation Method 2
using a UV ozone and hydroxyl generator in conjunction with a venturi by-pass manifold or other dissolving systems
Data Source
AI summary
An ozone and/or hydroxyl laundry system that injects ozone and/or hydroxyls into the chemical injection system in order to allow the system to inject ozone and/or hydroxyls as other cleaning chemicals are injected into the washer. This allows ozone and/or hydroxyls to be injected through the wash cycle rather than just during the initial fill phase and avoids the expense and maintenance of adding ozone and/or hydroxyls recirculation plumping to an ozone and/or hydroxyls laundry system. Accordingly, ozone and/or hydroxyl levels may be maintained at superior levels throughout the wash cycle.