Printing Press Cleaning Solution Treatment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing printing machine cleaning solutions result in significant environmental burden due to excess waste and high water consumption, with existing recovery systems being inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A treatment system that includes a filtration step followed by vacuum drying, allowing for the recovery of nearly all water content from the cleaning solution, with the dry product being reusable and the condensate adjusted to restore the original solution composition, reducing waste and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional filtration methods are used to process contaminated printing press cleaning solution, then the filtrate can be recovered, but a large amount of water is consumed and significant waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is divided into two parallel pathways: a filtration system for recovering the majority of cleaning solution (95-98% by volume) and a vacuum drying system for processing the remaining concentrate. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high overall recovery efficiency while minimizing waste
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using vacuum drying instead of conventional thermal drying. The vacuum drying system operates at temperatures below 60°C (preferably around 50°C), which is significantly lower than conventional methods. This parameter change enables efficient water removal from the concentrate while avoiding energy-intensive high-temperature processes and safety risks
2Productivity
If high temperature drying is used to remove water from concentrate, then drying efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum drying system exploits the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor under reduced pressure. By operating in a vacuum environment, water evaporates at temperatures below 60°C, enabling efficient drying without the need for high temperatures. This phase transition approach maintains high drying efficiency while dramatically reducing energy consumption and eliminating safety risks associated with high-temperature operation
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum drying system creates an inert low-pressure environment that prevents oxidation and eliminates the risk of self-ignition of ink residues. The vacuum atmosphere allows for safe processing of organic materials at low temperatures while maintaining effective water removal through controlled evaporation
3Loss of substance
If conventional drying systems are used, then water removal is effective, but additional safety structures and precautions are required
Solution Approach 1:
By operating the drying system under vacuum conditions, the invention creates an inert atmosphere that inherently prevents combustion and oxidation reactions. This eliminates the need for complex safety structures such as fire suppression systems, temperature monitoring alarms, and emergency shutdown mechanisms that would be required in conventional atmospheric drying systems
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum drying system uses the vacuum environment itself to provide both the drying function and the safety function. The low-pressure atmosphere automatically prevents self-ignition of ink residues without requiring additional safety systems, making the process inherently safe while maintaining effective water removal
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 approach enables the recovery of nearly all water from the cleaning solution, minimizing waste, reducing fresh water consumption, and allowing for a safe, energy-efficient process with reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a filtration step into a filtrate and a concentrate
Implementation Method 2
the liquid components of the concentrate are essentially volatilized
Implementation Method 3
the concentrate being guided over heating plates
Implementation Method 4
The vacuum drying system 8 also has a condenser 9, which converts the volatilized substances back into the liquid phase
Data Source
AI summary
The system has a printing machine (2) whose output side is connected to a storage tank (3). A filtration system (4) is connected to a permeate line (5). A concentrate line (7) of the filtration unit is connected to a capacitor (9) of a vacuum drying unit (8). An intermediate store (10) with a cleaning solution reservoir (6) is connected to an input of the printing machine. An independent claim is included for a preparation method of a contaminated presses cleaning solution.