Printing Machine Cleaning Solution Recovery Using Gravity Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing machines require large amounts of cleaning solution to effectively remove ink residues, leading to high chemical usage, disposal volumes, and environmental impact, with existing recycling processes being energy-intensive and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system for recovering cleaning solution using a drain tank with a calming section and a recovery section, utilizing density differences and flocculation behavior to separate ink from the cleaning solution, allowing for the collection of a semi-contaminated recovered cleaning solution that can be reused, reducing the need for fresh solvent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high amount of cleaning solution is used to achieve desired cleaning effect, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but chemical usage and disposal volumes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a drain tank system that recovers cleaning solution from the printing machine's cleaning process. The tank collects used cleaning solution and allows it to be reused, thereby reducing the loss of cleaning solution and decreasing the amount of chemical waste that needs to be disposed of.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain tank system enables the cleaning solution to serve itself by being recovered and reused within the system. The tank automatically collects and stores the cleaning solution after use, making it available for subsequent cleaning operations without requiring external intervention for disposal and replacement.
2Loss of substance
If solvent is recycled by distillation to reduce fresh cleaning solution needed, then solvent recovery is improved, but energy consumption and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing an expensive and energy-intensive distillation system for solvent recovery, the patent employs a simple, low-cost drain tank that passively recovers cleaning solution through gravity and natural settling. This approach prioritizes simplicity and low energy consumption over complete solvent purification, accepting that some cleaning solution will be disposed of while still achieving significant reduction in fresh solvent usage.
3Loss of substance
If distillation process is used to recycle solvents, then solvent recycling rate is improved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a simple drain tank system that minimizes environmental impact by avoiding the complex distillation process. While the recycling rate is lower compared to distillation, the system achieves a favorable balance between environmental friendliness and solvent recovery, using gravity-based separation and natural settling instead of energy-intensive thermal processing.
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 system enables efficient reuse of cleaning solution, decreasing the overall amount of fresh solvent needed and lowering costs and environmental impact by minimizing energy-intensive recycling processes.
Implementation Method 1
The invention is based on the idea that a recovered cleaning solution can be obtained in an easy and cheap manner by making use of density differences between cleaning solutions with differing concentrations of ink
Implementation Method 2
the flocculation behavior of the ink, i.e. the formation of ink flakes in solution
Implementation Method 3
the recovered cleaning solution is collected in the upper recovery section of the drain tank after the ink has at least partially separated
Data Source
AI summary
A system (14) for recovering a cleaning solution for use in a printing machine (10) comprises a drain tank (36) with a calming section (38) and a recovery section (42) being fluidically connected to the calming section (38) and being arranged above the calming section (38). The system (14) further comprises an inlet pipe (32) for feeding a used cleaning solution into the calming section (38) of the drain tank (36), wherein the used cleaning solution comprises a cleaning fluid and an ink. The recovery section (42) is separated from the calming section (38) by means of a filter element (40) which is adapted to at least partially retain the ink in the calming section (38) such that a recovered cleaning solution is collected in the recovery section (42).Further, a printing machine (10) is provided.