Recirculating chemical-sanitizing washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dishwashers, particularly dump-and-fill type machines, are wasteful in terms of water and energy, while recirculating machines can leave residual detergent or soil and require additional heating and complexity to maintain water temperature, failing to provide cleaner dishes with reduced cycle times.
Innovation Solution
A recirculating chemical-sanitizing dishwasher system that partially drains and refills the wash tank between cycles, using a smaller tank size to maintain wash temperature without a dedicated heat source, and introduces fresh water with rinse aid and sanitizer to ensure cleanliness and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If recirculating type machines reuse wash water from cycle to cycle, then water and energy consumption are reduced, but residual detergent or soil remains on dishes and machine complexity increases to maintain water temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The wash tank is segmented into two distinct chambers: a first chamber for washing and a second chamber for rinsing. This segmentation allows the washing function and rinsing function to be separated, enabling the rinsing chamber to receive fresh water while the washing chamber recirculates water, thus eliminating residual detergent on dishes while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat exchanger acts as an intermediary between the recirculating wash water and the fresh rinse water. The heat exchanger transfers thermal energy from the warm wash water to the incoming cold rinse water, preheating the rinse water without requiring additional heating energy, thus maintaining energy efficiency while ensuring clean rinsing.
2Loss of substance
If recirculating type machines reuse wash water from cycle to cycle, then water consumption is reduced, but residual detergent or soil remains on dishes
Solution Approach 1:
The wash tank is segmented into two distinct chambers: a first chamber for washing and a second chamber for rinsing. This segmentation allows the washing function and rinsing function to be separated, enabling the rinsing chamber to receive fresh water while the washing chamber recirculates water, thus eliminating residual detergent on dishes while maintaining water efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat exchanger acts as an intermediary between the recirculating wash water and the fresh rinse water. The heat exchanger transfers thermal energy from the warm wash water to the incoming cold rinse water, preheating the rinse water without requiring additional heating energy, thus maintaining energy efficiency while ensuring clean rinsing.
3Temperature
If recirculating type machines maintain water temperature, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but additional heating and machine complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger acts as an intermediary between the recirculating wash water and the fresh rinse water. The heat exchanger transfers thermal energy from the warm wash water to the incoming cold rinse water, preheating the rinse water without requiring additional heating energy, thus maintaining energy efficiency while ensuring clean rinsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the thermal energy already present in the recirculating wash water to preheat the incoming rinse water through the heat exchanger. This self-service approach allows the system to maintain temperature efficiency without requiring additional external heating systems, thereby reducing machine complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a recirculating chemical-sanitizing dishwasher includes filling a wash tank of the dishwasher with water, and performing a first cycle of washing by circulating the water through a wash chamber of the dishwasher. A partial drain is performed of a first amount of water from the wash tank, and new water (for example, rinse water) is added to the wash tank for a second amount of water approximately equal to the first amount. A second cycle of washing is performed by circulating the water through the wash chamber of the dishwasher.