Sequential Compressed Gas Cleaning for Textile Decontamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for decontaminating textile products are inefficient in removing both polar and nonpolar contaminants, and the use of mixed gas states leads to incomplete decontamination due to unmixing effects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving two separate cleaning steps using compressed nonpolar and polar gases in liquid or supercritical states, alternating between them to effectively remove both types of contaminants, with CO2 and N2O being the preferred gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single compressed gas (nonpolar or polar) is used for cleaning textile products, then the cleaning process is simple, but it cannot effectively remove both polar and nonpolar contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is segmented into two distinct sequential steps: first using a nonpolar compressed gas to remove nonpolar contaminants, then using a polar compressed gas to remove polar contaminants. This segmentation allows each gas to specialize in removing its corresponding contaminant type, achieving complete decontamination while maintaining process simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If a mixture of polar and nonpolar gases is used in liquid state, then both types of contaminants can be addressed, but unmixing effects occur leading to incomplete decontamination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a mixed gas system that suffers from unmixing effects, the invention segments the cleaning into two separate sequential steps using pure nonpolar gas followed by pure polar gas. This eliminates the unmixing problem entirely while maintaining the ability to remove both contaminant types.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process maintains continuous useful action by immediately transitioning from nonpolar gas cleaning to polar gas cleaning without interruption or mixing. This continuous sequential action ensures complete contaminant removal while avoiding the reliability issues of gas unmixing.
3Loss of substance
If compressed gases are used for cleaning, then detergent recovery is improved, but separate handling of polar and nonpolar gases increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The gas handling system is segmented into two independent subsystems: one for nonpolar gas and one for polar gas. Each subsystem can independently recover and recycle its respective gas, simplifying the overall recovery process compared to handling mixed gases, while still achieving complete contaminant 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 achieves comprehensive contamination removal by avoiding gas mixing issues and optimizing detergent use, allowing for efficient recovery and handling of pure gases.
Implementation Method 1
a first cleaning step by treating said textile product or textile products in said vessel with one of a compressed nonpolar gas and a compressed polar gas, said compressed gas being in liquid or supercritical state
Implementation Method 2
performing a first cleaning step by treating said textile product or textile products in said vessel with one of a compressed nonpolar gas and a compressed polar gas, said compressed gas being in liquid or supercritical state
Implementation Method 3
mixtures of polar and nonpolar gasses in liquid state tend to separate, the latter providing failing or uncomplete decontamination
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method to decontaminate textile products is provided which method comprises a) providing a textile product or textile products in a cleaning vessel; b) performing a first cleaning step by treating said textile product or textile products in said vessel with one of a compressed nonpolar gas and a compressed polar gas, said compressed gas being in liquid or supercritical state; c) removing said one of a compressed nonpolar gas and a compressed polar gas from said vessel; d) performing a second cleaning step by treating said textile product or textile products in said vessel with the other of a compressed nonpolar gas and a compressed polar gas, said compressed gas being in liquid or supercritical state; e) removing said other of a compressed nonpolar gas and a compressed polar gas from said vessel.