Siloxane Dry Cleaning Filtration Without Solvent Distillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The dry cleaning industry faces significant environmental and health hazards due to the generation of hazardous waste from the regeneration of commonly used solvents like PERC and petroleum distillates through distillation, which creates non-volatile residues and volatile organic compounds, necessitating the development of alternative solvent regeneration methods.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dry cleaning using siloxane solvents, which suspends rather than solubilizes impurities, allowing for solvent regeneration without distillation, utilizing a filtration system with inert gases and specific filtration mediums like clays and powders, and ozone for odor elimination, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If distillation is used to regenerate PERC or petroleum distillate solvents, then solvent purity is improved, but hazardous waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of impurity removal mechanism from solubilization (distillation) to suspension and filtration. By using siloxane solvents with specific physical-chemical parameters (lower solvency for hydrophobic impurities), the system prevents impurities from dissolving in the first place, eliminating the need for distillation and hazardous waste generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical distillation system with a mechanical filtration system. Instead of using heat and phase change to separate impurities, the system uses physical filtration through filters and filter media to remove suspended impurities, eliminating hazardous waste streams
2Reliability
If PERC is used as a dry cleaning solvent, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but health and environmental hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solvent by using siloxane-based solvents instead of PERC. These alternative solvents have different physical-chemical properties including lower volatility and different solvency characteristics, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while eliminating the health and environmental hazards associated with PERC
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces detergent additives as intermediaries that work synergistically with siloxane solvents to enhance cleaning effectiveness. The detergent molecules facilitate the removal of impurities through suspension and filtration, compensating for the lower inherent solvency of siloxane solvents compared to PERC
3Productivity
If vacuum distillation is used for petroleum distillate regeneration, then solvent recovery is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex vacuum distillation system with a simpler filtration system. By using siloxane solvents that suspend rather than solubilize impurities, the system achieves effective solvent recovery through straightforward filtration processes, eliminating the need for expensive vacuum distillation equipment and operations
4Object-generated harmful factors
If filtration is used to regenerate solvents, then hazardous waste is reduced, but solvent purity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the filtration system by selecting appropriate filter media and operating conditions specifically tailored to siloxane solvents. The filtration system is designed to achieve the necessary purity levels for dry cleaning applications while maintaining the advantages of reduced hazardous waste compared to distillation
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 siloxane solvent system effectively regenerates cleaning solutions without hazardous waste streams, maintaining cleaning quality, reducing environmental and health risks, and eliminating the need for distillation, thus addressing the regulatory and economic challenges associated with traditional solvent regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
siloxane solvents, which suspends rather than solubilizes impurities
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a filtration system with inert gases and specific filtration mediums like clays and powders
Implementation Method 3
and ozone for odor elimination
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for dry cleaning articles using siloxane solvents are provided. In the systems and methods according to the present invention, the siloxane solvent suspends impurities extracted from the articles being cleaned, and the system filters off the impurities, thereby cleaning the articles.