Solvent Washing Machine with Vacuum Bag Emission Capture System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-chamber vacuum-based solvent washing machines face significant challenges in minimizing solvent emissions, particularly with low-boiling-point solvents, due to imperfect vacuum seals and the inefficiency of cold condensers and activated carbon systems in capturing solvent vapors.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a flexible, expandable POLM bag connected to the machine's chimney, which maintains internal pressure through a vacuum pump, absorbs solvent vapors, and controls integrity, minimizing emissions by storing and treating air-solvent mixtures, and alerts operators to leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If cold condensers and activated carbon systems are used to capture solvent vapors, then solvent emissions are reduced, but the system becomes complex and expensive, especially for low-boiling-point solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes air from the washing chamber before introducing the solvent. This prevents air-solvent mixture formation at the source, eliminating the need for complex cold condenser and activated carbon systems that would otherwise be required to capture solvent vapors.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum pump creates a vacuum environment in the washing chamber before the solvent is introduced. This preliminary action of removing air prevents subsequent solvent vapor emission problems, avoiding the need for complex emission control systems during the washing process.
2Ease of operation
If air is not evacuated before introducing solvent, then the washing process is simpler, but solvent vapors mix with air and increase emissions to the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts air from the washing chamber using a vacuum pump before solvent introduction. This removes the source of emissions (air that would carry solvent vapors) while maintaining operational simplicity by automating the air removal process as a preliminary step.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a vacuum environment (inert atmosphere without oxygen and nitrogen) in the washing chamber before introducing the solvent. This prevents air-solvent mixing and subsequent emissions, while the vacuum state is easily maintained during the washing process.
3Productivity
If volatile solvents are used for efficient cleaning, then washing performance is improved, but solvent emissions increase due to high volatility and imperfect vacuum seals
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts air from the washing chamber before introducing volatile solvents. This prevents air-solvent mixture formation that would lead to emissions through imperfect seals, allowing the use of volatile solvents for efficient cleaning without the associated emission problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a vacuum environment that prevents air-solvent mixing. This allows volatile solvents to be used for efficient washing while the vacuum seal contains the solvent vapors, preventing emissions through imperfect seals that would otherwise occur with air present.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If vacuum pumps are used to maintain negative pressure and prevent solvent leaks, then emission control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts air from the washing chamber before solvent introduction and maintains vacuum only when needed during the washing process. This reduces energy consumption by operating the vacuum pump only during critical phases rather than continuously, while still preventing solvent leaks through imperfect seals.
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 device effectively reduces solvent emissions during machine startup, identifies and controls random leaks, and precisely measures air introduction, ensuring minimal solvent release into the atmosphere.
Implementation Method 1
keeping all the parts of the washing machine that contain solvent in liquid or vapor phase under negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
consisting of a bag POLM for storing air with solvent vapors expelled from the machine
Implementation Method 3
regenerate the solvent by boiling and subsequent condensation on the cold surface of chilled water condensers
Implementation Method 4
subsequent condensation on the cold surface of chilled water condensers
Implementation Method 5
a vacuum distiller that allows the solvent to evaporate almost completely from the residues of oil and various dirt
Implementation Method 6
vacuum distiller that allows the solvent to evaporate
Implementation Method 7
When touching a cold wall, solvent vapors can condense, that is, turn to a liquid state if the air temperature is lower than the dew point of the solvent itself
Data Source
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AI summary
This patent concerns an industrial washing machine for various articles, which includes a device capable of completely eliminating solvent emissions into the atmosphere, storing the gaseous phase after condensation at low temperature, in a flexible expandable bag. This patent also concerns the operating method of the washing machine.