Steam-Ozone Laundry Treatment for Low-Energy Germ Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water-bearing domestic appliances, such as washing machines and tumble dryers, face high energy consumption due to the need for high steam temperatures and long exposure times to effectively kill germs, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a steam generator and an ozone generator with a UV lamp that enriches steam with ozone, allowing for a germicidal effect at lower temperatures and reduced exposure times, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high steam temperature and long exposure time are used to kill germs, then the germicidal effect is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines steam generation and ozone generation into a single integrated system where both substances are introduced into the treatment area simultaneously. The steam generator and ozone generator are connected to the same treatment chamber, allowing synergistic germicidal action that achieves effective disinfection at lower temperatures and shorter times than steam alone, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by introducing ozone into the steam treatment process. This chemical parameter change allows the system to achieve the same germicidal effect with lower temperature parameters and shorter time parameters, directly addressing the energy consumption problem.
2Reliability
If high steam temperature is used to achieve germicidal effect, then germ killing efficiency is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging steam and ozone into a combined treatment medium, the system achieves faster germicidal action. Ozone's strong oxidizing properties work synergistically with steam heat to rapidly destroy microbial cell structures, reducing the treatment time required compared to steam alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes ozone, a strong oxidant, to accelerate the germicidal process. Ozone molecules rapidly oxidize and destroy microbial cell walls and internal structures, significantly speeding up the germ-killing process and reducing the required treatment time.
3Reliability
If steam generation is used for germicidal treatment, then disinfection effect is achieved, but energy intensity increases due to high enthalpy of vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges steam generation with ozone generation in an integrated approach. By combining these two germicidal agents, the system achieves effective disinfection with reduced steam requirements, thereby lowering the total energy input needed for vaporization and heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the disinfection mechanism by adding ozone chemistry to the thermal steam process. This chemical parameter change allows for effective germicidal action at lower thermal energy inputs, reducing the overall energy intensity of the treatment process.
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 combination of steam and ozone achieves a germicidal effect with significantly reduced energy usage, shortening treatment times from one hour to 20 minutes while maintaining effectiveness without damaging textiles.
Implementation Method 1
the UV lamp can be configured as a UVC lamp, which at least essentially generates electromagnetic radiation from a partial range of ultraviolet radiation, namely in the range from 100 nm to 280 nm
Implementation Method 2
The UVC lamp is able to split di-oxygen molecules. The resulting oxygen radicals react with molecular di-oxygen to form ozone
Implementation Method 3
water-based steam generated by the steam generator entering the treatment area
Implementation Method 4
Since ozone mainly reacts with the textile dye when the textile is wet, a targeted bleaching of the textile can be achieved
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance (1) designed especially as a water-bearing household appliance (1), such as a laundry treatment appliance (1) for washing and/or drying laundry, comprising a treatment area (9) and a steam generator (2). Steam generated by the steam generator (2) can be guided into the treatment area (9). An ozone generator (4) is also provided, ozone generated by the ozone generator (4) being guided with the steam into the treatment area (9).