Wash Cycle Water Reuse and Detergent Dosing for Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial, institutional, and industrial laundry facilities face challenges in efficiently managing water usage and recycling wastewater due to high water consumption and ineffective soil removal, particularly with low water levels and diluted detergent concentrations, leading to increased costs and textile wear.
Innovation Solution
A water reuse system with a small reservoir tank and pump that recirculates rinse water back into the wash tank, combined with a customized detergent composition delivery system, ensures effective soil removal and reduced water usage without requiring extensive filtration or heating, and can be retrofitted into existing machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If low water levels are used in wash machines, then water consumption is reduced, but soil removal efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient free water to solubilize soils
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of detergent by using more concentrated formulations and precisely controlling detergent dosing. This allows effective soil removal in low water conditions by increasing the chemical effectiveness per unit volume of water, resolving the contradiction between water reduction and cleaning efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-dosing concentrated detergent compositions before the wash cycle begins, and using pre-soak phases with optimized detergent concentrations. This preparation ensures that soils are effectively solubilized even with limited water availability during the main wash cycle
2Reliability
If high quantities of water are used to solubilize soils, then soil removal is improved, but detergent concentration is reduced leading to poorer cleaning of chemistry sensitive stains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directly addresses this by changing the detergent concentration parameter through customized concentrated formulations. Different detergent concentrations are tailored for different soil types, allowing effective cleaning in high water volumes without diluting the active cleaning components below effective levels
Solution Approach 2:
The washing process is segmented into multiple phases (pre-soak, wash, rinse) with different detergent dosing strategies. Concentrated detergent is applied selectively in specific phases rather than uniformly distributed, maintaining high local concentrations where needed while managing overall water usage
3Loss of substance
If traditional water recycle systems are used, then water usage is reduced, but the systems become fouled with heavy soils requiring frequent manual cleaning and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing total water recycling which causes severe fouling, the patent uses partial recycling where only a portion of the wash water is recaptured and reused. This partial action reduces water consumption while preventing the reservoir from becoming overly fouled, thereby reducing maintenance frequency and operational downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The system selectively discards heavily soiled water that would cause fouling issues while recovering and reusing cleaner portions of wash water. This selective recovery approach maintains water efficiency benefits while avoiding the maintenance problems associated with total recycling systems
4Loss of substance
If rinse water is stored idle in reservoir tanks, then water recycling is enabled, but microbial growth is promoted and water temperature drops reducing soil removal effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping rinse water in constant circulation through the reservoir tank rather than allowing it to stand idle. The pump continuously moves water through the system, preventing microbial stagnation and maintaining thermal energy through continuous flow, thereby preserving soil removal effectiveness while enabling recycling
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic heating cycles to maintain water temperature in the reservoir. Rather than continuous heating, periodic thermal input prevents temperature drop and microbial growth while consuming less energy, balancing recycling effectiveness with operational efficiency
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 system significantly reduces water consumption, maintains cleaning performance, and extends the life of textiles by ensuring effective detergent distribution and soil removal, while being cost-effective and space-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
A water reuse system with a small reservoir tank and pump that recirculates rinse water back into the wash tank
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses and methods for controlling the various phases and in particular in a wash cycle of a wash machine are provided. In particular, the present application relates to controlling the water levels and detergent composition concentrations in order to reduce the amount of water and composition required to provide improved soil removal. The systems, apparatuses and methods provided allow for the use of less water and lower quantities of more concentrated detergent compositions which are customized to the types of soil to be removed.