Washing Machine Solvent Recovery via Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metal washing machines are wasteful in energy consumption and costly due to the need for expensive filters and complex designs to manage chlorinated halogenate solvents like perchloroethylene, and alternative solvents like modified alcohol require complex vacuum systems and wear out machinery.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a cooling unit and heat exchanger system that condenses solvent vapors, allowing for the recycling of perchloroethylene without the need for expensive filters, and enabling operation with both perchloroethylene and modified alcohol, using a single vacuum pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If perchloroethylene is used as a solvent in washing machines, then washing effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm and operational cost increase due to toxic emissions and expensive filters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of perchloroethylene from vapor to liquid through condensation. The cooling unit condenses perchloroethylene vapors extracted from the washing chamber, allowing the solvent to be recovered and reused, thereby eliminating toxic emissions while maintaining washing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a recovery system that captures perchloroethylene vapors during the washing process and condenses them back into liquid form for reuse. This recovering mechanism eliminates the need for expensive filters and prevents environmental harm while maintaining operational effectiveness
2Reliability
If perchloroethylene is used as a solvent, then washing performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to expensive filters and emission control systems
Solution Approach 1:
By using condensation to transform perchloroethylene vapors into liquid, the system eliminates the need for complex filtration systems. The phase transition allows for simple vapor recovery and reuse, reducing device complexity while maintaining washing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts perchloroethylene vapors from the washing chamber using a vacuum pump and condenses them in a separate cooling unit. This extraction approach separates the solvent recovery function from the washing process, eliminating the need for integrated complex filter systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If modified alcohol is used as a solvent, then environmental harm is reduced, but device complexity increases due to requirement for constant vacuum maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system that can handle both perchloroethylene and modified alcohol solvents using the same condensation-based recovery mechanism. The cooling unit and vacuum pump work together to condense vapors from either solvent type, eliminating the need for separate vacuum maintenance systems for different solvents
4Reliability
If chlorinated halogenate solvents are used, then washing effectiveness is improved, but operational cost increases due to expensive filters and regulation compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers perchloroethylene vapors through condensation and returns them to the washing chamber for continued use. This recovery mechanism eliminates the need for expensive filters and reduces operational costs by minimizing solvent loss and eliminating disposal costs
Solution Approach 2:
The condensation process transforms perchloroethylene vapors into liquid form for reuse, creating a closed-loop system that eliminates the need for continuous solvent consumption and expensive filtration systems, thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining washing effectiveness
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 machine reduces environmental emissions and operational costs by condensing and recycling perchloroethylene vapors, eliminating the need for expensive filters and simplifying the design, while maintaining efficient operation with alternative solvents.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger unit, connected between said pipelines and said vacuum pump, and configured for lowering the temperature of said gases collected in said pipelines, so as to condense the solvent contained in said gases
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a machine for washing objects (1), such as metallic and non-metallic objects, in particular for washing metal parts, comprising: a washing unit (11), comprising a washing cabin (2) for containing one or more objects to be washed, by means of at least one solvent, wherein said at least one solvent contains a solvent of the chlorinated halogenates category, and at least one tank (31, 32) for containing said solvent for washing one or more objects; and a vacuum maintenance system (7) comprising pipelines (72), connected for extracting gas from said washing unit (11), wherein said gases include solvent vapours, and a vacuum pump (71), connected to said pipelines (72), configured for sucking said gases collected in said pipelines (72); characterized in that it comprises a cooling unit (12) having a heat exchanger unit (6), wherein said heat exchanger unit (6) is connected between said pipelines (72) and said vacuum pump (71), and wherein said heat exchanger unit (6) is configured for lowering the temperature of said gases collected in said pipelines (72), so as to condense the solvent contained in said gases. The present invention also relates to a method (100) for operating a machine for washing objects (1).