Washing systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial laundry tunnel washing systems face challenges with recirculation of soiled wash water, which leads to the acceleration of bacterial and microbial growth due to uncontrolled pH levels, requiring continuous chemical additions to maintain effective cleaning, thereby increasing operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A washing system with a recirculation line integrated with a fluid sanitizer module that uses ozone gas generation and UV light to sanitize soiled water, reducing microbial growth and minimizing chemical usage by recycling sanitized water back into the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If soiled wash water is recirculated within the washing system, then waste water is reduced, but bacterial, viral, and microbial growth is accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies UV-C irradiation to convert the harmful soiled recirculated water into sanitized water suitable for reuse. The UV-C light module disinfects the recirculated wash water by killing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, transforming the harmful contaminated water into a beneficial reusable resource that maintains cleaning effectiveness without promoting microbial growth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UV-C light as an intermediary substance between the soiled recirculated water and the fresh water supply. The UV-C irradiation module acts as a mediator that sanitizes the recirculated water without requiring chemical additives, effectively breaking the cycle of microbial contamination while enabling water reuse
2Reliability
If chemicals are continuously added to control pH levels in each zone, then effective cleaning is maintained, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recirculation system where sanitized water from one zone is automatically reused in subsequent zones without requiring additional chemical treatments. The UV-C sanitized recirculated water maintains its cleaning properties through the wash tunnel, eliminating the need for continuous chemical additions and reducing operational costs while sustaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers cleaning effectiveness by sanitizing and reusing wash water that would otherwise be discarded. The UV-C light module enables the recovery of soiled water's cleaning potential by eliminating microbial contamination, allowing the same water to serve multiple zones and cycles without degradation of cleaning performance
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 integrated fluid sanitizer module effectively kills bacteria and viruses, reducing microbial growth and lowering chemical consumption by maintaining pH levels within the washing system, thus enhancing cleaning efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a UV light module positioned downstream of the o3 gas injection point and configured to emit UV-C light into the recirculated wash water
Implementation Method 2
an o3 gas injection point positioned upstream of the UV light module and an o3 gas source in communication with the o3 gas injection point
Data Source
AI summary
A washing system includes a housing, a drain line, and a recirculation line. The housing receives, via a fluid inlet, fresh water during one or more wash cycles of a wash session. The drain line is coupled to the housing and includes a valve and is also configured to receive soiled water from the housing during the wash session. The recirculation line is coupled to and extends from the valve of the drain line and is configured to receive a portion of the soiled water via the valve. The recirculation line includes an integrated fluid sanitizer module configured to at least partially sanitize the portion of the soiled water, and the recirculation line is configured to deliver sanitized water from the integrated fluid sanitizer module to the fluid inlet of the housing.