Method for cleaning textile absorbers

Abstract

A method and system for cleaning textile absorbers that can be recycled. The system includes the use of a particular cleaning fluid, n-propyl bromide, to clean the textile absorbers for reuse. The system may also include a removal component in which excess extraneous substances are removed from the textile absorbers prior to cleaning the textile absorbers.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0001] Not applicable. REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning fabrics. [0004] The desorption or removal of extraneous substances from fabrics is a prevalent industrial process. As used herein, the term “extraneous substance” refers to any substance that becomes attached to or is absorbed by a fabric during the use of the fabric. Extraneous substances can include dirt, industrial lubricants such as oils, grease, coolants, water, glycol, and solvents, as well as particulates. As a result, the current art contains a variety of different methods by which these substances are either removed from a fabric so that the fabric can be reused. [0005] The steps that are used to separate extraneous substances from fabrics so that the fabrics can be clean...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The present invention has industrial applicability, because it enables the cleaning of various materials used for industrial processes so that these materials can be reused. For example, such materials as shop cloths and oil-absorbers can be effectively cleaned for reuse without the need to employ environmentally harmful cleaning agents. Although this invention has industrial applicability, it is in no way limited to this applicability. For example, the present invention may also be applied to the cleaning of clothes.

[0016] In the cleaning component of the present system, the fabrics are cleaned by a cleaning technique, which employs the cleaning fluid n-propyl bromide. Although the cleaning technique is not critical, a preferred technique is dry cleaning. For example, the fabrics can be dry cleaned using an industrial dry cleaning machine. Additionally, the dry cleaning machine can be a closed loop machine that is connected to a distiller, a dry cleaning fluid tank for storing the dry cleaning fluid, and a waste container. Through the use of a closed loop dry cleaning machine, the cleaning fluid may be distilled and reused for multiple cycles. However, it is also contemplated by the present invention that various cleaning apparatuses and methods can be used other than dry cleaning. If a closed loop dry cleaning machine is used, the effluent from dry cleaning the fabrics is distilled to remove as much extraneous substance from the cleaning fluid as possible and to assure that the dry cleaning fluid, when reused to dry clean the fabrics, is as clean as possible. Although the use of one distiller is sufficient for the process of the present invention, it is also contemplated that two distillers be used so that the cleaning fluid is distilled twice not only to ensure that the cleaning fluid is as clean as possible when it is reused, but to ensure there is always sufficient cleaning fluid available for reuse in new cleaning batches. The extraneous substance collected in the distiller is thereafter removed and handled appropriately depending on the type of extraneous substance.

[0017] A feature of the present invention is the use of a particular cleaning fluid that is an environmentally sound improvement over common cleaning products, such as chlorinated solvents. The use of n-propyl bromide is an advantageous alternative for chlorinated solvents, such as perchloroethylene. This compound is extremely effective at separating oils and greases from oil-absorbing materials, such as polypropylene. Furthermore, n-propyl bromide leaves these materials with a fresher scent and a softer feel than the chlorinated solvents. Whereas perchloroethylene may be most effective at removing the types of oils found on the human body, n-propyl bromide appears to be more effective at removing the types of oils found in industrial processes. More importantly, n-proply bromide is not considered by federal and state agencies to be a hazardous substance. Accordingly, users of this compound do not require all of the permits typically mandated by local, state, and federal agencies. This result greatly reduces compliance costs. Although n-propyl bromide is on the whole more costly than chlorinated solvents, these additional costs are more than recouped by the decrease in energy costs required to incorporate n-propyl bromide into the cleaning component of the present process. For example, forty percent less energy is used when n-propyl bromide is the cleaning fluid as when perchloroethylene is used. Moreover, the properties of n-propyl bromide are such that a shorter drying time is required for fabrics. Accordingly, throughput of the fabrics is dramatically increased.

[0018] Another feature of the present invention is the optional component including the removal of excess extraneous substance. A considerable amount of extraneous substances can be removed from fabrics simply by allowing them to drain. Not only does excess extraneous substance drain readily from the fabrics, but also particles and metal chips can be removed in this way. By minimizing the amount of residual lubricants and particles in the fabrics in this optional component of the present process, more extraneous substance is recovered and the cleaning component is more effective in cleaning the fabrics for recycle.

Problems solved by technology

Further, the goal of maximum recycle of fabrics and cleanest fabrics is often associated with the generation of harmful wastes to the environment.

Although this process met existing needs, it did not address the growing concern regarding typical dry cleaning fluids, such as perchloroethylene.

Not only is hazardous waste disposal costly, but it imposes significant requirements for careful handling in order to protect the environment.

Perchloroethylene is also considered to be a health hazard to those that may become over exposed to its fumes if not properly handled and ventilated.

These types of distillers consume significant energy resources and require careful monitoring.

Although cleaning methods thought to be environmentally friendly alternatives to dry cleaning exist, these methods bring with them additional complications and disadvantages.

For example, the use of wet cleaning implicates the environmental regulation of water.

However, this method requires the use of specially designed machines capable of handing the high pressure required to sustain liquid carbon dioxide.

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