Method for rejuvenating pressurized fluid solvent used in cleaning a fabric article
First Claim
1. A method of rejuvenating a pressurized fluid solvent used for cleaning a fabric article, the pressurized fluid solvent being contaminated with contaminants after cleaning the fabric article within a pressurized vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
- cycling a primary flow of the pressurized fluid solvent from the pressurized vessel through at least one filter to remove contaminants from the pressurized fluid solvent in the primary flow, the primary flow being cycled back to the pressurized vessel after passing through the filter;
directing a secondary flow of the pressurized fluid solvent from the pressurized vessel to an evaporator to evaporate the pressurized fluid solvent of the secondary flow into a vapor and to separate contaminants therefrom;
liquifying the vapor of the secondary flow from the evaporator to create rejuvenated pressurized fluid solvent substantially free of contaminants; and
redirecting the rejuvenated pressurized fluid solvent of the secondary flow to the pressurized vessel for further use.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and system of rejuvenating pressurized fluid solvents used for cleaning a substrate in a pressurized vessel. A primary flow of the pressurized fluid solvent is continuously cycled from the pressurized vessel through a series of filters to remove insoluble and soluble contaminants, and then returned to the pressurized vessel. A secondary flow of the pressurized fluid solvent, preferably equivalent to less than about 40% of the primary flow, is directed either continuously or intermittently during the cleaning operation to an evaporator to evaporate the pressurized fluid solvent of the secondary flow into a vapor and to separate contaminants therefrom. The vapor from the evaporator is then either liquified by a compressor or condenser to create rejuvenated pressurized fluid solvent and redirected to the pressurized vessel for further use, or vented to atmosphere and replaced by new pressurized fluid solvent from a supply tank. Pressure equalization lines extend between a storage tank and various system components to allow solvent vapor to displace therebetween.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of rejuvenating a pressurized fluid solvent used for cleaning a fabric article, the pressurized fluid solvent being contaminated with contaminants after cleaning the fabric article within a pressurized vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
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cycling a primary flow of the pressurized fluid solvent from the pressurized vessel through at least one filter to remove contaminants from the pressurized fluid solvent in the primary flow, the primary flow being cycled back to the pressurized vessel after passing through the filter; directing a secondary flow of the pressurized fluid solvent from the pressurized vessel to an evaporator to evaporate the pressurized fluid solvent of the secondary flow into a vapor and to separate contaminants therefrom; liquifying the vapor of the secondary flow from the evaporator to create rejuvenated pressurized fluid solvent substantially free of contaminants; and redirecting the rejuvenated pressurized fluid solvent of the secondary flow to the pressurized vessel for further use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of rejuvenating a pressurized fluid solvent used for cleaning a fabric article, the pressurized fluid solvent being contaminated with contaminants after cleaning the fabric article within a pressurized vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
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cycling a primary flow of the pressurized fluid solvent from the pressurized vessel through at least one filter to remove contaminants from the pressurized fluid solvent in the primary flow, the primary flow being cycled back to the pressurized vessel after passing through the filter; directing a secondary flow of the pressurized fluid solvent from the pressurized vessel to an evaporator to evaporate the pressurized fluid solvent of the secondary flow into a vapor and to separate contaminants therefrom; venting the vapor of the secondary flow from the evaporator to an outside location; and replacing new pressurized fluid solvent into the pressurized vessel at a flow substantially equivalent to the secondary flow vented by the venting step. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification