KR20220006415A - Eco-friendly solvent and cleaning apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine according to the present invention includes a washing unit for receiving a solvent and washing the accommodated fibers; a vapor recovery unit condensing the gas phase discharged from the washing unit and supplying it to the solvent recovery unit; and a solvent recovery unit that recovers the liquid discharged from the washing unit and supplies it to the solvent supply unit, wherein the solvent recovery unit includes: a filter unit for removing foreign substances from the solvent supplied from at least one of the vapor recovery unit and the washing unit; and a solvent storage unit for storing the solvent supplied from the filter unit.

Description

Eco-friendly solvent and cleaning apparatus using the same

The present invention relates to an eco-friendly solvent and a washing machine using the same, and more particularly, to a solvent containing solketal and a washing device that can be reused by preventing decomposition of the solvent.

In general, washing for removing contamination from textiles or clothes can be divided into dry cleaning in which contamination is removed by dispersing a surfactant in water or by dissolving contamination in a solvent. The washing method using water and a surfactant is effective in removing water-based contamination, but there is a limit in removing oil-based contamination. Dry cleaning is suitable for washing textiles and clothing that are not suitable for washing with strong dehydration processes, and is suitable for removing oily soils using organic solvents.

Conventionally, petroleum-based or chlorine-based solvents have been mainly used for dry cleaning. As the petroleum solvent, a hydrocarbon having 10 or more carbon atoms, more specifically, a hydrocarbon having 10 to 13 carbon atoms is used. Petroleum solvents have excellent cleaning power against oily contamination and have the advantage of being easy to dry due to their high volatility, but they have a low boiling point and high vapor pressure, so there is a risk of fire and explosion. There is a limit that there is. As a chlorine-based solvent, a compound such as PERC, in which two double-bonded carbons and four chlorines are bonded, is used. Chlorine-based solvents have the advantages of excellent cleaning power against oil-based contamination, high volatility and low risk of explosion, but were found to be toxic substances that can cause cancer to the human body. The use of petroleum-based and chlorine-based solvents is gradually restricted.

In order to solve the disadvantages of these conventional solvents, various solvents such as glycol ether-based solvents, solvents containing bromine, and solvents containing silicone oil have been developed, and only a dry cleaning method using liquefied carbon dioxide and a small amount of water are used Alternatives, such as wet cleaning methods to remove contamination from

However, glycol ether-based solvents have attracted attention as they have superior cleaning power compared to petroleum hydrocarbon solvents, but have disadvantages in that they take a long drying time due to relatively low volatility and consume a lot of energy required for drying. Solvents containing bromine have the advantage of being non-flammable, including N-propylbromide or 1-bromopropane, but when discharged to the outside, they cause environmental pollution, cause contact irritation to the human body, or cause serious diseases when inhaled for a long time. was found to cause Silicone oil is believed to cause cancer according to the results of recent animal experiments, so regulations on its use are starting. The dry cleaning method using liquefied carbon dioxide requires expensive equipment as it liquefies carbon dioxide using a high pressure of 600 psi or higher, there is a risk of explosion, and wet cleaning involves shrinkage and deformation of fibers due to water. there was

Recently, a solvent containing the compound of Formula 1 has been proposed for washing textiles. The solvent is safe for the human body and the environment, has excellent cleaning power against contamination, has a low risk of explosion, and has the advantage of being quick and easy to dry. turned out to be

[Formula 1]

In the formula,

R ₁ and R ₂ are each independently hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

R ₃ is hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

In the formula,

R ₁ and R ₂ are each independently a linear or branched alkyl having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and may be connected to each other to form a cycloalkyl.

It was found that the compound of Formula 1 is suitable for washing with water as well as dry cleaning because it has a property of being soluble in water unlike solvents containing petroleum, chlorine-based solvents or silicone oil. However, when the compound of Formula 1 is exposed to acidic conditions while water is used in the washing process or mixed with water contained in the fibers, it is decomposed into glycerol and acetone, so that reuse through recovery is difficult.

Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-1128856 (published on March 14, 2012)

The present invention was created to solve the problem of washing using the compound of Formula 1, and an object of the present invention is to recover the used solvent and remove moisture from the solvent to prevent decomposition of the compound and reuse it. It is to provide a washing machine that can be used.

A laundry apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a washing unit that receives a solvent and washes received fibers, a vapor recovery unit that condenses a gas phase discharged from the washing unit and supplies it to the solvent recovery unit, and recovers the liquid discharged from the washing unit and a solvent recovery unit for supplying the solvent to the solvent supply unit, wherein the solvent recovery unit includes a filter unit for removing foreign substances from the solvent supplied from at least one of the steam recovery unit and the washing unit, and storing the solvent supplied from the filter unit It is characterized in that it includes a solvent storage unit.

Specifically, the steam recovery unit may include a steam suction unit for recovering steam generated in the washing unit, and a steam condensing unit for exchanging water and steam supplied from the steam suction unit.

Specifically, the solvent storage unit may include a solvent storage tank for supplying a solvent to the solvent supply unit, and a sensor unit for measuring the content of moisture contained in the solvent storage tank.

Specifically, the solvent storage tank may include an adsorption cartridge disposed therein to be removable.

Specifically, the adsorption cartridge may include at least one of activated carbon, charcoal, silica gel, alumina gel, sulfuric acid, activated clay, zeolite, and bentonite.

Specifically, the sensor unit may measure the water content in the solvent storage tank using at least one of electrical conductivity, pH concentration, color, viscosity, and infrared rays.

Specifically, the solvent recovery unit may further include a water removal unit having a permeable membrane.

Specifically, the permeable membrane may be a permeation membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, or a reverse osmosis membrane, and the moisture removal unit may supply the solvent that has passed through the permeable membrane to the solvent supply unit or the solvent storage unit.

Specifically, the water removal unit may include an adsorption cartridge disposed to be removable therein, and the adsorption cartridge may be disposed to contact the solvent that has passed through the permeable membrane.

Specifically, the moisture removal unit may include a second sensor unit for measuring the content of moisture contained in the moisture removal unit.

Specifically, the washing device includes a solvent return line for supplying the solvent stored in the solvent storage tank to the water removal unit, a solvent return valve provided on the solvent return line to control the supply flow rate of the solvent, and the sensor unit; The second sensor unit may further include a control unit that adjusts the opening degree of the solvent return valve according to the moisture content measured by at least one of the sensor units.

Specifically, the control unit opens the solvent return valve when the moisture content measured by the sensor unit is greater than a preset first reference value or the water content measured by the second sensor unit is less than a preset second reference value or increase the degree of opening.

Specifically, the solvent is

It may include a compound represented by the following formula (1).

[Formula 1]

In the formula,

R ₁ and R ₂ are each independently hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

R ₃ is hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Specifically, in the compound, R ₁ and R ₂ are each independently a linear or branched alkyl having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and may be connected to each other to form a cycloalkyl.

The washing machine according to the present invention can recover the solvent from the gaseous and liquid phases generated after washing the fibers using the solvent and reuse it.

In addition, the washing machine according to the present invention can prevent decomposition of the solvent by removing moisture from the recovered solvent.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional washing machine.
2 is a conceptual diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
3 is a conceptual diagram of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a conceptual diagram of a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a conceptual diagram of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a conceptual diagram of a washing machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a water removal unit included in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The objects, specific advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, in adding reference numbers to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that only the same components are given the same number as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, it should be noted that expressions such as high temperature, low temperature, high pressure, and low pressure are relative and do not represent absolute values.

Hereinafter, the term "fiber" refers to laundry that is to be washed by the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and includes clothes, miscellaneous goods, bedding, and other products including fibers.

Hereinafter, the solvent refers to a mixture containing a compound represented by the following formula (1).

[Formula 1]

In the formula,

R ₁ and R ₂ are each independently hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

R ₃ is hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

In the above formula, R ₁ and R ₂ are each independently a linear or branched alkyl having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and may be connected to each other to form a cycloalkyl.

In the above formula, R ₁ and R ₂ are alkyl having 1 carbon atom; alkyl of 1 and 2 carbon atoms, respectively; alkyl of 1 and 3 carbon atoms, respectively; It may be an alkyl having 1 and 4 carbon atoms, respectively, and the alkyl having 4 carbon atoms may include branched chain alkyl.

Hereinafter, the solvent may further include a surfactant, a bleaching agent, a brightener, an anti-dye agent, a fragrance, a preservative, etc. in addition to the compound according to Formula 1, and may further include a small amount of water. Vapor means a gaseous phase in which these solvents are vaporized or a mixture of particulates.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a conventional washing machine.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a conventional washing machine includes a washing unit 10 , a vapor recovery unit 20 , a solvent recovery unit 30 , and the like.

The washing unit 10 provides a space for accommodating fibers therein, and supplies a solvent to the space to wash the accommodated fibers. The washing unit 10 may receive a solvent and spray it on or mix with the fibers to remove contamination from the fibers. For example, the washing unit 10 may remove contamination from the fibers by first spraying a solvent on the fibers and then supplying a small amount of water to rotate with the fibers. The fibers washed in the washing unit 10 are removed from the washing unit 10, and may be dried by spraying steam to remove additional contamination.

Most of the solvent supplied to the washing unit 10 maintains a liquid phase, but the contamination of the fibers can be easily removed when in contact with a higher temperature solvent. Accordingly, the solvent may be supplied to the washing unit 10 in a state of being heated to 30 to 60° C. or heated to a predetermined temperature by the washing unit 10 to wash the fibers. In addition, as the washing unit 10 accompanies a rotational motion, at least a part of the solvent may be vaporized or scattered in the form of fine particles, and water mixed with the solvent may also be partially vaporized or scattered to form steam. . The washing unit 10 may discharge the used solvent in gaseous and liquid phases, and the gaseous phase may be delivered to a vapor recovery unit 20 to be described later, and the liquid phase to a solvent recovery part 30 to be described later.

Specifically, the steam suction line 11 and the solvent recovery line 12 are connected to the washing unit 10 so that gaseous and liquid phases may be discharged, respectively. The steam suction line 11 may forcibly suck in the vapor phase solvent in the washing unit 10 after washing and supply it to the steam recovery unit 20 . The solvent recovery line 12 may recover the liquid solvent in the washing unit 10 after washing and supply it to the solvent recovery unit 30 .

The vapor recovery unit 20 may include a vapor suction unit 21 and a vapor condensing unit 22 for sucking the solvent in the gaseous phase generated in the washing unit 10 . The steam suction unit 21 is connected to the steam suction line 11 to generate a negative pressure, so that the solvent in the gas phase generated in the washing unit 10 can be recovered by forcibly suctioning the solvent. The vapor condensing unit 22 may condense the vapor recovered from the vapor suction unit 21 , convert it to a liquid phase, and transfer it to the solvent recovery unit 30 . Specifically, the vapor condensing unit 22 may cool the vapor by heat-exchanging the vapor in a high temperature state with water to condense it into a liquid phase. The solvent condensed in the vapor condensing unit 22 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 through the vapor recovery line 23 .

The solvent recovery unit 30 may include a filter unit 31 for removing foreign substances contained in the solvent, a solvent storage unit 32 for storing the solvent supplied from the filter unit 31 , and the like.

The filter unit 31 may receive the liquid solvent discharged from the washing unit 10 through the solvent recovery line 12 . The filter unit 31 may include a mesh-structured mesh or a packing material including diatomaceous earth, and may primarily remove foreign substances mixed in the solvent by passing the solvent. The solvent that has passed through the filter unit 31 may be transferred to and stored in the solvent storage unit 32 .

The solvent storage unit may be a solvent storage tank 32 that provides a space for storing the solvent discharged from the washing unit 10 . The solvent storage tank 32 may store the solvent that has passed through the filter unit 31 and the condensed solvent supplied from the vapor recovery unit 20 . Since the solvent stored in the solvent storage tank 32 still contains contaminants derived from water and fibers, at least a portion of the solvent may be hydrolyzed in the process of recovering and storing the solvent. Therefore, when the solvent stored in the solvent storage tank 32 is supplied to the washing unit 10 and reused, washing efficiency may be reduced. It may be provided to make it possible. The solvent storage tank 32 may be connected to the solvent supply unit 34 through the solvent recovery line 33 .

The solvent supply unit 34 may withdraw the solvent stored in the solvent storage tank 32 and supply it to the washing unit 10 . Specifically, the solvent supply unit 34 may withdraw the liquid solvent using a pump, and may supply the solvent by pressurizing it to a pressure suitable for spraying from the washing unit 10 . Alternatively, a heating means may be further provided to heat the solvent to a temperature required by the washing unit 10 and then supply it.

Such a conventional washing machine recovers the solvent used in the washing unit, simply stores it in a liquid state, and then supplies it again to the washing unit. There was a problem.

A washing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a washing unit 10 , a vapor recovery unit 20 , a solvent recovery unit 30 , and the like, and the solvent recovery unit 30 includes It includes a solvent storage tank (32a), an adsorption cartridge (32b) and a sensor unit (35).

Hereinafter, the present embodiment 1 will be mainly described in terms of differences compared to the conventional washing machine shown in FIG. 1 , and the omitted part will be replaced with the previous content.

The washing unit 10 may receive a solvent to wash the fibers accommodated therein. After washing, the gaseous phase discharged from the washing unit 10 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 through the vapor recovery unit 20 , and the liquid phase discharged from the washing unit 10 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 .

The solvent recovery unit 30 may include a filter unit 31 , a solvent storage unit 32 , a solvent recovery line 33 , and a solvent supply unit 34 .

The filter unit 31 removes at least one of the liquid solvent discharged from the washing unit 10 through the solvent recovery line 12 and the condensed solvent supplied from the vapor recovery unit 20 through the vapor recovery line 23 . can be supplied. Among the solvents forcibly sucked through the vapor suction unit 21, not only gaseous solvents but also particulate solvents and moisture may be included, and the particulates may include contaminants derived from fibers. The filter unit 31 may also remove foreign substances contained in the condensed solvent. The condensed solvent supplied from the vapor recovery unit 20 may be supplied to at least one of the filter unit 31 and the solvent storage unit 32 .

The solvent storage unit 32 may include a solvent storage tank 32a, an adsorption cartridge 32b, and a sensor unit 35, the solvent passing through the filter unit 31 and the condensation supplied from the vapor recovery unit 20 The solvent can be stored.

The solvent storage tank 32a may be provided to be detachable from the washing machine 1 . Since at least a portion of the solvent stored in the solvent storage tank 32a may naturally evaporate, the solvent storage tank 32a may accommodate liquid and gaseous solvents therein. The solvent storage tank 32a may supply a liquid solvent to a solvent supply unit 34 to be described later. The solvent storage tank 32a may include an adsorption cartridge 32b and a sensor unit 35 .

The adsorption cartridge (32b) can be separated by adsorbing water mixed with the solvent stored in the solvent storage tank (32a). The adsorption cartridge (32b) may be disposed to be removable inside the solvent storage tank (32b). For example, the adsorption cartridge (32b) may be provided to be detachably attached to one surface inside the solvent storage tank (32a). Although not shown, the solvent storage tank 32a is provided to open at least a part of the wall surface, for example, a part of the upper surface, and the adsorption cartridge 32b may be disposed or replaced when the part of the wall surface is opened.

The adsorption cartridge 32b may separate water through at least one of physical adsorption and chemical adsorption. For example, the suction cartridge 32b may include a mesh structure case and a packing material filled inside the case. The packing material is an adsorbent using a physical adsorption method such as active carbon, charcoal, silica gel, alumina gel, activated clay, zeolite, and bentonite, or by separating sulfuric acid, water and ions dissolved in water. It may be an adsorbent using a chemical adsorption method such as an ion exchange resin to separate it. At least a portion of the adsorption cartridge 32b may be in contact with the solvent stored in the solvent storage tank 32b. For example, the adsorption cartridge 32b may be provided on the inner wall surface of the solvent storage tank 32a, so that only a portion thereof is immersed in the solvent.

The sensor unit 35 may measure the content of moisture contained in the solvent storage tank 32a. Specifically, the sensor unit 35 may measure the content of moisture contained in the liquid and gaseous solvents stored in the solvent storage tank 32a.

The sensor unit 35 may measure the content of water contained in the solvent stored in the solvent storage tank 32a by using at least one of electrical conductivity, pH concentration, color, viscosity, and infrared rays. The sensor unit 35 may measure electrical conductivity by applying a small amount of electricity to the solvent, and may output information about the water content contained in the solvent by comparing it with the electrical conductivity value of the pure solvent prepared in advance. The sensor unit 35 may measure the pH concentration of the solvent and output information on the water content included in the solvent by comparing it with the pH concentration value of the pure solvent prepared in advance. The sensor unit 35 may be a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor, and may output information about the color of the solvent. The sensor unit 35 may generate vibration in the solvent using a piezoelectric vibrator to measure a frequency, and may output information about the moisture content included in the solvent by comparing it with a frequency value for a pure solvent prepared in advance. The sensor unit 35 may output information on the water content by irradiating infrared rays to the solvent and checking whether there is an absorption wavelength of water molecules from the reflection wavelength.

The washing machine 1 may output information about the moisture content in the solvent storage tank 32a to the user based on the information received from the sensor unit 35 .

The solvent supply unit 34 may supply the solvent recovered in the solvent storage unit 32 back to the washing machine 1 . The solvent supply unit 34 may include a pump to withdraw the liquid solvent stored in the solvent storage tank 32a, and may supply the solvent by pressurizing it to the pressure required by the washing unit 10 .

As described above, in the first embodiment, an adsorption cartridge 32b is provided inside the solvent storage tank 32a of the solvent storage unit 32, and water is separated from the solvent recovered from the washing unit 10 to prevent decomposition of the solvent. can do. The solvent storage tank (32a) is provided with a sensor unit (35) to monitor the internal moisture content in real time, and to check the replacement time of the adsorption cartridge (32b) or the solvent storage tank (32a) according to solvent reuse. A decrease in washing efficiency can be prevented.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the washing machine 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a washing unit 10 , a vapor recovery unit 20 , a solvent recovery unit 30 , a control unit 40 , and the like, and the solvent recovery The unit 30 includes a water removal unit 38 , a solvent storage unit 32 , and a sensor unit 35 .

Hereinafter, the present embodiment 2 will be mainly described in terms of differences from the previous embodiment 1, and the parts omitted from the description will be replaced with the previous content.

The washing unit 10 may receive a solvent to wash the fibers accommodated therein. After washing, the gaseous phase discharged from the washing unit 10 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 through the vapor recovery unit 20 , and the liquid phase discharged from the washing unit 10 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 .

The solvent recovery unit 30 may include a filter unit 31 , a solvent storage unit 32 , a moisture removal unit 38 , and a solvent supply unit 34 . The liquid solvent discharged from the washing unit 10 may be stored in the solvent storage unit 32 through the filter unit 31 . A sensor unit 35 is provided in the solvent storage unit 32 to measure the moisture content in the solvent storage unit 32 .

The water removal unit 38 may remove water from the liquid solvent supplied from the solvent storage unit 32 . Specifically, the water removal unit 38 may be provided with a permeable membrane that separates the solvent and water.

7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the internal structure of the moisture removal unit 38 . Referring to FIG. 7 , the water removal unit 38 may include a housing 38a that receives the inlet stream A from the solvent recovery unit 30 and discharges the outlet stream B. Referring to FIG. The water removal unit 38 is provided with a permeable membrane 38c capable of separating the solvent and water therein.

The permeable membrane 38c may transmit only water molecules (W) from a mixed stream of solvent molecules (S) and water molecules (W) to be discharged to the outside (OUT). The permeable membrane 38c may be a permeation evaporation membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, or a reverse osmosis membrane. When the permeable membrane 38c is a reverse osmosis membrane, a water removal unit 38 is provided at the lower end of the solvent storage unit 32 to separate water using the pressure of the inlet stream (A) itself, or to separate the inlet stream (A). A pump to pressurize may be further provided. Solvent molecules S and a small amount of water molecules W that do not pass through the permeable membrane 38c may flow out (B) from the water removal unit 38 .

The water removal unit 38 may supply the solvent that has passed through the permeable membrane 38c to the solvent supply unit 34 . The effluent stream B may be delivered to the solvent supply 34 through the solvent recovery line 33 .

The water removal unit 38 may further include a second sensor unit 35 ′ for measuring the moisture content included in the water removal unit 38 . The second sensor unit 35 ′ has a moisture content in the moisture removal unit 38 in the same manner as the sensor unit 35 described above, preferably the moisture content of the effluent stream B discharged from the moisture removal unit 38 . can be measured.

The control unit 40 may receive information about the moisture content from at least one of the sensor unit 35 and the second sensor unit 35'. The control unit 40 may monitor the situation inside the solvent storage unit 32 and the moisture removal unit 38 in real time based on the received information, and may output it to a display or a speaker.

As described above, in Example 2, the solvent recovered from the washing unit 10 is stored in the solvent storage unit 32 through the filter unit 31, and then supplied to the water removal unit 38 to separate water through the permeable membrane. It can be supplied to the washing unit 10 in one state. The solvent storage unit 32 and the water removal unit 38 are provided with sensor units 35 and 35' to monitor the moisture content inside in real time, thereby preventing a decrease in washing efficiency due to solvent reuse. .

Referring to FIG. 4 , the washing machine 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a washing unit 10 , a vapor recovery unit 20 , a solvent recovery unit 30 , a control unit 40 , and the like, and recovers the solvent The unit 30 includes a water removal unit 38 , a solvent storage unit 32 , and a sensor unit 35 .

Hereinafter, the present embodiment 3 will be mainly described on the points that are different from the previous embodiment 2, and the parts omitted from the description will be replaced with the previous content.

The washing unit 10 may receive a solvent to wash the fibers accommodated therein. After washing, the gaseous phase discharged from the washing unit 10 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 through the vapor recovery unit 20 , and the liquid phase discharged from the washing unit 10 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 .

The solvent recovery unit 30 may include a water removal unit 38 , a filter unit 31 , a solvent storage unit 32 , and a solvent supply unit 34 . The liquid solvent discharged from the washing unit 10 may be first supplied to the water removal unit 38 , and then supplied to the filter unit 31 after the water mixed with the solvent is primarily separated. The solvent that has passed through the filter unit 31 may be stored in the solvent storage unit 32 . A sensor unit 35 and a second sensor unit 35' are provided in the solvent storage unit 32 and the water removal unit 38, respectively, to measure the moisture content therein.

The washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment may further include a solvent return line 36 connecting the solvent storage unit 32 and the water removal unit 38 . The solvent return line 36 may supply the solvent stored in the solvent storage unit 32 to the water removal unit 38 . Specifically, the solvent return line 26 may transfer the liquid solvent stored in the solvent storage unit 32 to the front end of the water removal unit 38 . For example, one end of the solvent return line 26 may be connected to the lower portion of the solvent storage tank, and the other end may be connected to the solvent recovery line 12 or the water removal unit 38 . A solvent return valve 37 capable of opening/closing and opening degree control is provided on the solvent return line 36 to control the flow rate of the solvent supplied to the water removal unit 38 .

The control unit 40 may receive information about the moisture content from at least one of the sensor unit 35 and the second sensor unit 35'. The control unit 40 adjusts the degree of opening of the solvent return valve 37 according to the moisture content measured by at least one of the sensor unit 35 and the second sensor unit 35 ′ to control the solvent supplied to the water removal unit 38 . flow rate can be adjusted.

For example, the control unit 40 may store information on the composition of a solvent suitable for reuse by supplying it to the solvent supply unit 34 . The control unit 40 may have a preset reference value for the moisture content in the solvent storage unit 32 and the moisture removal unit 38 . When the moisture content measured by the sensor unit 35 of the solvent storage unit 32 is greater than a preset first reference value, the control unit 40 may open the solvent return valve 37 or increase the opening degree. The first reference value may be the maximum value of moisture that the solvent can contain, and when the content of moisture stored in the solvent storage unit 32 exceeds this, at least a portion of the solvent is supplied to the moisture removal unit 38 to remove moisture. can do. When the moisture content measured by the second sensor unit 35 ′ of the moisture removal unit 38 is less than a preset second reference value, the control unit 40 may open the solvent return valve 37 or increase the opening degree. . The second reference value may be the maximum value of water that the water removal unit 38 can process per unit flow rate or unit time, and when the amount of water processed by the water removal unit 38 is smaller than this, the solvent storage unit 32 A portion of the stored solvent can be further processed.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the solvent recovered from the washing unit 10 may be stored in the solvent storage unit 32 through the water removal unit 38 and the filter unit 31 and then supplied to the washing unit 10 . . The solvent storage unit 32 and the water removal unit 38 are provided with sensor units 35 and 35' to monitor the moisture content inside in real time, and the control unit 40 includes the solvent storage unit 32 and According to the information about the water content received from at least one of the sensor units 35 and 35' of the water removal unit 38, the solvent of the solvent storage unit 32 is supplied back to the water removal unit 38 to add water. can be removed with

Referring to FIG. 5 , the washing machine 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a washing unit 10 , a vapor recovery unit 20 , a solvent recovery unit 30 , a control unit 40 , and the like, and recovers the solvent. The unit 30 includes a water removal unit 38 , a solvent storage unit 32 , and a sensor unit 35 .

Hereinafter, the present embodiment 4 will be mainly described with respect to the points that are different from the previous embodiment 3, and the parts omitted from the description will be replaced with the previous contents.

The washing unit 10 may receive a solvent to wash the fibers accommodated therein. After washing, the gaseous phase discharged from the washing unit 10 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 through the vapor recovery unit 20 , and the liquid phase discharged from the washing unit 10 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 .

The solvent recovery unit 30 may include a filter unit 31 , a moisture removal unit 38 , a solvent storage unit 32 , and a solvent supply unit 34 . After the liquid discharged from the washing unit 10 is supplied to the water removal unit 38 through the filter unit 31 , it may be stored in the solvent storage unit 32 . A sensor unit 35 and a second sensor unit 35' are provided in the solvent storage unit 32 and the water removal unit 38, respectively, to measure the moisture content therein.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the moisture removal unit 38 may further include a dehumidifying cartridge 38b inside the housing 38a. The dehumidification cartridge 38b may be separated by adsorbing the water of the solvent flowing inside the housing 38a. The dehumidifying cartridge 38b may be removably disposed inside the housing 38a. For example, the dehumidification cartridge 38b may be disposed on at least a portion of the wall surface of the housing 38a. Although not shown, the housing 38a is provided so that at least a part of the wall surface, for example, a part of the upper surface can be opened, and when the part of the wall surface is opened, the dehumidification cartridge 38b or the permeable membrane 38c can be disposed or replaced. . For example, the dehumidification cartridge 38b may be disposed to be adjacent to the water discharge line 39 and the permeable membrane 38c discharged to the outside based on the permeable membrane 38c. The dehumidifying cartridge 38b may promote the permeation of water molecules through the permeable membrane 38c.

The dehumidification cartridge 38b may adsorb water through at least one method of physical adsorption and chemical adsorption, and the same packing material as that of the adsorption cartridge 32b may be used.

The washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment may further include a solvent return line 36 connecting the solvent storage unit 32 and the water removal unit 38 , and the control unit 40 includes the sensor unit 35 . And by adjusting the opening degree of the solvent return valve 37 according to the moisture content measured by at least one of the second sensor unit 35 ′, it is possible to adjust the flow rate of the solvent supplied to the water removal unit 38 .

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the solvent recovered from the washing unit 10 may be stored in the solvent storage unit 32 through the filter unit 31 and the water removal unit 38 and then supplied to the washing unit 10 . . The water removal unit 38 is provided to include both the permeable membrane 38c and the dehumidifying cartridge 38b, so that separation efficiency in the permeable membrane 38c can be improved. The control unit 40 refills the solvent in the solvent storage unit 32 according to the information about the water content received from at least one of the sensor units 35 and 35 ′ of the solvent storage unit 32 and the water removal unit 38 . It may be supplied to the moisture removal unit 38 to additionally remove moisture.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the washing machine 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a washing unit 10 , a vapor recovery unit 20 , a solvent recovery unit 30 , a control unit 40 , and the like, and recovers the solvent. The unit 30 includes a water removal unit 38 , a solvent storage unit 32 , and a sensor unit 35 .

Hereinafter, the present embodiment 5 will be mainly described in terms of the differences from the previous embodiment 4, and the parts omitted from the description will be replaced with the previous content.

The washing unit 10 may receive a solvent to wash the fibers accommodated therein. After washing, the gaseous phase discharged from the washing unit 10 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 through the vapor recovery unit 20 , and the liquid phase discharged from the washing unit 10 may be supplied to the solvent recovery unit 30 .

The solvent recovery unit 30 may include a filter unit 31 , a moisture removal unit 38 , a solvent storage unit 32 , and a solvent supply unit 34 . After the liquid discharged from the washing unit 10 is supplied to the water removal unit 38 through the filter unit 31 , it may be stored in the solvent storage unit 32 . A sensor unit 35 and a second sensor unit 35' are provided in the solvent storage unit 32 and the water removal unit 38, respectively, to measure the moisture content therein.

The water removal unit 38 of the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment may further include a dehumidifying cartridge 38b therein to improve water separation efficiency, and the solvent storage unit 32 may include a solvent storage tank 32a. ) and an adsorption cartridge 32b.

The control unit 40 adjusts the degree of opening of the solvent return valve 37 according to the moisture content measured by at least one of the sensor unit 35 and the second sensor unit 35 ′ to control the solvent supplied to the water removal unit 38 . flow rate can be adjusted.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the solvent recovered from the washing unit 10 may be stored in the solvent storage unit 32 through the filter unit 31 and the water removal unit 38 and then supplied to the washing unit 10 . . The water removal unit 38 is provided to include both the permeable membrane 38c and the dehumidifying cartridge 38b, so that separation efficiency in the permeable membrane 38c can be improved, and the solvent storage unit 32 is a solvent storage tank ( 32a) provided to include the adsorption cartridge (32b) in the interior, it is possible to prevent decomposition according to the storage of the solvent. The control unit 40 refills the solvent in the solvent storage unit 32 according to the information about the water content received from at least one of the sensor units 35 and 35 ′ of the solvent storage unit 32 and the water removal unit 38 . It may be supplied to the moisture removal unit 38 to additionally remove moisture.

experimental example. Check the composition of the solvent after washing

Washing apparatuses according to Examples and Comparative Examples according to the present invention were prepared, and washing was performed under the same conditions. Put the same type of fiber in each washing machine, and as a laundry solvent, a composition comprising a _{compound according to Formula 1 (wherein, R 1} and R ₂ are alkyl having 1 carbon number, and R _{3 is hydrogen.)} was used. The composition of the laundry solvent is as shown in Table 1 below.

At the time of initial washing, a solvent was supplied and washed for 15 minutes, and the solvent was recovered while going through a drying process. Then, another fiber was put into the washing machine, and the recovered solvent was re-supplied, and subsequent washing was performed. A total of 30 washings were performed in the same way, and the solvent storage tank or cartridge was not replaced during the washing process. The composition of the solvent recovered in the solvent storage tank after final washing was confirmed and shown in Table 1 below.

ingredient
(weight%) laundry solvent Comparative Example 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Formula 1 96.0 69.0 91.4 92.7 94.1 94.9 95.5 acetone 0.3 9.5 1.2 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.3 glycerol 0.4 14.6 1.2 1.1 0.7 0.5 0.4 water 3.3 6.3 5.6 4.8 4.2 4.0 3.5 other ingredients 0.1 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 Sum 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

As shown in Table 1, in Comparative Example 1 relating to a conventional laundry machine, it was confirmed that about 30 wt% of the compound according to Formula 1 was decomposed into acetone and glycerol.

On the other hand, in the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, it was confirmed that only less than 10% by weight of the compound according to Formula 1 was decomposed even after washing 30 times. As such, in the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is determined that it is possible to maintain washing efficiency by maintaining a high concentration of the compound according to Chemical Formula 1 even after repeated washing, and to reduce costs due to solvent reuse.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and a combination of the embodiments or a combination of at least one of the embodiments and a known technology may be included as another embodiment.

Although the present invention has been described in detail through specific examples, this is for the purpose of describing the present invention in detail, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be clear that the transformation or improvement is possible.

All simple modifications or changes of the present invention fall within the scope of the present invention, and the specific protection scope of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims.

1: washing machine 10: washing machine
11: Steam suction line 12: Solvent recovery line
20: vapor recovery unit 21: vapor intake unit
22: vapor condensing unit 23: vapor recovery line
30: solvent recovery part 31: filter part
32: solvent storage unit 32a: solvent storage tank
32b: adsorption cartridge 33: solvent recovery line
34: solvent supply unit 35: sensor unit
35': second sensor unit 36: solvent return line
37: solvent return valve 38: moisture removal unit
38a: housing 38b: dehumidification cartridge
38c: permeable membrane 39: moisture discharge line
40: control unit

Claims (14)

a laundry unit that receives a solvent and washes the accommodated fibers;
a vapor recovery unit condensing the gas phase discharged from the washing unit and supplying it to the solvent recovery unit; and
and a solvent recovery unit for recovering the liquid discharged from the washing unit and supplying it to the solvent supply unit,
The solvent recovery unit,
a filter unit for removing foreign substances from the solvent supplied from at least one of the steam recovery unit and the washing unit; and
and a solvent storage unit for storing the solvent supplied from the filter unit. The method of claim 1,
The vapor recovery unit,
a steam suction unit for recovering steam generated in the washing unit; and
and a steam condensing unit for exchanging water and steam supplied from the steam suction unit. The method of claim 1,
The solvent storage unit,
a solvent storage tank for supplying a solvent to the solvent supply unit; and
and a sensor unit for measuring the content of moisture contained in the solvent storage tank. 4. The method of claim 3,
The solvent storage tank,
A washing machine comprising a suction cartridge removably disposed therein. 5. The method of claim 4,
The adsorption cartridge is
A laundry machine comprising at least one of activated carbon, charcoal, silica gel, alumina gel, sulfuric acid, activated clay, zeolite and bentonite. 4. The method of claim 3,
The sensor unit,
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the moisture content in the solvent storage tank is measured using at least one of electrical conductivity, pH concentration, color, viscosity, and infrared rays. 4. The method of claim 3,
The solvent recovery unit,
Laundry device, characterized in that it further comprises a water removal unit having a permeable membrane. 8. The method of claim 7,
The permeable membrane,
It is a permeation membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, or a reverse osmosis membrane,
The moisture removal unit,
Laundry device, characterized in that the solvent that has passed through the permeable membrane is supplied to the solvent supply unit or the solvent storage unit. 9. The method of claim 8,
The moisture removal unit,
It includes a suction cartridge that is removably disposed therein,
The adsorption cartridge is
Laundry device, characterized in that it is arranged to contact the solvent that has passed through the permeable membrane. 8. The method of claim 7,
The moisture removal unit,
and a second sensor unit for measuring a content of moisture contained in the moisture removal unit. 11. The method of claim 10,
a solvent return line for supplying the solvent stored in the solvent storage tank to the water removal unit;
a solvent return valve provided on the solvent return line to control the supply flow rate of the solvent; and
The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit for adjusting an opening degree of the solvent return valve according to the moisture content measured by at least one of the sensor unit and the second sensor unit. 12. The method of claim 11,
The control unit is
When the moisture content measured by the sensor unit is greater than a preset first reference value or the moisture content measured by the second sensor unit is less than a preset second reference value, the solvent return valve is opened or the opening degree is increased washing machine with The method of claim 1,
The solvent is
A laundry device comprising a compound represented by the following formula (1).
[Formula 1]

In the formula,
R ₁ and R ₂ are each independently hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,
R ₃ is hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 14. The method of claim 13,
The R ₁ and R ₂ are each independently a linear or branched alkyl having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and are connected to each other to form a cycloalkyl.

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