Washing equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine in which a composition is used comprising at least one liquid-liquid interface, with an interfacial tension of at least 5 mN/m. The washing machine comprises a heatable wash drum, means for storing dispensing and mixing the liquids, means for introducing the liquids into the drum, and means for filtering, separating, distilling and condensing the wash liquor and vapours and recovering the solvents. Use of the machine enables discharge of waste water with only low levels of solvent, and facilities recovering of the solvents.

1 . A washing machine, especially adapted for using a composition comprising at least two immiscible liquids having at least one liquid-liquid interface with an interfacial tension of at least 5 mN/m, one liquid being a polar solvent, and the other being an organic solvent, said machine comprising a wash drum (D), means for pumping the liquids into said wash drum (P 1 , P 2 ), said wash drum being operatively connected to means for separation of said liquids from the wash liquor (S 1 ) and recovery of the organic solvent therefor (C 1 ; DC).  
     
     
         2 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least two holding tanks (T 1 , T 2 ) for the liquids.  
     
     
         3 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the drum is provided with drainage means, operatively connected with a separation means for separation of polar solvent and organic solvent (S 1 ) and a filter means (F 2 ) and a distillation column for the solvent (DC) and a condenser for recovery of the solvent during a cleaning cycle (C 1 ).  
     
     
         4 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , comprising a holding tank (T 3 ) for storing the liquid recovered after the distillation.  
     
     
         5 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the wash drum comprises two co-axial cylindrical vessels (D 1 , D 2 ) the inner vessel (D 2 ) being perforated, the outer vessel (D 1 ) being provided with heating means.  
     
     
         6 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , comprising a fan (FA) for circulating air, a heater (H 1 ) and a condenser (C 2 ) for condensing vapour.  
     
     
         7 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , comprising filters (F 5 , F 6 ), forming a closed loop with fan (FA), condenser (C 2 ) and heater (H 1 ).  
     
     
         8 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , comprising filters (F 1 , F 2 , F 3 , F 4 ) for removing insoluble material from the wash liquor and the separated polar solvent, preferably water, and organic solvent.  
     
     
         9 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , comprising valves (V 1 , V 2 , V 3 ) for regulating the amount of liquids from and to the tanks (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 ).  
     
     
         10 . A washing machine comprising 
 a. one or more tanks (T) for holding liquids, the liquids being such that when mixed there is at least one liquid-liquid interface with an interfacial tension of at least 5 mN/m, wherein one of the liquids is a polar solvent, preferably water;    b. means for pumping (P) the liquids from the tank into a drum (D), said liquids being pumped separately or as a mixture, wherein a polar solvent, preferably water, is present in an amount from 5 to 95% of the total liquid composition;    c. Optionally providing one or more filters (F) for the pumped liquids before introducing the said liquids into the drum, the drum providing for agitation for cleaning, said drum being capable of being heated and said drum being provided with an outlet (O) for the removal of liquids and optionally an inlet (I) for introducing water from a tap;    d. Said drum being connected to one or more filters (F) for removal of insoluble material after the cleaning/washing process, optionally a holding tank (T) for storing the wash liquor obtained after filtering, a separator (S) for separation of the immiscible liquids provided with two outlets (O) for removal of the liquids, one outlet being connected to one or more distillation columns (DC) and the outlet for water being connected to one or more filters, and 4) a means for displacing liquid vapour during drying and a condenser (C) for recovery of said liquid vapour.    
     
     
         11 . A cleaning or washing process in a washing machine according to  claim 1  using a composition comprising at least two immiscible liquids having at least one liquid-liquid interface with an interfacial tension of at least 5 mN/m, wherein the two immiscible liquids are separately or together pumped into the drum and mixed by agitation in the drum in the presence of soiled fabric, subsequently agitation the solvent fabric and the liquid composition for at least 5 minutes, thereafter drying the liquids and drying the fabrics by heating the drum.  
     
     
         12 . Use of a washing machine according to  claim 1  in a washing process for solvent fabrics utilising a composition comprising at least two immiscible liquids having at least one liquid-liquid interface with an interfacial tension of at least 5 mN/m.