CLEANING SYSTEM UTILIZING AN ORGANIC CLEANING SOLVENT AND A PRESSURIZED FLUID SOLVENT
A cleaning system that utilizes an organic cleaning solvent and pressurized fluid solvent is disclosed. The system has no conventional evaporative hot air drying cycle. Instead, the system utilizes the solubility of the organic solvent in pressurized fluid solvent as well as the physical properties of pressurized fluid solvent. After an organic solvent cleaning cycle, the solvent is extracted from the textiles at high speed in a rotating drum in the same way conventional solvents are extracted from textiles in conventional evaporative hot air dry cleaning machines. Instead of proceeding to a conventional drying cycle, the extracted textiles are then immersed in pressurized fluid solvent to extract the residual organic solvent from the textiles. This is possible because the organic solvent is soluble in pressurized fluid solvent. After the textiles are immersed in pressurized fluid solvent, pressurized fluid solvent is pumped from the drum. Finally, the drum is de-pressurized to atmospheric pressure to evaporate any remaining pressurized fluid solvent, yielding clean, solvent free textiles. The organic solvent is preferably selected from terpenes, halohydrocarbons, certain glycol ethers, polyols, ethers, esters of glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and other long chain carboxylic acids, fatty alcohols and other long-chain alcohols, short-chain alcohols, polar aprotic solvents, siloxanes, hydrofluoroethers, dibasic esters, and aliphatic hydrocarbons solvents or similar solvents or mixtures of such solvents and the pressurized fluid solvent is preferably densified carbon dioxide.
1 . A process for cleaning substrates comprising:
placing the substrates to be cleaned in a vessel;
adding organic solvent to the vessel;
cleaning the substrates with an organic solvent;
removing a portion of the organic solvent from the vessel;
adding pressurized fluid solvent to the vessel;
removing the pressurized fluid solvent from the vessel; and
removing the substrates from the vessel.
2 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C a X j H k O z
wherein:
a=5n and 1≦n≦3;
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
0≦z≦4;
0≦j, k≦10; and
0≦(j+k)≦10n.
3 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n X j H k
wherein:
1≦n≦20;
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
0≦j;
k≦2n+2; and
2n−4≦(j+k)≦2n+2.
4 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
R i ═O, S,
R iv ═C j H u X v ;
R ii ═C k H y X z or benzyl, phenyl, partially or fully fluorinated benzyl or phenyl;
0≦u, v≦2j+1;
0≦(u+v)≦2j+1;
0≦y, z≦2k+1;
0≦(y+z)≦2k+1;
0≦u, v, y, z≦37;
R 1-4 and R 9-12 are independently C m H n X p ,
where 0≦m≦2;
0≦(n+p)≦5; and
n+p=2m+1;
R 5-8 and R 13-16 are independently C a H b X d ,
wherein a is 0 or 1;
0≦(b+d)≦3; and
b+d=2a+1; and
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I.
5 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
R i ═O, S,
R i ═C j H u X v ;
R ii ═C k H y X z or benzyl, phenyl, partially or fully fluorinated benzyl or phenyl;
j and k each equal 0 independently or
14−3(x+y+z)≦j, k≦22−3(x+y+z) and
14−3(x+y+z)≦(j+k)≦22−3(x+y+z);
0≦x, y, z≦1;
0≦(x+y+z)≦3;
0≦u, v, y, z≦37;
0≦(u+v)≦2j+1;
0≦(y+z)≦2k+1;
R 1-3 and R 7-9 are independently C m H n X p ,
wherein 0≦m≦2;
0≦(n+p)≦5; and
n+p=2m+1;
R 4-6 and R 10-12 are independently C a H b X d ,
wherein a is 0 or 1;
0≦(b+d)≦3; and
b+d=2a+1; and
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I.
6 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n H j X k (OH) r
wherein:
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
1≦n≦20;
0≦r≦4;
0≦j, k≦2n+2−r; and
2n−4−r≦(j+k)≦2n+2−r.
7 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n H j X k O b
wherein:
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
2≦n≦20;
0≦j, k≦2n+2;
2n−4≦(j+k)≦2n+2; and
1≦b≦6.
8 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
R i =ester, S,
R v ═C j H u X v ;
R ii ═C k H a X b ;
15≦j, k≦32−3(w+x+y+z);
15≦j+k32−3(w+x+y+z);
0≦u, v≦2j+1;
0≦a;
b≦2k+1;
2j−7≦(u+v)≦2j+1;
2k−7≦(y+z)≦2k+1; and
R 1-4 and R 9-12 are independently C m H n X p ,
wherein 0≦m≦2;
0≦(n+p)≦5; and
n+p=2m+1;
R 5-8 and R 13-16 are independently C a H b X d ,
wherein a is 0 or 1;
0≦(b+d)≦3; and
b+d=2a+1; and
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I.
9 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
R i =ester, S,
R iv ═C j H u X v ;
R v ═C j H u X v ;
R ii ═C k H a X b ;
15≦j, k≦32−3(w+x+y+z);
15≦j+k≦32−3(w+x+y+z);
0≦u, v≦2j+1;
0≦a;
b≦2k+1;
2j−7≦(u+v)≦2j+1;
2k−7≦(y+z)≦2k+1; and
R 1-4 and R 9-12 are independently C m H n X p ,
wherein 0≦m≦2;
0≦(n+p)≦5; and
n+p=2m+1;
R 5-8 and R 13-16 are independently C a H b X d ,
wherein a is 0 or 1;
0≦(b+d)≦3; and
b+d=2a+1; and
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I.
10 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n (CO 2 ) m H a X b
wherein:
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
2≦n≦21;
1≦m≦3;
0≦a;
b≦2n+2; and
2n−2≦(a+b)≦2n+z.
11 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n (CO 3 ) m H a X b
wherein:
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
2≦n≦18;
m=1;
0≦a;
b≦2n+2; and
2n−4≦(a+b)≦2n+z.
12 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
R 1 ═C j H a X b
1≦j≦6
0≦a;
b≦2j+1; and
2j−7≦(a+b)≦2j+1;
R 2 ═C k H d X e
1≦k≦6;
0≦d;
e≦2k+1; and
d+e=2k+1;
R 3 ═C m H e X f
1≦m≦6;
0≦e;
f≦2m+1; and
e+f=2m+1; and
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I.
13 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
SO e C n H j X k
wherein:
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
1≦e≦2;
2≦n≦8;
0≦j;
k=2a+1; and
2n≦(j+k)≦2n+1
14 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n H y N a O b
wherein:
1≦n≦10;
1≦a;
b≦2 and a=b; and
2n−1≦y≦2n+ 1 .
15 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
each R equals C a X y H z independently;
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
1≦a≦3; and
0≦y, z≦2a+1 and y+z=2a+1.
16 . The process of claim 1 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
2≦n≦4;
each R equals C a H y X z independently;
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
1≦a≦3
0≦y;
z≦2a+1 and y+z=2a+1.
17 . The process of claim 1 wherein the pressurized fluid solvent is densified carbon dioxide.
18 . A system for cleaning substrates comprising:
a cleaning vessel adapted to hold contaminated substrates and organic solvent;
an organic solvent tank operatively connected to the cleaning vessel;
a pump for pumping organic solvent from the organic solvent tank to the cleaning vessel;
a drying vessel adapted to hold cleaned substrates and pressurized fluid solvent;
a pressurized fluid solvent tank operatively connected to the drying vessel; and
a pump for pumping pressurized fluid solvent from the pressurized fluid solvent tank to the drying vessel.
19 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C a X j H k O z
wherein:
a=5n and 1≦n≦3;
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
0≦z≦4;
0≦j, k≦10; and
0≦(j+k)≦10n.
20 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n X j H k
wherein:
1≦n≦20;
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
0≦j;
k≦2n+2; and
2n−4≦(j+k)≦2n+2.
21 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
R i ═O, S,
R iv ═C j H u X v ,
R ii ═C k H y X z or benzyl, phenyl, partially or fully fluorinated benzyl or phenyl;
0≦u, v≦2j+1;
0≦(u+v)≦2j+1;
0≦y, z≦2k+1;
0≦(y+z)≦2k+1;
0≦u, v, y, z≦37;
R 1-4 and R 9-12 are independently C m H n X p ,
where 0≦m≦2;
0≦(n+p)≦5; and
n+p=2m+1;
R 5-8 and R 13-16 are independently C a H b X d ,
wherein is 0 or 1;
0≦(b+d)≦3; and
b+d=2a+1; and
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I.
22 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
R i ═O, S,
R iv ═C j H u X v ;
R ii =C k H y X z or benzyl, phenyl, partially or fully fluorinated benzyl or phenyl;
j and k each equal 0 independently or
14−3(x+y+z)≦j, k≦22−3(x+y+z) and
14−3(x+y+z)≦(j+k)≦22−3(x+y+z);
0≦x, y, z≦1;
0≦(x+y+z)≦3;
0≦u, v, y, z≦37;
0≦(u+v)≦2j+1;
0≦(y+z)≦2k+1;
R 1-3 and R 7-9 are independently C m H n X p ,
wherein 0≦m≦2;
0≦(n+p)≦5; and
n+p=2m+1;
R 4-6 and R 10-12 are independently C a H b X d ,
wherein a is 0 or 1;
0≦(b+d)≦3; and
b+d=2a+1; and
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I.
23 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n H j X k (OH) r
wherein:
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
1≦n≦20;
0≦r≦4;
0≦j, k≦2n+2−r; and
2n−4−r≦(j+k)≦2n+2−r.
24 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n H j X k O b
wherein:
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
2≦n≦20;
0≦j, k≦2n+2;
2n−4≦(j+k)≦2n+2; and
1≦b≦6.
25 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
R i =ester, S,
R v ═C j H u X v ;
R ii ═C k H a X b ;
15≦j, k≦32−3(w+x+y+z);
15≦j+k≦32−3(w+x+y+z);
0≦u, v≦2j+1;
0≦a;
b≦2k+1;
2j−7≦(u+v)≦2j+1;
2k−7≦(y+z)≦2k+1; and
R 1-4 and R 9-12 are independently C m H n X p ,
wherein 0≦m≦2;
0≦(n+p)≦5; and
n+p=2m+1;
R 5-8 and R 13-16 are independently C a H b X d ,
wherein a is 0 or 1;
0≦(b+d)≦3; and
b+d=2a+1; and
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I.
26 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural
wherein:
R i =ester, S,
R iv ═C j H u X v ;
R v ═C j H u X v ;
R ii ═C k H a X b ;
15≦j, k≦32−3(w+x+y+z);
15≦j+k≦32−3(w+x+y+z);
0≦u, v≦2j+1;
0≦a;
b≦2k+1;
2j−7≦(u+v)≦2j+1;
2k−7≦(y+z)≦2k+1; and
R 1-4 and R 9-12 are independently C m H n X p ,
wherein 0≦m≦2;
0≦(n+p)≦5; and
n+p=2m+1;
R 5-8 and R 13-16 are independently C a H b X d ,
wherein a is 0 or 1;
0≦(b+d)≦3; and
b+d=2a+1; and
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I.
27 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n (CO 2 ) m H a X b
wherein:
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
2≦n≦21;
1≦m≦3;
0≦a;
b≦2n+2; and
2n−2≦(a+b)≦2n+z.
28 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n (CO 3 ) m H a X b
wherein:
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
2≦n≦18;
m=1;
0≦a;
b≦2n+2; and
2n−4≦(a+b)≦2n+z.
29 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
R 1 ═C j H a X b
1≦j≦6
0≦a;
b≦2j+1; and
2j−7≦(a+b)≦2j+1;
R 2 ═C k H d X e
1≦k≦6;
0≦d;
e≦2k+1; and
d+e=2k+1;
R 3 ═C m H e X f
1≦m≦6;
0≦e;
f≦2m+1; and
e+f=2m+1; and
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I.
30 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
SO e C n H j X k
wherein:
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
1≦e≦2;
2≦n≦8;
0≦j;
k≦2a+1; and
2n≦(j+k)=2n+1
31 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
C n H y N a O b
wherein:
1≦n≦10;
1≦a;
b≦2 and a=b; and
2n−1≦y≦2n+1.
32 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
each R equals C a X y H z independently;
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
1≦a≦3; and
0≦y, z≦2a+1 and y+z=2a+1.
33 . The system of claim 18 wherein the organic solvent is of the structural formula:
wherein:
2≦n≦4;
each R equals C a H y X z independently;
each X is independently F, Cl, Br or I;
1≦a≦3
0≦y;
z≦2a+1 and y+z=2a+1.
34 . The system of claim 18 wherein the pressurized fluid solvent is densified carbon dioxide.