Improvement to a dry cleaning plant

Abstract

 A machine for cleaning clothes or fabrics, using solvent liquids, provided, for the cleaning, drying and solvent liquid regeneration phases, with a heat pump supplying heat to the heat transfer medium of one column (26) and cooling the heat transfer medium of two other columns (25,25ʹ)-
For a precise temperature adjustment the heat transfer medium can be further heated with an additional electrical immersion heater (33)
In order to reach the lowest possible temperature, necessary for the drying process, the cold heat transfer medium can remain temporarity stationary in one of the two cooled column (25ʹ).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a further improvement thought with the purpose to obtain a better thermal efficiency, an environment deodorization and the regeneration of the chlorine-ethylene in a dry cleaning machine for clothes or fabrics of various types, as disclosed in the European Patent Application No.86104595.3 reference to which is hereby widely made for all subject matters not particularly described and specified hereinafter.

[0002] The invention as disclosed hereunder, illustrated in Figs. 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 covers a further improvement relating to the energy generating unit -Fig.5- in which, thanks to the addition of a second cold column and of a proper circuit controlled by the only central control unit, one comes to double the machine productivity, the consumption of energy being almost the same as for the previous version. Simultaneously, it has been possible to modify the circuit of the circulating air in the cleaning and drying phases, with a sensibly reduced consumption of electric energy and a more accurate adjustment of the temperature of the air circularing inside the barrel, which results in a better treatment of the product.

[0003] Fig. 1 represents a dry cleaning plant as disclosed and illustrated in the European Patent Aplication No. 86104505.3. Fig. 2 shows in detail the heat and cold generating unit for recovery and regeneration of the chlorine-ethylene destined to cleaning, and for feeding the heat exchangers which are in operation during the cleaning phase, as already conceived by the same inventors before introducing the present improvement. Fig. 5 shows the new heat and cold generating unit, now consisting of two cooling columns 25 and 25ʹ and of a warming one -26- each one being runned through by two types of pipe coils acting as heat exchangers; a first type is inserted in the bottom of the columns, where two of them are continuously fully immersed in the anti-freeze liquid and the third one in dyathermic oil. The second type is placed in the top of the column, wherein the liquid drops downwards and laps the pipe coil when such column is included in the circuit.

[0004] The heat and cold generating unit shown in Fig. 5 consists of a refrigerating compressor unit 22 which pressurizes the gas, Freon type or similar, sending it to the pipe coil 35, inside the column 26, through the tipe 23.The pipe coil 35 rises,starting from the bottom of the column 26,in a series of tight spirals formed by a non-finned copper tube, filling almost completely the bottom of the column 26 so that in this area, constantly filled by dyathermic oil, this takes a volume sensibly lower than the half of the volume generated by the column 26. The second section of the pipe coil 35 consists of a copper finned tube whose function is, besides diffusing the heat over a wider dispersing surface, also to keep the dyathermic oil falling downwards in contact, for a longer time, with the surface acting as a dispersant. As soon as the Freon gas type, already cooled, has reached the top of the column wherein is provided the distributing unit 49 of the inlet dyathermic oil, it enters the radiator 39 through the pipe 37 and therein it disperses in the ambient air the remaining calories through a first fan 40 which sucks the ambient air from the top side forcing it downwards through the radiator 39 wherein it goes to lap the column 26 from the outside. A second fan 40ʹ, on the contrary, sucks from the bottom the air which previously lapped the two columns 25 and 25ʹ, forcing it upwards through the radiator 39. The pressurized gas, brought to the ambient temperature, comes down through the pipe 41 so entering into the first plenum chamber (decanter) 42 and from here, through the pipe 43, into the second plenum chamber (decanter) 44, then reaching the expansion unit 45 wherein it is cooled in consequence of its expanding.

[0005] The melted Freon , past the expansion unit 45, is split up in two pipes having the same rate of flow, which enter into the columns 25 and 25ʹ. Immediately past the inlet each one of the two pipes is splitting in 4 pipes and having a section identical to the inlet one, so that the rate of flow which had already been halved past the expansion unit 45, is further reduced to one eigth in each duct. The four pipers, which are smooth, rise in the shape of a pipe coil inside each of the two columns 25 and 25ʹ and in this section they are continuously immersed in the anti-freeze liquid. Thus there is a great leak of cold from the Freon contained in the four pipes, towards the anti-freeze liquid in which they are immersed because, thanks to the low speed of the liquid contained therein, the outside temperature of these ones is almost the same of the liquid that is running thereinto and the contact surface with the anti-freeze liquid is the maximum allowed by the vol ume of this.

[0006] The four tubes rise in the shape of a coil pipe inside the column up to reaching the level of the anti-freeze liquid contained therein. From here the four pipes are connected two by two, in two pipes having a doubled section, also rising in the shape of a pipe coil up to reaching the top of the column wherein the shaped plate 49 is provided which causes the anti-freeze liquid, which is entering the column, to drop on the two-spiral-rising pipes, as shown in Fig. 4. In this way the Freon, after having yeld up the most of its refrigeration units in the first portion of the pipe coil, rises in a lower density condition due to its higher temperature,to the second portion of the column, meeting therein in counter current the anti-freeze liquid flowing from the top and lapping the outside surface of the two pipes with a thin layer. When coming out from the two columns, the two pipes 24 and 24ʹ descend at the outside of the columns 25 and 25ʹ up to entering again into the compressor 22.

[0007] This unit allows to obtain a quantity of calories enough to regenerate the chlorine-ethylene and, in the following phase, to heat the cleaning air. Simultaneously, the refrigeration units are produced, which are enough both for the quick starting and for the life of phase, for the chlorine-ethylene regeneration and following cleaning phase.

[0008] In this respect, it is appropriated to emphasize the great importance of having introduced the double column for cold generation and the original pipe coil running through said columns from the bottom upwards.

[0009] The anti-freeze liquid, cooled inside one column, is intended only for chlorine-ethylene regeneration,the one of the other column being meant to condensate the chlorine-ethylene vapours during the cleaning and drying cycles. In such way the anti-freeze liquid is alternatively circulating inside the two columns.

[0010] As the dry cleaning machine starts to operate, the chlorine-ethylene regeneration phase is provided to be carried out. In consequence of that it is the cold column 25 the one destined to this phase, which has to start to operate as first. In order that it reaches the lowest foreseen temperature in the shortest possible time, the central control unit operates the two valves 59 and 59ʹ opening the one placed in the circuit of the column provided for chlorine-ethylene regeneration -valve 59- and closing the other one 59ʹ. Once the foreseen temperature is reached, the central control unit commands the starting of the chorine-ethylene regeneration phase opening simultaneously the valve 59ʹ which, alllowing the melted Freon to rise also inside the second column , sets this one for the following cleaning phase. In this way, at the starting, the melted Freon is circulating inside one only column, wherein the anti-freeze liquid is standstill, so bringing it in a shorter time to the lowest foreseen temperature. Later the melted Freon is circulating simultaneously inside both columns 25 and 35ʹ so that, when the anti-freeze liquid is circulating in 25, it is standstill in the bottom of the column 25ʹ, wherein the temperature of the two liquids - the Freon and the anti-freeze - is tending to equalize.

[0011] In the top of column 25ʹ, during this phase, there is a lower leak of refrigeration units because the anti-freeze liquid does not come down. Consequently, the passage of Freon from liquid to gaseous condition is slower. In this circuit, therefore, there is a lower flow rate if compared with that obtained simultaneously in the other circuit, wherein the anti-freeze liquid is circulating counter-current, causing a bigger exchange of refrigeration units between the two liquids. In this way, besides obtaining a quicker starting of the machine, one obtains also the particular condition that,at the moment in which one column starts to operate, the anti-freeze liquid contained therein is at the lowest temperature, this being necessary to allow the corresponding heat exchangerto reach the steady running temperature in the shortest possible time. After this first stage,the heat exchanger requirements in refrigeration units is lower and just in this period the anti-freeze liquid of this circuit is circulating at a not so low temperature. In other words, through the coupling, the cold generating unit and the dispersive one operate a self-balancing, without any intervention of the central control unit.

Chlorine-ethylene regeneration cycle.

[0012] During the chorine-ethylene regeneration phase the motor driven pump 28 sends the heated dyathermic oil to the column 26, to the electrical heating element 29 provided inside the tank 6, upon closing of the valve 61 and opening of the valve 62, both allowing the dyathermic oil to enter into the duct 27 and to flow out from the duct 48 after heating of the element 29. Later, the motor driven pump 32 sucks the cooled liquid (anti-freeze)coming from the column 25, through the pipe coil 10ʹ the central control unit having opened the cocks 56 and 53 and closed the cocks 56ʹ and 53ʹ.

[0013] As soon as the heating element 29 starts to become heated, the central control unit actuates the motor driven pump 58 which transfers the chlorine-ethylene already used from the tank 2 to the tank 6, wherein it comes in contact with the heating element 29, already heated because the dyathermic oil flowed therein was at the highest temperature foreseen in the cycle.

[0014] As soon as the chlorine-ethylene enters the tank 6, and even more when it comes in direct contact with the heating element 29,it starts to evaporate and more and more this happens as its contact surface with the heating element 29 is increasing. The chlorine-ethylene in gaseous condition rises along the pipe 9 flowing to the condenser 3, so getting in touch with the pipe coil 10ʹ which is at the lowest temperature because immediately at the starting it has been runned through by the anti-freeze liquid which was inside the column 25 at the lowest temperature. During the accomplishment of this phase both the temperature of the hot element 29 and of the cold pipe coil 10ʹdo stabilize thus the chlorine-ethylene vapour reaching the heat exchanger 3 quickly condensates and comes down to the tank 4 through the pipe 13.

[0015] Once having pumped down the tank 2, the motor driven pump 58, on command of the central control unit, stops working and from now onwards the level of the chlorine-ethylene inside the tank 6 starts to decrease. Immediately after the central control unit actuates closing of the cork 62 and opening of the cork 61 at the same time, so the heating of the plate 29 stops and starts the heating of the radiator 19ʹ. During this last period all the chlorine-ethylene inside the tank 6 is evaporating so that mud not polluted by chlorine-ethylene remain therein.

[0016] This move performed, the central control unit closes the cocks 56 and 53 and opens the 56ʹ and 53ʹ ones. In consequence of this, the motor driven pump 32 stops its i ntake action from the column 25, through the pipe coil 10ʹ, and starts to intake from the column 25ʹ through the radiator 15. The chlorine-ethylene regeneration phase is so finishing and the cleaning phase is starting.

Cleaning cycle.

[0017] Inside the column 25ʹ , at its starting, namely at the bottom, there is the anti-freeze liquid at the lowest temperature, due to the passage of the melted Freon through the pipe coil 46ʹwhen the anti-freeze liquid was standstill and this during the whole time in which the chlorine-ethylene regeneration takes place; according to this, when starting to circulate, it cools the radiator 15 quickly which is so in a position to perform its function already at the starting of the cleaning cycle.

[0018] The same may be told of the dyathermic oil inside the column 26,which may quickly bring the radiator 19ʹto the proper temperature, immediately after the central control unit has opened the cock 61 and closed the 62 one.

[0019] Once these operations are performed, the central control unit actuates the barrel 1 in which the garments to be cleaned have been introduced during chlorine-ethylene regeneration phase, actuating at the same time the motor driven pump 7 which transfers the regenerated chlorine-ethylene from the tank 4 to the barrel 1. Simultaneously, the central control unit actuates the electric fan 14 and closes at the top the flow deflecting valve 18 so that the air and the chlorine ethylene vapours, put in circulation by the above electro-fan, rise along the pipe 5, pass through the radiator 15 where they are cooled; the chlorine-ethylene vapours are so separated and, by their condensing, come down so entering again into the barrel 1. The air, which has been cooled, continues in rising inside the pipe 5 and passes through the radiator 19ʹ wherein it is heated again since it finds the radiator itself already at the steady condition temperature; then it again comes down to the barrel 1 wherein it is again saturated by the chlorine-ethylene vapours.

[0020] On the ground of data supplied by the thermostat 57, the central control unit can adjust the temperature of the air flowing to the barrel 1. In fact, should a higher temperature be required, the central control unit opens the cock 64 so allowing the hot dyathermic oil, coming from the column 26, to pass also in the electrical heating element 30. Immediately afterwards, through the valve 18, it throttles the air flow letting a part to pass through the heating element 19ʹ and the reminder through the heating element 30 so that, since the same quantity of air is passing through a wider radiating surface, it takes off a bigger quantity of heat this resulting in an increase of the temperature since the flow rate is always the same. Viceversa, should the thermostat 57 indicate that the temperature of the air has to be decreased, the central control unit closes the cock 64, while continuing to allow the passage of a part of the air through the heating element 19ʹ and a part through the heating element 30 so that, this last being no longer heated, it yelds a lower quantity of heat up to the air which is so heated at a lower extent. In consequence of this, when the two flows again join together, they originate a lower temperature. It may so be realized how it is possible to obtain a very careful adjustment of the cleaning air and consequently a better work of the machine.

Drying cycle.

[0021] At the end of the cleaning cycle, at first the central control unit commands the discharge of the chlorine-ethylene contained into the barrel 1, by opening the blowing off valve 55. Immediately afterwards, and after having opened the cock 64, it sends current to the resistance provided inside the duct 33, so the dyathermic oil passing through is warmed further, going to increase the temperature of the electrical heating element 30.

[0022] During the phase in which a progressive increase of the temperature of the circulating air is required the central control unit, through the flow deflecting valve 18,allows a part of the air to pass through the heating element 19ʹ and another part through the heating element 30 and in case the temperature has to be further increased the most of the air passes through the heating element 30by an adjustment of the flow deflecting valve 18. At the end of the drying cycle,the central control unit stops the motor driven pump 28 and closes the cocks 61 and 64, then stopping the motor driven pump 32 and closes the cocks 56ʹ and 53ʹ too; finally, since also the temperature of the clothes inside the barrel 1 has decreased, it stops the electric fan 14 and the rotating motion of the barrel 1. The attendant may so take off the cleaned clothes, the machine being already set for a further operating cycle.

Claims

1. A machine for cleaning of clothes and fabrics, using solvent liquids in the kind of chlorine-ethylene, characterized inthat the cleaning phase and that of solvent liquid regeneration are fed through an original generating unit of heated liquid, in preference dyathermic oil, and of cooled liquid in the kind of anti-freeze liquid, the former heating an original plate causing evaporation of the solvent liquid during the regeneration phase then going to heat two heat-exchangers allowing a very careful adjustment of the cleaning temperature during the cleaning phase whereas during drying phase a part of the dyathermic oil is further heated by a resistor, the latter providing for condensation of the solvent liquid vapours during the regeneration phase whereas during the cleaning one it cares for condensation of the solvent liquid vapours by taking them off from the air put in circulation.

2. A machine for dry cleaning of clothes and fabrics asper Claim 1, characterized in that the unit generating both the heated and cooled liquids consists of a compressor of Freon type gas sending the warmed pressurized gas to heat the dyathermic oil while coming downwards in counter-current into a properly foreseen column in the bottom of which, where the number of coils is higher,the oil is filling the room and in the portion standing above, where the coils are formed by finned tubes preferably copper made is distributed the dyathermic oil which enters the upper coil through an original distributing device, then comes down by passing from a coil to the one below while in this way the pressurized gas comes out from the column having been cooled to expand afterwards into an expansion unit before splitting in two tubes entering in the bottom of two columns in each of them they further divide and being tight spirally shaped they rise upwards up to joining again in two pipes rising in a spiral up to the top of the column, wherein a distributing device of the type already mentioned provides for the anti-freeze liquid to come down on the two last coils,and from here on the ones below, up to collecting itself on the bottom of the column from where comes out, being sucked by the compressor, the abovesaid Freon type gas.

3. A machine for dry cleaning of clothes and fabrics as per Claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the unit generating both the heated and cooled liquids, thanks to the availability of two identical columns serving for the cooling operation allows to send the Freon gas to cool the two columns simultaneously, while in one the anti-freeze liquid comes downwards settling itself in the bottom from where it is sucked and sent to the circuit, and in the other the anti-freeze liquid is not admitted, so that standing in the bottom of the column stagnates,being then brought to the lowest temperature before being sucked in turn and sent to the circuit, when this one requires the lowest temperature.

4. A machine for dry cleaning of clothes and fabrics as per Claim 1 and following, characterized in that the circulation of cleaning and drying air, thanks to the splitting of the heating circuit s and to the presence of a resistor to increase the temperature of the dyathermic oil destined to one of the two circuits, allows a very careful adjustment of the temperature of the air entering into the barrel following a programmed variation both in the cleaning and drying phases, this resulting in an improvement of the product.

5. A machine for dry cleaning of clothes and fabrics as per Claim 1 and following, characterized in that the chlorine-ethylene regeneration takes place by means of a metallic parallelepiped plate fitted on the machine inspection door, heated by the dyathermic oil transferred by the proper column of the energy generating unit, while the chlorine-ethylene to be regenerated is entering into the tank, rising from the bottom so it immediately evaporates as entering the warmer room hastening the process when it comes in touch with the plate, then condensing into a proper condenter through a pipe coil wherein is circulating the anti-freeze liquid coming from one of the two cold columns of the energy generating unit, whereas the other one is set for the following cleaning phase, during which the resulting mud set on the bottom of the regenerating tank is deprived from the chlorine-ethylene conttained therein, thanks to the presence of the plate which is still warm.

Drawing