초록 ▼

A method of replenishing liquid carbon dioxide solvent in a liquid carbon dioxide dry cleaning system or other dense phase carbon dioxide cleaning system. The method uses dry-ice or solid carbon dioxide, as a replenishing stock, thus reducing transportation, storage and handling costs. The method di

A method of replenishing liquid carbon dioxide solvent in a liquid carbon dioxide dry cleaning system or other dense phase carbon dioxide cleaning system. The method uses dry-ice or solid carbon dioxide, as a replenishing stock, thus reducing transportation, storage and handling costs. The method disposes solid carbon dioxide blocks in a cleaning chamber after a cleaning cycle. Liquid carbon dioxide solvent is boiled and is used to melt the solid carbon dioxide blocks. Liquid carbon dioxide solvent produced by melting the solid carbon dioxide blocks is pumped from the cleaning chamber into a storage tank to replenish the liquid carbon dioxide solvent.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of replenishing solvent used in a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning system having a cleaning chamber, a storage tank containing liquid carbon dioxide solvent, a pump for pumping the liquid solvent from the storage tank to the cleaning chamber, a gas recovery compres

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of replenishing solvent used in a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning system having a cleaning chamber, a storage tank containing liquid carbon dioxide solvent, a pump for pumping the liquid solvent from the storage tank to the cleaning chamber, a gas recovery compressor for compressing gaseous solvent into its liquid state, a condenser for recondensing gaseous carbon dioxide, and a still containing a heater for heating the liquid solvent, said method comprising the steps of:providing solid carbon dioxide blocks;disposing the solid carbon dioxide blocks in the cleaning chamber;venting the cleaning chamber to atmosphere for a predetermined period of time to expel air from the cleaning chamber;venting the cleaning chamber to the still;boiling the liquid solvent in the still to produce boiling gaseous solvent;introducing the boiling gaseous solvent into the cleaning chamber;melting the solid carbon dioxide blocks in the cleaning chamber using the boiling gaseous solvent from the still; andpumping the melted carbon dioxide blocks from the cleaning chamber into the storage tank to replenish the liquid solvent.