GB436118A - Improvements in dry cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0436118/III/1> Dry-cleaning apparatus is maintained under atmospheric pressure while closed against the atmosphere by pressure and vacuum relief vents, and is provided with a liquid seal vessel, vented to the atmosphere, containing a liquid of lower density than the dry cleaning solvent, through which solvent-laden vapours are passed. A washing chamber 1 is provided with an inner clothes container which is rotated in each direction alternately and is supplied with carbon tetrachloride through a pipe 5 from the bottom of a tank 2 mounted at a higher level. Used solvent passes through a pipe 7 and filter 10 to a lower sump tank 8 from which it is forced by a pump 13 into a main still 14 provided with a condenser 15 connected to the storage tank 2 through a filter 18. A second still 19 is provided to recover solvent from the sludge residues removed from the still 14. The washing chamber is provided with a condenser 20 from which solvent is returned to the sump 8. After removal of solvent warm air is forced by fan 21 through a heater 22 to the clothes container and finally cold air is then admitted. Solvent-laden air in the sump tank, washing chamber, and storage tank passes through pipes connected thereto by which pressures in the several chambers are equalized, and through a valve 35 in a pipe 34 which opens under the water seal 27 in a container 26. The upper part of the container is vented to the atmosphere through a pipe 39. The container is connected to the sump 8 through a pipe 28 terminating in a T-piece, through which the lower layer of solvent, removed from the solvent-laden air by the water seal, flows into the sump. The water may be sprayed downwards through the chamber. Vacuum relief valves 37, 38 are provided which admit air to the apparatus if necessary, for example when cooling down after use.