Abstract: Substantial amounts of particulate soils in garments can be removed by agitation in gas-jet in a solvent-free, low-pressure environment. The ability of the present gas-jet agitation system to remove particulate soils from garments and fabrics rivals that of conventional dry-cleaning processes which agitate the garments and fabrics while immersed in solvent. Thus, a dry-cleaning operation may consist of a solvent-immersion step for removing soluble soils and a gas-jet agitation step to remove particulates. Considerable savings in equipment and operating costs may be realized in the practice of the invention, since solvent flow rates need not be boosted to provide necessary agitation for particulate soil removal. The savings achievable by employing gas-jet agitation are even more pronounced in dense phase gas dry cleaning systems, which require pressurized environments to maintain a liquified solvent.

Abstract: Substantial amounts of particulate soils in garments can be removed by agitation in gas-jet in a solvent-free, low-pressure environment. The ability of the present gas-jet agitation system to remove particulate soils from garments and fabrics rivals that of conventional dry-cleaning processes which agitate the garments and fabrics while immersed in solvent. Thus, a dry-cleaning operation may consist of a solvent-immersion step for removing soluble soils and a gas-jet agitation step to remove particulates. Considerable savings in equipment and operating costs may be realized in the practice of the invention, since solvent flow rates need not be boosted to provide necessary agitation for particulate soil removal. The savings achievable by employing gas-jet agitation are even more pronounced in dense phase gas dry cleaning systems, which require pressurized environments to maintain a liquified solvent.

Abstract: Liquid carbon dioxide, in combination with agitation and, optionally, with process enhancers, such as surfactants, and solvents, such as water, is used to remove contaminants from garments or fabrics. Both apparatus and process are disclosed. Carbon dioxide-cleaned garments are rendered free of odor, require no drying, and the cost per unit solvent (by weight) is a fraction of that of conventional solvents.