Abstract: Fabrics are cleaned by treating at least a portion of the piece of fabric with a particulating chemical, and agitated by a gas jet of a particle-dislodging gas to dislodge the particulated soil. The particulating chemical loosens embedded non-particulate soil and converts it to a particulate form, which is then separated from the fabric by the particle-dislodging gas.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method utilizing sonic whistle and other agitation methods to enhance the soil removal and mass transport capacity of the liquid carbon dioxide at low process temperatures. Agitation devices disposed in or couple to a cleaning chamber, and cause the liquid carbon dioxide to ultrasonically emulsify and disperse non-miscible liquids or insoluble solids, such as remove low solubility oils and greases. Cleaning is accomplished at temperatures between −68° F. and 32° F., and the temperature of the liquid carbon dioxide is typically below 32° F.

Abstract: A piece of soiled fabric is cleaned by contacting it with a jet of an ionized soil-dislodging gas to dislodge the soil therefrom. The ionized gas and the use of an oppositely charged electrostatic filter aid in preventing redeposition of the soil onto the fabric. The fabric may be agitated while it is contacted with the gas jet. A portion of the piece of fabric may be treated with an electrostatic spotting compound that enhances the effect of the ionized gas and may also enhance the removal of the soil. An apparatus for accomplishing the cleaning includes a container having an interior in which the fabric is received, a gas jet nozzle directed into the interior of the container, a source of a pressurized gas communicating with an inlet of the gas jet nozzle, a gas jet manifold extending from the source to the gas jet nozzle, and a gas ionizer disposed to ionize the pressurized gas passing through the gas jet nozzle.

Abstract: A process is provided for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing substrates comprising the steps of: (a) placing the contaminated substrate in a cleaning vessel; (b) contacting the contaminated substrate with dense phase carbon dioxide in liquid form; (c) subjecting the substrate and the dense phase carbon dioxide to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength within the range of about 180 to 300 nm for a duration and intensity sufficient to produce a photochemical reaction capable of destroying the DNA of microorganisms on the substrate; (d) substantially simultaneously subjecting at least the dense phase carbon dioxide to agitation; and (e) removing the dense phase carbon dioxide from the cleaning vessel and thereby transporting the contaminants from the substrate such that the substrate is cleaned and, in the case of contaminated garments, disinfected or, in the case of medical and dental instrumentation, sterilized.

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: A cleaning system and method utilizing sonic whistle agitation to enhance the soil removal and mass transport capacity of the liquid carbon dioxide at low process temperatures. Sonic whistles are within a cleaning chamber, and liquid carbon dioxide is forced out of the sonic whistle jets to ultrasonically emulsify and disperse non-miscible liquids or insoluble solids, such as remove low solubility oils and greases, in the liquid carbon dioxide contained in the cleaning chamber. Cleaning is accomplished at temperatures between -68.degree. F. and 88.degree. F., and the temperature of the liquid carbon dioxide is typically below 32.degree. F.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An improved liquid carbon dioxide dry cleaning system containing an improved dry cleaning fluid. The dry cleaning fluid contains an antistatic agent for dissipating static charge on members or garments generated by friction during cleaning thereof. The concentration of the antistatic agent is typically less than 1 percent. Static charge present on the members or garments that are cleaned is transferred through the dry cleaning fluid to ground. This transfer of charge minimizes static charge buildup on the members or garments and suspended soil redeposition onto the members or garments. An odorizing agent or fragrance, and/or a deodorizing agent may be added to the cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A liquid carbon dioxide dry cleaning system that employs a rotating basket inside a dry cleaning vessel that is powered by hydraulic flow. The present invention is particularly useful as a dry cleaning system that uses liquid carbon dioxide as the cleaning agent. The dry cleaning system has a pressurized vessel containing a liquid carbon dioxide bath. The basket is disposed in the vessel and has a plurality of openings around its periphery. A plurality of roller bearings are disposed between the basket and the vessel that allow it to rotate within the vessel. A plurality of manifolds are disposed between the vessel and the basket that have nozzles that produce jets of liquid carbon dioxide that agitate the garments. The nozzles are aligned with the plurality of openings in the basket. A pump is coupled between the manifolds and the vessel for circulating the liquid carbon dioxide to produce the jets that clean the garments and rotate the basket.

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: Undesired constituents are removed from rolled fabric or other rolled materials by: (a) placing a roll of the material containing the undesired constituents (soluble or particulate) in a cleaning chamber; (b) providing a structure for re-rolling the material within the chamber; (c) introducing into the cleaning chamber a cleaning fluid which is a dense phase fluid comprising a liquefied gas or a supercritical fluid and contacting the material containing the undesirable constituents with the cleaning fluid; and (d) exposing single layers of the material containing the undesirable constituents with the cleaning fluid for a period of time sufficient to remove the undesired constituents from the material.

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.

Abstract: Sonication is employed in the destruction of organic chemicals, using liquid carbon dioxide as the sonicating medium. The process of the invention for decomposing at least one chemical comprises: (a) providing a sonicating vessel equipped with an array of sonicators; (b) introducing the chemical to be decomposed into the sonicating vessel, together with liquid carbon dioxide; and (c) exposing the chemical in the sonicating vessel to sonication for a period of time sufficient to cause the chemical to decompose to form at least one decomposition product. The sonication process may additionally employ one or more of ultraviolet light, oxidizing modifiers such as water, sodium hypochlorite, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide, and reaction-quenching species such as hydrogen (H.sub.2).

Abstract: Undesired material is removed from a chosen substrate by a process comprising the steps of (a) placing the substrate containing the undesired material in a cleaning chamber provided with cavitation-producing means; (b) introducing a liquefied gas, such as liquid carbon dioxide, into the cleaning chamber and contacting the substrate containing the undesired material with the liquid carbon dioxide at a temperature below its critical temperature; and (c) exposing the liquid carbon dioxide to the cavitation-producing means for a period of time sufficient to remove the undesired material from the substrate. The substrate containing the undesired material may optionally be contacted with carbon dioxide in the dense phase prior to and/or after the cavitation treatment to aid in removal of the undesired material. Further, spent liquid carbon dioxide may be treated to regenerate fresh liquid carbon dioxide which is recycled to the cleaning chamber.