The Team
Researchers from the Department of Energy's Kansas City Plant originally teamed with the staff of Garment Care, Inc. of North Kansas City, MO, to investigate the possibility of using ultrasonic aqueous methods to clean garments. The Team later expanded to include Amway Corporation of Ada, MI and Neo-Dyne Research, of Las Vegas, NV. Additional support was provided by Crest Ultrasonics, Trenton, NJ. The Kansas City Plant's participation in the program was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through a Small Business Initiative Cooperative Research and Development Agreement.
Background
Traditional garment maintenance processes involve the use of solvent or water-based cleaning methods in batch modes. Solvent-based methods pose a problem from an environmental perspective. Water-based methods create compatibility concerns with sensitive fabrics and garments. Both methods, due to their batch modes, limit overall economic efficiency. Exchanging the batch mode of processing for an in-line continuous-flow method will increase efficiency. Substituting water-based for solvent-based cleaning will minimize environmental concerns.
Phase One Goal
Specific to the funding limitations in this initial research, the goal of the team was to determine if agitation for an in-line, continuous-flow, clothes washing process could be provided by ultrasound.
Evaluation Methods
The Team performed aqueous cleaning tests at three sites using different equipment and techniques. At the Garment Care site, test fabric swatches were cleaned using a typical industrial 40 kHz ultrasonic cleaning system. Neo-Dyne Research ultrasonically cleaned test swatches using a higher powered, lower frequency cleaning system. To provide the benchmark data, Amway Research completed the evaluations by performing industry standard cleaning procedures in a Terg-O-Tometer.
Conclusions
Cleanliness evaluations of ultrasonically cleaned fabrics showed acceptable soil removal and sufficient potential to warrant further studies. Ultrasonic cleaning lends itself to in-line continuous-flow processing, thereby opening up a new dimension in garment maintenance. Phase Two research must seek optimal integration of all factors of cleaning in concert with ultrasound. Technical and financial assistance will be sought from appropriate manufacturers and research organizations.
Date created: 3/6/96
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