Method and apparatus for closed loop recycling of contaminated cleaning solution

Abstract

An advanced oxidation process and apparatus for closed loop treating and recycling of cleaning solutions contaminated with used surfactants, fats, oils, greases, and inorganic and organic contaminates converts the contaminated cleaning solution into a reusable cleaning solution containing useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers. The contaminated cleaning solution is subjected to an ozone containing gas and alternating direct current. The reaction with ozone containing gas is carried out in a mixed vapor (gas/liquid mist) state. Fats, oils, greases and organic contaminates are converted into useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers and the excess organic surfactants, detergents, wetting agents, and emulsifiers are simultaneously converted into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water. The treated cleaning solution is reused as the cleaning solution in the original cleaning process from which the contaminated cleaner was obtained. The rinse water in the cleaning process becomes contaminated with dilute reused cleaning solution and is recycled by reverse osmosis to separate the rinse water and reconcentrate the cleaning solution. The reconcentrated cleaning solution is returned to the original cleaning process for reuse and the reverse osmosis product water is returned to the original rinse station for reuse.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.