Micell Technologies, Inc.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Other

Timothy J Romack

James B McClain

Joseph M DeSimone

James P DeYoung

Gina M Stewart

Gary C Schrebe

Ramone D Givens

Kenneth Grakauskas

Douglas E Betts

David F Cauble, Jr

Joseph Desimone

T Mark McCleskey

Eva Rachel Birnbaum

William Tumas

R Bradley Lienhart

Kenneth L Huggins

Kimberly R Powell

Ruben Guillermo Carbonell

Stephanie A Crette

Katherine A Shaffer

Dorian A Canelas

David F Cauble

Han-Chao Wei

A method for carrying out a catalysis reaction in carbon dioxide comprising contacting a fluid mixture with a catalyst bound to a polymer, the fluid mixture comprising at least one reactant and carbon dioxide, wherein the reactant interacts with the catalyst to form a reaction product. A composition of matter comprises carbon dioxide and a polymer and a reactant present in the carbon dioxide. The polymer has bound thereto a catalyst at a plurality of chains along the length of the polymer, and wherein the reactant interacts with the catalyst to form a reaction product.

Carbon dioxide-soluble polymers and swellable polymers for carbon dioxide applications

A system for the controlled addition of detergent formulations and the like to a carbon dioxide cleaning apparatus comprises: (a) a high pressure wash vessel; (b) an auxiliary vessel; (c) a drain line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (d) optionally but preferably, a separate vent line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (e) a detergent reservoir; and (f) a detergent supply line connecting the detergent reservoir to the auxiliary vessel. An advantage of this apparatus is that, because the detergent formulation can be pumped into the auxiliary vessel in a predetermined aliquot or amount, which predetermined aliquot or amount can then be transferred into the wash vessel where it combines with the liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, the detergent formulation can be added to the cleaning solution in a more controlled or accurate manner. An alternate embodiment adapted for the addition of aqueous detergent formulations and the like to a carbon dioxide dry cleaning system under turbulent conditions comprises: (a) a high pressure wash vessel; (b) a filter; (c) a carbon dioxide cleaning solution drain line interconnecting the wash vessel to the filter; (d) a carbon dioxide cleaning solution supply line connecting the filter to the wash vessel; (e) a first high pressure pump (i.e., a pump that is capable of pumping liquid solutions comprising liquid carbon dioxide) operably connected to the drain line; (f) a detergent formulation reservoir; (g) a detergent formulation supply line connecting the reservoir to the carbon dioxide cleaning solution supply line; and (h) a second high pressure pump operably connected to the detergent formulation supply line for transferring detergent formulation from the detergent formulation reservoir into the carbon dioxide cleaning solution under turbulent conditions.

Detergent injection methods for carbon dioxide cleaning apparatus

A separation method includes (a) providing a heterogeneous separation system, the heterogeneous cleaning system comprising CO in a first phase and an oil in a separate second phase; (b) entraining a material to be separated in the second phase; (c) wholly or partially solubilizing the second phase in the first phase to produce a separation system in which said material to be separated is insoluble; and then (d) separating the material from the system. The separating step is preferably followed by the step of (e) recovering at least a portion of the oil. The system is useful in a variety of applications, including cleaning (particularly metal cleaning), polymerization, extraction, coating, and particle formation and treatment.

Carbon dioxide cleaning and separation systems

Detergent injection systems for carbon dioxide cleaning apparatus

A method of fluorinating a substance comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising a liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide reaction medium, a first reactant, and a second reactant, wherein the first reactant is a fluorinating reagent, and then contacting the first reactant and the second reactant in the carbon dioxide such that the first reactant fluorinates the second reactant.

Fluorination in liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide

A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity. A drive mechanism is included to rotate the basket about the axis. A door is hingeably connected to the body member, with the door having front wall and side walls, and with the side walls terminating in an inner edge portion configured to abut said body member edge portion. The door inner edge portion and the body member edge portion comprise a seal for sealing the door and body member to form an enclosed pressure vessel. A lock mechanism is connected to the body member and configured to sealably connect the body member outer edge portion with the door inner edge portion when the door is in a closed position. A plug is connected to the door, the plug having a surface portion configured to abut the basket front opening when the door is closed, yet permitting rotation of the basket within the body member while preventing items within the said basket from escaping during rotation of said basket. Methods and systems employing the tank are also disclosed.

Cleaning apparatus

Deposition methods utilizing carbon dioxide separation systems

A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.

Surface treatment

The present invention provides a dry cleaning process that facilitates distribution of detergent and solvent and (optionally) facilitates recovery of cleaning by-products in conjunction with the cleaning of articles at a dry cleaning facility. The process comprises the steps of: (a) receiving from a source a dry cleaning solvent at the dry cleaning facility, the solvent consisting essentially of carbon dioxide; (b) receiving a concentrated detergent formulation (preferably a liquid formulation) at the cleaning facility; (c) accepting from customers soiled articles to be cleaned at the cleaning facility; (d) mixing the dry cleaning solvent and the concentrated detergent formulation to provide a dry cleaning formulation comprised of from 30 or 40 to 99 percent by weight of carbon dioxide solvent; (e) cleaning the articles in a cleaning apparatus to produce cleaned articles; (f) at least periodically distilling the dry cleaning formulation to produce a still residue comprising surfactant and soil; and then (g) returning the cleaned articles to the customers. Optionally but preferably, the process further comprises the step of: (h) returning the still residue to a waste collector or reprocessor for suitable disposal.

Methods for carbon dioxide dry cleaning with integrated distribution

A method for dry-cleaning garments or fabrics in carbon dioxide comprises contacting a garment or fabric article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the article, said liquid dry-cleaning composition comprising a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, a first surfactant, and a second surfactant, and then separating the article from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The first surfactant comprises a CO,-philic group covalently joined to a hydrophilic group; and the second surfactant comprising a CO,-philic group covalently joined to a lipophilic group. In the alternative, a single surfactant containing all three of a CO,-philic group, a lipophilic group, and a hydrophilic group covalently joined to one another may also be employed. Systems useful for carrying out the foregoing are also disclosed.

Combination surfactant systems for use in carbon dioxide-based cleaning formulations

A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being one which binds to the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.

Surface treatment of substrates with compounds that bind thereto

Method of impregnating a porous polymer substrate

A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, a surfactant, and an organic co-solvent. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature. The surfactant is preferably one that does not contain a CO,-philic group. The organic co-solvent is preferably an alkane and has a flash point above 140&deg; F.

Dry cleaning methods and compositions

The present invention provides a dry cleaning process that facilitates distribution of detergent and solvent and (optionally) facilitates recovery of cleaning by-products in conjunction with the cleaning of articles at a dry cleaning facility. The proces comprises the steps of: (a) receiving from a source a dry cleaning solvent at the dry cleaning facility, the solvent consisting essentially of carbon dioxide; (b) receiving a concentrated detergent formulation (preferably a liquid formulation) at the cleaning facility; (c) accepting from customers soiled articles to be cleaned at the cleaning facility; (d) mixing the dry cleaning solvent and the concentrated detergent formulation to provide a dry cleaning formulation comprised of from 30 or 40 to 99 percent by weight of carbon dioxide solvent; (e) cleaning the articles in a cleaning apparatus to produce cleaned articles; (f) at least periodically distilling the dry cleaning formulation to produce a still residue comprising surfactant and soil; and then (g) returning the cleaned articles to the customers. Optionally but preferably, the process further comprises the step of: (h) returning the still residue to a waste collector or reprocessor for suitable disposal.

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

Timothy J Romack