Patent ID: 6212916
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: D06L

Abstract:
A dry-cleaning system for cleaning articles comprising:first and second storage tanks for storing carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2);a cleaning chamber having jet ports;a compressor for establishing a pressure differential between said first and second storage tanks to transport a predetermined amount of liquid CO.sub.2 between said first and second storage tanks via said jet ports and through said cleaning chamber, to provide jet agitation in said cleaning chamber;a refrigeration system disposed in selective fluid communication with said cleaning chamber and said first and second storage tanks for cooling fluid CO.sub.2 prior to introduction of said fluid CO.sub.2 into one of said first and second storage tanks; anda heat exchange module disposed in selective fluid communication with said cleaning chamber, said first and second storage tanks, and said refrigeration system for selectively cooling gaseous CO.sub.2 flowing between said cleaning chamber and said refrigeration system and for warming gaseous CO.sub.2 from said cleaning vessel prior to reintroduction of said warmed gaseous CO.sub.2 into said cleaning vessel.