Ozone Laundry Systems

Abstract

Ozone laundry systems are disclosed. In one system, a tunnel washer system generates ozone and dissolves the ozone in water at various stages of the tunnel washer, such as with a Venturi injector. The ozonated water may be stored and recirculated/re-ozonated to ensure that a desired level of dissolved ozone is present in any water delivered to the various zones of the tunnel washer. The ozonated water provides maximum cleaning efficiency and effectiveness at cooler water temperatures, saving water and energy costs. In some systems, controlled safe application of gaseous and/or dissolved ozone may be made to laundry in a washer. Ozone levels may be monitored and precisely controlled. The application of ozone using some embodiments allows the ozone to treat materials and articles of clothing such as jeans to achieve a desired look and feel, such as an appearance of having been worn.

1 . A tunnel washer comprising:
 a plurality of zones for washing laundry in a continuous fashion;   a first ozone injection point, a second ozone injection point, and a third ozone injection point, wherein each of the ozone injection points is located at a different zone of the plurality of zones and wherein each of the ozone injection points comprises:
 a water inlet; 
 a water outlet to the zone of the tunnel washer; and 
 a circulating water loop connecting the water inlet and the water outlet, wherein the circulating water loop comprises a water storage tank and a Venturi injector for dissolving ozone in the water; and 
   an ozone generator receiving oxygen and delivering ozone to the Venturi injectors.   
   
   
       2 . The tunnel washer of  claim 1  wherein each ozone injection point further comprises an ozone destruct unit that removes excess un-dissolved ozone and converts it to oxygen. 
   
   
       3 . The tunnel washer of  claim 1  wherein the first ozone injection point is at a pre-wash zone, the second ozone injection point is at a wash zone, and the third ozone injection point is at a rinse zone. 
   
   
       4 . The tunnel washer of  claim 3  wherein the water inlet of the third ozone injection point receives water recycled from the end of the rinse zone. 
   
   
       5 . The tunnel washer of  claim 4  wherein the third ozone injection point comprises a storage tank and a tank top drain line for returning any foam to the tunnel washer. 
   
   
       6 . The tunnel washer of  claim 3  wherein the water inlet of the second ozone injection point receives water recycled from the beginning of the rinse zone that has passed through the rinse zone. 
   
   
       7 . The tunnel washer of  claim 1  further comprising monitors that monitor the pH and dissolved ozone concentration of the water in the circulating water loop. 
   
   
       8 . The tunnel washer of  claim 1  further comprising means for controlling the climate and for cooling the tunnel washer so that ozone may be generated and will dissolve and remain dissolved in the water. 
   
   
       9 . The tunnel washer of  claim 8  wherein the means for controlling the climate and for cooling the tunnel washer comprises a structure enclosing the tunnel washer and an air cooling unit. 
   
   
       10 . The tunnel washer of  claim 1  further comprising an oxygen concentrator. 
   
   
       11 . The tunnel washer of  claim 1  wherein the water delivered to the tunnel washer has ozone concentrations of between 0.50 parts per million (ppm) and 1.50 ppm. 
   
   
       12 . A system for the application of gaseous ozone to fabric materials comprising:
 a washer;   an ozone generator connected to the washer by an ozone feed line;   an ozone destruct unit connected to the washer by an ozone exhaust line;   a means for generating a negative air pressure connected to the ozone destruct unit so as to draw ozonated air from the ozone generator through the ozone feed line to the washer, and through the washer and the ozone exhaust line to the ozone destruct unit; and   an oxygen source feeding oxygen to the ozone generator.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the means for generating a negative air pressure comprises a blower. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the means for generating a negative air pressure comprises a vacuum pump. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of washers connected to the ozone feed line and the ozone exhaust line, wherein a plurality of valves control the application of the negative air pressure and the ozonated air to the plurality of washers. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the ozonated air has an ozone concentration between 10,000 and 20,000 parts per million. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the ozone is applied to clothing in the washer to create a worn look for the clothing. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the oxygen source is an oxygen concentrator. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a system for providing ozonated water to the washer comprising:
 an ozone generator;   a circulating path of water including a water storage tank connected to the washer; and   a Venturi injector on the circulating water path, wherein the Venturi injector is connected to the ozone generator and receives ozone from the ozone generator and dissolves the ozone in the circulating water.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a control system monitoring and controlling the amount of ozone in the washer.