METHOD OF RECUPERATION OF SOLVENTS IN CHEMICAL CLEANING MACHINES

A process for recuperation of organic solvents in dry-cleaning machines comprising circulation of air first through a cleaning drum of a machine containing textile articles treated with an organic solvent and squeezed, a filter, an air cooler and a heater, and then through a cleaning drum with the articles, filter, air cooler and an absorber. The circulated air recovers the solvent from the articles which solvent is first condensed in the air cooler and then adsorbed in the adsorber. Simultaneously with circulation of air through the cleaning drum, filter, air cooler and heater effected first is desorption of the solvent adsorbed in the previous process cycle of the dry-cleaning machine operation from the adsorbent by means of steam which together with vapors of the desorbed solvent is condensed in the heater, followed by the removal, from the adsorber to the heater, of the remaining steam and its condensate due to the pressure drop in the adsorber-heater system by means of compressed air. The air circulated through the cleaning drum, filter, air cooler and heater is heated by the heat evolved during condensation of the steam and vapors of the desorbed solvent.