PLASMA ACTIVATED WATER FOR DISINFECTING HOME APPLIANCES AND BLEACHING

Abstract

A home appliance having a water cycle, in particular a dishwasher, a washing machine or a dryer, wherein a plasma generator for generating a cold atmospheric pressure plasma is integrated into the water cycle so that it can activate water circulating in the home appliance. Moreover, a home appliance comprising a plasma generator, which generates active species having a bleaching activity in the water circulating in the home appliance. Also provided is a process for operating a home appliance having a water cycle, wherein plasma activated water is generated and circulated in the home appliance and the use of a plasma generator to generate active species having a bleaching activity in the water circulating in a home appliance.

Claims

1. A home appliance configured to run a water cycle, the home appliance comprising: a plasma generator configured to generate a cold atmospheric pressure plasma integrated into the water cycle to plasma activate water circulating in the home appliance, wherein the plasma generator is provided with a chlorine source to generate active chlorine species having a bleaching activity in the water circulating in the home appliance.

2. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the chlorine source is brine.

3. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator is integrated at a sucking nozzle or a pressure outlet of a circulation pump.

4. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator is integrated into a fresh water supply line.

5. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator is integrated into a supply line of a reservoir for fresh and/or washing water.

6. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator is integrated at an inlet site of a steam generating line.

7. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator is integrated downstream of a water leakage safety system of a water supply pocket.

8. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator is integrated downstream at an outlet of a water softener.

9. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator is integrated in a metering unit.

10. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator is integrated in a separated line of a water switch.

11. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator is visible to a user from outside of the home appliance.

12. A process of operating a home appliance having a water cycle according to claim 1, comprising: generating and circulating, in the water cycle, plasma activated water containing: active oxygen species having a bleaching activity and active chlorine species having a bleaching activity.

13. The process according to claim 12, wherein generating and circulating, in the water cycle, plasma activated water occurs when fresh water is circulated through the home appliance and the home appliance is not loaded with washing or drying goods.

14. A method comprising using a plasma generator provided with a chlorine source to generate active oxygen species having a bleaching activity, and to generate active chlorine species having a bleaching activity, in water circulating in a home appliance.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the active oxygen species having the bleaching activity is hydrogen peroxide, and wherein the active chlorine species having the bleaching activity is hypochlorite.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the home appliance is a dishwasher or a washing machine.

17. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the home appliance is a dishwasher, a washing machine or a dryer.

18. The home appliance according to claim 1, wherein the active chlorine species is or comprises hypochlorite.

19. The home appliance according to claim 8, wherein the water softener comprises a brine tank, and wherein the plasma generator is configured to generate active chlorine species from the brine.

20. The process according to claim 12, wherein the active oxygen species having the bleaching activity is hydrogen peroxide, and wherein the active chlorine species having the bleaching activity is hypochlorite.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] The foregoing and other features and advantages will become more evident from the following detailed description of illustrative and non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the plasma reactants formed in the gas phase and dissolved in water at an interface between the plasma and water.

[0066] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the water cycle of a dishwasher, wherein a plasma generator is integrated at the sucking nozzle and/or the pressure outlet of the circulation pump.

[0067] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the water cycle of a dishwasher, wherein a plasma generator is integrated at the fresh water supply line, which is also the supply line of a reservoir for fresh and/or washing water.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the water cycle of a dishwasher, wherein a plasma generator is integrated into the line supplying a spray arm group with water.

[0069] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a metering unit, into which a plasma generator is integrated.

[0070] FIG. 6 shows a window in the front door of a dishwasher, which allows a user to observe the operation of the plasma generator.

[0071] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of the front door of a dishwasher seen from the side, having a plasma generator integrated so that a user can observe the operation of the plasma generator though the window.

[0072] FIG. 8 shows a window in the front door of a washing machine, which allows a user to observe the operation of the plasma generator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the water cycle of a dishwasher 1. Fresh water is supplied to the dishwasher through an inlet valve 4, which is followed by a security air gap 5 and enters the reservoir for incoming water 3 via the supply line 6. Ventilation line 7 allows air to enter the reservoir 3. From the reservoir, the water passes through an entering water switch 13 and is either directed to the waste water pump 8 or to the circulation pump 14. A plasma generator 16 is integrated either at the sucking nozzle or the pressure outlet of the circulation pump 14. This arrangement allows to generate active species in the water being pumped through the water cycle and thereby continuously distributing them over the water cycle. The rotation speed of the pump can be adjusted to the volume flow rate according to the reaction rate of the plasma generator to optimize the performance. The plasma activated water is pumped into the heater 15 and enters the supply lines supplying the spray arm groups 10, 11 via the circulation water switch 9, which distribute it over the internal space of the dishwasher. The water is then collected in the sump 2, passed again through the water switch 13 to be either re-fed to the water cycle or disposed via the waste water pump 8 to the waste water line 12.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 3, the plasma generator is integrated into the fresh water supply line 6. This arrangement allows the water to be decontaminated before it enters the water cycle of the home appliance and prevent growth of biomass.

[0075] In the schematic representation of FIG. 4, the plasma generator is integrated into the line supplying spray arm group 10 with water. Spray arm group 10 may then function as a decontamination unit. When water is supplied to the spray arm group 10 and the plasma generator is operated, plasma activated water is sprayed and distributed efficiently into the internal space of the home appliance via the spray arm group. Since the water is activated just before spraying, it still comprises a high concentration of active species.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0076] 1 dishwasher [0077] 2 sump [0078] 3 reservoir for incoming water [0079] 4 inlet valve [0080] 5 security air gap [0081] 6 fresh water supply line [0082] 7 ventilation line [0083] 8 waste water pump [0084] 9 circulation water switch [0085] 10 spray arm group 1 [0086] 11 spray arm group 2 [0087] 12 waste water line [0088] 13 entering water switch [0089] 14 circulation pump [0090] 15 heater [0091] 16 plasma generator