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CO2 CLEANING
PROCESS FACT SHEET
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What is the Carbon Dioxide Cleaning Process?
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How does the cleaning performance compare with Perc?
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How difficult is the process to operate and learn?
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Are there certain fabrics that cannot be run in the CO2
Cleaning process?
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Is wrinkling a problem with the CO2 Cleaning process?
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Is pre-spotting required with the CO2 Cleaning process?
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Can leathers and furs be cleaned in the CO2 Cleaning process?
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Is there a problem with sequins, beads, or buttons?
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Can I use standard detergents with my machine?
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Are there any safety concerns with high pressure?
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What is Carbon Dioxide (CO2), exactly? Are we going to have
hazardous material problems with this in the future?
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Who will supply me with CO2 Fluid?
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Who would service the machine?
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What is the warranty on the machine?
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How do the garments smell after cleaning with carbon dioxide
Fluid?
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Whom should I call if I have any other questions regarding
CO2 cleaning?
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What is the CO2
Cleaning Process?
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The CO2 Cleaning
Process is a carbon dioxide-based garment cleaning process that has been
developed for use by commercial and retail dry cleaners. Carbon dioxide
is a non-flammable, non-toxic, naturally occurring gas that, when
subjected to pressure, becomes a liquid and is a very effective
solvent. Since the solvent is recognized as being environmentally
friendly, it is not subject to any environmental regulations or
liability potential from soil or groundwater contamination.
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How does the
cleaning performance compare with Perc?
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Tests run by independent
agencies have shown the cleaning performance of CO2 (Cleaning Process)
with detergents to be equivalent to the cleaning performance of Perc
with detergents. The only stains that showed a slight difference in
cleaning performance were dirty motor oil and lipstick. However, these
stains could be pre-spotted or post-spotted for complete stain removal.
We would also like to point out that the detergent development for CO2
is in the beginning phases and as development continues cleaning
performance will improve.
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How difficult is
the process to operate and learn?
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The process is very
simple to use and learn. Like a conventional process, this one uses a
cleaning chamber, circulation loop, filtration, lint trap, distillation,
and storage. The difference is that the equipment and chemistry is
specially developed to house the pressure and interact with carbon
dioxide. The gentle nature of cleaning also minimizes risk of garment
damage and thus training is easier than for a conventional system.
Training will be provided to all users at installation.
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Are there certain
fabrics that cannot be run in the CO2 Cleaning process?
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All fabrics can be run
in the CO2 process. You don't even have to sort colors any more because
of the low 55 degree cleaning temperature. This low operating
temperature also eliminates the risk of heat-setting stains.
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Is wrinkling a
problem with the CO2 Cleaning process
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In general
wrinkling is no worse than with a standard Perc or Petroleum process
and there is much less wrinkling than with a wet cleaning process. As
with other cleaning methods, acetates do tend to wrinkle a little more
in the CO2 process, but because of the low operating temperature, these
wrinkles are not heat set into the material and can usually be relaxed
with steam before pressing. The finishing time with acetates can be a
little longer than with conventional cleaning processes, but this time
is generally offset by the other advantages to the CO2 cleaning
process.
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Is pre-spotting
required with the CO2 Cleaning process?
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A number of pre-spotters
have been developed for the CO2 cleaning process. In practice, it has
been found that some pre-spotting is necessary. Because of the low
operating temperature, stains are not set into the material, and those
stains that don't come out during the cleaning process can be removed
with a steam gun, or traditional post-spotting methods.
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Can leathers and furs be cleaned in the CO2 Cleaning process?
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Yes. Both leathers and
furs have been cleaned in the CO2 process up to 30 times with no
deterioration to either type of garment.
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Is there a
problem with sequins, beads, or buttons?
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We have seen no
problems with any types of sequins, beads, or buttons. Unlike Perc, CO2
does not melt glues or damage shell type buttons.
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Can I use
standard detergents with my machine?
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No. Special detergents
have been formulated for the CO2 process. These detergents are
currently available in the United States through Caled Chemical and
the Laidlaw Corporation. Many other companies are also developing
detergents for CO2.
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Are there any
safety concerns with high pressure?
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Every component on
our CO2 machine, which is subjected to pressure, is built to the most
stringent pressure vessel codes available. The storage tanks are tested
and lifetime certified by A.S.M.E (American Society of Mechanical
Engineers). They are designed for a long life of worry-free operation.
Many common items (i.e. scuba tanks and restaurant tanks) operate at
higher pressures and have been used safely for many years. As long as
these devices are treated properly, there is no need to fear the
operating pressures.
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What is Carbon Dioxide (CO2),
exactly? Are we going to have hazardous material problems with this in
the future?
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Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that is found naturally in our
atmosphere. Though it is present in relatively small quantities (about
0.03% by volume), it is one of the most important gases we know of. It
is important because it is part of the basic life cycle in nature.
Humans and animals give off CO2 which is used by plants to help them
grow. Plants, in turn, release Oxygen, upon which we depend for
survival. Equally important are carbon dioxide's wide range of chemical
and physical properties that make it a key part of countless industrial
applications – in gaseous, liquid and solid forms. CO2 as a gas:
The commercial production of carbon dioxide begins with CO2 in a
gaseous state. CO2 gas is inert, a property that makes it extremely
useful for such applications as purging flammable vapors from tanks and
pipelines. It also provides a shielding atmosphere around flammable
materials during welding as well as around perishable foods during
storage and transfer. CO2 is used for carbonation of soft drinks and
beer and to reduce the alkalinity of treated water. CO2 as a liquid:
Liquid CO2 is produced by cooling and compressing carbon dioxide gas
under pressure. The liquid produced in this process is a clear,
transparent fluid that flows readily at temperatures between +87.80F
and -69.90F (Liquid CO2 is normally delivered at 00F under 300 psi.)
Below -69.90F, liquid CO2 freezes to form solid carbon dioxide, more
commonly known as dry ice.
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Who will supply
me with CO2 Fluid?
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CO2 is readily
available worldwide through a number of suppliers. For the CO2 dry
cleaning market AGA/Linde Gas, one of the largest industrial gas
producers in the world, has developed a special system for the delivery
of a CO2 based dry cleaning fluid. In most cases, AGA/Linde will sell the CO2
through the same supplier that supplies perc and other supplies to you
now..
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Who would service
the machine?
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The machines
require very little maintenance since there are very few moving parts.
Because of this, we expect the life of a CO2 machine to be 30+ years.
The machines will be serviced through either existing dry cleaning
distributors, or through special dry cleaning machine repair organizations,
depending on the location. We are currently interviewing distributors
and have a network of service organizations throughout the country.
Once a machine is sold in a certain location, we will have a repair
organization in place to service that machine.
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What is the
warranty on the machine?
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The warranty
includes one year parts, three months labor and five years on the CO2
tank vacuum.
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How do the garments
smell after cleaning with carbon dioxide Fluid?
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The garments come
out with a very light, fresh fragrance from the CO2 Fluid and
detergents. The CO2 itself has essentially no odor and cannot be
detected on the clothing.
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Whom should I
call if I have any other questions regarding CO2 cleaning?
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(866) 262-9274
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COOL Clean Technologies, Inc.
The Environmentally Friendly Process Utilizing Liquid Carbon Dioxide
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