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Washing machine uses plastic beads instead of water, reduces electricity by 47%
Electronic Products ^ | 02/26/2014 | Jeffrey Bausch

Posted on 03/03/2014 9:33:33 AM PST by null and void

Today’s washing machines are considerably more economical than in years past, especially when it comes to the amount of electricity and water it takes for them to run. But for all the advancements made thus far, none have offered the efficiency of the new Xeros washing machine. 

Xenos washing machine 

Developed by Stephen Burkinshaw at the University of Leeds, this particular machine uses specially formulated nylon polymer beads in place of gallons of water. 

Beads for Xenon washing machine 

The beads are tasked with sucking away dirt and grease from the user’s clothing, and can be used up to 100 times (estimated to be six months of use) before needing to be replaced. That’s a small expense when considering that by reducing the amount of water used, the machine needs much less power in order to run — 47% less electricity to be exact. 

Water going in washing machine 

The new Xeros washing machine looks like a standard front-load machine. It requires a small cup of water, along with a tiny amount of detergent, per load, thereby reducing total water usage by 72% (when compared to water required for today’s washing machines).

The beads are released once the washing cycle has started, whereupon their unique polarization helps loosen stains without hot water; the stains are then removed by the machine’s dual drum system.

One question about this technology is what does one do with the beads once they need to be replaced? Xeros insists they’ll be recycled, but it’s up to the customer to contact the company and make sure they’re disposed of properly.

Despite this minor hurdle, Xeros has already earned accolades for this technology, including a spot on the WWF’s list of Green Game-Changers. The washing machines are available for purchase by businesses in the U.K. and North America, and Xeros plans on expanding into the residential market in approximately two years.

Story via xeroscleaning.com


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: plasticbeads; washer; washingmachine
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To: lesko

If only one cup of water is used to wash clothes, then I don’t think one has to worry about drying time.

How do these beads differentiate between dirt and laundry detergent?


41 posted on 03/03/2014 11:47:14 AM PST by 1_Rain_Drop
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To: null and void

Just what every housewife wants, a washer the size
of a garage.


42 posted on 03/03/2014 11:50:54 AM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: null and void

43 posted on 03/03/2014 11:56:24 AM PST by JoeProBono (SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED;-{)
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To: All


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44 posted on 03/03/2014 11:57:49 AM PST by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
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To: tet68

...And tiny beads of “proprietary polymers” that the “proprietary process” failed to flush out, hiding in the folds of seams, pockets, and cuffs that melt when ironed. Not to mention the jockies.


45 posted on 03/03/2014 11:58:11 AM PST by Covenantor ("Men are ruled...by liars who refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern." Chesterton)
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To: null and void
...what does one do with the beads once they need to be replaced? Xeros insists they’ll be recycled...


46 posted on 03/03/2014 12:07:51 PM PST by william clark (Ecclesiastes 10:2)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

my backyard clothesline uses zero energy (produces zero emmissions - LOL) and cost about $3 fifteen years ago /sarc


47 posted on 03/03/2014 12:23:30 PM PST by Wuli
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To: minnesota_bound

You think lint is a problem just pull your pockets out in the future and watch the beads fill out and roll around on the floor.


It could work for towels.

Imagine the pleasure of using hotel towels that have been “cleaned” with this process.


48 posted on 03/03/2014 12:28:48 PM PST by Atlas Sneezed ("Income Inequality?" Let's start with Washington DC vs. the rest of the nation!)
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To: null and void
Yeah, these new washers are more economical (though I haven't noticed in either my electricity or water bills), but they suck at getting your clothes clean.

Who knew washing a load of clothes in a cup and a half of water wouldn't work?

49 posted on 03/03/2014 12:34:55 PM PST by Trailerpark Badass (There should be a whole lot more going on than throwing bleach, said one woman.)
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To: dhs12345

Agree. The problem is when you go below the temp threshold and the resistance electric kicks in. (unless you have cheap juice - which Obama is working hard to eliminate)


50 posted on 03/03/2014 1:46:59 PM PST by nascarnation (I'm hiring Jack Palladino to investigate Baraq's golf scores.)
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To: dhs12345

I live in Phoenix, and a heat pump works fine for all my climate control needs, even in summer when I need it cooled by >40 degrees. My brother lives in HI, and he doesn’t have any kind of heater/cooler in his $1M house.

A heat pump is an amazing concept. With the control valve facing one way, you have standard A/C evaporator/condenser and flip it the other way, the evaporator and condenser switch functions, thus turning an A/C into a furnace.


51 posted on 03/03/2014 1:58:07 PM PST by Cyber Liberty (H.L. Mencken: "The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.")
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To: nascarnation
Yup. And it is going to get more expensive. A lot more.

I was discussing our energy policy with some pro-electric car people and our acrimony towards of any form of energy that might even have a chance at powering their electric car.

We basically have NO plan and only a bunch of feel good statements. And no, wind and solar are not going to power a million electric cars.

52 posted on 03/03/2014 2:01:31 PM PST by dhs12345
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To: dhs12345

We bought our first washer and dryer at a garage sale. The dryer squeaked and we paid $75 for it. A $2 takeup reel fixed it. The washer leaked and they threw it in for free. That cost $19 to repair. Myself.

They lasted at least ten years. Been through 3 washers since then in 15 years.


53 posted on 03/03/2014 2:04:26 PM PST by cyclotic (Hey BSA-I'm gone. Walk Worthy-traillifeusa.com)
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To: cyclotic
Yup. We consumers are getting ripped off.

If you are old enough you probably remember the Maytag repairman advertisement. We owned a Maytag dishwasher — it broke down on us several times. We kept the repairmen busy and well paid.

We finally dumped it and bought a Bosh. Figured that we'd buy foreign until American companies got their act together and stopped ripping Americans off. The Bosh was more expensive but we figured it was investment. Especially if lasts 20 years. Plus they threw in a free Tassimo coffee maker. :)

So far, the Bosh is doing really well. We have owned it for four years. The Maytag POS started giving us problems right after the first year.

54 posted on 03/04/2014 10:17:09 AM PST by dhs12345
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To: Cyber Liberty

Yup. The Carnot cycle. Pretty cool (pun intended) how nature works.


55 posted on 03/04/2014 10:20:44 AM PST by dhs12345
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