A Layman's Guide : Wet Cleaning of Industrial Parts

Chemistry of Wet Cleaning

The washing of Small Industrial Parts and Components is carried after an assessment of the safest process that can be employed. The factors that determine the decision also takes into consideration effect of water , detergent, oil, or solvent on the component.

Types of Media Used for Cleaning

Though water is the safest and most reliable media for cleaning, it effects some metals. Another factor could be that certain contaminants are not removed by water and may require special process or attention. The choices of available media are:

·                     Water: Cold, Warm or Steam.

·                     Solvents: Hydrocarbons or Fluorocarbons.

·                     Air: Gasses like CO2.

·                     Chemicals: Alkaline or Acidic.

·                     Energy: Radiation, Laser or Plasma.

The first question is whether or not to use water? Can it achieve the cleanliness by air blowing?

It's only when the answer to both the questions is a resounding NO, does one proceed further.

Cleaning in air can be achieved for materials that have less degree of dirt or have such surfaces and contaminants that can be easily blown off. In such cases, contaminants also can be blown away or wiped off using steam.

Processes used in Wet Cleaning

For cleaning with water, chemicals and solvents some of the popular processes are:

1.    Rinse : Room Temperature, Hot or Cold 

2.    Power Wash: Using water and detergent under high pressure in closed compartments made of MS or sheet metals cabinets. 

3.    Bubbler or Gas Rinse: Forcing air through the liquid media to pass through the parts. Sometime Co2 is also used. 

4.    Rotational: Movement by Rotation, Pivoting or Oscillation etc. 

5.    Ultrasonic: The technologies include Acoustic and Resonance.

6.    Megasonic: High Frequency Ultrasonic.

7.    Turbulator: The water is made to churn within the Tank like that of a Home Washing Machine. 

8.    Sprinkler: Like a shower 

9.    Spraying: Using a Nozzle jet that can force water , solvent or Oil out with force.

10.  Hydroson: A technology that combines water and Ultrasound.

11.  Dunking: The component is pulled out of the Media and dumped back.

12.  Liquid Co2: High pressure Co2 is used as a blasting media

Equipment used in Parts Cleaning:

The different type of equipment used depends on the complexity of the ideal washing process.
Most popular systems include:

1.    High pressure Water jets

2.    Sand Blast Systems

3.    Glass Blasting Systems.

4.    Ultrasonic Cleaner

5.    Megasonic Cleaners

6.    Oil Tanks.

7.    Compressed Co2 Systems.

8.    Laser Ablation.

9.    Chemical Scouring Agents

We will discuss each of the above mentioned processes in the next few posts.