A previous blog explored some potentially useful properties of resonance. The fact that resonance has the power to convert sound wave pressure into mechanical motion can be very useful. On the other hand, however, the fact that it takes so little effort delivered at the proper frequency to excite resonance also has its “down” side. … Continued
The illustration initially posted in the blog for November 2, 2011 was incorrect. The acceleration curve had the wrong sign. The post has been corrected accordingly. I regret any confusion this error on my part may have caused. – FJF –
A dedicated reader has requested that the blog address rinsing in more detail. Rinsing ranks high on the list of process steps that are often not given their due attention in the specification of an overall cleaning process. Many specifications just say “rinse” and nothing more. In fact, rinsing is a secondary cleaning step intended to remove residuals left … Continued
In the period immediately following the signing of the Montreal Protocol, virtually every manufacturing facility using solvents for cleaning was faced a critical decision. The three basic options were – Discontinue unnecessary cleaning operations altogether. Upgrade or replace existing solvent-based cleaning systems to reduce solvent emissions. Switch to cleaning using water-based chemistry. Surprisingly, the first option, eliminating … Continued
From time to time here on the blog I will try to include some applications notes targeting specific cleaning applications and giving you a taste of the successes and challenges faced in each. Although you may not have a need for the specific information presented, you may, as cleaning technologists, find it interesting what other … Continued
Previous blogs discussed the demise of solvents after the Montreal Protocol. Today, in the US at least, solvents are coming back prompting the reader to ask, “What Has Changed.” First of all, there was never any real argument that solvents did, and still do, a good job of cleaning in many, many applications! Are there aqueous and other alternatives … Continued
I thought that title might get your attention! Actually, this blog is about “stuff” including, literally, “rocks” that can be found in many water supplies both municipal and otherwise. It is important to differentiate between things that are dissolved in water that leave “rocks” behind when the water evaporates and things that are in the … Continued
Any discussion of water quality and the purification of water will eventually gravitate to a discussion of ions. Adding ions and/or removing ions using what is called an ion exchange process is a big and essential part of most water treatment. Let’s take a few minutes to understand basically what these important things called ions are … Continued
Valves that control the flow of a liquid or gas are an obviously important part of any cleaning system. What isn’t so obvious is the sheer number of valves that are involved and that the selection of the correct valve for a particular purpose is a little more complex than one would think. In simple terms, a … Continued
The word “passivation” is one that is thrown around quite a bit in the metal finishing and cleaning world and seems to have a world of different meanings to different people. Although the word passivation is normally associated with stainless steel, there are several other metals that can be “passivated” in one way or another. … Continued