The preceding post defined two dimensions of concern when considering cleaning orifices. Before moving on, let’s now consider how the various types of contamination that might be found in an orifice and how each affects the cleaning task. Liquids – Liquids are common contaminants in orifices. Liquid contamination can result from manufacturing operations but also … Continued
Water is often referred to as the “universal solvent.” Yet, as we all know, its hard to get grime off of your hands clean without using some soap! Water, however, is an attractive “solvent” as it is plentiful, relatively cheap and safe. The problem is that water just isn’t good at getting things clean all by … Continued
Acidic cleaning chemistries were discussed in a preceding blog. Now let’s talk about the second of the three classifications of chemistry we defined – caustics. Caustics are materials that are basic as opposed to acidic in nature. The use of caustics for cleaning, especially for removing oils and greases, can be traced to the ancients. … Continued
Preceding blogs have discussed acidic and caustic based cleaning chemistry. There are also chemistries, however, which are neither acidic or caustic but, rather, rely on other more mechanical than chemical mechanisms to affect cleaning. In a capsule, these mechanisms are wetting and emulsification. The reader should recognize that ingredients that promote these removal mechanisms are frequently … Continued
If you have deduced from the preceeding few blogs that heat is one of the major factors in drying, you are right. But before we talk more about heat, let’s “set the stage.” Heat is that stuff that increases temperature of a substance when added and reduces temperature when absorbed. Temperature is the level of … Continued
Buffing compound is a material used in polishing operations which must be removed once polishing is complete. Buffing compound consists of a finely divided abrasive mixed with a “vehicle” which is often a paraffin or, in some cases, animal fat and other “fats” depending on their price and availability in a particular region of the world. The “vehicle” … Continued
With this post, I have reached 200 in what may be an infinite series of blogs. So far, it has been a very interesting adventure – not only because I’ve been able to share a lot of information with you people who read this blog but because I’ve learned as well. Having been in the … Continued
We all know that an ounce is a unit of weight, right? There are 16 ounces in a pound, 2,000 pounds in a ton and so on. However, in another convention, there are 8 ounces in a cup, 16 ounces in a pint, 32 ounces in a quart, 128 ounces in gallon, etc. In fact, … Continued
The chemistries used in industrial cleaning processes are predominantly either dry (granular or powder) or liquid. Dry chemistries cover a wide range of density and flow characteristics. In fact, two batches of the “same” dry chemistry may have considerably different properties. Each liquid product has its own specific gravity and viscosity characteristics but may also vary in other … Continued
As I said earlier, the cleaning equipment itself is often not the source of what is perceived to be a “cleaning” problem. It is understandable, however, that blame often falls on the cleaning process as it is during the cleaning process that the problem often first manifests itself. Once a problem is detected, the solution … Continued