JP2002018372A - Cleaning method and cleaning equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning method and cleaning equipment by which oils and contaminants are surely removed from a work for a short time, the work is dried without causing any stain, and safety is also secured. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a first treating section 4 for degreasing an article to be cleaned with an aqueous cleaning solution, a second treating section 5 arranged adjacent to the first treating section 4 and rinsing the article in water, a third treating section 6 arranged adjacent to the second treating section 5, dewatering and substituting the water depositing on the article for hydrocarbon solution and a fourth treating section 7 arranged adjacent to the third treating section 6, cleaning the article with hydrocarbon vapor, then vaporizing the hydrocarbon solvent depositing on the article and drying the article.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to cleaning for simultaneously removing organic oils and fats such as cutting oil and rust preventive oil after cutting and polishing of machine and tool parts and removing inorganics such as facets and abrasive powder. The present invention relates to a method and a cleaning apparatus, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for cleaning and drying with a hydrocarbon cleaning agent under vacuum (reduced pressure) after aqueous cleaning.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, removal of organic oils and fats such as cutting oil and rust preventive oil after cutting and polishing of machines and tool parts, and removal of inorganics such as facets and polishing powders have been performed by using chlorofluorocarbon, trichloroethane, chloride, or the like. It has been carried out using solvents such as methylene and chlorofluorocarbons, but since these contain environmental destructive substances and carcinogenic substances, their use is being prohibited. Therefore, it is washed with a water-based cleaning agent, washed with pure water using ion exchange or the like, and thereafter, the workpiece (object to be cleaned) is heated with hot air at 120 to 180 ° C.
There was a method of drying.

Further, a cleaning method using a hydrocarbon solvent (HC solvent) such as kerosene as a substitute solvent for chlorofluorocarbons has been proposed. In this case, first, the opening and closing lid of the cleaning tank for storing the hydrocarbon-based solvent is opened and the work is immersed. Then, after the opening and closing lid is closed, the inside of the cleaning tank is decompressed to a vacuum state, and the ultrasonic vibration is applied. Ultrasonic vibration is applied to the work using a generator, and impurity oil such as machine oil adhering to the work is eluted into a hydrocarbon solvent to perform vacuum cleaning. Next, the opening and closing lid of the cleaning tank is opened, the work is taken out, and the work is dried by hot air drying.

[0004]

However, such washing and drying of the work has the following problems. (1) Since the work is hot-air dried, it is necessary to heat the work to 100 ° C. or more in the case of water and 160 ° C. or more in the case of a hydrocarbon solvent in order to completely dry the work. Even so, enormous energy is required for drying. In addition, the energy cannot be recovered, and if released to the atmosphere, it causes pollution and global warming.

(2) When the work is made of high carbon steel or special alloy steel, if the work is heated to 120 ° C. to 160 ° C. and dried, the work is oxidized and discolored, and the quality of the work cannot be improved. (3) Spots are generated in the drying process, making it impossible to degrease and clean deep holes (lubricating oil passage holes of cutting drills) and narrow gaps in the object to be cleaned. It was not possible to wash while standing. (4) In addition, in order to produce pure water to be supplied for washing after washing,
A pure water machine is required, and equipment costs, equipment locations, and running costs are incurred.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. Conventionally, water-based cleaning under atmospheric pressure has not been able to completely clean organic substances such as oils and fats. However, vacuum finishing cleaning is additionally performed. Therefore, it is intended to provide a method and apparatus capable of complete cleaning, and more specifically, after water-based cleaning, which can securely remove inorganic and organic dirt from a work in a short time, can be dried, and can ensure safety. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for cleaning and drying in a vacuum with a hydrocarbon cleaning agent.

[0007]

The present invention employs the following technical means to achieve the above object. That is, the cleaning method according to claim 1 includes a first processing step of degreasing the object to be cleaned with an aqueous cleaning liquid, a second processing step of rinsing the object to be cleaned after the first processing step with water, A third treatment step of removing water adhering to the object to be cleaned after completion of the second treatment step and replacing it with a hydrocarbon liquid, and applying a hydrocarbon-based vapor to the object to be cleaned after completion of the third treatment step. After the cleaning, a fourth processing step of evaporating a hydrocarbon solvent adhering to the object to be cleaned and drying the hydrocarbon solvent is performed.

By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to provide a cleaning method which is friendly to the global environment and does not generate steam (gas) which destroys the ozone layer. In addition, hydrocarbons (cleaning liquids) will not be regulated in the future (unless basic fuels such as gasoline and kerosene are regulated socially), so use inexpensive cleaning media with high market versatility. can do. Furthermore, the unit price per kg of hydrocarbon liquid is
Since it is cheaper than the alternative CFC, the initial filling cost can be reduced.

In the present invention, it is recommended that the third processing step and the fourth processing step be performed in a reduced-pressure atmosphere by charging an object to be cleaned into a sealable cleaning / drying tank. ). By adopting such a configuration, the consumption of the hydrocarbon liquid can be suppressed to 1% or less as compared with the case of using a solvent such as alternative chlorofluorocarbon. Since the unit price per kg is lower than that of alternative CFCs, the annual running cost can be reduced.

In the third processing step, vacuum exhaustion (reduced pressure) makes it possible to degrease and clean deep holes (lubricating oil passage holes of a cutting drill) and narrow gaps in an object to be cleaned. It is also possible to perform cleaning with the objects to be cleaned superposed. Further, in the present invention, the third processing step can be performed under atmospheric pressure, and the fourth processing step can be performed in a vacuum atmosphere by charging the object to be processed into a sealable washing / drying tank. (Claim 3). It is recommended that an alkaline, neutral, acidic, etc. detergent is mixed in the aqueous cleaning solution in the first treatment step (claim 4).
It is recommended that the aqueous cleaning solution in the first processing step is heated to 80 ° C. or less (Claim 5).

As a result, the degreasing and cleaning effects can be promoted. Further, in the present invention, the first processing step and / or the second processing step are performed by charging an object to be cleaned into a tank, and the object to be cleaned in the tank is subjected to either ultrasonic vibration or vibration. It is recommended to provide one or both of them (claim 6). In the first and / or second treatments described above, a degreasing treatment is performed by ejecting an aqueous cleaning liquid to an object to be washed through a jet nozzle or the like, or rinsing is performed by ejecting water.
Although it is possible to perform the treatment, as described above, the first treatment step and / or the second treatment step is performed by charging the object to be cleaned into the tank, and the object to be cleaned in this tank is By applying one or both of the acoustic vibration and the vibration, the degreasing and cleaning effects can be improved, the rinsing effect (removal of the solvent) can be improved, and the cleanliness of the surface of the processing object can be improved.

Further, in the present invention, the first treatment step is performed by charging an object to be cleaned into each of a plurality of cleaning tanks storing an aqueous cleaning liquid and immersing the cleaning object in the liquid. It is recommended because the cleaning effect can be promoted (Claim 7). In the second treatment step, the object to be cleaned is charged into each of a plurality of water rinsing tanks in which water flows down in a multi-stage countercurrent system. Dipping in water is recommended because it can improve the rinsing effect and improve the cleanliness of the surface of the workpiece (claim 8). In the present invention, the hydrocarbon used in the third treatment step or the fourth treatment step in claims 1 to 3 described above may use an amphiphilic hydrocarbon detergent that is soluble in both water and oil. Recommended (claim 9).

That is, for example, a water-soluble cutting oil can be removed by the third treatment step. On the other hand, an alkaline or neutral cleaning agent can remove an oily oil but cannot remove a water-soluble cutting oil. By using an aqueous hydrocarbon detergent, both oil-based oil and water-soluble oil can be removed and washed. In this case, as the hydrocarbon detergent, isoprene-based glycol ether or surfactant. It is desirable that the solvent be a hydrocarbon detergent containing alcohol. Furthermore, in the present invention, the following technical means are taken as a cleaning apparatus for performing (executing) the cleaning method according to claims 1 to 10 described above.

That is, the cleaning apparatus according to claim 11 is
A first processing unit for degreasing the object to be cleaned with an aqueous cleaning liquid, a second processing unit for rinsing the object to be processed with water,
A third treatment section for removing water adhering to the object to be treated and replacing it with a hydrocarbon liquid; and a third step of performing steam cleaning with hydrocarbon-based steam, followed by evaporating a hydrocarbon solvent adhering to the object to be cleaned and drying. 4 processing unit, wherein the first processing unit may jet a water-based cleaning liquid or water with a jet nozzle or the like. It is recommended that each of the processing units 1 to 4 be constituted by a tank (claim 12).

Further, in the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, the third processing unit and the fourth processing unit are constituted by a sealable washing / drying tank, and the inside of the tank is evacuated (reduced pressure) to a vacuum atmosphere. It is recommended that means are provided (claim 13), and the third processing section is constituted by a cleaning / drying tank that can be opened to the atmosphere, and the fourth processing section is a sealing / cleaning tank that can be sealed. It is recommended that a drying tank be provided, and that the tank be provided with vacuum evacuation means for evacuating the tank to a vacuum atmosphere. Further, it is recommended that the first processing tank constituting the first processing section is provided with a heater means for heating the aqueous cleaning liquid contained therein (Claim 15). The second processing tank constituting the processing unit is provided with a plurality of tanks arranged in parallel, and it is desirable that water flows down to each tank in a multi-stage countercurrent system.
6) Further, one or both of ultrasonic vibration and vibration are applied to the objects to be cleaned in the first and second processing tanks constituting the first processing unit and the second processing unit. It is recommended that an ultrasonic vibration applying means and / or a vibration applying means be provided (claim 17).

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1 showing the overall configuration in a schematic elevation view and FIG. 2 in a schematic plan view, a cleaning apparatus 1 according to the present invention is provided between an inlet conveyor means 2 and an outlet conveyor means 3 with an aqueous cleaning liquid. A first processing unit 4 for degreasing a cleaning object (also referred to as a workpiece); a second processing unit 5 disposed adjacent to the first processing unit 4 for rinsing the cleaning object with water; (2) a third processing unit 6 disposed adjacent to the processing unit 5 for removing water adhering to the object to be treated and replacing the hydrocarbon liquid with the third processing unit 6; After the steam cleaning, the fourth processing unit 7 for evaporating the hydrocarbon solvent adhering to the object to be cleaned and drying is arranged in series in that order and arranged on the same plane (horizontal plane). ing.

The first processing section 4 includes a cleaning tank 4A having an upper opening,
The 4B tanks are configured in parallel.
An aqueous cleaning liquid 4C is stored, and by immersing the object to be cleaned in this liquid, dirt attached to the object to be cleaned can be degreased. Of course, the first processing unit 4 can use a single cleaning tank, and improve the degreasing / cleaning effect by using a multi-tank configuration of two or more tanks (three tanks, four tanks, etc.). Can be. In the first processing unit 4, degreasing / cleaning is performed by jetting a water-based cleaning liquid over the entire surface (the entirety) of the object to be cleaned without using a tank structure, for example, by a jet nozzle, a shower, a spray, or the like. It does not matter. According to this ejection (discharge, ejection), degreasing and cleaning can be performed with a fresh (new) liquid, and degreasing and cleaning of a lubricating oil passage hole and a narrow gap can be performed by the liquid ejection pressure.

However, by immersing the tank in a tank configuration as shown in the drawing, it is possible to advantageously reduce the amount of liquid used and recover the liquid, and to prevent the liquid from scattering. As the aqueous cleaning liquid, a mixed liquid in which an alkaline, neutral, acidic, etc. detergent is mixed with this liquid (water) can advantageously promote the degreasing / cleaning effect. However, the type of cleaning, the mixing ratio, and the like are determined (selected) according to the type, shape, size, and the like of the object to be cleaned. When the first processing unit 4 is configured as a tank, the aqueous cleaning solution is supplied at about 20 ° C. to 80 ° C. (80 ° C.).
The heater means 4D for heating (hereinafter, sometimes not attached) can be provided.
By heating the liquid to 80 ° C. or lower with D attached (provided), the degreasing / washing effect can be promoted.

Of course, when the liquid is ejected (discharged) by a jet nozzle or the like, it is possible to heat the liquid by providing a heater in the liquid supply path. Further, when the first processing unit 4 is configured as a tank, for example, an ultrasonic wave applying means 4F is attached to the bottom of the tanks 4A and 4B to apply ultrasonic waves to the object to be cleaned in the tank to degrease the object. -It is advantageous because the cleaning effect can be promoted. In addition, the first processing unit 4 is provided with an oscillating means 4G for oscillating the object to be cleaned, so
The cleaning effect can also be improved.

Either one or both of the ultrasonic wave applying means and the oscillating means can be attached, and, of course, there is a case where it is not attached. The second processing unit 5 includes the first processing unit 4
The object to be cleaned, which has been degreased and cleaned with an aqueous cleaning liquid, is subjected to a rinsing treatment with water. In the illustrated example, two rinsing tanks 5A and 5B having upper openings are arranged in parallel. In each of the tanks 5A and 5B, water is caused to flow down by a multi-stage countercurrent method, and the object to be cleaned is immersed in the flowing (flowing) water to perform a rinsing (rinsing) treatment.

Here, the multi-stage counter-flow system means that water flows down (flows) in the opposite direction (counter current) to the processing direction (transport direction) of the object to be cleaned. In the figure, the second rinsing tank 5B is used. And the water in the second rinse tank 5B is supplied to the first rinse tank 5A.
And drains the water from the first rinsing tank 5A. As the countercurrent means, an overflow method as shown in FIG. 6A, a head method as shown in FIG. This is advantageous because the head can be rinsed with water (fresh water) having a little higher freshness than the overflow system in the head system.

As the rinsing means in the second processing unit 5, a rinsing treatment is performed by jetting (discharging) water over the entire surface (entire) of the object to be cleaned by a jet nozzle, a shower, a spray, or the like. It does not matter. According to the ejection (discharge), the object to be cleaned can be rinsed with fresh (new) water, and the detergent or the like attached to the lubricating oil passage hole or the narrow gap can be rinsed (removed) by the ejection pressure of the water. . However, as shown in the drawing, the rinsing process in which the object to be cleaned is immersed in water stored in a tank (tank) configuration as shown in the figure is advantageous in terms of saving and recovering both water usage and water. Can also be prevented from scattering.

The rinsing treatment with water by the second treatment section 5 can be performed once (one step), but by performing multi-step treatment (three tanks, four tanks, etc.), the rinsing effect (detergent removal) can be achieved. Effect) can be improved, and the degree of cleaning of the surface of the object to be treated can be improved. In particular, a multi-stage countercurrent method is more advantageous. When the second processing unit 5 is configured as a tank, an ultrasonic wave applying means 5C is attached to the bottom of the rinsing tanks 5A and 5B to apply ultrasonic waves to the object to be cleaned in the tank, thereby providing a rinsing effect. Can be promoted.

In addition, the second processing section 5 is provided with a swinging means 5D for swinging the object to be cleaned in the tank, so that
The rinsing effect and the degree of surface cleaning can be improved. Either one or both of the ultrasonic wave applying means and the oscillating means can be attached, and, of course, there is a case where it is not attached. In the second processing section 5, a heater for heating the rinsing water may be provided. The third processing unit 6 is a unit that removes water adhering to the object to be cleaned and replaces it with a hydrocarbon liquid. The fourth processing unit 7 further performs steam cleaning on the object to be cleaned with hydrocarbon-based steam. Is a part to be dried by evaporating the hydrocarbon solvent attached to the object to be cleaned after the
The third processing section 6 and the fourth processing section 7 constitute a vacuum cleaning / drying apparatus 10, and the third processing section 6 can be performed under the atmospheric pressure, and therefore can be opened to the atmosphere. The fourth processing unit 7 includes a vacuum exhaust unit for performing processing in a vacuum atmosphere.

Here, it is desirable to use (mix) an amphiphilic hydrocarbon detergent soluble in both water and oil as the hydrocarbon (liquid). Specifically, isoprene-based glycol ether or surfactant -Hydrocarbon detergents containing alcohol can be mentioned. Next, with reference to the block diagrams shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a conceptual view of a vacuum cleaning / drying apparatus 10 including a third processing unit 6 and a fourth processing unit 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration will be described. As shown
A hydrocarbon solvent 12 for cleaning the workpiece 11 therein.
The washing tank 13 for storing therein has an opening / closing lid 14 capable of sealing an upper opening thereof, and has an ultrasonic vibration generator 15 as an example of ultrasonic vibration means below the lid. Also,
As will be described later, the cleaning tank 13 includes a swinging unit 68 (see FIG. 9) for swinging the work 11.

On one side of the cleaning tank 13, a finishing cleaning / drying tank 16 is provided in parallel.
It has an opening / closing lid 18 for generating vapor of a hydrocarbon-based solvent therein and capable of closing the upper opening. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning tank 13
Then, a first vacuum suction pipe 20 having a heater 19A is provided.
The inside of the cleaning tank 13 can be evacuated to a vacuum state by driving the vacuum pump 21. On the other hand, the finish cleaning / drying tank 16 is connected to the first vacuum suction pipe 22 via the second vacuum suction pipe 22.
Similarly, by driving a vacuum pump 21, the inside of the finishing washing / drying tank 16 can be evacuated to a vacuum state.

In the present embodiment, the supply of the hydrocarbon solvent (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as a solvent) 12 to the cleaning tank 13 and the supply of the solvent vapor to the finishing cleaning / drying tank 16 are performed as follows. To regenerate these and use them effectively,
It is performed using the following configuration. That is, the cleaning tank 13
It is connected to an inlet of a solvent recovery tank 24, which is an example of a solvent recovery tank, via an overflow line 23 having an on-off valve 23a. Further, it is connected to another inlet of the solvent recovery tank 24 through a solvent recovery line 25 which is an example of a solvent recovery line provided on the downstream side of the vacuum pump 21. A gas cooler 26 and a check valve 26a are mounted.
A base of an exhaust duct 24a whose tip is open to the atmosphere is connected to the upper space of the solvent recovery tank 24, and an exhaust fan 24b is provided in the middle of the exhaust duct 24a.
Is installed.

The outlet of the solvent recovery tank 24 is connected to the inlet of a still 29 through a first solvent supply line 27 having a filter 28 and an on-off valve 29a. In the example of FIG. 7, a first solvent vapor supply line 30 is connected to the outlet of the still 29 in communication. The vulcanization-side portion of the first solvent vapor supply line 30 is branched to second and third solvent vapor supply lines 31, 32 via a vapor guide valve 30a formed of a three-way valve. Furthermore, still 2
A drain valve 29b is attached to a pipe connected to a lower part of the pipe 9.

The second solvent vapor supply line 31 is connected to an inlet of a condenser 33 which is an example of a liquefier for producing the solvent 12 which can be used as a cleaning agent. On the other hand, the outlet of the condenser 33 is connected to the circulation tank 3
4. Check valve 33b, ejector 33c, open / close valve 34a
Cleaning tank 1 via a second solvent supply line 35 with
3 are connected in communication. Reference numeral 34b indicates a circulation pump. The downstream end of the third solvent vapor line 32 is connected to the inside of the finish washing / drying tank 16.

With the configuration shown in FIG. 7 described above, a portion exceeding a predetermined level is taken out of the solvent 12 in which the impure oil which is the object to be cleaned such as machine oil is dissolved from the cleaning tank 13, and the solvent is recovered through the overflow line 23. It can be collected in the tank 24. Further, even after the solvent vapor contained in the air sucked from the cleaning tank 13 or the finishing washing / drying tank 16 by the vacuum pump 21 is liquefied through the cooler 19 provided on the upstream side of the vacuum pump 21, the solvent vapor remains in the sucked air. The solvent 12 contained in the vacuum pump 21
The solvent 12 containing the impure oil can be recovered in the solvent recovery tank 24 through the solvent recovery line 25 provided on the downstream side. Thereafter, a solvent vapor containing no impure oil is generated from the recovered solvent 12 containing the impure oil by using the still 29, a part of which is introduced into the finishing / drying tank 16 as the solvent vapor, and Can be liquefied using a condenser 33 to produce a solvent 12 as a new liquid, and then introduced into the cleaning tank 13 via a circulation tank 34.

As shown in FIG. 7, a first vacuum gauge 36, a first vacuum break valve 37, and a first exhaust valve 38 are attached to the cleaning tank 13. In the present embodiment, the first exhaust valve 38 is attached to a portion of the first vacuum suction pipe 20 close to the cleaning tank 13 for convenience.
On the other hand, the finish cleaning / drying tank 16 has a second vacuum gauge 3
9. A second vacuum break valve 40 and a second exhaust valve 41 are attached. Further, for convenience, the second vacuum break valve 40 and the second exhaust valve 41 are attached to a portion of the third solvent vapor supply line 32 and the second vacuum suction pipe 22 near the finish cleaning / drying tank 16. Have been.

The control device 7 which is an example of the control means
6 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), the vacuum pump 21, the first vacuum gauge 36, the first vacuum break valve 37, and the first exhaust valve 38 are controlled to drive the vacuum in the cleaning tank 13. The degree can be adjusted to, for example, 3 to 50 Torr, and at the same time, the vacuum pump 21, the second vacuum gauge 39, the second vacuum break valve 40, and the second exhaust valve 41 are drive-controlled to finish cleaning and cleaning. The inside of the drying tank 16 is alternately brought into a vacuum state and an open state to the atmosphere, and the degree of vacuum can be adjusted to, for example, 3 to 5 Torr.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the present embodiment, since the solvent 12 is used, the oil supplied into the still 29 is The solvent 12 in which the dirt is dissolved is heated by using a heating medium oil. That is, the oil tank 42 filled with the flame-retardant heat medium oil to be heated by the heater or the like is provided by the circulating flow path including the heat medium oil supply line 43 to which the circulation pump 45 is attached and the heat medium oil return line 44. 29. In the present embodiment, the on-off valve 29a provided on the distillation side of the still 29 is closed to temporarily stop the flow of the solvent 12 into the still 29. This is because the boiling point (for example, 120 ° C.) of the impure oil mixed in the solvent 12 is higher than the boiling point (for example, 80 ° C.) of the solvent 12, and the solvent 12 is boiled down in the still 29.
After evaporating only the solvent 12 and sufficiently increasing the oil concentration, the drain valve 29b is opened and taken out and discarded, thereby reducing the number of discards and reducing the number of discards. This is to make the stop time as short as possible.

The other components in the illustrated embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom of the finish washing / drying tank 16 and the bottom of the cooler 19 are respectively provided with a first or second solvent return pipe 46, 47 is connected to a solvent return tank 48 via
Is connected to the bottom of the cleaning tank 13 through a solvent return pipe 49. Note that a return pump 50 is attached to the third solvent return pipe 49. Further, an opening / closing valve 46a is attached to the first solvent return pipe 46, and a gas backflow prevention tank 19a is attached to the second solvent return pipe 47.

With this configuration, the solvent 12 dropped to the bottom of the finish cleaning / drying tank 16 by the steam cleaning of the finish cleaning / drying tank 16 and the solvent 12 generated by liquefaction by the cooler 19 pass through the solvent return tank 48 once. Then, it can be returned to the cleaning tank 13 and reused. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the cooler 19, the gas cooler 26,
The vacuum pump 21, the condenser 33, and the like operate using cooling water from the cooling tower 51 without using an expensive chiller. That is, the cooler 19, the gas cooler 26, the vacuum pump 21, the condenser 33 and the like are connected to the cooling tower 51 via a cooling water supply pipe 52 and a cooling water return pipe 53.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning tank 13 is provided with a filter unit 54 for removing inorganic dust contained in the solvent 12. The filter unit 54 substantially includes a circulation pump 55 and a filter 56.
Is formed from the solvent circulation flow path 57 to which the. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, a coil heater 19A is provided in parallel with the vacuum pump 21 instead of the cooler 19,
Thus, the life of the pump 21 can be extended, and the pump 21 is connected as shown in the drawing via lines 19B and 19C.

Next, the object to be cleaned (work), which has been subjected to the first processing step (degreasing processing) described above with reference to FIG.
Perform processing. Vacuum cleaning and drying apparatus 1 having the above configuration
The method of vacuum cleaning and drying according to 0 will be described. As described below, the vacuum cleaning and drying method substantially includes a work cleaning step, a work vapor cleaning step, and a work drying step. (1) First, a hydrocarbon-based solvent (hereinafter abbreviated as a solvent) 12 is put into a cleaning tank 13. In the initial state, it is preferable that the solvent 12 is directly charged by opening the opening / closing lid 14 of the cleaning tank 13.
When 2 remains, the on-off valve 34a may be opened to supply from the second solvent supply line 35. The amount of the solvent 12 to be supplied into the cleaning tank 13 is detected by the second level sensor 72, and after confirming that the second level sensor 72 is operating, the following processing is performed. I have.

The cleaning tank 13 is heated by the heat transfer oil from the oil tank 42, and the temperature of the solvent 12 inside the tank is detected and controlled by a temperature sensor (not shown) to be about 40 ° C. This is because the melting temperature of the impure oil adhering to the work 11 is about 30 ° C., so that when the work 11 is put, it is about 40 ° C. (above the melting point of the impure oil and sufficiently higher than the boiling point of the solvent 12). This is for dissolving the impurity oil, which has been heated to a low temperature) and adhered to the work 11, in the solvent 12. (2) The filter unit 54 having an outlet and an inlet provided at a lower portion of the cleaning tank 13 is driven. As a result, dirt contained in the solvent 12 is removed by the filter 56.
Since there is no dirt (SS) or the like immediately after the workpiece 11 is placed in the cleaning tank 13, this step may be performed after the workpiece 11 is placed in the cleaning tank 13.

(3) With the opening / closing lid 14 opened, the work 11 in the cleaning basket 67 (see FIG. 8) is immersed in the solvent 12 in the cleaning tank 13 and the opening / closing lid 14 is closed. At this time, the overflowing solvent 12 flows into the solvent recovery tank 24 through the overflow line 23. (4) While the on-off valve 23a provided in the overflow line 23 is closed, the vacuum pump 21 is operated to depressurize the inside of the washing tank 13 to evacuate the air therein, and to remove the solvent 1
The oxygen dissolved in 2 is degassed and the first vacuum gauge 36
When the degree of vacuum in the cleaning tank 13 measured in step (1) has reached 30 Torr, the first exhaust valve 38 is closed and the operation of the vacuum pump 21 is stopped.

(5) The ultrasonic vibration generator 15 attached to the bottom of the cleaning tank 13 is operated, and the vibration mechanism 68 is operated to swing the cleaning basket 67 containing the work 11. As a result, the impure oil adhering to the work 11 is forcibly dissolved into the solvent 12 and dirt is also removed from the work 11. This operation removes the solid dirt (SS) contained in the solvent 12 from the filter unit 54. When the ultrasonic cleaning is performed, the temperature of the solvent 12 gradually increases. Therefore, during the ultrasonic cleaning, the cleaning tank 13 is cooled with water so that the solvent 12 always keeps about 40 ° C. (the work cleaning step is completed).

(6) When the cleaning operation for a predetermined time is completed,
Stop the operation of the ultrasonic vibration generator 15 and the swing mechanism 68,
The first vacuum breaking valve 37 is operated to open the inside of the cleaning tank 13 to the atmosphere. Next, the opening / closing lid 14 of the cleaning tank 13 is opened,
The work 11 is taken out and transferred to a position just above the finish washing / drying tank 16 for finish washing and subsequent drying of the work 11. Here, the solvent 12 is supplied from the solvent return tank 48 to the cleaning tank 13 via the return pump 50, and the overflow is supplied to the solvent recovery tank 24. This compensates for the shortage of the solvent 12 in the cleaning tank 13 and reuses the solvent 12 containing a small amount of impure oil in the solvent return tank 48 in the cleaning tank 13.

(7) The opening / closing lid 18 is opened, and the work 11 which has been subjected to liquid cleaning (water removal / replacement) with the solvent 12 as a cleaning agent in the cleaning tank 13 is moved up and down as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 65 puts it in the finishing washing / drying tank 16. In the finish cleaning / drying tank 16, there is provided a snot at the bottom so that the work 11 entering the cleaning basket 67 is arranged at a position between the finish cleaning / drying tank 16. Here, the temperature of the work 11 is about 40 to 60 ° C., but the temperature of the side wall of the finish cleaning / drying tank 16 is about 80 ° C.
The structure is such that steam is generated by being heated beforehand by a heating medium oil having a heating heater inside (at or near the setting temperature of the solvent 12 for performing the steam washing).

(8) The opening and closing cover 18 is closed, the second exhaust valve 41 is opened, and the other valves are closed.
Is operated to decompress the inside of the finishing washing / drying tank 16 to remove air therein. This is because if there is air in the finish cleaning / drying tank 16, the steam cleaning as the finish cleaning (rinse cleaning) is not performed smoothly. (9) The degree of vacuum in the finish cleaning / drying tank 16 is 3 to 5 Torr.
At time r, the second exhaust valve 41 is closed and the vacuum pump 21 is stopped. The solvent that has entered the finish washing / drying tank 16 is heated and condenses in contact with the workpiece 11 at about 40 to 60 ° C., whereby the workpiece 11 is subjected to steam cleaning. The solvent 12 containing the impure oil generated in the process of steam cleaning accumulates at the bottom of the finish cleaning / drying tank 16.

(10) The temperature of the work 11 gradually increases due to the contact of the solvent vapor heated to 80 ° C.
When the temperature reaches 0 ° C. or around 80 ° C., the steam cleaning is completed. This is because when the temperature of the work 11 is around 80 ° C., the adhesion of the solvent vapor becomes extremely poor, and the cleaning efficiency is significantly reduced (work vapor cleaning step). (11) When the steam cleaning of the work 11 is completed, the steam guide valve 30a is closed, the second vacuum break valve 40 is opened to make the inside of the work 11 at atmospheric pressure, and then provided at the lower part of the finish washing / drying tank 16. The on-off valve 46a is opened, and the solvent (including impure oil) 12 accumulated at the bottom of the finish washing / drying tank 16 is opened.
Into the solvent return tank 48. As a result, the solvent 12 in the finish cleaning / drying tank 16 is temporarily removed.

(12) Next, with the second vacuum breaking valve 40 and the opening / closing valve 46a closed, the second exhaust valve 41 is opened and the vacuum pump 21 is operated, so that the inside of the finishing washing / drying tank 16 is opened. Reduce pressure. Thus, the solvent 12 attached to the work 11 evaporates as vapor. In the course of this solvent evaporation, the impure oil dissolved in the solvent 12 also evaporates,
The surface of the work 11 is cleaned and dried. This drying treatment is performed while heating the finish washing / drying tank 16 with a heating medium.
The process is continued until the internal pressure of the finish washing / drying tank 16 becomes 3 to 5 Torr (the work drying step ends).

If the work 11 has a blind hole or an oil pool, it is difficult to remove the impure oil sufficiently adhered by the above-mentioned treatment. The process of performing steam cleaning and the process of reducing the pressure in the finish cleaning / drying tank 16 to evaporate the condensed solvent mixed with the impure oil are repeated a plurality of times. The temperature of the work 11 is increased by the work steam cleaning process, and the temperature is reduced by vaporization by the decompression process, so that the next process can be efficiently performed. It can be almost completely removed.

(13) After the above processing is completed, the second vacuum break valve 40 is opened, the other valves are closed, and the opening / closing lid 18 of the finishing washing / drying tank 16 is opened to open the dried workpiece 11. Take out. Next, a regeneration process of the solvent 12 used by the vacuum cleaning / drying apparatus 10 will be described. (1) In the example of FIG. 7, a cooling unit 19 for cooling the passing gas to 40 ° C. or lower is provided on the upstream side of the vacuum pump 21 to liquefy most of the solvent contained in the gas. The liquefied solvent 12 is stored in the solvent return tank 48 via the backflow prevention tank 19a. This prevents the solvent vapor sucked into the vacuum pump 21 from entering, thereby significantly reducing the load on the vacuum pump 21 and further recovering the solvent 12 in the suction gas.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 8, a heating section 19A for heating the passing steam to 80 ° C. or lower is provided upstream of the pump 21.
Is provided, and most of the solvent contained in the vapor is vaporized,
This can prevent the vacuum pump 21 from sucking the solvent solution to cause a lock, thereby significantly extending the life of the pump 21. (2) The gas or steam discharged from the vacuum pump 21
After a check valve 26a for preventing backflow of gas or vapor to the vacuum pump 21 to reduce the load, and a solvent recovery tank 24 via a gas cooler 26, and further recovering the contained solvent 12, , Through the exhaust fan 24b.

(3) Since the solvent 12 stored in the solvent recovery tank 24 contains impure oil, it is supplied to the still 29 through the filter 28. The still 29 is heated to 80 to 90 ° C. by the heat medium oil to vaporize the solvent 12 and generate a solvent vapor from which the impure oil has been removed. In the example of FIG. 7, this solvent vapor is supplied to the finish cleaning / drying tank 16 or the condenser 33 via the vapor guide valve 30a. In addition, since impure oil collects in the lower part of the still 29,
The drain valve 29b is opened and removed periodically.

(4) A gas or steam cooler 33a is provided upstream of the condenser 33 to cool the solvent vapor in advance to reduce the load on the condenser 33. The pure water regenerated solvent obtained by liquefying the condenser 33 is supplied to the check valve 33b.
And is supplied to the circulation tank 34 via the ejector 33c. In the circulation tank 34, the circulation pump 3
4b, circulates the regenerated solvent inside, and contributes to the recovery of the regenerated solvent from the condenser 33 by the ejector 33c and the sending of the regenerated solvent to the circulation tank.

[0051]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the overall specific structure of a cleaning apparatus 1 including a vacuum cleaning and drying apparatus 10 described above will be described.
As shown in the figure, a tank mounting frame 62 is provided on the lower base 61 of the casing 60 from the rectangular box,
The tank mounting frame 62 has a first to
Four processing units 4 to 7 are attached. As shown in FIG. 1, a traveling rail 63 is provided above the first to fourth processing units 4 to 7, and two work transport vehicles 64 are mounted on the traveling rail 63 so as to be freely movable in the figure. A pair of elevating mechanisms 65 extend downward from the lower surface of the work carrier 64, and a swing table 66 is detachably mounted below the elevating mechanism 65. The swing table 66
A washing basket 67 containing the work 11 is mounted on the upper surface of the washing basket 67.

As shown in FIG. 8, on one side of the peripheral wall of the cleaning tank 13, a swinging mechanism 68 that supports the swinging table 66 in a cantilevered state and that can swing is mounted.
An ultrasonic vibration generator mounting plate 69 is provided on the bottom wall of the cleaning tank 13.
The ultrasonic vibration generator 15 is mounted on the ultrasonic vibration generator mounting plate 69. A normal first level sensor 71 of a water pressure detection type and a second level sensor 72 of a float type are mounted on both sides of the peripheral wall of the cleaning tank 13, respectively. 1 and 2
As shown in the figure, the open / close lids 14 and 18 are configured to be openable / closable by lid open / close cylinders 73 and 74, respectively. On the lower base 61 of the casing 60, a portion that forms the rear part of the cleaning tank 13 and the finish cleaning / drying tank 16 includes:
A still 29, a condenser 33, a circulation tank 34,
A distillation regeneration unit 75 including the oil tank 42 and the like
Also, a vacuum pump 21, a solvent recovery tank 24, and a control device 76 are provided.

In the above-described configuration, by using the work carrier 64 provided with the elevating mechanism 65, the first
The operation of the work 11 in and out of the cleaning tanks 4A and 4B of the processing section 4, the rinsing tanks 5A and 5B of the second processing section 5 and the cleaning tank 13 of the third processing section 6, and the finishing of the fourth processing section 7 from the cleaning tank 13 Transfer to cleaning / drying tank 16, finish cleaning / drying tank 16
All the movements of the workpiece 11 can be automatically performed, and the cycle time can be reduced by providing two (or more) carts 64. Further, the lifting mechanism 65 is moved up and down by The oscillating means can also be used, and the entire process from degreasing and washing of the work 11, water rinsing, draining replacement and drying can be effectively performed here.

Further, while the work 11 is oscillated by the oscillating mechanism, cleaning, water rinsing, draining, and the like can be performed, so that the cleaning effect can be promoted. FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which a first processing section 4 in a first step of degreasing an object to be cleaned with an alkaline solution or the like is performed in one cleaning tank 4A, and a third and fourth processing is performed. The third and fourth processing units 6 and 7 that perform the above-mentioned steps are configured as a single processing tank, and the other configuration is common to the above-described configuration and operation.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the above-mentioned third processing step is performed at atmospheric pressure (atmospheric atmosphere). , The opening / closing lid and the like are not provided. Therefore, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, in the third processing step (water removal and replacement with a hydrocarbon liquid),
The cleaning tank 13 is not required, and the hydrocarbon liquid can be spouted by a jet nozzle, a shower, a spray, or the like on the object to be cleaned after the second processing step (water rinsing processing). Of course, the third processing step can be performed in a plurality of stages. Note that, in FIG. 5, except that the third processing step is performed under atmospheric pressure, the third embodiment is common to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the following additional means can be provided, and the following modifications can be adopted. (1) Considering safety, appearance, and maintainability, the apparatus can be provided with an entire cover. In this case, in consideration of safety, a meshed glass sash window is provided on the front so that the inside of the device can be seen, and the exterior cover can be easily removed to improve maintenance, and it is necessary to connect the primary side. It is desirable that all electrical wiring, air piping, exhaust ducts, and cooling water piping be connected from the top of the device.

(2) An exhaust fan for continuously releasing the mist, gas, and odor of the cleaning agent staying inside the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus is provided, and the exhaust temperature is always kept at 36 ° C. or less. In addition, by adding (adding) an exhaust air temperature cooling function, global warming can be prevented. (3) When the equipment such as a vacuum pump used in the apparatus reaches the time for checking and replacing the oil, grease, and the like, a function such as a warning, a display, and a buzzer sounding can be automatically added.

(4) When each device provided in the apparatus breaks down, the location and the corresponding method are automatically displayed on a touch panel screen or a personal computer screen, and a sequence program function such as display and buzzer sounds can be added. . (5) In the event of a fire or other abnormalities, the fire extinguisher will be automatically fired so that the automatic extinguisher will operate, the lid of the replacement tank / drying tank will automatically close, the primary air will automatically close, the exhaust will automatically close, and the power supply will automatically shut off. Functions incorporating system circuits can be added. (6) Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the object to be cleaned can be automatically transported to the first to fourth processing units by a self-propelled vehicle having a chuck function, but is transported using a crane, a hoist or the like. May be.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that each tank in the first to fourth processing units is made of stainless steel, but other materials may be used. (8) Further, in the above-described embodiment, the objects to be cleaned are moved into and out of each tank using the cleaning basket, but the basket is not necessarily used.

[0060]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
Solvent problems such as safety to the environment and human body, solvent cost problems, and problems such as the occurrence of spots in the drying process leading to poor cleaning can be solved at once, and remain in machine parts, cutting tools, etc. The cleaning method and apparatus for removing organic oils and fats such as cutting oil and rust-preventive oil and removing inorganics such as cutting chips and abrasive powders are of great utility.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of an overall configuration showing a basic example of an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevation view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic elevation view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing two examples of a water rinsing process.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram of a vacuum cleaning / drying apparatus (third and fourth processing units).

FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of another preferred example of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a main part of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cleaning apparatus 4 1st processing part (tank) 5 2nd processing part (tank) 6 3rd processing part (tank) 7 4th processing part (tank)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koichiro Akari 2-3-1 Shinhama, Arai-machi, Takasago City, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Kobe Steel, Ltd. Takasago Works (72) Inventor Masahiro Domoto Onga-cho, Onga-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture Fara term 485-12 Aquatec Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3B201 AA46 AB13 AB45 BB02 BB04 BB12 BB13 BB14 BB82 BB83 BB92 BB95 BB96 CB15 CC01 CC11 CD11 CD33

Claims (17)

[Claims] A first processing step of degreasing the object to be cleaned with an aqueous cleaning liquid; a second processing step of rinsing the object to be cleaned after the first processing step with water;
A third treatment step of removing water adhering to the object to be cleaned after the treatment step and replacing the liquid with a hydrocarbon liquid, and after the object to be cleaned after the third treatment step is steam-cleaned with hydrocarbon-based steam. And a fourth processing step of evaporating and drying the hydrocarbon solvent attached to the object to be cleaned. 2. The cleaning according to claim 1, wherein the third processing step and the fourth processing step are performed in a vacuum atmosphere by charging an object to be cleaned into a sealable cleaning / drying tank. Method. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third processing step is performed under atmospheric pressure, and the fourth processing step is performed in a vacuum atmosphere by charging an object to be processed into a sealable washing / drying tank. The cleaning method according to claim 1. 4. The aqueous cleaning solution in the first treatment step,
The cleaning method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a detergent such as an alkaline, neutral, or acidic detergent is mixed. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous cleaning liquid in the first treatment step is 80%.
5. Heated at a temperature of not more than ℃.
The washing method according to any one of the above. 6. The first processing step and / or the second processing step are performed by charging an object to be cleaned into a tank, and applying one of ultrasonic vibration and vibration to the object to be cleaned in the tank. The cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein both are applied. 7. The first processing step is performed by charging an object to be cleaned into each of a plurality of cleaning tanks storing an aqueous cleaning liquid and immersing the cleaning object in the liquid. The washing method according to any one of the above. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second treatment step is performed by charging an object to be cleaned into each of a plurality of water rinsing tanks in which water flows down in a multi-stage countercurrent system and immersing the objects in the water. The cleaning method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. The hydrocarbon used in the third treatment step or the fourth treatment step in claim 1, wherein an amphiphilic hydrocarbon detergent soluble in both water and oil is used. Item 9. The cleaning method according to any one of Items 1 to 8. 10. The hydrocarbon detergent according to claim 9,
A cleaning method characterized by being a hydrocarbon cleaning agent containing isoprene-based glycol ether or a surfactant / alcohol. 11. A first processing unit for degreasing an object to be cleaned with an aqueous cleaning liquid, a second processing unit for rinsing the object to be cleaned with water, and removing water adhering to the object to be replaced with a hydrocarbon liquid. And a fourth processing unit for performing a steam cleaning with hydrocarbon-based steam and a drying process by evaporating a hydrocarbon solvent attached to the object to be cleaned. Cleaning equipment. 12. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each of the first to fourth processing units is constituted by a tank. 13. The third processing section and the fourth processing section are constituted by sealable washing / drying tanks, and are provided with vacuum exhaust means for evacuating these tanks to a vacuum atmosphere. The cleaning device according to claim 11. 14. The third processing section is constituted by a washing / drying tank which can be opened to the atmosphere, and the fourth processing section is constituted by a washing / drying tank which can be closed, and the inside of the tank is kept under a vacuum atmosphere. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a vacuum evacuation unit that performs the cleaning. 15. The first processing tank constituting the first processing section is provided with a heater means for heating the aqueous cleaning liquid contained in the first processing tank.
5. The cleaning device according to any one of 4. 16. The second processing tank constituting the second processing section is composed of a plurality of tanks arranged side by side, and water flows down to each tank in a multi-stage countercurrent system. The cleaning device according to any one of the above. 17. A first and second processing tanks constituting a first processing unit and a second processing unit, each of which is provided with an ultrasonic vibration and / or vibration applied to an object to be cleaned in these tanks. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising a sonic vibration applying means and / or a vibration applying means.