US20210222316A1 - Method for Electrolytic Cleaning of Aluminum - Google Patents
Method for Electrolytic Cleaning of Aluminum Download PDFInfo
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- US20210222316A1 US20210222316A1 US17/220,970 US202117220970A US2021222316A1 US 20210222316 A1 US20210222316 A1 US 20210222316A1 US 202117220970 A US202117220970 A US 202117220970A US 2021222316 A1 US2021222316 A1 US 2021222316A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cleaning
- electrolyte
- current
- aluminum
- trisodium phosphate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 63
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 44
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 37
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 76
- RYFMWSXOAZQYPI-UHFFFAOYSA-K trisodium phosphate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[O-]P([O-])([O-])=O RYFMWSXOAZQYPI-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 claims abstract description 54
- 229910000406 trisodium phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 54
- 235000019801 trisodium phosphate Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 54
- 239000001488 sodium phosphate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- 238000004506 ultrasonic cleaning Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 16
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910001092 metal group alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 3
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011244 liquid electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010186 staining Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000012670 alkaline solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012459 cleaning agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002484 inorganic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910010272 inorganic material Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000006193 liquid solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- -1 road grime Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000344 soap Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25F—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC REMOVAL OF MATERIALS FROM OBJECTS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25F1/00—Electrolytic cleaning, degreasing, pickling or descaling
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25F—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC REMOVAL OF MATERIALS FROM OBJECTS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25F1/00—Electrolytic cleaning, degreasing, pickling or descaling
- C25F1/02—Pickling; Descaling
- C25F1/04—Pickling; Descaling in solution
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25F—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC REMOVAL OF MATERIALS FROM OBJECTS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25F7/00—Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells for electrolytic removal of material from objects; Servicing or operating
Definitions
- the disclosure relates generally to methods for cleaning aluminum and aluminum alloy bodies, and in particular, electrolytic cleaning of aluminum and aluminum bodies.
- aluminum as used in this specification refers to aluminum and aluminum alloys.
- Aluminum wheels of trucks and airplanes are exposed to brake dust, road grime, oil, and other surface contaminants or coatings that must be removed from the wheel before the wheel can be recycled and reused.
- Aluminum wheels are conventionally cleaned for recycling by sanding the wheel surface that will be visible in use (typically only one side of the wheel). The production rate is low, and so the economics of recycling of aluminum wheels is often unfavorable. There is a limit to how many times a wheel can be sanded and still be fit for use, and so the number of times a sanded wheel can be recycled is limited.
- Aluminum wheels may also be cleaned using an acid wash to remove surface contaminants. Care must be taken to prevent the acid from etching or pitting the aluminum. The acid must be carefully handled and safely disposed of.
- Electrolysis utilizes a liquid electrolyte that contains ions used to conduct electricity through the liquid.
- the electrolyte is formed by dissolving a solid in the liquid, the dissolved solid providing the ions present in the liquid.
- an electrically-conductive body is immersed in or wetted by a liquid electrolyte. Electric current from a current source passes through the electrolyte and through the body to remove or loosen surface contaminants, coatings, and the like. An additional cleaning step may be performed to remove any material adhering to the body after removal of the body from the electrolyte.
- the disclosed method for electrolytic cleaning of an aluminum body utilizes an electrolyte formed from a mixture of water and trisodium phosphate.
- the aluminum body is wetted by the electrolyte, electrical current is passed through the body for a length of time sufficient to adequately remove or loosen the surface contaminants, and the body is then removed from the electrolyte.
- an additional cleaning step can be performed after removal from the electrolyte to remove contaminants, coatings, or the like still adhering to the body.
- the electrolyte in embodiments may have a pH of between 10 and 10.5 inclusive and be maintained at a temperature of between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and the boiling point of the electrolyte.
- the current may be a 1000 ampere DC current applied for five minutes.
- the additional cleaning step may be ultrasonic cleaning of the body.
- electrolytic cleaning of aluminum truck wheels using the disclosed method provides for cleaned wheels having a commercially acceptable brightness for recycling, reuse, or resale.
- Trisodium phosphate is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na3PO4. Trisodium phosphate is highly soluble in water, producing an alkaline solution.
- Trisodium phosphate has been used conventionally as cleaning agent but not in forming an electrolyte for electrolysis. Trisodium phosphate was often found in consumer formulations of soaps and detergents. An aqueous solution of 1% trisodium phosphate can saponify grease and oils. Trisodium phosphate is not recommended for cleaning metals however because such use may cause metal staining.
- the inventors have discovered the surprising result that using trisodium phosphate alone to form an aqueous electrolyte enables cleaning of aluminum bodies without staining the bodies and without harming the bodies. Trisodium phosphate is not normally used to form an electrolyte for conducting electrical current. Aluminum wheels cleaned using the disclosed method had no detectable loss of aluminum, did not stain, etch, or pit, and had a commercially acceptable surface brightness over the entire wheel surface.
- the cleaning action provided by the disclosed trisodium phosphate electrolyte is a less aggressive cleaning action than that provided by the method disclosed in the priority '859 application.
- the trisodium phosphate electrolyte is believed to be impractical for removing powder coating from aluminum metal wheels, yet cleans non-powder coated wheels about as effectively as the cleaning method disclosed in the priority '859 application.
- the disclosed method utilizing the TSP electrolyte provides bright wheels without the necessity of removing the film generated in the '859 application method.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a metal alloy wheel immersed in an electrolyte for cleaning in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed method of cleaning.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the wheel shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 1 illustrates a used truck or airplane wheel 10 totally immersed in an electrolyte 12 for cleaning in accordance with the disclosed method.
- the wheel 10 is a conventional aluminum wheel having an external surface 16 . See FIG. 2 . It is desired to remove surface contaminants 14 from the surface 16 to enable recycling and reuse of the wheel.
- the wheel 10 is connected electrically in series to the negative terminal 20 of a DC current source 22 by a conductor 24 .
- a steel or iron electrode 26 is also immersed in the electrolyte 12 and is connected in series to a positive terminal 28 of the current source 22 by a conductor 30 .
- the wheel 10 and the electrode 26 are electrically connected by the electrolyte 12 .
- the electrolyte 12 in a first embodiment of the disclosed method is an aqueous electrolyte formed solely of water and trisodium phosphate (TSP).
- TSP can be obtained commercially from UNIVAR USA INC., 3075 Highland Pkwy Ste 200, Downers Grove, Ill.
- TSP Water and TSP are mixed together to form the basic electrolyte 12 .
- the TSP in the illustrated embodiment is added to the water at a rate of 15 weight percent of TSP to the weight of water. Thus if there is 400 pounds of water, 60 pounds of TSP is added to the water to form the electrolyte.
- the resulting electrolyte 12 that forms by mixing TSP and water is referred to as a “TSP electrolyte” herein.
- the TSP electrolyte is a basic electrolyte having a pH of 10.2 or so, or about 10. In possible embodiments of the disclosed method the TSP electrolyte may have a pH of between 10 and 10.5 inclusive.
- the temperature of the TSP electrolyte 12 is maintained at between about 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius) and the boiling point of the electrolyte. Preferably the temperature of the TSP electrolyte is maintained at between 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius) and 190 degrees Fahrenheit (88 degrees Celsius) during cleaning.
- the output of a water heater 32 is automatically controlled by an automatic control system 34 to maintain the desired electrolyte temperature.
- the wheel 10 is immersed into a 200 gallon bath of the TSP electrolyte 12 .
- the DC current source 22 is energized. DC electrical current continuously flows through the electrolyte 12 and the wheel 10 .
- the current source 22 when energized flows a DC current of preferably between 500 amperes and 1250 amperes, and most preferably for wheels 10 a current of about 1000 amperes, through the wheel 10 continuously for five minutes.
- the electrical circuit formed flowing the electric current through the electrolyte and the wheel typically has a conductivity that results in a 7 volt to 10 volt voltage drop in the current flowing into and out of the current source. If the voltage drop increases beyond 10 volts, additional TSP is dissolved into the TSP electrolyte to return the voltage drop to the 7 volt to 10 volt voltage drop range.
- TSP electrolyte When cleaning truck wheels in a tank holding 65 gallons of TSP electrolyte, it has been found that one pound of TSP is typically added to the TSP electrolyte for every 5 or 6 wheels being cleaned to maintain the desired pH and conductivity of the TSP electrolyte.
- the current source 22 is then shut off after five minutes and the wheel 10 is removed from the TSP electrolyte 12 .
- the TSP electrolyte 12 can be filtered to remove solid particulates and other solid contaminants. Water can be added to the TSP electrolyte to replace water lost by evaporation or by adhering to bodies removed from the TSP electrolyte.
- the wheel 10 being cleaned as illustrated in FIG. 1 is wetted by immersion into the TSP electrolyte 12 .
- the wheel 10 is wetted by the TSP electrolyte by being sprayed with the electrolyte. Immersion is generally preferred because it is easier to maintain the desired temperature of the TSP electrolyte when in contact with the wheel during electrolysis.
- the wheel 10 After the wheel 10 has been exposed to the DC current a sufficient time for cleaning, the wheel is removed from the TSP electrolyte 12 .
- the surface of the wheel 10 after removal is clean and has a commercially acceptable brightness. However, there may be loose scale, dirt, or the like on the wheel that can be easily removed using an additional cleaning step.
- the additional cleaning step may be an ultrasonic cleaning step.
- Ultrasonic cleaning involves immersing the wheel 10 in a liquid in which high frequency sound waves agitate the liquid for cleaning.
- Ultrasonic cleaning is itself conventional and so will not be described in further detail. The inventors have found that ultrasonic cleaning at a 25 kHz frequency has provided good results for removing loose dirt, scale, or the like from the wheel 10 . It should be noted that ultrasonic cleaning alone of a dirty aluminum truck wheel 10 did not satisfactorily clean or brighten the wheel.
- the ultrasonic cleaning liquid may be an aqueous solution containing a cleanser compatible with aluminum.
- a cleanser compatible with aluminum examples include TRANSBRITETM ultrasonic cleaning liquid solution distributed by Allen Woods & Associates, Arlington Heights, Ill., PELCO KLEENSONICTM CDC ultrasonic cleaning solution distributed by Ted Pella, Inc., Redding, Calif. 96049, and equivalents.
- the cleanser may help brighten an already clean aluminum truck wheel but the inventors have found the cleanser does not need to be relied on or used for achieving a commercially acceptable brightness of an aluminum truck wheel.
- the additional cleaning step can be eliminated or replaced with another cleaning method, such as power washing, that is, rinsing the body with a pressurized water spray.
- the cleaning the wheel 10 is dried.
- the wheel 10 may then be powder coated or otherwise coated or painted for recycling, return to the aftermarket, or reuse.
- some, but not all, surfaces of the metal or metal alloy body require cleaning.
- the body may only be partially immersed in the TSP electrolyte 12 or wetted by the electrolyte to wet only the desired surfaces to be cleaned.
- the weight percent of TSP can be more or less than fifteen percent for lighter duty cleaning or heavier duty cleaning.
- the electrolyte may contain additional ingredients that do not substantially change the operation of the TSP electrolyte as a conductor with respect to the metal body being cleaned, or do not add ions to the electrolyte.
- the TSP dissolved in the electrolyte should be sufficient to generate a pH of between about 10 and 10.5 independently of any ions provided by any additional ingredients.
- the additional ingredients may be coatings that provide additional benefits or features such as, in a non-limiting example, a post-wash film that inhibits corrosion or adherence of contaminants to aluminum surfaces.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/985,982 “Method for Electrolytic Cleaning of Aluminum” filed May 22, 2018 at Attorney Docket No. 1-2409, which in turn claims priority to and the benefit of now expired provisional patent application 62/509,406 “Method for Electrolytic Cleaning” filed May 22, 2017 at Attorney Docket No. 1-2409-P, which '982 application is also a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of now abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/902,234 “Method for Cleaning Aluminum or Aluminum Alloy Surfaces” filed Feb. 22, 2018 at Attorney Docket No. 1-2310-US-CIP, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/364,859 titled “Method for Cleaning Metal or Metal Alloy Surfaces” filed Nov. 30, 2016 at Attorney Docket No. 1-2310-US, which four priority applications are each incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
- The disclosure relates generally to methods for cleaning aluminum and aluminum alloy bodies, and in particular, electrolytic cleaning of aluminum and aluminum bodies.
- Surfaces of aluminum bodies or components must be returned to a clean, bare surface for recycling and reuse (“aluminum” as used in this specification refers to aluminum and aluminum alloys).
- Aluminum wheels of trucks and airplanes are exposed to brake dust, road grime, oil, and other surface contaminants or coatings that must be removed from the wheel before the wheel can be recycled and reused.
- Aluminum wheels are conventionally cleaned for recycling by sanding the wheel surface that will be visible in use (typically only one side of the wheel). The production rate is low, and so the economics of recycling of aluminum wheels is often unfavorable. There is a limit to how many times a wheel can be sanded and still be fit for use, and so the number of times a sanded wheel can be recycled is limited.
- Aluminum wheels may also be cleaned using an acid wash to remove surface contaminants. Care must be taken to prevent the acid from etching or pitting the aluminum. The acid must be carefully handled and safely disposed of.
- There is a need for an improved method for cleaning aluminum bodies that does not remove aluminum, does not etch, pit, or stain the aluminum, and results in an aluminum having a commercially acceptable brightness after cleaning.
- Disclosed is a method for electrolytic cleaning of aluminum bodies that does not remove aluminum, does not etch, pit, or stain the aluminum, and results in the cleaned aluminum body having a commercially acceptable brightness after cleaning.
- Electrolysis utilizes a liquid electrolyte that contains ions used to conduct electricity through the liquid. The electrolyte is formed by dissolving a solid in the liquid, the dissolved solid providing the ions present in the liquid.
- In electrolytic cleaning of a body, an electrically-conductive body is immersed in or wetted by a liquid electrolyte. Electric current from a current source passes through the electrolyte and through the body to remove or loosen surface contaminants, coatings, and the like. An additional cleaning step may be performed to remove any material adhering to the body after removal of the body from the electrolyte.
- The disclosed method for electrolytic cleaning of an aluminum body utilizes an electrolyte formed from a mixture of water and trisodium phosphate. The aluminum body is wetted by the electrolyte, electrical current is passed through the body for a length of time sufficient to adequately remove or loosen the surface contaminants, and the body is then removed from the electrolyte. If desired, an additional cleaning step can be performed after removal from the electrolyte to remove contaminants, coatings, or the like still adhering to the body.
- The electrolyte in embodiments may have a pH of between 10 and 10.5 inclusive and be maintained at a temperature of between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and the boiling point of the electrolyte. The current may be a 1000 ampere DC current applied for five minutes.
- The additional cleaning step may be ultrasonic cleaning of the body.
- It has been found that electrolytic cleaning of aluminum truck wheels using the disclosed method provides for cleaned wheels having a commercially acceptable brightness for recycling, reuse, or resale.
- Trisodium phosphate is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na3PO4. Trisodium phosphate is highly soluble in water, producing an alkaline solution.
- Trisodium phosphate has been used conventionally as cleaning agent but not in forming an electrolyte for electrolysis. Trisodium phosphate was often found in consumer formulations of soaps and detergents. An aqueous solution of 1% trisodium phosphate can saponify grease and oils. Trisodium phosphate is not recommended for cleaning metals however because such use may cause metal staining.
- The inventors have discovered the surprising result that using trisodium phosphate alone to form an aqueous electrolyte enables cleaning of aluminum bodies without staining the bodies and without harming the bodies. Trisodium phosphate is not normally used to form an electrolyte for conducting electrical current. Aluminum wheels cleaned using the disclosed method had no detectable loss of aluminum, did not stain, etch, or pit, and had a commercially acceptable surface brightness over the entire wheel surface.
- The cleaning action provided by the disclosed trisodium phosphate electrolyte is a less aggressive cleaning action than that provided by the method disclosed in the priority '859 application. For example, the trisodium phosphate electrolyte is believed to be impractical for removing powder coating from aluminum metal wheels, yet cleans non-powder coated wheels about as effectively as the cleaning method disclosed in the priority '859 application. However, the disclosed method utilizing the TSP electrolyte provides bright wheels without the necessity of removing the film generated in the '859 application method.
- Other objects and features of the disclosure will become apparent as the description proceeds.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a metal alloy wheel immersed in an electrolyte for cleaning in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed method of cleaning. -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the wheel shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 1 illustrates a used truck orairplane wheel 10 totally immersed in anelectrolyte 12 for cleaning in accordance with the disclosed method. Thewheel 10 is a conventional aluminum wheel having anexternal surface 16. SeeFIG. 2 . It is desired to removesurface contaminants 14 from thesurface 16 to enable recycling and reuse of the wheel. - The
wheel 10 is connected electrically in series to thenegative terminal 20 of a DCcurrent source 22 by aconductor 24. A steel oriron electrode 26 is also immersed in theelectrolyte 12 and is connected in series to apositive terminal 28 of thecurrent source 22 by aconductor 30. Thewheel 10 and theelectrode 26 are electrically connected by theelectrolyte 12. - The
electrolyte 12 in a first embodiment of the disclosed method is an aqueous electrolyte formed solely of water and trisodium phosphate (TSP). TSP can be obtained commercially from UNIVAR USA INC., 3075 Highland Pkwy Ste 200, Downers Grove, Ill. - Water and TSP are mixed together to form the
basic electrolyte 12. The TSP in the illustrated embodiment is added to the water at a rate of 15 weight percent of TSP to the weight of water. Thus if there is 400 pounds of water, 60 pounds of TSP is added to the water to form the electrolyte. - The resulting
electrolyte 12 that forms by mixing TSP and water is referred to as a “TSP electrolyte” herein. The TSP electrolyte is a basic electrolyte having a pH of 10.2 or so, or about 10. In possible embodiments of the disclosed method the TSP electrolyte may have a pH of between 10 and 10.5 inclusive. - The temperature of the
TSP electrolyte 12 is maintained at between about 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius) and the boiling point of the electrolyte. Preferably the temperature of the TSP electrolyte is maintained at between 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius) and 190 degrees Fahrenheit (88 degrees Celsius) during cleaning. The output of awater heater 32 is automatically controlled by anautomatic control system 34 to maintain the desired electrolyte temperature. - In the illustrated embodiment the
wheel 10 is immersed into a 200 gallon bath of theTSP electrolyte 12. - After the
wheel 10 is immersed in theTSP electrolyte 12, the DCcurrent source 22 is energized. DC electrical current continuously flows through theelectrolyte 12 and thewheel 10. - The
current source 22 when energized flows a DC current of preferably between 500 amperes and 1250 amperes, and most preferably for wheels 10 a current of about 1000 amperes, through thewheel 10 continuously for five minutes. - The electrical circuit formed flowing the electric current through the electrolyte and the wheel typically has a conductivity that results in a 7 volt to 10 volt voltage drop in the current flowing into and out of the current source. If the voltage drop increases beyond 10 volts, additional TSP is dissolved into the TSP electrolyte to return the voltage drop to the 7 volt to 10 volt voltage drop range. When cleaning truck wheels in a tank holding 65 gallons of TSP electrolyte, it has been found that one pound of TSP is typically added to the TSP electrolyte for every 5 or 6 wheels being cleaned to maintain the desired pH and conductivity of the TSP electrolyte.
- The
current source 22 is then shut off after five minutes and thewheel 10 is removed from theTSP electrolyte 12. - The
TSP electrolyte 12 can be filtered to remove solid particulates and other solid contaminants. Water can be added to the TSP electrolyte to replace water lost by evaporation or by adhering to bodies removed from the TSP electrolyte. - The
wheel 10 being cleaned as illustrated inFIG. 1 is wetted by immersion into theTSP electrolyte 12. In alternative embodiments of the disclosed method thewheel 10 is wetted by the TSP electrolyte by being sprayed with the electrolyte. Immersion is generally preferred because it is easier to maintain the desired temperature of the TSP electrolyte when in contact with the wheel during electrolysis. - After the
wheel 10 has been exposed to the DC current a sufficient time for cleaning, the wheel is removed from theTSP electrolyte 12. The surface of thewheel 10 after removal is clean and has a commercially acceptable brightness. However, there may be loose scale, dirt, or the like on the wheel that can be easily removed using an additional cleaning step. - The additional cleaning step may be an ultrasonic cleaning step. Ultrasonic cleaning involves immersing the
wheel 10 in a liquid in which high frequency sound waves agitate the liquid for cleaning. - Ultrasonic cleaning is itself conventional and so will not be described in further detail. The inventors have found that ultrasonic cleaning at a 25 kHz frequency has provided good results for removing loose dirt, scale, or the like from the
wheel 10. It should be noted that ultrasonic cleaning alone of a dirtyaluminum truck wheel 10 did not satisfactorily clean or brighten the wheel. - The ultrasonic cleaning liquid may be an aqueous solution containing a cleanser compatible with aluminum. Examples of ultrasonic cleansers for cleaning aluminum that can be adapted for use with the disclosed method include TRANSBRITE™ ultrasonic cleaning liquid solution distributed by Allen Woods & Associates, Arlington Heights, Ill., PELCO KLEENSONIC™ CDC ultrasonic cleaning solution distributed by Ted Pella, Inc., Redding, Calif. 96049, and equivalents. The cleanser may help brighten an already clean aluminum truck wheel but the inventors have found the cleanser does not need to be relied on or used for achieving a commercially acceptable brightness of an aluminum truck wheel.
- In alternative embodiments of the disclosed method the additional cleaning step can be eliminated or replaced with another cleaning method, such as power washing, that is, rinsing the body with a pressurized water spray.
- After electrolysis and any additional cleaning step, the cleaning the
wheel 10 is dried. Thewheel 10 may then be powder coated or otherwise coated or painted for recycling, return to the aftermarket, or reuse. - In alternative embodiments of the disclosed method, some, but not all, surfaces of the metal or metal alloy body require cleaning. In such embodiments, the body may only be partially immersed in the
TSP electrolyte 12 or wetted by the electrolyte to wet only the desired surfaces to be cleaned. - In yet other embodiments of the disclosed TSP electrolyte, the weight percent of TSP can be more or less than fifteen percent for lighter duty cleaning or heavier duty cleaning.
- In yet additional embodiments of the disclosed TSP electrolyte, the electrolyte may contain additional ingredients that do not substantially change the operation of the TSP electrolyte as a conductor with respect to the metal body being cleaned, or do not add ions to the electrolyte. The TSP dissolved in the electrolyte should be sufficient to generate a pH of between about 10 and 10.5 independently of any ions provided by any additional ingredients. The additional ingredients may be coatings that provide additional benefits or features such as, in a non-limiting example, a post-wash film that inhibits corrosion or adherence of contaminants to aluminum surfaces.
- While one or more embodiments have been disclosed and described in detail, it is understood that this is capable of modification and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the precise details set forth but includes modifications obvious to a person of ordinary skill in possession of this disclosure, including (but not limited to) changes in material selection, size, operating ranges (temperature, volume, displacement, stroke length, concentration, and the like), and environment of use.
Claims (17)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/220,970 US20210222316A1 (en) | 2016-11-30 | 2021-04-02 | Method for Electrolytic Cleaning of Aluminum |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/364,859 US20170081776A1 (en) | 2014-06-18 | 2016-11-30 | Method for Cleaning Metal or Metal Alloy Surfaces |
US201762509406P | 2017-05-22 | 2017-05-22 | |
US15/902,234 US20180179659A1 (en) | 2016-08-08 | 2018-02-22 | Method for Cleaning Aluminum or Aluminum Alloy Surfaces |
US15/985,982 US10968532B2 (en) | 2016-11-30 | 2018-05-22 | Method for electrolytic cleaning of aluminum |
US17/220,970 US20210222316A1 (en) | 2016-11-30 | 2021-04-02 | Method for Electrolytic Cleaning of Aluminum |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/985,982 Continuation US10968532B2 (en) | 2016-11-30 | 2018-05-22 | Method for electrolytic cleaning of aluminum |
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US20210222316A1 true US20210222316A1 (en) | 2021-07-22 |
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US15/985,982 Active US10968532B2 (en) | 2016-11-30 | 2018-05-22 | Method for electrolytic cleaning of aluminum |
US17/220,970 Abandoned US20210222316A1 (en) | 2016-11-30 | 2021-04-02 | Method for Electrolytic Cleaning of Aluminum |
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US3041259A (en) * | 1959-07-31 | 1962-06-26 | Hanson Van Winkle Munning Co | Cleaning aluminum surfaces |
US20070215487A1 (en) * | 2006-03-16 | 2007-09-20 | Wei Daniel C | Apparatus and method for finishing light metal article |
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US3951827A (en) * | 1973-12-03 | 1976-04-20 | Borg-Warner Corporation | Composition and method for removing insoluble scale deposits from surfaces |
US4046592A (en) * | 1976-01-12 | 1977-09-06 | Westinghouse Electric Corporation | Wire cleaning system |
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US20180179659A1 (en) * | 2016-08-08 | 2018-06-28 | H&H Research & Development, Llc | Method for Cleaning Aluminum or Aluminum Alloy Surfaces |
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2018
- 2018-05-22 US US15/985,982 patent/US10968532B2/en active Active
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2021
- 2021-04-02 US US17/220,970 patent/US20210222316A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US2428141A (en) * | 1940-09-25 | 1947-09-30 | Gen Motors Corp | Process for cleaning, stripping, and polishing metal surfaces |
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US10968532B2 (en) | 2021-04-06 |
US20180266010A1 (en) | 2018-09-20 |
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