WO1998057762A1 - Washing process - Google Patents

Washing process Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998057762A1
WO1998057762A1 PCT/GB1998/001768 GB9801768W WO9857762A1 WO 1998057762 A1 WO1998057762 A1 WO 1998057762A1 GB 9801768 W GB9801768 W GB 9801768W WO 9857762 A1 WO9857762 A1 WO 9857762A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
washing
washing liquid
article
chamber
fluid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/001768
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter David Young
Original Assignee
Peter David Young
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Peter David Young filed Critical Peter David Young
Publication of WO1998057762A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998057762A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
    • B08B3/10—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration

Definitions

  • This invention relates to washing processes.
  • washing processes for example processes used to wash cast or machined metal objects (or indeed any objects) before or after a chemical treatment process, or to wash machining debris or other matter from objects.
  • This invention provides apparatus for washing an article, the apparatus comprising: a chamber for receiving the article; a supply of washing liquid; a washing liquid conduit for carrying washing liquid to the chamber; and a gas injector for injecting a gas into the washing liquid as the washing liquid progresses along the washing liquid conduit.
  • the injected air breaks up the flow of washing fluid and causes small bubbles to be suspended in the washing fluid. This has been found to improve the washing efficiency greatly.
  • One possible explanation is that the observed effect is similar to the abrasion of a boat's propeller due to cavitation in the water.
  • the apparatus comprises a metal chamber 100 for receiving an article 105 to be chemically treated and washed.
  • a motor 110 is arranged so that the article 105 can be rotated (preferably, about a near-horizontal axis) while it is in the chamber.
  • a number of items are connected in fluid communication with the chamber.
  • Three fluid supply tanks, 120, 130 and 140 hold (respectively) a treatment chemical solution, an aqueous alkaline pre-washing solution and a post-washing solution. (Here the terms "pre-” and “post-” washing are used simply to distinguish between washing which takes place before the application of the treatment chemical and washing which takes place after application).
  • a single tank might be required if only a washing step is required (e.g. for the removal of swarf and cutting fluid from a machined object).
  • a washing step e.g. for the removal of swarf and cutting fluid from a machined object.
  • the washing solutions are water with a corrosion inhibiting additive.
  • the three tanks are connected to a fluid inlet/outlet 150 from the chamber 100, and fluid emerging from the fluid inlet/outlet 150 can be routed to any of the three tanks or to a drain outlet 160 by a pair of valves 170.
  • fluid from two of the three tanks can be selectively admitted to a fluid inlet pipe 180 (which enters the chamber 100 at the top of the chamber) via a series of valves 190, 210.
  • the fluid is then driven by a pump (not shown) along the fluid inlet pipe 180.
  • a filter element A filter element
  • a steam extractor (basically a fan) 233 is connected to the chamber by a valve 236.
  • An air inlet 270 is provided in the fluid inlet pipe 180 to inject air from an air supply (e.g. a pump, compressor or compressed air storage cylinder) 280 into the flow of washing fluid passing along the fluid inlet pipe 180.
  • an air supply e.g. a pump, compressor or compressed air storage cylinder
  • air is used preferentially because it is cheap, but other gases could of course be used instead.
  • the air inlet is a 2 - 3 mm diameter tube, with the air pressure between 2 and 4 bar for a washing fluid pressure of 1 - 2 bar.
  • the washing fluid flow rate is about 400 litres per minute.
  • the injected air breaks up the flow of washing fluid and causes small bubbles to be suspended in the washing fluid. This has been found to improve the washing efficiency greatly.
  • One possible explanation is that the observed effect is similar to the abrasion of a boat's propeller due to vortices in the water.
  • the process employed with the apparatus shown in the drawing comprises a number of process steps as follows:
  • the article to be tested is placed in position within the process chamber, for example held within a suitable tray or cage structure.
  • the chamber is then closed,
  • Pre-washing fluid from the tank 130 is heated to at least 35-40 °C, preferably between 50 and 80°C, and supplied via the valve 190 to the chamber 100. Air is injected via the air inlet 270 during this process.
  • the article 105 is rotated in the pre- washins fluid for about one minute.
  • the pre-washing fluid is drained back to the tank 130 via the fluid inlet/ outlet
  • This process may be carried on for e.g. 30 seconds.
  • a post-washing solution from the tank 140 is supplied into the chamber 100 and the article 105 rotated within the post-washing solution. Air is injected via the air inlet 180 as the post washing solution passes along the fluid inlet pipe 180.
  • a hot recyclable post-washing solution is supplied from the tank 140 to the chamber 100 and the article 105 rotated. Air is injected via the air inlet 180 as the post washing solution passes along the fluid inlet pipe 180.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)

Abstract

Apparatus for washing an article (105) comprises a chamber (100) for receiving the article; a supply of washing liquid; a washing liquid conduit (180) for carrying washing liquid to the chamber; and a gas injector (270) for injecting a gas into the washing liquid as the washing liquid progresses along the washing liquid conduit. Injecting gas into the supply of washing liquid can give an improved washing efficiency.

Description

WASHING PROCESS
This invention relates to washing processes.
It is a constant aim to improve the efficiency of washing processes, for example processes used to wash cast or machined metal objects (or indeed any objects) before or after a chemical treatment process, or to wash machining debris or other matter from objects.
This invention provides apparatus for washing an article, the apparatus comprising: a chamber for receiving the article; a supply of washing liquid; a washing liquid conduit for carrying washing liquid to the chamber; and a gas injector for injecting a gas into the washing liquid as the washing liquid progresses along the washing liquid conduit. The injected air breaks up the flow of washing fluid and causes small bubbles to be suspended in the washing fluid. This has been found to improve the washing efficiency greatly. One possible explanation is that the observed effect is similar to the abrasion of a boat's propeller due to cavitation in the water.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for treating and washing an article.
Referring now to the drawing, the apparatus comprises a metal chamber 100 for receiving an article 105 to be chemically treated and washed. A motor 110 is arranged so that the article 105 can be rotated (preferably, about a near-horizontal axis) while it is in the chamber.
A number of items are connected in fluid communication with the chamber. Three fluid supply tanks, 120, 130 and 140, hold (respectively) a treatment chemical solution, an aqueous alkaline pre-washing solution and a post-washing solution. (Here the terms "pre-" and "post-" washing are used simply to distinguish between washing which takes place before the application of the treatment chemical and washing which takes place after application).
Alternatively, a single tank might be required if only a washing step is required (e.g. for the removal of swarf and cutting fluid from a machined object). Various different numbers of tanks and process steps can be envisaged.
In this embodiment, the washing solutions are water with a corrosion inhibiting additive. The three tanks are connected to a fluid inlet/outlet 150 from the chamber 100, and fluid emerging from the fluid inlet/outlet 150 can be routed to any of the three tanks or to a drain outlet 160 by a pair of valves 170. Similarly, fluid from two of the three tanks can be selectively admitted to a fluid inlet pipe 180 (which enters the chamber 100 at the top of the chamber) via a series of valves 190, 210. The fluid is then driven by a pump (not shown) along the fluid inlet pipe 180. A filter element
220 is connected in series with the fluid inlet pipe 180.
A steam extractor (basically a fan) 233 is connected to the chamber by a valve 236.
An air inlet 270 is provided in the fluid inlet pipe 180 to inject air from an air supply (e.g. a pump, compressor or compressed air storage cylinder) 280 into the flow of washing fluid passing along the fluid inlet pipe 180. Here, air is used preferentially because it is cheap, but other gases could of course be used instead.
In this embodiment the air inlet is a 2 - 3 mm diameter tube, with the air pressure between 2 and 4 bar for a washing fluid pressure of 1 - 2 bar. The washing fluid flow rate is about 400 litres per minute.
The injected air breaks up the flow of washing fluid and causes small bubbles to be suspended in the washing fluid. This has been found to improve the washing efficiency greatly. One possible explanation is that the observed effect is similar to the abrasion of a boat's propeller due to vortices in the water. The process employed with the apparatus shown in the drawing comprises a number of process steps as follows:
(i) The article to be tested is placed in position within the process chamber, for example held within a suitable tray or cage structure. The chamber is then closed, (ii) Pre-washing fluid from the tank 130 is heated to at least 35-40 °C, preferably between 50 and 80°C, and supplied via the valve 190 to the chamber 100. Air is injected via the air inlet 270 during this process. The article 105 is rotated in the pre- washins fluid for about one minute. (iii) The pre-washing fluid is drained back to the tank 130 via the fluid inlet/ outlet
150 and one of the valves 170.
(iv) The article 105 is rotated while steam is extracted by the steam extractor 233
(with the air inlet valve 240 open). This process may be carried on for e.g. 30 seconds.
(v) The treatment chemical is supplied from the tank 120 into the chamber 100.
(vi) After treatment of the article, the treatment chemical is returned via the valve
170 to the tank 120.
(vii) A post-washing solution from the tank 140 is supplied into the chamber 100 and the article 105 rotated within the post-washing solution. Air is injected via the air inlet 180 as the post washing solution passes along the fluid inlet pipe 180.
(viii) The post-washing solution is drained from the drain outlet 160 and discarded.
(ix) A hot recyclable post-washing solution is supplied from the tank 140 to the chamber 100 and the article 105 rotated. Air is injected via the air inlet 180 as the post washing solution passes along the fluid inlet pipe 180.
(x) The recyclable post-washing solution is drained back to the tank 140.
(xi) Finally, steam is extracted by the steam extractor 233 with the air inlet valve
240 open.
Although rotation of the article is particularly mentioned in certain of the above steps, it is preferred that the article is continuously rotated throughout the whole process.

Claims

1. Apparatus for washing an article, the apparatus comprising: a chamber for receiving the article; a supply of washing liquid; a washing liquid conduit for carrying washing liquid to the chamber; and a gas injector for injecting a gas into the washing liquid as the washing liquid progresses along the washing liquid conduit.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the gas is air.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the gas is injected into the washing liquid at a gas pressure of between about 2 bar and about 4 bar.
4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the washing liquid is water.
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a heater for heating the washing liquid to a washing temperature of between about 40 ┬░C and about 80 ┬░C.
6. A washing method comprising the steps of: injecting a gas into a supply of washing liquid; and washing an article in the washing liquid.
PCT/GB1998/001768 1997-06-17 1998-06-17 Washing process WO1998057762A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9712753.4A GB9712753D0 (en) 1997-06-17 1997-06-17 Washing process
GB9712753.4 1997-06-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998057762A1 true WO1998057762A1 (en) 1998-12-23

Family

ID=10814450

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1998/001768 WO1998057762A1 (en) 1997-06-17 1998-06-17 Washing process

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB9712753D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1998057762A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10210983B4 (en) * 2002-03-13 2010-04-15 Meissner, Werner Industrial cleaning plant with a selection device for used cleaning fluids
CN104014771A (en) * 2013-12-31 2014-09-03 江山市王村水泵铸件厂 Casting cleaning system
CN106735124A (en) * 2017-01-21 2017-05-31 深圳市千里行新材料有限公司 A kind of investment cast cleaning equipment
US20170282220A1 (en) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-05 Tyco Fire & Security Gmbh Method and System for Liquid Cleaning of Smoke Sensor Heads

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988007895A1 (en) * 1987-04-06 1988-10-20 Foamtech Pty. Ltd. A cleaning system
DE8905974U1 (en) * 1989-05-12 1989-07-27 Biermaier, Hans, 8904 Friedberg, De
EP0343779A1 (en) * 1988-04-22 1989-11-29 Junkosha Co. Ltd. Cleaning apparatus and methods
JPH0760203A (en) * 1993-08-26 1995-03-07 Ricoh Elemex Corp Washing apparatus
DE4445434A1 (en) * 1994-12-20 1996-06-27 Hans Biermaier Washing appts. for cleaning endoscope

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988007895A1 (en) * 1987-04-06 1988-10-20 Foamtech Pty. Ltd. A cleaning system
EP0343779A1 (en) * 1988-04-22 1989-11-29 Junkosha Co. Ltd. Cleaning apparatus and methods
DE8905974U1 (en) * 1989-05-12 1989-07-27 Biermaier, Hans, 8904 Friedberg, De
JPH0760203A (en) * 1993-08-26 1995-03-07 Ricoh Elemex Corp Washing apparatus
DE4445434A1 (en) * 1994-12-20 1996-06-27 Hans Biermaier Washing appts. for cleaning endoscope

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 95, no. 6 31 July 1995 (1995-07-31) *

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10210983B4 (en) * 2002-03-13 2010-04-15 Meissner, Werner Industrial cleaning plant with a selection device for used cleaning fluids
CN104014771A (en) * 2013-12-31 2014-09-03 江山市王村水泵铸件厂 Casting cleaning system
US20170282220A1 (en) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-05 Tyco Fire & Security Gmbh Method and System for Liquid Cleaning of Smoke Sensor Heads
CN106735124A (en) * 2017-01-21 2017-05-31 深圳市千里行新材料有限公司 A kind of investment cast cleaning equipment
CN106735124B (en) * 2017-01-21 2018-07-06 深圳市千里行新材料有限公司 A kind of investment cast cleaning equipment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9712753D0 (en) 1997-08-20

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