Cleaners

Cleaning is the process of removing unwanted soil from a surface and rendering it suitable for further use or processing. The type and composition of soil and surface must be determined in order to select the right cleaner. Next, the type of cleaning process must be known. Finally, the desired degree of surface cleanliness and it’s criteria must be understood. How clean must the surface be and how will that be measured?

Most cleaners displace and suspend or emulsify soils. Mechanical agitation accelerates this process. Alkaline cleaners are typically composed of alkaline salts, emulsifiers, wetting agents sequestering agents and inhibitors. Solvent based cleaners dissolve all or part of the soil.

Surface
The surface’s chemistry, reactivity, and complexity are the main factors to consider. The cleaner should be compatible with the surface under the conditions of operation. Most metal surfaces will be more susceptible to corrosion once they have been cleaned. This must be addressed by incorporating an inhibitor in the cleaner or applying one immediately after.

Soil
The composition and quantity of the soil are major factors in determining the proper cleaner and cleaning process. Soils may build up in the cleaner bath and affect performance. Soil load should be monitored and held below tolerance limits by treatment, or bath renewal. Solids can be controlled with proper filtration. Liquid soils can be removed with skimmers, coalescers or centrifuges if they are not overly emulsified or dissolved by the cleaner.

Time
The chemical and physical process of cleaning needs time to be completed. Reducing the time places greater performance demands on the cleaner and/or the cleaning equipment.

Temperature
Higher temperatures can reduce the viscosity of residues and increase cleaning efficiency. However, temperatures above those recommended for a given product may compromise performance and waste the cost of energy.

Water
Water normally contains dissolved ions like sodium, calcium, chloride, and sulfate. These can be at high levels or can buildup over time through evaporation of the water. They can affect stability, corrosion, residues, rate of bacterial and fungal growth and the efficiency of the cleaner. Physical or chemical treatment of the water can remove or tie-up some of these ions.

Equipment
There are two basic type of washers, spray and immersion. Spray washers can vary in the type, number, position and pressure of the spray heads. Immersion washers can vary from simple soak tanks to mechanically agitated, ultrasonic, or electrolytic units. Maintenance of the washer mechanisms, rinses, and blow-offs is critical.


Process Fluids Incorporated offers a full line of technically advanced products. Please review the appropriate product data sheet for specific use recommendations.

Spray Cleaners 
1204-SEconomical, high alkaline, silicated cleaner with low foam above 135°F.
1204-GHigh alkaline, non silicated cleaner with low foam above 135°F.
1205Moderate alkaline, silicated cleaner for standard soils.
1210Heavy duty alkaline, silicated cleaner for difficult soils, use above 140°F.
1400Mild alkaline general purpose cleaner for ferrous metals.
1550Mild alkaline general purpose cleaner for ferrous and cast aluminum.
Phosphate 
Iron PhosphateLiquid, low temperature iron phosphate.
DPHOSLiquid, low temperature detergent iron phosphate
NC Seal-2Non-Chrome final seal for phosphated parts.
Soak Tank Cleaners 
1210Heavy duty alkaline, silicated cleaner for difficult soils, use above 140°F.
1600Heavy duty liquid alkaline derust.
1800Heavy duty steel soak and electro-cleaner.
1900Phosphoric acid descale and metal etching.
Maintenance Cleaners 
1000Low cost general purpose maintenance cleaner. (pH: 11 - 12)
1050Citrus degreaser/cleaner. (pH: 10.5 - 11.5)
1100Heavy duty general purpose maintenance cleaner. (pH: 11 - 12)
1150General purpose maintenance cleaner. (pH: 9 - 10)
1205Silicated system cleaner. (pH: 11.5-12.5)

Process fluids also offers an extensive range of corrosion preventives, metalforming lubricants, machining & grinding fluids and quenching fluids. Please consult your local representative for additional information.