Posts by Rachel Kohn
Explosion Proof Ultrasonic Cleaner Options
Explosion-proof ultrasonic cleaners must be used when cleaning tasks call for the use of volatile solvents to achieve the desired results. See examples below. When low flash point flammable solvents are involved in an ultrasonic cleaning operation, a number of precautions are called for in addition to using an explosion-proof ultrasonic cleaner. This is because using these solvents creates what the NEC and NFPA term a hazardous location.
A flash point is the temperature at which a particular organic compound gives off sufficient vapor to ignite in air when given an ignition source. In view of this, selection of an ultrasonic cleaner must take into account that not only do volatile solvents evaporate, but the heat generated by the ultrasonic cleaning process accelerates solvent evaporation and vapor generation.… Read the rest
Ultrasonic Cleaner Frequency and Power
Selecting an ultrasonic cleaner for any cleaning and sample preparation operation requires careful consideration of many factors before making a purchasing decision. We offer useful guidelines in our post How to Pick the Best Ultrasonic Cleaner. This post focuses on two points in particular, frequency and power. Ultrasonic frequency is relatively easy to understand; understanding power is a bit more complicated. So let’s begin.
How to Specify Ultrasonic Frequency
Frequency is measured in thousands of cycles per second (kilohertz or kHz).
These frequencies are generated by transducers most commonly affixed to the bottom of the cleaning tank. Some ultrasonic units have transducers bonded to tank sides; others may have immersible transducers.
Wherever they are placed ultrasonic transducers are excited by the unit’s ultrasonic generator to produce millions of microscopic vacuum bubbles in the solution that implode on contact with parts being cleaned.
The implosions, called cavitation, remove contamination … Read the rest
How to Safely Use a Solvent Cleaner
As described in Chapter 3 of the Adhesives Technology Handbook*, “solvent cleaning is the process of removing soil from a surface with an organic solvent without physically or chemically altering the material being cleaned. This includes methods such as vapor degreasing, spraying, immersion, and mechanical or ultrasonic scrubbing.” This post describes how to safely use a volatile solvent cleaner with a low flash point.
Solvent Cleaner Flash Points
Solvent cleaners have different flashpoints. In chemistry, the flash point of a volatile material is the lowest temperature at which its vapors ignite if given an ignition source. In brief, the lower the flashpoint the more flammable they are. This is important when using a solvent cleaner.
The American Chemical Society publishes a table of common organic solvents that includes flash points. Examples of low flash point volatile solvents are 1-propanol at 59⁰F (15⁰C), acetone at -4⁰F (-20⁰C) and toluene at 39⁰F (4⁰C). … Read the rest
Avoid Product Damage by Ultrasonic Waves
The worldwide acceptance of ultrasonic cleaning is confirmed by a MarketandMarkets report stating that it is expected to grow from USD 1.6 billion in 2019 to USD 2.2 billion by 2024, at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. That report describes reasons driving the growth rate while this post provides important tips on avoiding product damage by ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic Waves Described
Ultrasonic waves is another way of describing what is called cavitation action in an ultrasonic cleaner tank. Cavitation action results from the violent implosion of millions of microscopic bubbles every second.
These implosions create a temperature of 5000˚C (>9000˚F) and a jet of plasma impacting the objects being cleaned. It is cavitation action by ultrasonic waves that quickly strips away dirt and other contaminants from parts being cleaned.
Note that this action is exceedingly fast meaning it does not damage the parts. But over time it … Read the rest
Heavy Parts Degreasing with Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaners
Heavy parts degreasing engines and other heavy, complex machinery components can be accomplished quickly and effectively by cavitation action in industrial ultrasonic cleaners. This post provides guidance on the benefits of ultrasonic cleaning, how to use an industrial ultrasonic cleaner, and how to get the best performance from your industrial ultrasonic cleaning equipment.
But first….
Why Use an Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaner?
Cleaning and degreasing heavy parts can be accomplished several ways. Commonly used options include high-pressure steam cleaning and degreasing, solvent-based wash tanks and high-pressure sprays.
Common disadvantages of these options in addition to being time-consuming is that they are unable to penetrate and remove grease and other contaminants lodged in cracks, crevices and blind holes found in complex-shaped industrial parts.
Yet another disadvantage is that solvent-based wash tanks and sprays may introduce environmental concerns both in terms of use and solvent disposal.
In contrast…
As … Read the rest
Digital HPLC Flowmeters – An Overview
What you’ll learn in this digital HPLC flowmeters overview:
- What flow meters do
- Flow measurement validation options
- HPLC flow meter calibration
- Mounting options for HPLC flow meters
- Connecting the flow meter to a PC
- How to maintain an HPLC flowmeter
- User testimonials
Flow meters come in many sizes and find application in a wide range of industries. As examples they meter gasoline pumped into your car and fuel oil into your heating system’s tank. But instead of metering in gallons (for example) digital HPLC Flowmeters measure small flow rates such as 0.05 to 25 milliliters (mL) per minute. This post provides an overview of lightweight, portable, and exceedingly accurate digital High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) flowmeters.
What HPLC Flow Meters Do
Among functions performed by HPLC are included checks for purity, monitoring changes in pharmaceutical intermediates during chemical synthesis scale-up, stability and dissolution tests, and performing ongoing quality control procedures.… Read the rest
How to Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner in Your Hair Salon
Some states are adopting regulations requiring ultrasonic cleaning and sanitizing of tools used in hair salons and cosmetology salons. New Jersey, for example, requires a designated area for cleaning and disinfecting implements and tools, an ultrasonic cleaner for metal implements and tools, a clean, closed receptacle at each work station so soiled implements and tools can be completely immersed in an enzyme solution prior to cleaning and disinfection, and a clean, closed receptacle for storage of sanitized implements and tools at each work station.
Nothing surpasses an ultrasonic cleaner for removing dirt and contaminants from any equipment that can be safely immersed in water. Healthcare facilities have long relied on ultrasonic cleaners to remove blood and tissue from surgical instruments prior to disinfecting and sterilizing. A compact ultrasonic cleaner such as Elma’sE30H model available from Tovatech easily fits on a bench or tabletop in a designated cleaning area in a … Read the rest
Ultrasonic Cleaner Parts Boost Cleaning Efficiency
Your investment in an ultrasonic cleaner pays dividends in terms of faster, more thorough cleaning enabling you to increase throughput in your business and, we hope, improve your profitability. In this post we describe how ultrasonic cleaner parts such as baskets and accessories contribute to your bottom line.
Overview of Ultrasonic Cleaner Parts
The objectives of your ultrasonic cleaning operations governs the parts you should have to accomplish the tasks. Here’s what we’ll cover in this overview:
- Baskets – do you need them and why?
- Alternatives to baskets
- Controlling noise and evaporation
- Managing cleaning solution temperatures
- Cleaning with highly acidic solutions
- Cleaning with volatile solvents
- Sample prep with an ultrasonic cleaner
Why Use a Basket for Ultrasonic Cleaning?
Cleaning baskets may be an optional accessory when buying an ultrasonic cleaner. That’s because many users may already have baskets. Ultrasonic cleaner parts baskets are needed for two major reasons:
- Parts
Lab Applications for Ultrasonic Cleaning Equipment
Elma – the specialists for ultrasonic technology work in close cooperation with the customers to develop new ultrasonic cleaning processes for laboratory applications, such as analyzing, sample processing and cleaning of laboratory instruments. The range of our ultrasonic units is optimized for use in laboratories. The Elma units are indispensable both for research and for the practical use in the lab to find solutions for problems and to get reproducible test results.
Elma offers various different types of ultrasonic cleaners. Each series consists of units of different sizes. They are designed for special applications and meet the requirements of the everyday work in a lab.
Practical accessories facilitate the handling, and specialized additional equipment expand the range of possible applications, e.g. for sieve cleaning.
The cleaning of laboratory glassware and laboratory instruments is a crucial task in any lab. Elma offers a family of chemical cleaners which can be used … Read the rest
Ultrasonic Cleaning with Flammable Solvents
Cleaning with flammable solvents requires extreme caution in any case but ultrasonic cleaning with flammable solvents requires specially designed equipment and procedures. That’s because of the real danger of a fire or explosion if spilled solvent or vapors are ignited by sparks from internal electronics or external sources. This post describes equipment to use and precautions to observe for ultrasonic cleaning with low flash point flammable solvents.
But first, some explanations and relevant regulations.
What is a Flash Point?
Flammable solvents have different flashpoints. In brief, the lower the flashpoint the more flammable they are. This is important when cleaning with flammable solvents.
Fortunately there is help.
The American Chemical Society publishes a table of common organic solvents that includes flash points. Examples of low flash point volatile solvents are 1-propanol at 59⁰F (15⁰C), acetone at -4⁰F (-20⁰C) and toluene at 39⁰F (4⁰C).
Cleaning with Flammable Solvent Regulations
As a … Read the rest