Common Misconceptions in Industrial Parts Cleaning
Many decisions in industrial parts cleaning are based on assumptions that are either oversimplified or incorrect. In the worst case, these misconceptions can lead to poor decisions and even pose risks to people and the environment.
Common examples include:
Water-based cleaning is automatically the simpler or more cost-effective solution
Solvent-based cleaning processes are inherently more hazardous to people and the environment
The cleaning system alone determines the cleaning result
Cleaning performance depends primarily on the equipment selected
In practice, these assumptions are often misleading.
Successful cleaning processes always depend on the interaction of:
Cleaning Medium
Reinigungsmedium
Process Design (e.g., number and sequence of process steps, mechanical action, temperature, and cycle time)
Regulatory and Technical Requirements
In many applications, cleaning performance is only one part of the equation. Regulatory and technical requirements must also be considered.
These may include:
Explosion protection
Requirements arising from water protection regulations (WHG)
Solvent handling and emissions control
Occupational health and safety requirements & Machine and process safety
These aspects are not always fully considered in practice but can have significant implications for both operations and liability.
Practical Examples
A solvent with a flash point above 60°C is often assumed to be non-flammable
In reality, all liquids with a defined flash point are inherently combustible and can form an explosive atmosphere under certain conditions
Likewise, it is frequently assumed that no explosive atmosphere can exist below the flash point
Depending on the substance or mixture involved, an adequate safety margin below the flash point must be maintained
In reality, explosive atmospheres may still occur below the flash point, particularly when solvents are sprayed, atomized, or dispersed into fine droplets
Similarly, the use of vacuum technology is sometimes incorrectly regarded as a substitute for explosion protection measures
Vacuum operation can be one element of an explosion protection concept, but it does not replace the need for appropriate explosion protection measures
Typical Implementation Mistakes
Common mistakes encountered in industrial cleaning projects include:
Selecting equipment without sufficient process analysis
Choosing cleaning media that are not optimally matched to the application
Underestimating or misinterpreting regulatory requirements
Comparing proposals solely on purchase price
These mistakes often lead to:
Insufficient cleaning performance
Higher operating costs
Costly retrofits and modifications
Avoidable technical and regulatory risks
Our Approach
We believe that technical, economic, and regulatory factors must always be considered together.
This provides you with:
Clear and well-founded decision-making criteria
Consideration of all relevant operational and regulatory requirements
Transparent evaluation of alternative solution concepts
Further Information:
Cleaning Systems
Cleaning Media
Consulting & Regulatory Compliance
Have Your Cleaning Application Evaluated