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Trial Number 8

Trial Purpose:

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effectiveness of alternatives using heated ultrasonic cleaning with a heated rinse.

Date Run:

08/04/2021

Experiment Procedure:

Cleaners were prepared to the following concentrations: Citranox 2%, Mirachem 500 20%, Water Works 7:1, SC Aircraft & Metal 20%, Aquaease 732 5%, Aquavantage 3800 GD 5%. All cleaners and an ultrasonic bath were heated to 110°F. Three stainless steel coupons were obtained and weighed for each of the coupons being tested. Coupons were then soiled with oil provided by the company and a dirty weight was recorded. Once solutions and the ultrasonic bath reached the proper temperature, coupons were submerged into their respective cleaners and ultrasonic cleaning was conducted for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes had passed, coupons were rinsed in a deionized water bath, also at 110°F, for 5 minutes. Coupons were then allowed to dry in air for 24 hours. Following the drying period, coupons were weighed again and a clean weight was recorded. Effectiveness of the cleaners was determined.

Trial Results:

Cleaner Initial wt of cont. Final wt of cont. %Cont Removed % AVG
Mirachem 500 0.1885 0.0065 96.55 95.90
0.1397 0.0067 95.20
0.1528 0.0062 95.94
Water Works 0.1238 0.0077 93.78 93.82
0.1690 0.0064 96.21
0.1150 0.0098 91.48
SC Aircraft & Metal 0.1776 0.0138 92.23 90.43
0.1550 0.0154 90.06
0.1372 0.0151 88.99
Aquaease 732 0.1145 0.0112 90.22 91.46
0.1746 0.0093 94.67
0.1122 0.0118 89.48
Aquavantage 3800 GD 0.1411 0.0082 94.19 95.25
0.1598 0.0071 95.56
0.1651 0.0066 96.00

Mirachem 500 was the most successful cleaner removing an average of 95.90% of the oil from stainless steel substrates. Citranox was tested in this trial. However, the beaker had spilled partway through cleaning making final weights unobtainable. However, because other on average higher performing cleaners, such as Water Works and Mirachem, still have not removed the lingering residue, it is assumed Citranox would not have removed the residue in this trial as well.

It is hypothesized that the coupons are being re-coated with the oil as they are removed from respective cleaning solutions. The TURI lab is seeking to acquire a high pressure air gun to spray the residue off the coupons during removal to better simulate industrial practices. While waiting for the air gun to arrive, testing could progress to increasing the concentration of cleaners and determine if the additional strength is enough to remove the residue.  

Success Rating:

Results successful using TACT (time, agitation, concentration, and temperature, as well as rinsing and drying) and/or other cleaning chemistries examined.

Conclusion:

Upon completion of testing, it was determined that Mirachem 500 was the most effective cleaner removing an average of 95.90% of oil from stainless steel substrates. With the lingering oil still present, the TURI lab is seeking to acquire a high pressure air gun to incorporate into the process. While waiting for the air gun, next steps of testing would be to determine if higher cleaner concentrations will be able to remove the residue.

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