TPT September 2007

Panel 3: Examples continued Many tubes have a very complicated shape because they have no simple cylindrical form. Instead, they may have a lot of clearance holes, dead holes, interstices, curvings, threads, and fins etc (figures see 18-22). In case of tubes with clearance cavities that are very hard to clean, another cleaning technology is required: a dedicated internal flux (figure 23).

› Figure 7 : Multipurpose single tank with ultrasounds

€ Figure 18 : Small tubes employed in research laboratories

dedicated to detergent solutions, and has a separating oil system and recycling/filtering group, in order to recover and recycle the dirty washing solution for later reuse. Further reservoirs are also included (depending on the kind of detergent) for rinsing water (demineralized or not). The detergent reservoir is also connected with the condenser of a suction collar, positioned in the upper part of the process tank in order to recover all bath vapours. It is also possible to achieve a rinsing with high-pressure saturated steam. If no other phase is needed (eg passivation), then the machine begins the drying phase with hot air. The only two manual operations consist of loading/unloading of the basket containing tubes to be cleaned and automatic cycle start- up (ie pushing a start button). Therefore, the machine operates automatically with PLC (a programmable logic controller for the control of the system cycles and the safety integrated devices). All required treatments can be undertaken automatically, as the process tank is designed to activate every system necessary in each fully adjustable treatment phase. This machine is closed cycle equipment without any liquid or gaseous dispersion.

‹ Figure 19 : Small tubes in aluminium and copper for thermo-regulation applications

› Figure 20 : Finned aluminium tubes for heat exchangers

fi Figure 8 : A liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide cleaning machine

› Figure 21 : Stainless steel injectors (automotive)

› Figure 22 : Curved shape tubes

€ Figure 23 : Tubes that

need internal cleaning flux

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S eptember /O ctober 2007