Aqueous washing systems

Metal washing equipment with ultrasonic technology and vacuum drying

The market offers a variety of detergents, which can be emulsified in water, some of which, when used on certain types of polluting materials, can give results similar to those obtained using solvents.

In other cases, however, it is necessary to improve the quality of washing by increasing the mechanical action, either by combining the hydrodynamic effect of high-pressure nozzles or through the hydrokinetic action created by ultrasonic devices.

Another key element of water washing systems is the amount of tanks present and needed to achieve the required number of washes and rinses.

Firbimatic has a range of machines that varies from one to several tanks, which according to specifications can be used in different working configurations, with a variety of products, always respecting one of the fundamental aspects of water washing, which is the total independence of the tanks and their washing circuits.

Ultrasonic technology and vacuum drying are also available to complement the system and ensure excellent drying and optimum washing results.

Water is not a detergent, it is only the vehicle used to carry additives and detergents that increase washing power and facilitate the removal of pollutants; generally these additives consist of two combined elements, a surfactant agent and the washing agent.

Normally the inorganic components of aqueous detergents are environmentally friendly, considering that by law synthetic surfactants must be 80 to 90 percent biodegradable. However, it is better to voluntarily avoid the use of raw materials that turn into products that can be harmful to the aquatic environment (such as nonylphenol ethoxylate).

From the point of view of atmospheric emissions, the use of water-based solutions is environmentally friendly. However, before discharging water from tanks, it is necessary to remove pollutants (salts, oils, heavy metals, pastes, etc.) through specific treatments: by depth filtration, flotation, activated carbon filter, reverse osmosis, evaporation, distillation, etc.

Operating costs of water and detergent systems

Operating costs are determined by several factors:

Cost of detergent (price per liter of degreasing solution);
Cost of consumption for heating the degreasing and rinsing baths;
Cost of water supply;
Cost of disposal.

When choosing between a water-based system and a solvent-based system, it is advisable to consider all these different aspects and avoid making decisions by mere intuition.