An Introduction to Aqueous Component Degreasing
A popular process appreciated for its fully biodegradable properties, water-based, or aqueous, degreasing has remained a favoured method among industries since its initial rise in the 1980s. Aqueous cleaning began to replace the solvent cleaning processes that were dominant at the time with cleaning solutions that are primarily water-based.
Water Cleaning Solutions
With water as the prominent liquid used in aqueous degreasing (therefore the name), water-based cleaning solutions have been developed to match the contamination that needs removing from components. This has resulted in a wide range of cleaning options including:
- Surfactants - Substances to reduce surface tension for less resistance when cleaning
- Detergents - Water-soluble cleansing agents with cleansing properties when diluted
- Emulsifiers - Cleaning agent that breaks down oils & grease that otherwise wouldn’t dissolve, reducing them to small enough droplets they will suspend in the solution
- Corrosion Inhibitors - Anti-Corrosive chemical compound to decrease the corrosion rate of metal components when they come into contact with water/liquid
- Antifoaming Agents - A substance to reduce and control the amount of foam that is naturally produced from cleaning processes
- Defluxers – Also known as flux removers, these clean flux residues such as chloride and weak organic acids from printed circuit boards
Depending on the target contaminates the operator would like to cleanse/degrease, the PH scale of the solution is worth considering for maximised results. The addition of acid compounds is effective for contaminants such as scale, oxides, rust and metals oxides. While more alkaline solutions are recommended against salt, oxides, soils, metals shavings and grease.
Benefits of Water-Based Degreasing
In an industry where there is a range of options when it comes to cleaning and degreasing, water-based degreasing is popular for many reasons. Some of those reasons are:
- Low cost of entry (machinery and chemicals)
- Low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
- Effectively cleans contamination, oils and grease
- Wide range of process options
- Safe on metal, plastics and many component materials
The Machines for Aqueous Cleaning
Taking place in multiple tanks for various stages to rinse and wash the components, there are a few of techniques associated to aqueous cleaning.
Spray Washing
Taking part in an enclosed area, spray cleaning is literally just spraying the components down with high pressured sprayers. The machine designs vary from a sealed chamber with a basket to a mesh belt flatbed. Both feature multiple spray guns and bars located within allowing for more thorough coverage.
Immersion
As the name implies, immersion dunks the components in a tank of water-based solutions. With parts directly connected or placed in a basket connected to a lift platform, they are repeatedly moved in an up and down motion to agitate the cleaning solution.
Spray Under Immersion
A hybrid process featuring aspects of both the above techniques, spray under immersion applies a pressure pump spray from below the water surface. Like that of a jacuzzi, the underwater spray creates the mechanical energy to agitate the solution to clean the parts.
Considering the variety of methods, the machines for aqueous cleaning have no strict designs. As each method has its own benefits, aqueous machines are commonly multistage cleaning lines featuring multiple techniques chosen to cater to the components. With so many options for aqueous cleaning lines available, companies opting for custom setups such as our own multistage cleaning range is normal.
To find out more or to see the machines we have available, visit Aqueous Cleaning & Washing
Ultrasonic Cleaning
A common feature also seen in aqueous cleaning machines is ultrasonic tanks. The core of the process revolves around high-frequency sound waves agitating the water to create microbubbles to clean the components. Ultrasonic technology can be gentle yet invasive, frequently used for delicate components such as watches parts, medical instruments, valves and circuit boards.
To find out more about ultrasonic cleaning, visit our article What is Ultrasonic Cleaning?
Turbex AC-1,3-2 -LD Front Loading Spray Washer
The AC two stage spray washing range is perfect for water based cleaning on medium to large components, where a single detergent wash followed with a rinse is sufficient. Features 1100mm diameter load.
- Stock No
- DC1483
- Category
- Aqueous Ultrasonic Cleaning & Washing
- Model
- Turbex AC-1,3-2 -LD
- Year of Manufacture
- 2006
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 1000 x 1000 x 900
- Process Stages
- Two Stage, Wash and Rinse
- Other Info
- 800Kg Load Capacity
- Condition
- From a working environment, Good Condition
- Refurbished Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Elma Ultrasonic Dunking Modular Cleaning, Rinsing and Drying System
Elma Ultrasonic wash, rinse and dry modular cleaning line with heated wash and rinse and external pumped filters on each wet stage plus external heated filtering weir system. Including pneumatic lifting and lowering of wash baskets in each tank.
- Stock No
- DD1541J
- Category
- Aqueous Ultrasonic Cleaning & Washing
- Model
- Elma X-TRA 550/2-WLT-M
- Year of Manufacture
- TBA
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- Each Tank 300 X 470 X 300 (42Litres)
- Process Stages
- Dunking, Ultrasonic clean, rinse & dry
- Other Info
- Basket 260 X 430 X 85mm
- Condition
- Refurbished by RSW, Excellent Condition, Current Model
- Refurbished Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Technowash Multiclean 4 Stage, Ultrasonic Cleaning Line
This second hand Technowash Multiclean Ultrasonic cleaning machine is a high precision cleaner, which is gentle, quick, safe and highly effective at cleaning a wide range of materials.
- Stock No
- DE1550
- Category
- Aqueous Ultrasonic Cleaning & Washing
- Model
- Technowash Multiclean 4-60
- Year of Manufacture
- 2016
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 60 Litres Capacity per tank
- Process Stages
- 4 Stages
- Other Info
- Stainless Steel Construction
- Condition
- From a working environment, Excellent Condition
Kerry ( Guyson International ) Passivation Line with iDrive Autotrans
Sold to a customer before general market release.
- Stock No
- DE1567
- Category
- Aqueous Ultrasonic Cleaning & Washing
- Model
- Kerry ( Guyson International ) MF450/7SP
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- Basket Size = (TBC)
- Process Stages
- Multiple Stage
- Condition
- From a working environment, Seen working by RSW, Excellent Condition
Kerry ( Guyson International ) 450 with Mini Autotrans
Sold to a customer before general market release.
This pre owned Microsolve 450 Solvent system offers high precision cleaning with the ability to deal with heavy levels of contamination.
Originally operating in a clean room environment in the orthopaedics industry.
- Stock No
- DE1569
- Category
- Aqueous Ultrasonic Cleaning & Washing
- Model
- Kerry ( Guyson International ) 450/2C with Mini Autotrans
- Year of Manufacture
- 2008
- Other Info
- Enclosure 4400 x 1800 x 2900mm
- Condition
- From a working environment, Seen working by RSW, Excellent Condition
Everest Autoclean 300 Ultrasonic Washing and Cleaning Machine
Large ultrasonic washing system : Parts placed on the standard floor mounted platform by hand or with the assistance help of an overhead crane are cleaned by ultrasonic washing. Single tank with heating, constructed entirely from 304 stainless steel. With powerful ultrasonic cleaning @ 1500W ~ 28 kHz.
- Stock No
- DE1573
- Category
- Aqueous Ultrasonic Cleaning & Washing
- Model
- Everest Autoclean 300
- Year of Manufacture
- 11 / 2015
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 1100 x 500 x 400mm (300 litres)
- Process Stages
- Single Dunk with Ultrasonics
- Other Info
- Ultrasonics 1500W - 28kHz (2 off)
- Condition
- From a working environment, Current Model
- Refurbished Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Amsonic PLC Controlled, 5 Stage Semi-Auto Aqueous Cleaning Line
5 Stage Amsonic Cleaning Line, comprising of two heated wash / Immersion tanks, plus three rinse tanks to complete the process. Light Guards and operator platform for safe and easy working, 8 baskets for reducing loading and unloading downtime.
- Stock No
- DZ1344J
- Category
- Aqueous Ultrasonic Cleaning & Washing
- Model
- Amsonic 5 Tank, Rotational Basket, Wash / Rinse, Line.
- Year of Manufacture
- Recon 2017
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 650 x460 x 730
- Process Stages
- 5 Stages plus load / unload.
- Other Info
- 8 x Hexagonal work baskets 290 AF x 535
- Condition
- From a working environment, Excellent Condition
- Refurbished Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Riley Ultrasonic Multistage Cleaning Range
The Riley Ultrasonic Cleaning and wash range is available in 2-5 stages with 60-240 litre tanks possible. Built from 304 Stainless Steel the quality is clear to see at an excellent price.
- Stock No
- NEW190
- Category
- Aqueous Ultrasonic Cleaning & Washing
- Model
- Riley Various
- Year of Manufacture
- NEW
- Process Stages
- 2, 3, 4, or 5 stages are available
- Other Info
- Ultrasonic, Heated, Multi Tank Cleaning
- Condition
- Brand New, Unused, Current Model
- Availability:
- Available subject to build time
- Price [?]
- Please call on +44 (0) 1922 45 8000
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