[What is Cleaning? Basic Edition ⑦]Mechanism and Advantages/Disadvantages of Vapor Cleaning/Drying

Vapor cleaning is a cleaning method that uses steam generated by heating a solvent. It rinses off the cleaning liquid from previous processes with high-purity solvent, suppressing the formation of stains after drying.

Vapor drying exposes cleaned items to steam after cleaning, raising their temperature to dry them. A major characteristic is that finish cleaning and drying can be performed simultaneously.

This is an all-around cleaning/drying method that can thoroughly clean fine items including gaps, and is also expected to have sterilization and disinfection effects. However, there are also constraints, such as not being suitable for products that are sensitive to high temperatures.

This article explains the mechanism, merits, and demerits of vapor cleaning/drying (steam drying, steam drying) as the basics of cleaning.

1. What is Vapor Cleaning/Drying and What are Its Effects?

Vapor cleaning/drying is a method that vaporizes non-flammable cleaning liquid by applying heat and supplies it to the cleaning object to perform cleaning.

-Suppression of Stains After Cleaning/Drying 

The vapor condenses into solvent and can effectively rinse off residues of solvents used in previous processes. As a result, excellent effects such as suppressing stain formation after cleaning/drying are expected. 

-Finish Cleaning Possible Simultaneously with Drying

Vapor drying enables finish cleaning simultaneously with drying.

Cleaned items that have been rinsed with cleaning liquid at a temperature lower than the boiling point of the cleaning liquid are placed into vaporized cleaning liquid vapor. Then, due to the temperature difference between the cleaned item surface temperature and the vaporized cleaning liquid vapor, the cleaning liquid cools and liquefies on the cleaned item surface, and the cleaning liquid flows down the cleaned item surface. This allows even slight dirt remaining on the cleaned item surface to be cleaned. This enables finish cleaning.

Next, by placing the cleaned items in the vapor, the surface temperature of the cleaned items becomes the same as the vapor temperature, creating a state where cleaning liquid and vapor do not adhere to the cleaned item surface, and the cleaned items can be removed in a dry state. 

-Can Be Used for Final Finishing of Hydrocarbon-Based Cleaning Liquids 

Vapor cleaning/drying is extremely useful in the final finishing process even for flammable hydrocarbon-based cleaning liquids. However, because it is flammable, thorough measures on the cleaning machine side to prevent contact with the atmosphere are essential.

Specifically, heated hydrocarbon vapor is used in a vacuum chamber where the final finish cleaning tank does not contact the atmosphere, and the vapor is recovered by vacuuming to perform drying. It is necessary to use cleaning liquid specifically for hydrocarbons.

 Schematic Diagram of Vapor Cleaning/Drying 

2. Advantages of Vapor Cleaning/Drying

Vapor cleaning/drying has the following advantages:

-Products Can Be Dried Quickly 

First, rapid drying is possible. Vapor cleaning has high drying efficiency and can quickly dry products and materials. As a result, production efficiency improves and time can be saved.

 -Environmentally Friendly

It is also attracting attention as an environmentally friendly method. Since it is performed without using harmful solvents or chemicals, the burden on the environment is reduced.

-Little Damage to Cleaning Objects

Furthermore, vapor cleaning also has the characteristic of reducing scratches and damage. Since physical friction is minimized, damage to cleaning objects is reduced.

 
-Sterilization and Disinfection Effects

And hygienic drying is also possible. Since vapor cleaning uses high-temperature steam, it has sterilization and disinfection effects, enabling hygienic drying.

3. Disadvantages of Vapor Cleaning/Drying

On the other hand, vapor cleaning also has several disadvantages. 

-Not Suitable for Products Sensitive to High Temperatures

First, there are constraints due to steam and temperature for each material and product. Some materials and products are sensitive to high-temperature steam, so vapor cleaning may not be suitable. 

 
-Processing Time May Be Relatively Long

 Also, since vapor cleaning and vacuum drying are performed in one tank, a certain amount of time is required. Since both processes need to be performed sequentially, processing time may become longer.

 -Costs May Become High

Furthermore, there is also the disadvantage that the price of vapor cleaning tanks for generating vapor is high. Since vapor cleaning tanks require advanced technology and equipment, their cost may be higher compared to other cleaning methods.  

 
4. Precautions for Vapor Cleaning/Drying | Pay Utmost Attention to Ignition

When using vapor cleaning/drying for flammable cleaning agents such as hydrocarbon cleaning agents, it is necessary to be aware that there is a risk of ignition or fire when the cleaning agent is heated during use of the vapor cleaning machine or steam cleaner. The handling of cleaning agents requires utmost attention, and it is desirable to clean with machines that have complete functions such as performing vapor cleaning in a vacuum state. 

5. For Cleaning Challenges, Contact JFE Electronics

Vapor cleaning is a cleaning method that can perform finish cleaning simultaneously with drying. It can thoroughly clean relatively fine items including gaps, and sterilization and disinfection effects can also be expected. It is a cleaning/drying method with a wide range of applications, but there are also points requiring attention, such as not being suitable for products sensitive to high temperatures.

For cleaning challenges, JFE Shoji Electronics has specialized staff knowledgeable about your on-site cleaning processes who will make proposals according to your needs. 

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