Critical Cleaning - Alconox, Inc.: H

Alconox, Inc. The Leader in Critical-Cleaning Detergents

Search:

Site Applications

Technical Information & Certificates:

Select Cleaner/Cat. #

Select Document

General Cleaner Info: Pharmaceutical Cleaning Validation CAP Residue Detection Methods
Catalog	Users Manual

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

***NOTE: This Blog has moved. Click here for the updated blog.***

H - Heat

Question/problem:
How does temperature impact cleaning?

Solution:
This addresses the fourth variable "HEAT" in Alconox's acronym BATHCARD, factors that contribute to successful cleaning. Click here to learn more.

HEAT
In general, higher-temperature cleaning solutions result in better cleaning. In practice, there is typically an optimum temperature for a given combination of cleaning variables. Many soak, manual, and ultrasonic cleaning methods work best, for example, at 50 degrees C to 55 degrees C. Many spray washing techniques work best at 60 degrees C to 70 degrees C. Waxy or oily soils are more easily cleaned at higher temperatures that are above the melting point of the wax. Particulate soils tend to be more easily removed at slightly lower temperatures where dispersions are not broken down. As a general rule, many cleaning mechanisms follow first order reaction kinetics whereby the cleaning speed doubles with every increase of 10 deg C. Of course, you do not want to use a temperature so high that it damages your substrate.

(H - Heat)