Cleaning optical glass to remove water - using boiling organic detergent and multiple rinsing tanks

摘要

Water is eliminated from the surface of workpiece, esp. glass parts, by immersing the parts in a boiling bath contg. an organic detergent immiscible with water, plus surfactants. The parts are then rinsed in pure organic liq. to remove the surfactants. Layer of water obtd. in the detergent bath is removed, and the vapour is condensed and returned to bath. Vapour from the bath is condensed separately, the condensate from detergent bath passing through a water separator and being returned only to the same bath, whereas the condensate from baths is fed through a drier and returned only to rinse baths. Pref. three rinsing tanks are used; the first and third being heated electrically whereas the second is fitted with an ultrasonic generator; and separate condensn. coils are fitted above the boiling tank and the rinsing tanks. Efficient removal of all traces of water from optical glass parts is achieved to avoid stains etc., which interfere with the optical properties of the glass.