Cleaning Technologies

Industrielle Reinigungstechnologien © VAT

The cleaning of machines and facilities is a decisive process to maintain product quality in the food processing industry. At the same time, requirements for environmental protection and efficiency increase, resulting in a discrepancy between safety for the consumer and a minimum use of resources. Therefore, the optimisation of cleaning processes is of great importance. In addition to focusing on food technology, we see ourselves as a cross-industry competence provider for automated industrial cleaning tasks.

In close cooperation with the Fraunhofer IVV Dresden we are well networked on a national and international level. This ensures you, as an industrial partner, interdisciplinary access to international research as well as a wide range of opportunities in the field of research funding.

Overview flyer as pdf-download

virtual tour
Blick in ein Labor mit Tanks, Kühlgeräten und Experimenten © Fraunhofer IVV

Gain an impression of our test rigs and technologies in the Fraunhofer IVV's technical center in Dresden during a virtual tour. Through jointly developed experimental technology and interdisciplinary exchange, we research forward-looking solutions for industry. Learn more

Research areas

The research group is dedicated to the development of methods for the investigation of the cleaning progress and the process influences for open and closed systems including the application of novel flow regimes. This includes solutions for the following sub-steps/processes:

  • selection and development of model soils,
  • cleaning relevant characterisation of soils,
  • defined application of soils on complex surfaces,
  • characterisation of liquid jets and films,
  • quantified monitoring of the cleaning progress,
  • evaluation of cleaning efficiencies,
  • automated data evaluation and interpretation of results as well as
  • cleaning simulations to increase the understanding of the process and for purposeful optimisation.

In addition, the test rigs are used to assess the cleanability of components and surfaces in contact with the product.

We contribute to the development of innovative products and provide development impulses for component manufacturers. In addition, we optimise the cleanability of your machines and facilities and do research on the resource-saving production in processing companies.

Technical equipment
Spray cleaning test rig © VAT

Spray cleaning test rig

The spray cleaning test rig allows the imitation of automated cleaning processes up to a volume flow rate of 10 l/min, a pressure of 8 bar and a media temperature of 60 °C. A monitoring unit can be used to document the cleaning progress of test components on a cm-scale and thus to analyse the effect of different influencing factors. In this test rig both intermittent and continuous cleaning with nozzles of different designs can be investigated.

Foto einer Verscuhanlage. Im oberen Bereich befinden sich drei gleichartige Kästen. Einer der Kästn ist geöffnet und gibt den Blick auf einen roten hebel frei. © M. Heide

Flush Cleaning Test Facility

The flush celaning test facility offers the possibility to investigate the flushing process of highly viscous processed goods (food, cosmetics) in closed pipe systems. With the help of the integrated measurement technology and the developed measurement methodology, it is possible to improve industrial flush cleaning when changing products and to reduce the waste of a possible mixing phase. The modular design also enables the investigation of different system components.

Modular test rig for CIP processes © VAT

Modular test rig for CIP processes

The modular cleaning test rig is used to simulate industrial cleaning in place (CIP) processes. Using standard DN50 connections, the cleaning of components and assemblies with flow rates of up to 5.5 m³/h can be investigated.

Falling film test rig © VAT

Falling film test rig

The falling film test rig enables the investigation of cleaning processes by means of gravitation-driven liquid films. In addition, the test rig can be used to study wetting conditions and to determine flow parameters (e.g. film thickness). Continuous and discontinuous flows can be studied.

Parts washing machine © VAT

Parts washing machine

The parts washing machine enables spray cleaning tests on complex components with maximum dimensions of 1 m x 1 m x 1.5 m (width x height x length), with an adjustable flow rate of up to 16 m³/h or operating gauge pressure of up to 4 bar. In addition, a torispherical head with industrial installations for testing tank cleaners is available.

 
  • Spray cabin with robot
  • 10 m³ test tank
  • High-pressure pump
  • Foam applicator
  • Measuring instruments for spray and jet characterization
  • Equipment for soil application and characterization
Current projects
Concluded projects
Increasing the resource efficiency of cleaning processes in food industry with modular model soil - ReMoVe" 2021-2023
Identification of physical-chemical properties of soils for structure-based cleaning optimisation in the food industry – StReo2 2020-2022
Chocolate-specific simulation model for flushing processes in closed systems – SchokoSIM 2019-2023
Development of a compact, hygienic spray nozzle with water pressure controllable spray pattern and a technical solution for controlled, local pulsation during tank cleaning 2019-2022
Development of a water jet tester for verifications according to DIN EN ISO 16925 as a portable measuring device 2018-2021
Experimentell gestützte Basismodelle für die industriegerechte numerische Reinigungssimulation – BaRes 2018-2021
Identifizierung chemisch-physikalischer Eigenschaften von Verschmutzungen zur strukturbasierten Reinigungsoptimierung in der Lebensmittelindustrie – StReo 2017-2020
Reinigungsmechanismen immergierter Systeme - DFG-WPI 2017-2019
Optimierung von Reinigungsprozessen mittels dimensionsloser prozessbeschreiben­der Kennzahlen 2 – dimReK2 2015-2017
Entwicklung eines Prozessmodells für die Strahlreinigung in der Lebensmittelindustrie 2 – ReSIM2 2015-2017
Diskontinuierliche Reinigung von nicht-immergierten Systemen in der lebensmittelverarbeitenden Industrie 2 – DiRniS2 2015-2017
Reinigung von Toträumen 2015

Reinigung durch pulsierende Strömungen - Steigerung der Reinigungseffizienz in geschlossenen Fluidsystemen durch pulsierende Strömungen 

 2007
Steigerung der Reinigungseffizienz in geschlossenen Fluidsystemen durch pulsierende Strömungen 2008-2010
Entwicklung von strömungsmechanischen und konstruktiven Auslegungsmethoden zur Realisierung und Bilanzierung ressourceneffizienter Pulsationsreinigungssysteme 2010-2012
Simulationsgestützte Auslegung und Erprobung von Sprühreinigungssystemen für komplexe Innenflächen von Behältern, Rohrleitungen und Kanälen mit liquiden Verschmutzungen 2010-2013
Art und Wirkung des Energieeintrags in partikuläre Verschmutzungen bei dynamischer Sprühreinigung 2010-2013
Entwicklung einer Labormethode zur Reinigungskontrolle definiert verschmutzter, dreidimensionaler Testobjekte zur Optimierung und Validierung eines optischen Reinigungssensors 2011-2013
Adhäsionsneigung, Verschleißeigenschaften und Reinigungsaufwand beim Einsatz von ta-C-Beschichtungen mit und ohne Dotierung in der Lebensmittelverarbeitung 2010-2013
Optimierung von Reinigungsprozessen mittels prozessbeschreibender, dimensionsloser Kenngrößen 2013-2015
Entwicklung eines Prozessmodells für die Strahlreinigung in der Lebensmittelindustrie 2013-2015
Diskontinuierliche Reinigung von nicht-immergierten Systemen der lebensmittelverarbeitenden Industrie 2013-2015

Publications

74 Entries

2024

2023

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Willi Bär
Last modified: Jul 13, 2023