I'm guessing that is cubic inches?
Tim:
The dimensions I provided were simply diameter.
Any reason it could not work in a 'standard' ultrasonic tank at some temperature?. Any sense of how it might compare with Tergitol 15-S-9 + IPA?
Yes and No. The new DG cleaner is very complicated.
First read what Elmasonic say about acid cleaners on page 18 -
https://www.elma-ultrasonic.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/P-series-Operating-Instructions.pdf. The common alloy-304/316 stainless steels are sensitive to attack by acids in combination with other contaminants. There is some literature that speaks of triethanolamine (the pH stabilizer) as a corrosion inhibitor and Alconox Citranox which contains triethanolamine indicates:
Corrosion inhibited formulation recommended for glass, metal, stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, plastic, rubber and fiberglass. Can be used on soft metals such as copper, bronze, aluminum, and zinc if rinsed promptly. Corrosion testing may be advisable.
They are using the glycol ether water soluble solvents to do essentially what the Tergitol 15-S-9 + IPA does. But DG cannot use Tergitol 15-S-9 at 0.015% (3x critical micelle concentration (CMC)) because of foam. Also, the DG high frequency (120-kHz) compromises its ability to clean surface soils such as fingerprints that the Elmasonic dual frequency 35/80-kHz with 0.015% Tergitol 15-S-9 + 2.5% IPA excels.
Also, not sure if the DG cleaner use of glycol ethers is not somewhat compromised by the absence of a nonionic surfactant at >CMC and the use propylene glycol based on what DOW writes -
https://www.dow.com/documents/110/110-00632-01-glycol-ethers-for-aqueous-cleaners.pdf?iframe=true. Glycol ethers can have a very high evaporation rate which makes them sometimes used (along with some alcohol and ammonium hydroxide) for streak free window cleaners. But the propylene glycol is a fly in the ointment so to say. Also, excessive exposure to some glycol ethers (the BUTYLDIGLYCOLE) can be a health hazard -
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/glycol-ethers.pdf. The other glycol ether (1-METHOXY-2-PROPANOL) is safer, but its flammable (89F concentrated)
https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1613.pdf. The actual risk depends on the concentration & exposure.
The 0.015% Tergitol 15-S-9 + 2.5% IPA is very safe non-flammable neutral pH detergent, that is also very safe for the UT tank and materials associated with any pump/filter/cooling system. The 2.5% IPA is complimentary with the Tergitol in two ways - it should reduce its CMC, and it should assist with soil swell the same way as glycol ethers.
Like I have said, the new DG cleaner is complicated. There is a lot going on with this cleaner from the acidity to the glycol ethers to corrosion inhibition along with the cationic surfactant for anti-static and the propylene glycol. A question that comes to mind is how is the user to monitor the cleaner chemistry concentration for extended use in an UT tank? Do they monitor pH, do they monitor TDS, etc.
My initial concern is the bottle they will sell since they say to use 500:1 to 1000:1 which implies the bottle is pretty concentrated and I already wrote, the acid at 2% has a pH so low, you would no longer measure it on the pH scale. But some organic acids such a variation of hydrochloric acid are very safe,
http://www.rydlyme.co.uk/images/Files/Specification_Rydlyme_2013.pdf is used for industrial descaling (evaluated this product when I with the Navy to clean biofouling & scale from heat exchangers).
What can I tell you, try if you like, and I am quite sure many people will. Without knowing all the ingredient concentrations, I am sitting this one out and will just monitor the user experiences.
Take care,
Neil
