Low-pressure vs high-pressure cleaning
Low-pressure vs high-pressure cleaning
Low-pressure vs high-pressure cleaning, those are two of the most commonly used cleaning methods. Each system has its specific applications, benefits, and sectors where it is often used.
We explain what both systems entail and how they can contribute to a hygienic and safe production environment.
1. What is low-pressure cleaning?
Low-pressure cleaning uses water at relatively low pressure, typically around 20 bar. Medium-pressure cleaning (40 bar) can also be included under low-pressure cleaning.
Cleaning under low or medium pressure is often used for cleaning large surfaces or delicate equipment, while the method is still significantly different from cleaning under high-pressure.
How does it work?
In low-pressure cleaning, water is (whether or not) mixed with cleaning agents and applied via a specific spray gun or lance with a nozzle, to the surface to be cleaned, usually in foam form.
The foam provides a longer contact time, and helps to soak dirt (and kill microorganisms) after which everything is thoroughly rinsed away.
Applications
Low-pressure cleaning is often used where cleaning tasks are less intensive, require more exposure time (e.g., to kill bacteria), or where surfaces are sensitive to damage, such as with vulnerable equipment, pipelines, and sensitive production areas.
Industries with common low-pressure cleaning
Where hygiene is crucial and surfaces or equipment may be vulnerable to damage from aggressive cleaning methods, low-pressure cleaning is common. However biofilms, such as bacteria (e.g., Salmonella and E. coli), fungi, and viruses, should not form in these production environments. Thorough cleaning prevents these pathogens from spreading and potentially contaminating the end product (such as food).
Low-pressure cleaning is mainly found in:
The food industry
In sectors such as the dairy industry, bakeries, and fresh fruit and vegetable processing, where large surfaces, production areas, kitchen furnishings, worktops, and delicate machinery require regular cleaning and disinfection.
The pharmaceutical industry
Low pressure cleaning is used here to clean sensitive equipment and production areas to prevent contamination without damaging equipment.
2. What is high-pressure cleaning?
High-pressure cleaning uses water at high pressure, often ranging from 100 to 500 bar, to remove persistent dirt and contaminants from surfaces.
How does it work?
In high-pressure cleaning, water is forced through a narrow nozzle, creating a powerful jet that effectively loosens and removes dirt and stubborn residues.
Applications
High-pressure cleaning is ideal for removing persistent contaminants from robust surfaces, such as machinery, tanks, and floors in industrial environments where a lot of grease and dirt accumulates.
Industries with common high-pressure cleaning
High-pressure cleaning is commonly used in industries with heavy contamination and durable surfaces, where intense cleaning is required.
Waste processing industry
Periodic high-pressure cleaning of various materials, such as conveyor belts, storage tanks, floors, walls, filters, and drainage channels, helps extend equipment lifespan and ensures overall safety.
The heavy industry
For cleaning tanks, pipelines, and other equipment where stubborn residues can accumulate.
The chemical industry
Where heavy industrial cleaning is needed to remove reactive substances or hazardous residues from equipment, surfaces, tanks, and silos.
3. Right system for your company?
- Low- (and medium-) pressure cleaning is usually the best choice for daily cleaning of large surfaces and delicate equipment where a specific, effective approach, is required as in the food sector.
- High-pressure cleaning is ideal for intensive cleaning of robust and contaminated surfaces where speed and power are needed to remove persistent dirt, such as in heavy industrial sectors.
Factors to determine the right choice.
A. Cleaning efficiency
High-pressure cleaning usually has a higher ability to remove persistent dirt but can damage surfaces.
Low-pressure cleaning is safer for delicate surfaces and ensures even, long-lasting cleaning (foaming).
However, high-pressure cleaning often gives the false impression of "better cleaning." Therefore, it’s crucial to also consider other criteria beyond a powerful water jet.
B. Water and energy consumption
High-pressure cleaning often consumes more energy due to the higher pump pressure.
Low-pressure is usually less energy-intensive but may consume more water because of a higher flow rate.
C. Safety and damage to equipment
High pressure can be riskier for equipment and surfaces due to the potential for damage.
Low pressure is usually safer for sensitive parts.
D. The 'Sinner Circle'
The four universal factors of a cleaning cycle are combined in the "Sinner Circle": time, temperature, chemical action, and mechanical force.
By boosting one of these factors, the cleaning result can be improved, or another factor may need to be reduced. Depending on the type of cleaning, emphasis may be placed on one factor, which could require adjustments to one or more other factors.
The right mix of these factors results in the optimal cleaning process for a particular sector or production process. In the right cleaning procedure for a perfect production process we will go deeper into this.
4. The expertise of BOONS FIS
At BOONS FIS, we understand that every production facility has unique challenges regarding cleaning and hygiene. That’s why we offer customized solutions in which we work with you to determine which cleaning system best suits your specific needs. Whether it’s low- or high-pressure cleaning, we provide both the equipment and the expertise for optimal use.
It is also not always a choice between low- or high-pressure. Practice teaches us that the combination of both systems is also possible within an OPC. Based on the challenge at the customer side, BOONS FIS advises the right approach.
Contact our sales team
With the support and expertise of BOONS FIS, you’re guaranteed of a cleaning system that is both effective and efficient, adapted to your business needs. Contact our sales team for more information or a demo in our ‘Experience Room’.