Dürr's cleaning 'world first' with supercritical CO2

The first ever cleaning process that uses carbon dioxide in its supercritical state to treat small parts of complex geometry will be unveiled at Surface World 2009.

Dürr Ecoclean's EcoCO2 is said to produce outstanding results in medical, nano and semiconductor applications, for example, cleaning and drying component surfaces efficiently.

Used at the appropriate temperature and pressure, CO2 exhibits optimum oil-dissolving properties. Unlike conventional 'snow jet' cleaning systems, in which CO2 is converted into solid ice crystals that act as a blasting medium, the EcoCO2 uses carbon dioxide in both its liquid and supercritical states. Foreign matter removed from the component is separated from the CO2. No residue of the cleaning agent remains on the processed part, which emerges from the machine at room temperature.

The development is as a result of Dürr's co-operation with Swiss company, UCM AG, which specialises in bespoke systems for precision cleaning of parts that require residual particle sizes in the single digit micron range.

The scope of the collaboration extends from sales through to technology exchange and joint development of new cleaning equipment. Dürr Ecoclean and UCM currently have around 1,000 employees in twelve countries.

Surface world runs from 27 to 29 October, 2009, at the NEC, Birmingham.

Author
Andrew Allcock

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