Automatic Rinse Tank Flushing

We have added a new mode to our timers to allow the built-in relay to offer greater control over the tank.  Now the relay can remain closed before or after the dwell to either flush the rinse tank after a rack has been removed, or it can make chemical additions to replace depleted chemicals. The relay on time is set separately from the dwell time so it can be any length of time you choose.

This is a much better way of ensuring the cleanliness of rinses because the rinsing is corresponds to the workload.

These new modes only apply to the powered timers like the T5 and T6.

FLOW RESTRICTORS

One approach to the problem is to use flow restrictors.  The thought is that slowing down the flow of water reduces the water consumed.  This is not wrong, but the slow rate of water flow virtually guarantees that the tank will be too contaminated most of the day. Instead, its a much better strategy to  flush the rinse vigorously after work has exited the tank  – but only for the amount of time needed to restore the purity of the water – and then shut off the water. This way the rinse sits clean and ready for the next load of work.  Much better than having the tank trying to catch up to the workload most of the time.

CONDUCTIVITY CONTROLLERS

Conductivity controllers measure the concentration of the conductive ions in solution.  However, they don’t pick up organic residues, insoluble smuts, and dirt, and oils. So sometimes the tank will look “clean” and it won’t be. Or it can look “dirty” and it will be “clean” according to a conductivity sensor. Often operators will override the controller by placing the sensor in a dirty cup of water to force it to come on! So instead of playing the game of
“is it clean” we think its better to take the decision away from operators and simply flush the rinse for a prescribed time and be sure that tank is clean.   Finally,  conductivity controllers are expensive! Why pay for equipment you don’t need?

HOW MUCH RINSE WATER?

Here is a link to a rinse tank calculator that allows you to compare different types of rinsing conditions.  The range in rinse water volume required is astounding. In one example I used, the range to maintain 5 mg/L of Nickel was from 14 L/hour for a 4-stage counterflow with proper draining, to 55,000 L/hr for a single rinse!