Engineering understanding of cleaning: effect of chemistry and mechanical forces on soil removal

Lütkenhaus, Davidson (2017). Engineering understanding of cleaning: effect of chemistry and mechanical forces on soil removal. University of Birmingham. Eng.D.

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Abstract

The cleaning of food-based soils is highly relevant in domestic and industrial environments due to the costs associated with these operations as well as the significant consumption of time, water, and energy. Understanding the relationship between chemical and mechanical forces required to clean a surface is a critical step towards optimizing these processes. A complex twophase polymerized grease was developed and characterized with respect to its morphology, component distribution, and chemical composition. A thorough evaluation and physicochemical characterization of the cleaning process of this complex soil from a hard substrate was performed at two different length scales. Results showed that surfactants are more effective at weakening the cohesive interactions within the soil matrix and less effective in removing the adhesive bonds at the soil-substrate interface. A statistical model for cleaning efficiency was developed which described cleaning as a function of chemical and mechanical contributions. The effect of the chemistry on hydration and final cleaning performance was investigated through a
definitive model screening and correlated to the tribological forces involved in the process. The model was shown to be applicable to several industrially relevant surfactant systems and revealed that hydration is the main factor driving cleaning of this two-phase soil.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Eng.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Eng.D.

Supervisor(s):