System and method for electrolytic cleaning

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cleaning conductive bodies using an electrolytic cleaning solution. An inverter power source is used to supply a high voltage, low current output for the electrolytic cleaning. The outside surfaces of a metallic body are cleaned by spraying the cleaning solution on to the body and passing a current through the cleaning solution on the conductive body, thereby causing the cleaning solution to electrolytically clean the body. The body is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply. The positive terminal of the power supply is connected to a spray nozzle and causes a current to pass through the spray to the cleaning solution on the body for the electroytic cleaning. Alternatively, a current can be induced in the cleaning solution on the body by placing a grid near the body and connecting the grid to the positive terminal, thereby generating an electric field.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for cleaning surfaces of a conductive body, said apparatus comprising: 
 a supply of electrolytic cleaning solution;    at least one spray nozzle in fluid communication with said supply, so that said electrolytic cleaning solution flows from said supply to said at least one spray nozzle;    a direct current power source having a high voltage and a low current output, said direct current power source having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal, said positive output terminal being connected to said at least one spray nozzle and said negative output terminal being connected to said conductive body; and    wherein when said direct current power source and said spray nozzle are activated, said electrolytic cleaning solution flowing through said at least one nozzle carries a current to said conductive body to clean said surface.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said direct current power source is an inverter power source.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is greater than 350 volts.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 500 volts.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 1000 volts.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 100 kilovolts.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises disodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate dissolved in water.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises about 0.0375 to 1.33 pounds of disodium phosphate and about 0.0125 to 0.445 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per gallon of water.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises a ratio of about three times as many pounds per gallon of water of disodium phosphate as pounds per gallon of water of sodium bicarbonate.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises about 0.075 pounds of disodium phosphate and about 0.025 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per gallon of water.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pump to transport said electrolytic cleaning solution between said supply and said at least one spray nozzle.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said pump generates an output ratio of electrolytic cleaning solution at said at least one spray nozzle of about 2.5 gallons per minute of flow for about 1 pound per square inch of pressure.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said pump generates a flow of about 25 to 375 gallons per minute of electrolytic cleaning solution at said at least one spray nozzle.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said pump generates a flow of about 100 gallons per minute of electrolytic cleaning solution at said at least one spray nozzle.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said pump generates a pressure of about 10 to 150 pounds per square inch of electrolytic cleaning solution from said at least one spray nozzle.  4   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said pump generates a pressure of 40 pounds per square inch of electrolytic cleaning solution from said at least one spray nozzle.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pH of said electrolytic cleaning solution is about 7.0 to about 9.0.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said pH is about 8.0 to about 8.5.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for cleaning surfaces of a conductive body, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first container having an electrolytic cleaning solution therein;    a second container connected to said first container to permit said electrolytic cleaning solution to flow between said first container and said second container;    at least one spray nozzle positioned in said second container, said at least one spray nozzle connected to said first container to permit said electrolytic cleaning solution to flow from said first container to said at least one spray nozzle;    a direct current power source having a high voltage and a low current output, said direct current power source having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal,    a first grid positioned in said second container, said first grid being connected to said positive output terminal;    a second grid positioned in said second container substantially parallel to said first grid, said second grid connected to said negative output terminal, and wherein said conductive body being positioned on said second grid; and    wherein when said direct current power source and said spray nozzle are activated, said electrolytic cleaning solution flowing through said at least one nozzle washes over said conductive body and said first grid and said second grid induce a current in said electrolytic cleaning solution washing over said conductive body to clean said surface.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said direct current power source is an inverter power source.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is greater than 350 volts.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 500 volts.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 1000 volts.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 100 kilovolts.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises disodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate dissolved in water.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises about 0.0375 to 1.33 pounds of disodium phosphate and about 0.0125 to 0.445 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per gallon of water.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises a ratio of about three times as many pounds per gallon of water of disodium phosphate as pounds per gallon of water of sodium bicarbonate.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises about 0.075 pounds of disodium phosphate and about 0.025 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per gallon of water.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising a pump to transport said electrolytic cleaning solution from said first container to said at least one spray nozzle.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein said pump generates an output ratio of electrolytic cleaning solution of about 2.5 gallons per minute of flow for about 1 pound per square inch of pressure at said at least one spray nozzle.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein said pump generates a flow of about 25 to 375 gallons per minute of electrolytic cleaning solution at said at least one spray nozzle.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31  wherein said pump generates a flow of about 100 gallons per minute of electrolytic cleaning solution at said at least one spray nozzle.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein said pump generates a pressure of about 10 to 150 pounds per square inch of electrolytic cleaning solution from said at least one spray nozzle.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein said pump generates a pressure of 40 pounds per square inch of electrolytic cleaning solution from said at least one spray nozzle.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the pH of said electrolytic cleaning solution is about 7.0 to about 10.0.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein said pH is about 8.0 to about 8.5.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said second grid is disposed about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches above said first grid.  
     
     
         38 . A method of electrolytically cleaning surfaces on an object comprising the steps of: 
 providing a container having an electrolytic cleaning solution therein;    providing a spray washer having at least one spray nozzle;    connecting the container to the at least one spray nozzle to cause the electrolytic cleaning solution to flow from the container to the at least one spray nozzle;    providing an inverter power source having a high voltage and a low current, direct current output, the inverter power source having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal;    positioning the object in the spray washer;    connecting the positive output terminal to the at least one spray nozzle;    connecting the negative output terminal to the object;    activating the inverter power source and the at least one spray nozzle to flow a current through the electrolytic cleaning solution sprayed as a continuous stream by the at least one nozzle to the object, to clean the surfaces of the object;    deactivating the inverter power source and the at least one spray nozzle when cleaning is completed; and    removing the object from the spray washer.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising the step of setting the high voltage output from the inverter power source to be greater than 350 volts.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising the step of setting the high voltage output from the inverter power source to be at least 500 volts.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising the step of setting the high voltage output from the inverter power source to be at least 1000 volts.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising the step of setting the high voltage output from the inverter power source to be at least 100 kilovolts.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 38  wherein said step of providing a container having an electrolytic cleaning solution further comprises the step of forming the electrolytic cleaning solution by dissolving disodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate in water.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43  wherein said step of forming the electrolytic cleaning solution further comprises the step of dissolving about 0.0375 to 1.33 pounds of disodium phosphate and about 0.0125 to 0.445 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per gallon of water.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises a ratio of about three times as many pounds per gallon of water of disodium phosphate as pounds per gallon of water of sodium bicarbonate.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the pH of said electrolytic cleaning solution is about 7.0 to about 10.0.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising: 
 a pump to transport said electrolytic cleaning solution from said container to the at least one spray nozzle;  
 setting the pump to generate a flow of about 25 to 375 gallons per minute of electrolytic cleaning solution at the at least one spray nozzle; and  
 setting the pump to generate a pressure of about 10 to 150 pounds per square inch of electrolytic cleaning solution from the at least one spray nozzle.  
 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47  further comprising the step of setting the pump to generate an output ratio of electrolytic cleaning solution at the at least one spray nozzle of about 2.5 gallons per minute of flow for about 1 pound per square inch of pressure.  
     
     
         49 . A method of cleaning surfaces of a conductive body, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a container having an electrolytic cleaning solution therein;    providing a spray washer having at least one spray nozzle;    connecting the container to the at least one spray nozzle to permit the electrolytic cleaning solution to flow from the container to the at least one spray nozzle;    providing an inverter power source having a high voltage and a low current, direct current output, the inverter power source having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal;    connecting the positive output terminal to a first grid positioned in the spray washer;    connecting the negative output terminal to a second grid positioned substantially parallel to said first grid in the spray washer;    positioning the conductive body on the second grid in the spray washer;    activating the inverter power source and the at least one spray nozzle to induce a current in the electrolytic cleaning solution washing over the conductive body from the at least one spray nozzle to clean the surfaces of the conductive body;    deactivating the inverter power source and the at least one spray nozzle when cleaning is completed; and    removing the conductive body from the spray washer.    
     
     
         50 . An apparatus for cleaning the surface of a conductive body, said apparatus comprising: 
 a container having an electrolytic cleaning solution therein;    a direct current power source having a high voltage and a low current output, said direct current power source having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal, and said negative output terminal being operatively connected to said conductive body; and    an anode in contact with said electrolytic cleaning solution, wherein said anode is connected to the positive output terminal of said power source; and    wherein said conductive body is at least partially immersed in said electrolytic cleaning solution, and when said power source is activated, current flows through said electrolytic cleaning solution and to said conductive body to clean said surface.    
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein said anode is immersed in said electrolytic cleaning solution.  
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein said positive output terminal is connected to said container to form said anode.  
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein said negative output terminal is directly connected to said conductive body.  
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 50  further comprising a grid capable of conducting electricity, said grid being at least partially immersed in said cleaning solution, said grid being disposed in at least partial contact with said conductive body and said grid being connected to said negative output terminal.  
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein said direct current power source is an inverter power source.  
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is greater than 350 volts.  
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 56  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 500 volts.  
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 57  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 1000 volts.  
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 58  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 100 kilovolts.  
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises disodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate dissolved in water.  
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 60  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises about 0.0375 to 1.33 pounds of disodium phosphate and about 0.0125 to 0.445 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per gallon of water.  
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 61  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises a ratio of about three times as many pounds per gallon of water of disodium phosphate as pounds per gallon of water of sodium bicarbonate.  
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 62  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises about 0.075 pounds of disodium phosphate and about 0.025 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per gallon of water.  
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein the pH of said electrolytic cleaning solution is about 7.0 to about 10.0.  
     
     
         65 . The apparatus of  claim 64  wherein said pH is about 8.0 to about 8.5.  
     
     
         66 . An apparatus for cleaning surfaces of a conductive body, said apparatus comprising: 
 a container having an electrolytic cleaning solution therein;    at least one spray nozzle connected to said container to permit said electrolytic cleaning solution to flow from said container to said at least one spray nozzle;    an inverter power source having a high voltage and a low current output, said inverter power source having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal, said positive output terminal being connected to said at least one spray nozzle and said negative output terminal being connected to said conductive body; and    wherein when said inverter power source and said spray nozzle are activated, said electrolytic cleaning solution flowing through said at least one nozzle carries a current to said conductive body to clean said surface.    
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 66  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 1000 volts.  
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 67  wherein said high voltage output by said inverter power source is at least 100 kilovolts.  
     
     
         69 . The apparatus of  claim 66  wherein said electrolytic cleaning solution comprises disodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate dissolved in water in a ratio of about three times as many pounds per gallon of water of disodium phosphate as pounds per gallon of water of sodium bicarbonate.  
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 66  further comprising a pump to transport said electrolytic cleaning solution between said container and said at least one spray nozzle, wherein said pump generates an output ratio of electrolytic cleaning solution at said at least one spray nozzle of about 2.5 gallons per minute of flow for about 1 pound per square inch of pressure.  
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of claim  70  wherein said pump generates a flow of about 25 to 375 gallons per minute of electrolytic cleaning solution at said at least one spray nozzle and a pressure of about 10 to 150 pounds per square inch of electrolytic cleaning solution from said at least one spray nozzle.