Abstract: Methods and apparatus for liquid, gas, and gas plasma sterilization of items. The apparatus includes two chambers and a holder to connectorlessly secure a lumened instrument such that a first portion of the lumened instrument lies in the first chamber and a second portion of the instrument lies in the second chamber, a liquid medium contained within the two chambers, and pumping means for simultaneously increasing fluid pressure within the first chamber of said container while decreasing fluid pressure within the second chamber of the container in a reciprocating fashion. The pumping means displaces at least a total internal volume of the liquid medium through the lumen for a given highest volume of a lumened instrument during each stroke.

Abstract: Filter wash methods and apparatuses for chloralkali processes are provided. The filter wash uses in-process fluids from the chloralkali process to wash filters. The in-process fluids may be drawn from a point in the chloralkali process where the in-process fluids contain active chlorine values such as bleach. A filter may then be isolated from the chloralkali process and contacted with the in-process fluids containing active chlorine values to wash the filter. The in-process fluids containing active chlorine values may be operable to oxidize organic material clinging to the filter, thereby cleaning the filter. After washing, the in-process fluids containing active chlorine values may be returned to the chloralkali process to a point at or near where they were drawn from. The filters may be membrane filters. The filters may comprise expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: Ware washing installation, containing at least one conveyor-type ware washer. The conveyor-type ware washer contains at least one wash zone (8, 10, 12) with spray nozzles (20, 28), a first rinse zone (14) with spray nozzles (21, 29) and a final rinse zone (16) with spray nozzles (23, 31). Additional spray nozzles (22, 30) are arranged between the spray nozzles (21, 29) of the first rinse zone (14) and the spray nozzles (23, 31) of the final rinse zone (16). Rinse water which is pre-used and then filtered through a microfiltration device or a ultrafiltration device (58) is supplied to the additional spray nozzles (22, 30).

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a first tank configured to accommodate a first fluid. A second tank is configured to receive overflow of the first fluid into an upper portion of the second tank and to accommodate a second fluid. A cycling system including a first conduit is configured between the first tank and the second tank. The first conduit has an end substantially below a surface of the second fluid. A fluid providing system including a second conduit is fluidly coupled to the second tank and configured to provide the second fluid into the second tank. The second conduit has an end substantially below the surface of the second fluid. An overflow system is coupled to the second tank and configured to remove an upper portion of the second fluid when the surface of the second fluid is substantially equal to or higher than a pre-determined level.

Abstract: A cleaning kit for removing residual matter from the interior of a narrow necked container includes an enclosure, solid cleaning media, a first closure member, and a second closure member. The enclosure has an interior volume bounded at least in part by first and second ends. The first end having a first opening, and the second end having a second opening that is larger than the first opening. The cleaning media is positioned within the interior of the enclosure. A first closure member is removably positioned to obstruct the flow of the solid cleaning media out of the enclosure through the first opening while allowing the flow of fluid from the interior volume of the enclosure through the first opening. The second closure member is removably positioned to obstruct the flow of the cleaning media out of the enclosure through the second opening.

Abstract: A method of depositing a metal film on a substrate includes a supercritical preclean step, a supercritical desorb step, and a metal deposition step. Preferably, the preclean step comprises maintaining supercritical carbon dioxide and a chelating agent in contact with the substrate in order to remove an oxide layer from a metal surface of the substrate. More preferably, the preclean step comprises maintaining the supercritical carbon dioxide, the chelating agent, and an acid in contact with the substrate. Alternatively, the preclean step comprises maintaining the supercritical carbon dioxide and an amine in contact with the oxide layer. The desorb step comprises maintaining supercritical carbon dioxide in contact with the substrate in order to remove adsorbed material from the substrate.

Abstract: A washing installation includes a first washer (3) for washing slices of root vegetable with water, a second washer in the form of a rotating pipe (4) supplied with water at an infeed end for the slices of root vegetable washed during slicing, and a third washer (20) with a foraminated conveyor (16) for an additional washing of the slices of root vegetable discharged from the pipe (4) and conveyance of the same to a hopper. On each side of an intermediate portion (7), the rotating pipe (4) has a portion (6, 8) with increased diameter. The intermediate portion (7) is perforated. A water inlet is arranged in the portion (8) with increased diameter after the intermediate portion (7) for replacing the washing water flowing out of the perforations of the intermediate portion (7).

Abstract: A method of depositing a metal film on a substrate includes a supercritical preclean step, a supercritical desorb step, and a metal deposition step. Preferably, the preclean step includes maintaining supercritical carbon dioxide and a chelating agent in contact with the substrate in order to remove an oxide layer from a metal surface of the substrate. More preferably, the preclean step includes maintaining the supercritical carbon dioxide, the chelating agent, and an acid in contact with the substrate. Alternatively, the preclean step includes maintaining the supercritical carbon dioxide and an amine in contact with the oxide layer. The desorb step includes maintaining supercritical carbon dioxide in contact with the substrate in order to remove adsorbed material from the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising multiple heating, cooling, and/or cleaning zones. The apparatus produces a jet flow of solvent/cleaning fluid onto an article to be cleaned without the need for a pump or compressor. The jet flow provides more effective contaminant removal. The multiple zones result in increased residence time for increased efficiency in separating the solubilized contaminant from the solvent/cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A cleaning processing apparatus comprises a spin chuck for holding a wafer W, an under plate being positioned to face the back surface of the wafer W with a prescribed gap provided therebetween, a support member for supporting the under plate, and a nozzle hole formed to extended through the plate member and the support member. A chemical liquid, a pure water and a gas can be supplied into a nozzle hole through opening-closing valves, and the chemical liquid and the pure water remaining inside the nozzle hole can be sucked by a sucking device. A pure water remaining inside the nozzle hole is sucked and removed by using the sucking device after the processing of the wafer W with a pure water and, then, a gas is spurted onto the back surface of the wafer W.

Abstract: A photoresist stripping apparatus and a corresponding method for removing photoresist layers after a patterned polyimide layer is developed. The photoresist-stripping apparatus includes a transporting unit, a stripping unit, a washing unit, a drying unit and a control unit. The transporting unit connects the stripping unit, the washing unit and the drying unit. The control unit is responsible for controlling the transport sequence and timing of the transporting unit. The method of stripping the photoresist layer off the OLED panel includes providing a stripping solution to the stripping unit to remove photoresist layers. The OLED panel is jet-cleaned with a washing solution in the washing unit so that any residual stripping agent is removed. Finally, the surface of the OLED panel is blown dry.

Abstract: A method of washing a process station and/or the material being processed therein uses a series of tanks of wash solution used in a sequential fashion. A first volume of wash solution is used and discarded to waste. Subsequent volumes of solution are transferred after use to the tank from which the previous volume of solution was supplied. The last volume of solution used is taken from a source of clean solution.

Abstract: A process of cleaning of objects that relate to semiconductor fabrication processes, such as, for example, conductive paste screening in the production of multilayer ceramic substrates and composite solder paste by stencil printing in electronic circuit assembly. Specifically, the process removes a metal/polymer composite paste from screening masks and associated paste making and processing equipment used in printing conductive metal pattern onto ceramic green sheet in the fabrication of semiconductor packaging substrates. The process also cleans solder paste residue from stencil printing equipment used in electronic module assembly surface mount technology for SMT discretes, solder column attachment, and BGA (Ball Grid Array) attachment on ceramic chip carrier or for screening solder paste onto printed circuit board.

Abstract: An enhanced gradient dragout system conserves plating chemicals, including precious metals by providing a series of tanks with cascading rinse solutions having a flow rate controlled by heating the first tank to increase the evaporation rate. A portion of the concentrated solution in the heated tank is returned to the process tank. The system minimizes the requirements for clean rinse water, and the need for emptying contaminated rinse tanks with associated recovery and disposal environmental and cost issues. The low cost system is flexible and the process is adapted to the material and process requirements of the plating line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recycling and reusing an aqueous degreasing solution for further use as a component of a coolant solution which is itself recycled and reused in metal cutting machines. Also disclosed is a method of degreasing parts, and a degreasing apparatus which is controlled such that an appropriate amount of the aqueous degreasing solution is introduced into the coolant solution. Finally, disclosed herein is a method and system for preparing a coolant in which an aqueous degreasing solution is further utilized as a feeder solution for a coolant solution, with the resulting solution being able to be separated into its component parts and reused in the cutting and cleaning of metals to form metal parts.

Abstract: An enhanced gradient dragout system conserves plating chemicals, including precious metals by providing a series of tanks with cascading rinse solutions having a flow rate controlled by heating the first tank to increase the evaporation rate. A portion of the concentrated solution in the heated tank is returned to the process tank. The system minimizes the requirements for clean rinse water, and the need for emptying contaminated rinse tanks with associated recovery and disposal environmental and cost issues. The low cost system is flexible and the process is adapted to the material and process requirements of the plating line.

Abstract: A reticle having a pellicle frame and pellicle membrane is cleaned without removing or damaging the pellicle membrane. A cover encases the pellicle membrane and pellicle frame, sealing the pellicle from the external environment during a cleaning process. The cover fits around the periphery of the pellicle frame and covers the pellicle membrane. An edge of the cover in contact with the reticle forms a seal. The reticle is fastened to reticle supports on a spin chuck during the cleaning process. An anchor plate presses the cover to the reticle, maintaining the pellicle sealed from the external environment. The cover and reticle are sandwiched together between the anchor plate and spin chuck.

Abstract: An installation for processing wafers that includes fabrication units, which are located in a clean room, and includes a supply system for supplying and discharging operating substances for the fabrication units. The supply system has first supply lines and first discharge lines, in which operating substances that are heavier than the surrounding atmosphere are downwardly guided. The supply system has second supply lines and second discharge lines, in which the lighter operating substances are upwardly guided.

Abstract: An apparatus for a treatment is provided, the apparatus comprising a vessel for recovering a treatment liquid flowing out or flying out when the object is treated, cleaning means for cleaning an inner wall surface of the vessel by supplying a cleaning liquid into the vessel, and a circulation system for recovering a discharged liquid discharged from the vessel when the inner wall surface of the vessel is cleaned by the cleaning means and supplying the recovered liquid to the cleaning means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recycling and reusing an aqueous degreasing solution for further use as a component of a coolant solution which is itself recycled and reused in metal cutting machines. Also disclosed is a method of degreasing parts, and a degreasing apparatus which is controlled such that an appropriate amount of the aqueous degreasing solution is introduced into the coolant solution. Finally, disclosed herein is a method and system for preparing a coolant in which an aqueous degreasing solution is further utilized as a feeder solution for a coolant solution, with the resulting solution being able to be separated into its component parts and reused in the cutting and cleaning of metals to form metal parts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recycling and reusing an aqueous degreasing solution for further use as a component of a coolant solution which is itself recycled and reused in metal cutting machines. Also disclosed is a method of degreasing parts, and a degreasing apparatus which is controlled such that an appropriate amount of the aqueous degreasing solution is introduced into the coolant solution. Finally, disclosed herein is a method and system for preparing a coolant in which an aqueous degreasing solution is further utilized as a feeder solution for a coolant solution, with the resulting solution being able to be separated into its component parts and reused in the cutting and cleaning of metals to form metal parts.

Abstract: A method of operating a counterflow cascade washer for wet-chemical treatment of a surface of a metal strip and including branching a portion of a water flow, which circulates through a rinsing water circuit associated with each of the washer units off in form of a bypass stream, and feeding the bypass stream to a washer unit located immediately upstream of respective washer unit, and an apparatus for effecting the method.

Abstract: A spherical object transport apparatus of the invention brings a spiral stream into contact with a first atmosphere containing a spherical object, selectively sucks the first atmosphere outward so as to engulf in the spiral stream for diffusing the first atmosphere outward, guides the spherical object so that the spherical object passes through the center of the transport apparatus, supplies a second atmosphere to the spherical object, and sends the spherical object together with the second atmosphere to the following step.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a cabinet and wash chambers is the form of drawers which slide in and out of the cabinet. Rigid and flexible closures are disclosed for sealing off the wash chambers when retracted into the cabinet. A detergent dispenser for the dishwasher is provided in one wall of a wash chamber in the wash water discharge path into the wash chamber so that detergent powder is flushed out of the dispenser and mixed with the wash water prior to the latter being discharged into the wash chamber. A wash programme for a dual wash chamber dishwasher is also disclosed which minimizes total water consumption by transferring water from one chamber to the other.

Abstract: An installation for the treatment of objects in a defined gas atmosphere whose oxygen content is smaller than that of air and with which environmentally damaging treatment gases are produced with a housing with an entry opening and with an exit opening for the objects passing through, conveyed through the housing, with a first treatment zone in the housing, which comprises the entry opening and which produces the treatment gas for the production of a process gas atmosphere, with a second treatment zone which is connected to the exit opening and which is connected to the first treatment zone via a passage opening for the objects and in which the atmosphere is lean of treatment gas and oxygen, with a circulation for the process gas with which a ventilator suctions process gas from the first treatment zone and sends it via a filter device which holds back the treatment gas, with a first sluice which is allocated to the entry opening and which is flowed upon by the purified process gas coming from the filter

Abstract: A spherical object transport apparatus of the invention brings a spiral stream into contact with a first atmosphere containing a spherical object, selectively sucks the first atmosphere outward so as to engulf in the spiral stream for diffusing the first atmosphere outward, guides the spherical object so that the spherical object passes through the center of the transport apparatus, supplies a second atmosphere to the spherical object, and sends the spherical object together with the second atmosphere to the following step.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a fluorescent material from a recovered phosphor slurry characterized by including a chemical washing step wherein a hypochlorite and a periodate are used; a carbon removing step for floating carbon in the supernatant liquid by the use of ammonia thereby removing the carbon; an acid washing step; and a heat treating step in this order as well as a system for regenerating a fluorescent material comprising means for effecting the aforesaid steps. From this constitution, it becomes possible that impurities are easily and effectively removed from the recovered phosphor slurry, whereby a fluorescent material providing excellent luminance and excellent grade of phosphor film can be regenerated.

Abstract: A water system for a fruit washer has a low pressure pre-rinse section for removal of heavy debris and a high pressure wash section to remove organic material. Water is collected from the high pressure section. A filter removes the organic material from the collected water. The filtered water is stored and includes a reservoir and a make-up water supply line for receiving water from a make-up water supply to maintain a predetermined water level in the reservoir. A first low pressure pump is connected to draw collected water from the reservoir. A portion of the output from the first pump is directed to the pre-rinse section. A second high pressure pump receives the other portion of the output from the first pump and directs filtered water to the high pressure section.

Abstract: A closed loop process is shown for treating oil and saline contaminated particulate materials such as drilling cuttings such as are encountered in oil and gas well bore drilling operations. The process includes at least two washing stages and three solids separation stages. A process fluid tank utilizes an auger to remove deposited solids from the process fluid while hot gases being bubbled through the tank facilitate separation and skimming of oil and hydrocarbon components from the tank surface.

Abstract: A machine for removing oil, dirt and grinding debris from a metal surface comprises a plurality of wash, rinse and dry stations separated to prevent contamination carryover from one station to the next. Razor blades in stacks are passed through the stations, the stacked blades being mounted on rods supported by a fixture and the nozzles or jets within the machine being so oriented as to cause a riffling of the blades due to water or air pressure. A purified water rinse and preferably an aqueous cleaning solution are employed in the machine and are circulated through the stations by a flow system which provides efficient and economical usage of the cleaning solution and rinse materials.

Abstract: An aerosol cleaning apparatus and a method of treating a substrate within such an apparatus prevent contaminant recirculation by controlling the post-impingement exhaust flow through control of the aerodynamic behavior of the contaminant laden exhaust stream. By the present invention, the post-impingement exhaust flow is divided into two streams. A first stream is the main stream flowing initially over the contaminated side of the wafer and carrying most of the suspended contaminants into the exhaust. The second stream flows initially over the cleaned side of the wafer and eventually into the exhaust stream. A flow separator is provided for dividing the post-impingement aerosol spray into plural flow streams.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuous pickling of metal strip comprises a series of pickling tanks in which the strip is submerged in pickling liquid in a caternary loop and wherein passage of the strip through the liquid produces a low liquid level at a strip entry end of each tank and a high liquid level end at a strip exit end of each tank, piping external to the tanks is provided through which pickling liquid cascades from the high liquid level end of one tank to the low liquid level end of an adjacent tank upstream thereof in a direction opposite the direction of strip travel. Valves in the cascade piping control the amount of pickling liquid flowing in the cascade piping. Pickling tank bottoms are sloped at either end to increase stirring action of the moving strip, and a holding tank or plurality of holding tanks are provided to empty the pickling tanks for repair and maintenance.

Abstract: An object to be cleaned is cleaned with an cleaning agent which mixes a base cleaning agent such as silicon-containing cleaning agent or an isoparaffin containing cleaning agent with a surfactant or a hydrophilic solvent to promote the cleaning power. The object is rinsed with the base cleaning agent alone after it goes through the first cleaning step as described above. Then, this is followed by the finishing treatment by the use of hot air or steam drying. The base cleaning agents can be recovered and recycled, improving economy in the case with the use of two or more cleaning agents in combination. The excellent properties of degreasing and dewatering, comparable to those of flon system, can be obtained using a mixture of silicon-containing or isoparaffin-containing cleaning agents with surfactants and hydrophilic solvents and maintaining safety in environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission service bench having an inclined work surface to direct transmission fluid, liberated from a transmission being serviced, into one or more drains. The fluid collected is filtered and communicated to a wash basin provided adjacent to the work surface. The fluid contained in the wash basin may be used alone or combined with a cleaning solvent to clean various transmission components. A pump is included for providing a pressurized stream of fluid to be used for cleaning individual transmission components and/or for pumping fluid from the wash basin onto the work surface to flush din and debris therefrom. The wash basin may include a lid that closes automatically should a fire occur in or near the wash basin.

Abstract: A dishwashing machine is proposed which is considerably shorter in design than the previously used, continuously operated transport-dishwashers. In order permanently to reduce the consumption of water, energy and rinsing agent, the crockery in the individual crockery baskets is washed cyclical operation, the circuits of the rinsing apparatus being started up only in their respective time span within the wash program.

Abstract: A system for washing parts utilizing a circulated, heated liquid includes a master unit and at least one auxiliary unit. The master unit has a tank for heating the washing liquid, and has a pump for circulating the liquid through the chamber of the enclosure. The auxiliary unit is devoid of such a tank, but has means for making connections necessary to enable circulation of the liquid heated in the tank of the master unit through the chamber of the auxiliary unit enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating and recovering catalyst and oil from a catalyst/oil mix, using the steps of mixing the catalyst/oil mix with a solvent for the oil and dissolving the oil in the solvent, separating the catalyst from the solvent and dissolved oil and recovering the catalyst as a wet powder, and separating the dissolved oil from the solvent, whereby both the oil and the solvent are recovered in reusable form.

Abstract: A system and method for batch washing, rinsing and rust inhibiting industrial parts which includes an immersion wash tank into which is lowered and rotated one or more open mesh baskets. Washing liquid in the tank is agitated by a turbo charger and the parts are flushed as the baskets are rotated. After washing, the baskets are raised and, while being rotated, are spray rinsed, sprayed with rust inhibitor and dried. Sprayed liquids are collected by a movable tray and returned to separate holding tanks. Separate filter systems are provided for the wash, rinse and rust inhibiting liquids. Monitors are provided to maintain levels in the wash and rinse tanks and to maintain proper concentrations therein.

Abstract: In a cleaning apparatus, a boil sump containing a cleaning solvent within four sidewalls and a bottom. Additionally, the boil sump has a partition extending between two opposing sidewalls that separates the boil sump into a boiling compartment and a cleaning compartment. Furthermore, the partition contains a conduit therethrough that permits the solvent to flow between the cleaning and boiling compartments. The boiling compartment contains a heater that heats the solvent to a boil while the cleaning compartment contains an ultrasonic transducer array for ultrasonically cleaning an object placed in the cleaning compartment. In addition to the boil sump, the cleaning apparatus contains a rinsing compartment for rinsing an object that has been cleaned in the cleaning compartment. The boil sump, as well as the rinsing compartment, are contained in a single, enclosed chamber within the cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of processing tanks containing cleaning liquids, a conveyor mechanism for conveying an object to be cleaned and immersing the object to be cleaned into the processing tanks, a dilutent liquid supply device for supplying a dilutent liquid through a piping-system in order to dilute waste liquid from the processing tanks, and a waste liquid sump for collecting diluted waste liquid. The waste liquid sump is provided with a temperature measurement device for detecting the temperature of waste liquid in the waste liquid sump, and the amount of dilutent liquid supplied from the dilutent liquid supply device is controlled by a temperature control device in accordance with a temperature measurement result from the temperature measurement device. The cleaning apparatus is also provided with a fixing device for joints of the piping system.

Abstract: Improvements in washing machines for bottles or the like, by immersing bottles into hot washing solution, wherein in the front and rear zones, at that of higher temperature, the washing solution is forced to circulate in a direction opposite to that of the movement direction of the bottles.

Abstract: An apparatus for rinsing metal strip has a rinse tank with an inlet end, an outlet end, a bottom and sides. The bottom has an upper surface which slopes upwardly toward the inlet and the outlet ends to define a respective weir at each of the inlet and outlet ends. The bottom further has rinse fluid ports for discharging rinse fluid onto the upper surface. The apparatus has a rinse fluid supply means for supplying rinse fluid to the rinse fluid ports. The apparatus further has control means for controlling the depth of rinse fluid flowing over the weirs to completely immerse metal strip in rinse fluid as the metal strip is passed through the rinse tank and across the weirs.

Abstract: Method for cleaning objects with the aid of an aqueous cleaning fluid containing a washing agent, in which the objects are rinsed with an aqueous rinsing fluid after treatment with the cleaning fluid and wherein, to avoid any components having a low boiling point being returned to the cleaning and rinsing fluid as well as to avoid any loss in washing agents, the cleaning fluid is first subjected to membrane filtration, the permeate hereby recovered and containing washing agents is distilled, the concentrate resulting therefrom and containing washing agents is added to the cleaning fluid used in the cleaning process and the distillate is supplied to the rinsing process.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing bottles, in which a transfer conveyor define an endless loop belt between an inlet end and outlet end. A plurality of cups are carried along the endless loop. An inlet elevator adjacent the inlet end supplies a quantity of bottles in an open end down orientation to the cups. Fluid injectors are movably mounted on the conveyor to position a nozzle into each open end down oriented bottle to supply fluid to inside of the bottles. An outlet elevator is adjacent outlet end for removing bottles from the apparatus in an open end up orientation.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a flammable solvent in a nonflammable environment involves covering the flammable solvent with a nonflammable vapor blanket provided by a nonflammable solvent, such that vapors from the flammable and nonflammable solvents form a nonflammable gaseous mixture in the blanket. Such a method is used in removal of both oil-based and polar contaminants to control the flammability potential of an alcohol solvent. An apparatus for cleaning articles using fluorocarbon and alcohol solvents includes a chamber having a plurality of compartments for containing the solvents and a bounded vapor space. At least one of the compartments contains liquid fluorocarbon and at least one other will contain liquid alcohol. The solvents voltalize into the bounded vapor space to provide a nonflammable vapor blanket over the alcohol-containing compartment.

Abstract: A system for cleaning solids contaminated with solvent-soluble contaminants. The system comprises the use of at least two successive cleaning zones, each of which includes a slurry stage and a centrifuge separation stage, wherein the solids to be cleaned and the solvent used for cleaning flow in countercurrent relationship to each other between the successive zones.

Abstract: A process and apparatus that includes multiple counterflow rinsing of chemically treated, anodized, plated or otherwise processed workpieces, utilizing a single on-line spray-rinse tank or station with successively less concentrated or contaminated rinse solutions that are sequentially pumped from one or more off-line tanks or reservoirs that provide at least three overlapping counterflow spray rinse cycles that cover the treated workpiece or workpieces which can be supported individually or together in a bulk processing barrel in the spray-rinse tank, whereby the workpiece or pieces are decontaminated for any additional processing of a finished part using a minimum amount of water or rinse solution during the rinsing process.

Abstract: A venetian blind or similar flexible flat article is held in tension on a foraminous belt and passed through washing, rinsing and drying zones. The condensate from the air from the drying zone is used as final rinse. The slats of the blind are held at a slight angle to improve drainage and prevent sag or the blind below the edge of the belt.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing oxides, millscale and other impurities from continuous metal strip longitudinally fed at regulated speeds from a coil at one end through a series of horizontally aligned treatment stages, including three shallow pickling tanks, to a recoiler at the other end. The pickling tanks are constructed of granite slabs formed into a V-shaped cross section near the ingress and a flat ramp near the egress. Variable speed pinch rolls at the ends of each tank regulate the immersion of the strip in the tanks.

Abstract: A process for treating oil-contaminated debris or like material in particular material to be washed such as mill scale, which is produced in industrial processes, as well as a plant and an apparatus for carrying out the process, are to be improved in such a way as to permit oil to be removed from the industrial material to be washed, in particular mill scale. For that purpose it is proposed that the oil-contaminated material, in particular the mill scale, be introduced into a washing drum and there washed in counter-flow mode in a washing lye with a pH-value of from 12 to 14, preferably 10 to 14, with the material to be washed being lifted at the wall of the drum by means of support surfaces. The washing lye is preferably mixed with about 2% of caustic soda and/or washing is at about 50.degree. C. or a higher temperature.