JPH07121322B2 - Draining and cleaning method and draining and cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a draining washing method and apparatus that improve the stability of washing quality, and also to a concentration type filter suitable for them.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, cleaning of various parts having oil-soluble or water-soluble dirt attached thereto has generally been carried out using fluorocarbon-based solvents, chlorine-based solvents, or their vapors. However, recently, the effects of the above-mentioned fluorocarbon-based solvents on the human body and the environment have come to be viewed as problematic. For this reason, there is a strong demand for a cleaning method that is capable of ultra-precision cleaning comparable to that of fluorocarbon-based solvents, but that does not have a negative impact on the environment.

Therefore, water-based cleaning agents, such as those based on fluorocarbons, have been developed as an alternative to fluorocarbon solvents.
Various alternative cleaning agents, including non-aqueous ones, have been proposed, such as aqueous cleaning agents and chlorine-free organic solvent-based cleaning agents.
Among these, water-based cleaning is considered to be a promising method because it is non-polluting and has minimal adverse effects on the environment if used in combination with appropriate water treatment facilities.

However, many of the alternative cleaning agents mentioned above require rinsing after cleaning, so rinsing with water is performed. After rinsing with water, it is necessary to dry the water adhering to the surface of the object to be cleaned evenly and quickly from the viewpoint of cleaning quality. However, with the current method of forcibly evaporating water, such as hot air drying, it is very difficult to prevent water marks (water stains) and the like. In addition, isopropyl alcohol (hereinafter referred to as
Steam cleaning using low-boiling organic solvents such as IPA is also used. However, just like with hot air drying, it is very difficult to prevent water marks when steam cleaning is performed on an object that has water on it.

To solve the above-mentioned problems, the use of a draining cleaner to perform water displacement cleaning (draining cleaning) has been investigated. The draining cleaner is a non-fluorocarbon-based cleaner that has a water displacement function, is not compatible with water, and does not boil at drying temperatures. A specific cleaning method involves immersing an object to be cleaned with water adhering to its surface in the draining cleaner, performing water displacement by this immersion operation, and then drying the draining cleaner. This type of draining cleaning can prevent water marks and other problems. Therefore, a cleaning method that combines degreasing, including water washing, with draining cleaning is expected to be an alternative cleaning method to fluorocarbon-based cleaning. Conventionally, fluorocarbon-based solvents containing small amounts of surfactants have often been used for draining cleaning, but the practical application of various draining cleaners that can replace these has been investigated.

When using the above-mentioned non-fluorocarbon draining cleaner to drain off an object with water on its surface, the water removed from the object will naturally be mixed into the draining cleaner. To achieve stable cleaning quality, it is necessary to remove the water that has mixed into the draining cleaner and keep the water concentration in the draining cleaner below a certain value to prevent water from re-adhering.

For example, one possible method for removing water from a draining cleaner is to take advantage of the difference in boiling points and separate and remove it by distillation. However, this separation and removal method by distillation not only requires a large amount of energy for vaporization, but also poses the risk of fire when a flammable solvent is used as the draining cleaner. Furthermore, if a hydrophobic draining cleaner is used and there is a sufficient difference in specific gravity between the draining cleaner and water, water can be removed by sedimentation. However, this removal method by sedimentation has the problem that it is not possible to completely remove fine water droplets floating in the draining cleaner.

The present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a draining cleaning method and device that can effectively remove water that has become mixed in a non-fluorocarbon draining cleaning agent, thereby ensuring consistently stable cleaning quality.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The cleaning method of the present invention is a method for draining and cleaning an object that has been cleaned with water or a water-based detergent and has the water or water-based detergent adhering to its surface in a cleaning tank using a hydrophobic draining detergent, characterized in that the hydrophobic draining detergent is circulated from the cleaning tank to a reserve tank, and the hydrophobic draining detergent transferred to the reserve tank is circulated through a concentration filter that forms part of the circulation path, while the water or water-based detergent that has become mixed in the hydrophobic draining detergent is removed by the concentration filter, and only the hydrophobic draining detergent after removal is returned to the cleaning tank while the draining cleaning is performed.

The cleaning device of the present invention also has a cleaning tank using a hydrophobic draining detergent, a draining cleaning means for draining and cleaning objects having water or a water-based detergent attached to their surfaces in the cleaning tank, a reserve tank for temporarily storing the hydrophobic draining detergent in the cleaning tank, a concentrated filter, and a circulation system for circulating the hydrophobic draining detergent stored in the reserve tank through the concentrated filter, and is equipped with a water separation means for removing the water or water-based detergent mixed in the hydrophobic draining detergent using the concentrated filter and returning only the hydrophobic draining detergent after removal to the cleaning tank.

Water mixed into the hydrophobic draining detergent can be largely sedimented due to the difference in specific gravity between the hydrophobic draining detergent and water. However, fine water droplets floating in the hydrophobic draining detergent cannot be sedimented in a short time. In contrast, in the present invention, a reserve tank is provided to temporarily store the hydrophobic draining detergent mixed with water. The hydrophobic draining detergent is circulated between the reserve tank and the cleaning tank, and a concentrated filter installed in the circulation path removes water or water-based detergent mixed into the hydrophobic draining detergent. A concentrated filter, such as a concentrated hydrophobic filter, can reliably remove fine water droplets. Therefore, only water-free hydrophobic draining detergent can be stably returned to the cleaning tank. This allows draining cleaning to be performed constantly using a hydrophobic draining detergent with a water concentration below the allowable value, preventing water reattachment. This ensures consistently stable cleaning quality.

Furthermore, a porous filter that has been hydrophobized with a hydrophobic treatment agent containing at least the hydrolyzable organosilane represented by the formula (1) functions as a hydrophobic filter and also has the following properties:
It has excellent durability and pore shape retention, so by applying it to the draining and washing of the present invention, it becomes possible to perform the water separation operation more stably.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the first cleaning tank in the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of a concentrated filter used in the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the function of the concentrated filter used in the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the schematic backwash mechanism used in the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the state when a hydrophobic filter is used in the water separation operation in the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the state when a hydrophilic filter is used in the water separation operation in the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the water separation means in the cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows the configuration of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning apparatus shown in the figure is mainly composed of a water replacement process A, a cleaning process B, and a drying process C, which are arranged in this order, and a water separation mechanism D associated with the water replacement process A.

The first step, the water replacement step A, comprises a first cleaning tank 1 having both a sedimentation function and an overflow function, and a second cleaning tank 2 having an overflow function and connected to the first cleaning tank 1 by this overflow function.
Although a two-tank connected tank was used as the cleaning tank, the cleaning tank may be selected from a single tank or a multi-tank connected tank depending on the cleaning time, cleaning quality, etc., and the number of tanks in a multi-tank connected tank can also be selected in the same way.

The first and second cleaning tanks 1 and 2 each contain a hydrophobic draining detergent E1 that has a water-displacing effect, is not compatible with water, and does not boil at the temperature during drying. Examples of such hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 include hydrophobic solvents such as silicone-based solvents, isoparaffin-based solvents, and mixtures thereof, to which a draining performance improver has been added. This hydrophobic draining detergent _{E1 is}
Its specific gravity is set to be smaller than that of water.

Examples of the silicone-based solvent include those represented by the general formula: (wherein R is the same or different, a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, and m is an integer of 0 to 10), or a linear polydiorganosiloxane represented by the general formula: (wherein R is the same or different, substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, and n is an integer of 3 to 7), and the like.

The R group in the above formulas (2) and (3) is
For example, alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl groups, and monovalent unsubstituted hydrocarbon groups such as phenyl groups;
Examples include monovalent substituted hydrocarbon groups such as trifluoromethyl groups, but methyl groups are preferred in terms of system stability, maintaining volatility, and the like.

Examples of isoparaffin solvents include volatile isoparaffins having a carbon number in the range of 1 to 30. In particular, isoparaffins mainly composed of _C3 to _C15 fractions are preferred from the viewpoint of cleaning performance.

Examples of water-draining performance improvers that can be added to the silicone-based solvents and isoparaffin-based solvents described above to improve water-draining performance include surfactants and hydrophilic solvents. Various surfactants can be used, including cationic, anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, and composites thereof. Hydrophilic solvents include:
Alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, IPA, benzyl alcohol, ketones such as cyclohexanone,
Examples include polyhydric alcohols and derivatives thereof such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, and propylene glycol diethyl ether.

A specific example of the hydrophobic draining cleaner _E1 is a silicone-based solvent to which a surfactant is added as a draining performance improver.
Examples include Technocare FRW-13 (trade name, manufactured by Toshiba Corporation).

The first cleaning tank 1 has a settling section 3 and an overflow section 4. The object X to be cleaned has been cleaned with a water-based cleaning agent in a separately installed cleaning device, or has been rinsed with water. Such an object X to be cleaned is first immersed in the first cleaning tank 1. The water adhering to the surface of the object X to be cleaned is removed by a hydrophobic draining cleaning agent.
E is replaced with ₁ and removed. This water replacement operation results in
The removed water is mixed into the hydrophobic draining detergent E _1. Since the hydrophobic draining detergent E ₁ has a specific gravity smaller than that of water, the water Y removed from the object X settles in the settling section 3 and is separated from the hydrophobic draining detergent E ₁ .

The sedimentation section 3 and the first cleaning tank 1 are connected by a thin tube 5. Therefore, the objects to be cleaned X are easily transferred to the first cleaning tank 1.
Even if the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 in the first cleaning tank 1 is agitated by the addition or removal of the detergent, this agitation is prevented from reaching the settling section 3. Therefore, the water Y that has once settled in the settling section 3 will not rise again as water droplets in the first cleaning tank 1. Furthermore, when a certain amount of water Y accumulates in the settling section 3, the water Y is drained through the drain pipe 6.
Therefore, most of the water Y brought in by the object to be washed X is
The particles settle in the sedimentation section 3 connected to the lower part of the first washing tank 1 via a thin tube 5, and are then discharged to the outside.

However, the water in a fine emulsion state floats in the hydrophobic draining cleaner _E1 and does not easily settle or separate.
This floating water is sent to the water separation mechanism D together with the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 via the overflow section 4. The overflow section 4 for the first detergent 1 can also be connected to the sedimentation separation section 3 as shown in Figure 2.

In the second cleaning tank 2, water that did not separate from the object X in the first cleaning tank 1 is forcibly separated by using a physical force, for example, ultrasonic waves. For this purpose, an ultrasonic vibrator 7 is installed in the second cleaning tank 2. Note that the forced separation of water is not limited to ultrasonic waves, and may be performed by shaking, mechanical stirring, heating of the detergent, brushing, or the like. These methods may also be used in combination as needed. These forced water separation means further improve the draining performance.

In the second cleaning tank 2, as described above, ultrasonic waves,
Water is forcibly removed from the object X by physical force such as brushing. The water forcibly removed by physical force in this way becomes a fine emulsion in the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 . The fine emulsion water does not easily settle or separate. Therefore, the emulsified water is made to overflow from the second washing tank 2 to the first washing tank 1 via the overflow pipe 8 together with the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 . This overflow is separated by the water separation mechanism D.
The hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 is circulated by the above-mentioned method. The overflow from the second cleaning tank 2 causes the liquid level in the first cleaning tank 1 to rise. The increased liquid in the first cleaning tank 1 is transferred to the water separation mechanism D via the overflow section 4 attached to the first cleaning tank 1, as described above.
will be sent to.

As described above, when water is forcibly removed from the object to be cleaned X by a physical force such as ultrasonic waves or brushing, the water becomes an emulsion and tends to float.
In the first cleaning tank 1, it is preferable to simply perform immersion treatment without using such physical forces, in order to increase the removal efficiency by sedimentation and separation of water.

The liquid sent from the first cleaning tank 1 to the water separation mechanism D through the overflow section 4, i.e., the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 containing emulsion water, is temporarily stored in the reserve tank 9.
The water separation mechanism D including the reserve tank 9 has a circulation system 11 in which a water pump 10 is inserted.

A concentration type filter is inserted in the circulation system 11.
A hydrophobic filter 12 is typically used as the concentrate filter. A hydrophilic filter 13 can also be used. Figure 1 shows an example of the use of a hydrophilic filter 13. When the amount of hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 in the reserve tank 9 is sufficiently large relative to the amount of water, the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 forms the matrix, and water floats as droplets within this matrix. Conversely, when the amount of water is sufficiently large relative to the amount of hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 , the water forms the matrix, and the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 floats as droplets within the water. However, even emulsion-state water can be allowed to settle if the liquid is allowed to remain in the reserve tank 9 for a sufficient period of time. Therefore, if the reserve tank 9 is provided with a means for removing the settled water, such as a water discharge pipe or a water absorbent, the water separation mechanism D can be configured using only the hydrophobic filter 12.

The water separation mechanism D in this embodiment utilizes the relationship between the matrix liquid and the droplets of the emulsion liquid as described above, and separates the matrix liquid from the droplets using a concentration filter.

The operation of the above-described concentrated filter will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 4. When a mixed liquid M of hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 and water passes through the filter element 12a, only the matrix liquid passes through the filter element 12a in a direction perpendicular to the flow of the mixed liquid M. This allows filtration to occur. Under normal conditions, i.e., when the matrix liquid m is hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 and water droplets d are mixed into the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 , the hydrophobic filter 12 is used as a concentrated filter. The water droplets d are prevented from passing through the hydrophobic filter element 12a, and only the matrix liquid m (hydrophobic draining detergent E1 ₎ passes through the hydrophobic filter element 12a. In this case, the water concentration in the mixed liquid M' after passing through the hydrophobic filter element 12a increases by the amount of hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 filtered out by the hydrophobic filter element 12a. The water added by filtration can be removed by sedimentation or a water absorbent, as described above.

Furthermore, if the filtration is continued as described above and the matrix liquid m is water and the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 is mixed in the water as droplets d, the water can be removed using the hydrophilic filter 13 as a concentration filter. The droplets d of the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 are prevented from passing through the hydrophilic filter element 13a, and only the water, which is the matrix liquid m, passes through the hydrophilic filter element 13.
Pass through a.

In the circulation system 11 of the water separation mechanism D, the reserve tank 9 and the concentrated filter 12 (13) are connected by a water supply pipe 14 with a water supply pump 10 interposed therebetween. As the water supply pump 10, it is preferable to use a pump of a type that does not apply shear force to the liquid, such as a diaphragm pump or a rotary pump. This is because the hydrophobic draining detergent
This is to prevent the mixed liquid M of _E1 and water from being agitated by physical force and breaking down into finer droplets.

When the hydrophilic filter 13 is used as a concentrated filter, a mixture M of the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 and water is used.
A three-way valve 15 is inserted in the water supply pipe 14 so that the mixed liquid M' is sent to either the hydrophobic filter 12 or the hydrophilic filter 13. A circulation pipe 16 is connected to the concentration filter 12 (13) to return the filtered mixed liquid M' to the reserve tank 9. When the hydrophilic filter 13 is also used, a three-way valve 17 is also inserted in the circulation pipe 16.

The hydrophobic filter 12 includes a hydrophobic filter element 12a
A cleaning agent re-supply pipe 18 is connected to the hydrophilic filter ₁₃ , which returns only the hydrophobic draining cleaning agent _E1 that has passed through the hydrophilic filter element 13a to the second cleaning tank 2. That is, the hydrophobic draining cleaning agent E1 is circulated via the reserve tank 9, the hydrophobic filter 12, and the cleaning agent re-supply pipe 18. This system forms the basic circulation system of the water separation mechanism D of this embodiment. In addition, a water discharge pipe 19 is connected to the hydrophilic filter 13, which discharges water that has passed through the hydrophilic filter element 13a.

In the above-mentioned concentration type filter 12 (13), as the amount of droplets d adhering to the inner surface of the filter element increases with the progress of filtration, the filtration efficiency decreases. For this reason, the hydrophobic filter 12 has a backwash mechanism 20 as shown in Figure 5. When using the hydrophilic filter 13 in combination,
The hydrophilic filter 13 may also be provided with a backwashing mechanism 20 .

The backwash mechanism 20 will be described. In a normal state, the hydrophobic draining detergent passing through the hydrophobic filter 12
In the mixture M of _E1 and water, only the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 , which is the matrix liquid m, passes through the filter membrane 12b and is filtered. At this time, water droplets d may adhere to the surface of the filter membrane 12b. This may cause the filter membrane 12
When the clogging of the filter membrane 12b progresses,
The amount of filtrate from the hydrophobic draining cleaner E ₁ decreases. To restore this to its original state, backwashing is performed.

The backwashing procedure is as follows: First, the filtrate pipe,
For example, the cleaning agent resupply pipe 18 is closed by the valve 21. Next, the backwash cylinder 22 containing the filtrate is operated to drive the filtrate into the mixed liquid M from the reverse direction of the filter membrane 12b.
At this time, the flow of filtrate passing through the filter membrane 12b causes the water droplets d adhering to the surface of the filter membrane 12b to peel off from the surface of the filter membrane 12b.
The regeneration and restoration of 2b is carried out, and clogging is eliminated. The timing of this backwashing can be determined by monitoring the amount of filtrate, etc.

Next, the operation of the water separation mechanism D having the above-described configuration will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

The mixture M of the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 and water contained in the reserve tank 9 has the draining detergent _E1 as the matrix under normal conditions. Therefore, as shown in FIG _.
is sent to the hydrophobic filter 12 by the water pump 10. In the hydrophobic filter 12, only the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 passes through the hydrophobic filter element 12a, and only the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 ' corresponding to the filtrate is returned to the second cleaning tank 2 via the detergent re-supply pipe 18.

In this way, the second cleaning tank 2 is constantly supplied with hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 ' that does not contain water. This allows circulation of the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 and keeps the water concentration in the second cleaning tank 2 below the allowable value required by the quality of the object X to be cleaned. The hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 ' returned to the second cleaning tank 2 via the detergent resupply pipe 18 has a reduced concentration because the draining performance improver, such as a surfactant, dissolves in the water. To solve this problem, for example, when replenishing the second cleaning tank 2 with the amount of hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 equivalent to the amount carried over to the cleaning process B, a hydrophobic draining detergent with an increased amount of draining performance improver can be supplied by the amount of draining performance improver reduced by the water separation mechanism D. This allows the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 in the first and second cleaning tanks 1 and 2 to be circulated.
This allows the container to always have sufficient drainage function.
For example, the hydrophobic draining cleaner E ₁ is combined with the aforementioned Technocare FR
When W-13 is used, it is preferable that it contains 0.1% or more of a surfactant in order to impart sufficient water displacement.

The mixed liquid _M1 ' having a high water concentration after passing through the hydrophobic filter 12 is returned to the reserve tank 9. In this way, the mixed liquid _M1 is usually
It is constantly circulating through 12th magnitude.

By the way, the hydrophobic filter 12
As the filtration of _E1 ' progresses, water accumulates in the mixed solution M in the reserve tank 9. The water concentration in the mixed solution M gradually increases. However, as mentioned above, if the water can be removed by settling or other means, the hydrophobic draining detergent can be circulated using only the hydrophobic filter 12.

In addition, the composition of the mixed liquid M in the reserve tank 9 changes,
If the amount of water exceeds the amount of the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 , the matrix liquid may become water. In this state, the filtering efficiency of the hydrophobic filter 12 for the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 decreases. In this case, the water in the mixed liquid M can be removed using the hydrophilic filter 13. In this case, the three-way valves 15 and 17 are switched to allow the mixed liquid _M2 to pass through the hydrophilic filter 13 as shown in FIG.
In the hydrophilic filter 13, water is extracted as filtrate, contrary to the hydrophobic filter 12. The water extracted by filtration is discharged to the outside through a water discharge pipe 19.
In addition, the hydrophobic draining detergent passes through the hydrophilic filter 13.
The mixed solution _M2 ' with an increased concentration of _E1 is returned to the reserve tank 9. In this way, the hydrophobic filter 12 and the hydrophilic filter 13 can be switched depending on the matrix liquid in the mixed solution M.

In this way, stable filtration can be performed. Switching between the hydrophobic filter 12 and the hydrophilic filter 13 may be performed by monitoring the amount of filtrate, or by measuring the water concentration in the mixed liquid M by water concentration analysis such as ultraviolet absorption analysis.

As mentioned above, the hydrophobic filter 12 and the hydrophilic filter 13 may be used together as the concentration type filter in the water separation mechanism D. However, as mentioned above, the water separation mechanism D can be configured with only the hydrophobic filter 12 by providing a mechanism for removing the lower layer water generated by static separation in the reserve tank 9 by operating a valve or by using a water absorbent in combination. An example of using a water absorbent in combination will be described with reference to Fig. 8.

8 has a shield plate 28 that separates the interior of the reservoir tank 9 into two chambers (an inlet 9a and an outlet 9b). A liquid passage 9c is provided below the shield plate 28. A water absorbent 29 is disposed below the reservoir tank 9 so that the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 passing through the liquid passage 9c from the inlet 9a to the outlet 9b passes through the water absorbent.

The water absorbent 29 is, for example, a water-absorbent polymer material that has the water-absorbing capacity to sufficiently absorb only water from an oil-water mixture, is insoluble or poorly soluble in the hydrophobic draining cleaner _E1 , and has low reactivity. A water-absorbent polymer material is a polymer that absorbs and swells in a short time upon contact with water, causing all of the water to gel. Various types of water-absorbent polymer materials are known, and any material that satisfies the above conditions is not limited to these. Specific examples of the water absorbent 29 include sodium polyacrylate crosslinked water absorbents.

Such a water absorbent 29 may be placed in the reserve tank 9 in a mesh container that does not obstruct the passage of the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 , or may be placed in a sheet-like water absorbent
29, it is also possible to place it directly in the reserve tank 9. The amount of water absorbent 29 to be placed is determined taking into consideration its water absorption capacity, the amount of water brought in, the operation duration of the cleaning device, etc.

The water absorbent 29 is used in advance to remove the hydrophobic draining detergent.
E ₁ absorbs the water in the hydrophobic filter 12
It is also possible to suppress an increase in the water concentration in the mixed liquid M' returned to the reserve tank 9. As a result, it is possible to configure the water separation mechanism D using only the hydrophobic filter 12 without using a hydrophilic filter.
It may be inserted into 16.

In the draining and cleaning process A as described above, the object X to be cleaned is then sent to the cleaning process B. The cleaning process B has a third cleaning tank 23 and a fourth cleaning tank 24 for the purpose of rinsing. The number of cleaning tanks in the cleaning process B may be set appropriately depending on the cleaning quality, etc.

In this cleaning process B, rinsing is performed so that the concentration of surfactants and the like in the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 adhering to the object X to be cleaned is equal to or less than the allowable value required by the quality of the object _X to be cleaned.
Depending on the composition of the substrate, this cleaning step B may be omitted.

The third cleaning tank 23 and the fourth cleaning tank 24 contain a hydrophobic rinsing detergent E2 similar to the hydrophobic solvent used in the draining cleaning process A. The hydrophobic solvent used as rinsing detergent _E2 does not have to be limited to this, but it is preferable to use the same hydrophobic solvent as the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 used in the draining cleaning process A, without adding surfactants _, in order to maintain practical work efficiency. A specific example of rinsing detergent _E2 is the silicone-based solvent Technocare FRW-1 (trade name, manufactured by Toshiba Corporation).

After this, the object to be cleaned X is sent to the drying process C,
The rinse cleaning agent _E2 is evaporated and removed from the surface, completing the draining cleaning. While hot air drying may be used for this drying step C, it is preferable to use steam drying using the vapor of IPA or an environmentally friendly fluorine-based inert liquid. This further improves the cleaning quality. While fluorocarbon-based solvents can be used as the fluorine-based inert liquid for steam drying, it is preferable to use perfluorocarbons that are substantially free of chlorine, considering their impact on the environment and human health.

Perfluorocarbons are carbon compounds in which substantially all substituents that can be bonded to carbon atoms in the molecular structure are fluorine atoms. They are usually liquid at room temperature, non-flammable, non-toxic, odorless, and extremely safe, and since they contain substantially no chlorine, they do not cause environmental damage. Perfluorocarbons also have the same volatility as fluorocarbon-based solvents and do not corrode various materials such as metals, plastics, and glass, providing effective and sufficient drying performance for objects made of various materials. Furthermore, perfluorocarbons are not compatible with hydrophobic solvents such as silicone-based solvents and isoparaffin-based solvents at room temperature, and because they have a moderate difference in specific gravity, they can withstand the effects of detergent components introduced into the drying process C.
They can be separated, recovered, and reused.

Examples of perfluorocarbons are _C3F6 , _{C4F8 , and C5F
10 , C6F12 , C6F12O , C6F14} , _{C7F14 , C7F14O , C7F16 , C8}
Examples include those represented by _the molecular formula _F16O , _C8F18 , _C9F18O , _{C10F20O , etc.} Specifically, Technocare FRV-1
(trade name, manufactured by Toshiba Corporation) or the like is used.

In the cleaning apparatus of this embodiment, the drying step C is as follows:
For this purpose, the drying step C has a steam cleaning tank 25 containing _a perfluorocarbon steam cleaning agent _E3 .
A heater 26 is installed inside the tank to generate vapor of the vapor cleaning agent _E3 . Alternatively, perfluorocarbon vapor generated in a separately installed vapor generating tank may be supplied to the vapor cleaning tank 25.
The upper part of the steam cleaning tank 25 is provided with a protective layer to prevent the vapor of perfluorocarbon from volatilizing from the inside of the steam cleaning tank 25.
Cooling pipes 27 are installed.

In addition, Technocare is used as a rinse cleaner _E2 in the cleaning process B.
When FRW-1 or the like is used, hot air drying or the like can be applied as drying step C by taking advantage of the volatility of Technocare FRW-1.

As described above, in the washing apparatus of this embodiment, the draining washing step A is assisted by the water separating mechanism D.
Therefore, the water concentration in the hydrophobic draining detergent E ₁ contained in the second cleaning tank 2 in the draining cleaning process A is
The water separation mechanism D can constantly maintain the water content at a certain value or less, for example, at 2% to 3% or less, depending on the quality of the draining and washing.
The method uses a concentration filter that can reliably remove floating water droplets, so the water concentration in the hydrophobic draining cleaner _E1 can be reliably kept below a certain value.
The hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 containing water is circulated between the reserve tank 9 and the concentrated filter, and the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 after removing the water is returned to the second cleaning tank 2. By circulating the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 in this way, the cleaning itself is not adversely affected,
The water concentration in the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 contained in the second cleaning tank 2 can be constantly maintained at a constant value or less. Therefore, in the draining cleaning process A, re-adhesion of water is reliably prevented, and constant draining cleaning quality can be constantly maintained.

Furthermore, the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 attached to the surface of the object X is removed by the rinsing detergent _E2 in the cleaning step B.
Surfactants and other components contained in _E1 are removed by the rinsing cleaner _E2 , which is composed solely of a hydrophobic solvent. As a result, the surface of the object X that has undergone the cleaning process B is left with only a hydrophobic solvent, which will not adversely affect the quality after drying. This reliably prevents watermarks and other impairing cleaning quality. This makes ultra-precise cleaning possible, for example.

In the cleaning device of the above embodiment, an example was described in which an immersion type cleaning tank was used in the draining cleaning process A.
The present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a shower cleaning tank or the like can be applied by adding an additional buffer tank.

Next, the concentration type filter in the above-mentioned cleaning device will be described.

The concentration type filter 1 used in the water separation mechanism D as described above
The elements 12a and 13a of the filter 12 and 13 are selected in various ways depending on the material and contents of the matrix liquid to be filtered. For example, although it differs depending on the material and whether or not the surface is treated, it is preferably about 0.01 μm to 200 μm, more preferably 0.5 μm to 10 μm.
A porous filter having a pore size of about 1 μm, more preferably 0.1 μm to 2 μm, is used. Specific examples of porous filters include ceramic filters, glass filters, organic polymer filters, and composite filters of these. These can be hydrophobic filters 12 or hydrophilic filters 13 depending on the element material and whether or not the surface is treated. For example, a hydrophobic filter 12 can be formed by applying a hydrophobic surface coating to a hydrophilic element material. The concentration filter in the cleaning device described above can be:
The above-mentioned various filters can also be used in combination, for example, in series or in parallel.

Among the above-mentioned concentrated filters, the hydrophobic filter
As the filter 12, a porous filter treated with a hydrophobic treatment agent containing at least a hydrolyzable organosilane represented by the following formula (1) is particularly suitable.

General formula: _{RnSiX4 -n} (1) (wherein R represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, X represents a hydrolyzable group, and n represents an integer from 1 to 3.) By treating a highly hydrophilic porous filter with a hydrophobic treatment agent containing at least the hydrolyzable organosilane represented by formula (1), a hydrophobic filter 12 excellent in durability and pore shape retention can be obtained. Furthermore, the hydrophobic treatment agent can be used at a relatively low temperature, making it excellent for the hydrophobic treatment process.

A porous filter with such a hydrophobic coating can efficiently filter up to about 80% of the water, allowing for more stable water separation operations.
Furthermore, when using both the hydrophobic filter 12 and the hydrophilic filter 13, they must be switched depending on the matrix liquid. In this case, with a typical filter, switching between the hydrophobic draining detergent _E1 and water may be required frequently, with the amounts remaining roughly the same. Therefore, by using the porous filter with the hydrophobic coating of the present invention, the water separation operation can be performed more stably.

The porous filter to be treated with the hydrophobic treatment agent can be made of any of the above-mentioned various filters, but ceramic filters are particularly preferred. Examples of the base material for ceramic filters include siliceous materials such as glass, silica, and wollastonite, and non-siliceous materials such as alumina, nickel oxide, and titanite. Among these,
Alumina is preferably used.

The average pore size of the pores of the filter is preferably in the range of 0.01 μm to 200 μm, more preferably in the range of 0.5 μm to 10 μm. If the average pore size of the pores is smaller than 0.01 μm, the pores are likely to be blocked during treatment with silane, and if the average pore size is smaller than 200 μm, the pores are likely to be blocked during treatment with silane.
If the average pore size is larger than 1.0 m, the water separation ability will decrease. The average pore size here is determined by scanning electron micrographs (magnification: 100 to 50,000 times) of at least five randomly selected points on the filter.
The longest diameter of 10 randomly selected pores in each photograph was measured, and the value was calculated from the normal distribution.

(1) The monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms represented by R in the formula (1) includes a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a nonyl group, a decyl group, an undecyl group, a dodecyl group,
Examples include alkyl groups such as tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, and octadecyl, cycloalkyl groups such as cyclohexyl, aryl groups such as phenyl, alkenyl groups such as vinyl and allyl, and aralkyl groups such as β-phenylethyl and γ-phenylpropyl. Of these, alkyl groups are preferred for the purpose of imparting excellent water repellency.
Furthermore, alkyl groups having 3 to 16 carbon atoms are preferred, and alkyl groups having 4 to 10 carbon atoms are particularly preferred, because they have particularly excellent water repellency and are easy to obtain as raw materials and to synthesize and purify. When n in formula (1) is 2 or 3, the Rs may be the same or different. However, n is preferably 1 because the reaction rate of the silane is fast.

Examples of the hydrolyzable group represented by X in formula (1) include an alkoxy group, an acyloxy group, an amino group, an aminoxy group, an oxime group, a ketoxime group, an amide group, an alkenyloxy group, a halogen atom, etc. Among these, the preferred hydrolyzable group is one that does not attack the material that constitutes the filter, that is, that the by-products produced during the curing reaction are easy to treat, and that has the following characteristics:
Alkoxy groups are preferred because they have good storage stability, etc. Furthermore, they provide an appropriate curing rate.
Methoxyl groups are particularly preferred.

The silanes represented by formula (1) may be used as partial hydrolysates, or one or more of them may be used in combination. It is particularly preferable to use a silane in which R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms in combination with a silane in which R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. This allows for faster hydrophobic treatment of the filter pores and reduces the likelihood of untreated areas. In this case, it is preferable that 50% by weight or more of the silanes in which R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms be used, as this provides sufficient hydrophobicity.

Furthermore, in order to improve the strength and durability of the hydrophobic membrane formed in the pores of the treated filter, a hydrophobic treatment agent can be used in which a polyorganosiloxane having hydroxyl groups at both ends is added and mixed. The organic groups of this polyorganosiloxane are exemplified by the same groups as R, but alkyl and aryl groups are preferred due to their effect of improving membrane strength and ease of raw material availability. Methyl groups are particularly preferred. The viscosity of this polyorganosiloxane is preferably less than 200,000 cSt. If the viscosity is 200,000 cSt or higher, the viscosity becomes too high and difficult to handle, making the filter difficult to hydrophobize. A viscosity of 20 to 20,000 cSt is particularly preferred.
The range of St.

The amount of polyorganosiloxane to be blended is preferably in the range of 1 to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the silane, since it has good compatibility with the silane represented by formula (1) and is excellent in workability. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the strength of the film, it is preferable to blend 1 part by weight or more. It is particularly preferable to blend 5 to 20 parts by weight.
The range is parts by weight.

In addition, in order to improve the adhesion of the membrane formed in the pores to the filter and to enhance the durability of the hydrophobicity, a silane in which R in the formula (1) is an alkyl group containing a glycidyl group, an acrylic group, a methacrylic group, an amino group, etc. can also be used. In this case, R can be, for example, a γ-glycidoxypropyl group, a γ-methacryloxypropyl group, a γ-
Examples include aminopropyl groups. In this case, the amount of such silanes to be blended is preferably about 0.1 to 10% by weight of the total amount of silanes. In order to improve the hydrophobicity of the film formed in the filter pores, it is preferable to make it 10% by weight or less. In addition, in order to improve the adhesion of the film, it is preferable to make it 0.1
It is preferable to blend at least 100% by weight.
In the formula, n is 1 in terms of the curing speed when forming a film.
It is preferable to set the following.

It is preferable to add a hydrolysis catalyst to the hydrophobic treatment agent containing at least the hydrolyzable silane represented by the formula (1) in order to accelerate the curing reaction during filter treatment. Such catalysts include dibutyltin dilaurate, dibutyltin diacetate, butyltin tri-
2-ethylhexoate, stannous caprylate, stannous naphthenate, stannous oleate, iron 2-ethylhexoate, lead 2-ethyloctoate, manganese 2-ethylhexoate, zinc 2-ethylhexoate, titanium naphthenate, zinc naphthenate, cobalt naphthenate,
metal salts of organic carboxylic acids such as zinc stearate; organic titanate esters such as tetrabutyl titanate, tetra-2-ethylhexyl titanate, triethanolamine titanate, and tetra(isopropenyloxy)titanate; organic titanium compounds such as organosiloxytitanium and β-carbonyltitanium; aminoalkyl group-substituted alkoxysilanes such as γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and N-(trimethoxysilylpropyl)ethylenediamine;
Examples include amine compounds and salts thereof such as hexylamine and dodecylamine phosphate, quaternary ammonium salts such as benzyltriethylammonium acetate, lower fatty acid salts of alkali metals such as potassium acetate, sodium acetate and lithium oxalate, dialkylhydroxylamines such as dimethylhydroxylamine and diethylhydroxylamine, guanidine compounds such as tetramethylguanidine, and guanidine group-containing silane and siloxane compounds.

The amount of these hydrolysis catalysts added is 10
The range of 0.01 to 10 parts by weight per 10 parts by weight of the curing agent is preferred. 0.1 to 5 parts by weight is particularly preferred. To increase the curing rate and improve the efficiency of the treatment, it is preferred to add 0.1 parts by weight or more. Furthermore, to ensure a sufficient pot life of the treatment solution, 5 parts by weight or less is preferred.

The hydrophobic treatment agent that contains the above-mentioned hydrolyzable silane, furthermore polyorganosiloxane and hydrolysis catalyst, is preferably dissolved in a solvent for use in order to facilitate the treatment of the filter.As such solvent, can be exemplified the organic solvents such as alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, IPA, ether alcohols and ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone, esters such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, hexane, gasoline, rubber volatile oil, mineral spirit, kerosene, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.

The amount of solvent used was 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of hydrolyzable silane.
The range of 0 to 2000 parts by weight is preferred, and 100 to 1000 parts by weight is particularly preferred.
The solvent is preferably used in an amount of 50 parts by weight or more to facilitate treatment by immersion or the like of the filter, and is preferably used in an amount of 2000 parts by weight or less to achieve a treatment liquid concentration sufficient to form a good hydrophobic film in the filter pores.

The hydrolyzable silane represented by formula (1) can also be used in combination with other hydrophobic agents, organic resins, and monomers that are raw materials for these. Examples of such hydrophobic agents include natural waxes such as spermaceti, beeswax, and carnauba wax, synthetic waxes such as cetyl palmitate, myricyl palmitate, methyl cerotenate, and ceryl cerotenate, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as octadecane, eicosane, docosane, tetracosane, octacosane, triacontane, and pentatriacontane, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, chrysene,
Examples include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as pyrene.
Organic resins include polystyrene, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, polyacetic acid resin, epoxy resin,
Examples of the monomer include methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, methyl maleate, methyl fumarate, diallyl phthalate, vinyl acetate, and other esters.
In order to improve durability, organic resins and their monomers, particularly esters of methacrylic acid and acrylic acid, are preferably used.

The blending amount of these hydrophobic agents, organic resins and their monomers is 0.1 to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of hydrolyzable silane in order to improve durability while maintaining good hydrophobicity.
The amount is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 50 parts by weight, and more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 50 parts by weight. In addition, a polymerization initiator and a storage stabilizer for these organic resin monomers may be added.

The concentrated filter described above can be obtained by diluting the hydrolyzable silane and other components in a solvent to prepare a treatment solution, immersing a porous filter in this solution, and then air-drying and heat-curing the solution. Solvents are generally preferred because they dissolve the hydrolyzable silane and other components to form a homogeneous solution, reduce the viscosity of the treatment solution, improve treatment properties, and allow adjustment of the treatment amount of the filter pores by changing the silane concentration in the treatment solution. However, by using a silane with low viscosity or other components with good compatibility, it is possible to prepare a treatment solution without using a solvent. In this case, the treatment solution can be heat-cured without air-drying. Furthermore, filter treatment is generally performed by immersing the filter in the treatment solution, but it can also be performed by pumping the treatment solution into the filter. In this case, the treatment of the filter pores can be performed more reliably in a short time.

The above-mentioned treatment liquids can be cured at relatively low temperatures, but are generally treated at temperatures ranging from room temperature to about 250°C. When no organic resin or its monomer is used, they can be cured at relatively low temperatures, with a temperature range of from room temperature to about 150°C being preferred. When an organic resin or its monomer is used, treatment at a temperature range of from about 50 to 200°C is preferred, with treatment generally being carried out at about 50 to 150°C. The heating time is generally selected from a range of from about 10 to 2 hours.

A specific example of the above-mentioned concentration type filter and the evaluation results thereof will be described below.

Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example A Treatment solutions were prepared with the compositions shown in Table 1. Ceramic filters with an average pore size of 0.5 μm, MEMBRALOX (trade name, manufactured by Toshiba Ceramics Co., Ltd.: high-purity alumina ceramic filters, Al ₂ O ₃ purity = 99.9%), were immersed in these treatment solutions for 3 hours, air-dried, and then heated at 50° C. for 1 hour.
The mixture was heated and cured for 1 hour.

Using each ceramic filter obtained in this way, an oil-water mixture and an equal mixture of silicone oil (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane) and water were circulated and filtered at room temperature. The circulating filtration was performed by placing the oil-water mixture in a tank equipped with an agitator and circulating the oil-water mixture through the ceramic filter. The filtrate (silicone oil) and the residual liquid were each recovered in their original tanks. This circulating filtration test was performed, and durability was measured from the time until filtration became impossible due to water leakage into the filtrate or clogging.

In addition, a circular hole (diameter 6cm) with the same pore size and composition as above was
Water was poured into a cylindrical container with a ceramic filter plate (mm) at the bottom, and the water pressure resistance was measured from the water depth at which the water penetrated the filter and began to leak out. The results are shown in Table 1.

The durability (time) shown in Table 1 is the result when the liquid flow in the filter is in one direction. In actual equipment, backwashing as described above can be performed to ensure that the durability is essentially permanent.

Examples 5 to 7 and Comparative Example B Treatment solutions were prepared with the compositions shown in Table 2, and the average pore size of the pores was 2.0 μm (scanning electron microscope photograph (magnification: 1000
A ceramic filter of 1000 times the normal distribution (a value determined from the normal distribution when 10 pores of each photograph were measured) was subjected to hydrophobic treatment in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the heat curing conditions were 100°C for 1 hour, and the durability of the filter was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are also shown in Table 2.

Examples 8 to 11 Treatment solutions were prepared with the compositions shown in Table 3.
The same ceramic filters as in Example 1 were subjected to hydrophobic treatment in the same manner, and the durability was measured using these ceramic filters in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the temperature of the oil-water mixture was set to 60° C. The results are also shown in Table 3.

Example 12 A treatment solution was prepared with the same composition as in Example 5 above. A glass filter having an average pore size of 3.0 μm (a value determined from a normal distribution obtained by taking scanning electron micrographs (magnification: 1000x) of five randomly selected points and measuring 10 randomly selected pores in each photograph) was immersed in this treatment solution for 2 hours, air-dried, and then heat-cured at 100°C for 1 hour. The durability of the glass filter thus obtained was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, a satisfactory durability of 620 hours was obtained.

Example 13 A treatment solution was prepared with the same composition as in Example 1 above. A glass filter having an average pore size of 0.5 μm (a value determined from a normal distribution obtained by taking scanning electron micrographs (magnification: 10,000x) at 10 random locations and measuring 10 random pores in each photograph) was immersed in this treatment solution for 3 hours, air-dried, and then heat-cured at 50°C for 1 hour. The durability of the glass filter thus obtained was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, a satisfactory durability of 500 hours was obtained.

Example 14 A treatment solution was prepared with the same composition as in Example 10 above. An organic polymer filter (a filter made of bundled polyamide fibers, for producing pure water: manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was immersed in this treatment solution for 1 hour, air-dried, and then heat-cured at 50°C for 2 hours. The durability of the organic polymer filter thus obtained was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, a satisfactory durability of 720 hours was obtained.

Example 15 A treatment liquid was prepared with the same composition as in Example 1 above. An organic polymer filter having an average pore size of 1.0 μm was applied to this treatment liquid.
Celpore W-01 (trade name, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.: polyethylene resin filter) was immersed for 3 hours, and after air drying,
The filter was then heated and cured at 100°C for 1 hour. The durability of the organic polymer filter thus obtained was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, a satisfactory durability of 300 hours was obtained.

Example 16 A treatment solution was prepared with the same composition as in Example 2 above. A composite filter (a mixed filter of cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol and alumina ceramics) having an average pore size of 2.0 μm (a value determined from a normal distribution when scanning electron micrographs (magnification: 1000 times) were taken at five random locations and 10 random pores in each photograph were measured) was immersed in this treatment solution for 4 hours.
After air drying, the filter was heat cured at 40° C. for 2 hours. The durability of the composite filter thus obtained was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, a satisfactory durability of 550 hours was obtained.

Example 17 A treatment solution was prepared with the same composition as in Example 1 above. A composite filter (a mixed filter of polyphenylene sulfide and glass) with an average pore size of 1.0 μm (a value determined from a normal distribution when 5 randomly selected points on a scanning electron microscope photograph (magnification: 1000 times) were taken and 10 randomly selected pores on each photograph were measured) was immersed in this treatment solution for 3 hours, and after air drying, it was heated at 50° C. for 1 hour.
The composite filter thus obtained was used to measure its durability in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, a satisfactory durability of 350 hours was obtained.

As is clear from the evaluation results of the above specific examples,
A porous filter (concentration type filter) hydrophobized with a hydrophobic treatment agent containing a hydrolyzable silane represented by formula (1) is
It can be seen that separation of water contained in the oil phase or extraction of oil can be performed efficiently, and furthermore, the durability of hydrophobicity is excellent. Therefore, by using it as a hydrophobic filter in the present invention, it becomes possible to perform draining and cleaning more efficiently. In addition, the above hydrolyzable silane is easy to treat porous filters and can be cured at relatively low temperatures, so it is also very effective in the treatment process.

The above-mentioned concentration type filter is not limited to the draining and washing of the present invention, but can be effectively used for separating water from various oil phases and extracting oil.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to constantly maintain the water concentration in the draining detergent at a constant value or less.
This ensures that water is prevented from re-adhering.
It is possible to obtain consistently stable cleaning quality, and therefore it can be effectively used for various draining cleaning as an alternative cleaning method to the current fluorocarbon-based cleaning.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────── Continued from the front page (72) Inventor: Nobuhiro Saito 908-10 Toriyama, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture (56) References: JP 3-16604 (JP, A) JP 2-184302 (JP, A) JP 4-48903 (JP, A) JP 2-31824 (JP, A) Utility Model Application Publication No. 1985-79501 (JP, U) JP 59-27602 (JP, B2) JP 58-33002 (JP, B2)

Claims (10)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A method for draining and cleaning an object that has been cleaned with water or a water-based detergent and has the water or water-based detergent adhering to its surface in a cleaning tank using a hydrophobic draining detergent, the method comprising: transferring the hydrophobic draining detergent from the cleaning tank to a reserve tank in a circulatory manner; circulating the hydrophobic draining detergent transferred to the reserve tank through a concentration filter that forms part of a circulation path; removing the water or water-based detergent that has become mixed in the hydrophobic draining detergent using the concentration filter; and returning only the hydrophobic draining detergent after removal to the cleaning tank while performing the draining and cleaning. 2. The draining and washing method according to claim 1, wherein a hydrophobic filter is used as the concentration type filter. [Claim 3] A drain cleaning method according to claim 1, characterized in that a hydrophobic filter and a hydrophilic filter are used together as the concentrated filter, and the hydrophobic filter or the hydrophilic filter is selected and used depending on the concentration of water in the hydrophobic drain cleaning agent contained in the reserve tank. [Claim 4] The draining and cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic draining and cleaning agent is a draining and cleaning agent whose main component is at least one hydrophobic solvent selected from silicone-based solvents and isoparaffin-based solvents. [Claim 5] A draining cleaning device comprising: a draining cleaning means having a cleaning tank using a hydrophobic draining detergent, and for draining and cleaning objects having water or a water-based detergent attached to their surfaces in the cleaning tank; a reserve tank for temporarily storing the hydrophobic draining detergent in the cleaning tank; a concentrated filter; and a circulation system for circulating the hydrophobic draining detergent stored in the reserve tank through the concentrated filter, and a water separation means for removing the water or water-based detergent mixed in the hydrophobic draining detergent using the concentrated filter, and returning only the hydrophobic draining detergent after removal to the cleaning tank. 6. The draining and washing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the concentration type filter is a hydrophobic filter. [Claim 7] The drain cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein the concentrated filters include a hydrophobic filter and a hydrophilic filter, and the drain cleaning device is configured to select and use either the hydrophobic filter or the hydrophilic filter depending on the concentration of water in the hydrophobic drain cleaning agent stored in the reserve tank. [Claim 8] A draining and cleaning device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the hydrophobic filter is a porous filter treated with a liquid hydrophobic treating agent containing at least a hydrolyzable organosilane represented by the general formula: _{RnSiX4 -n} (wherein R represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, X represents a hydrolyzable group, and n represents an integer of 1 to 3). 9. The draining and washing device according to claim 8, wherein the porous filter is a ceramic filter. [Claim 10] A draining and cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein the hydrophobic draining and cleaning agent is a draining and cleaning agent whose main component is at least one hydrophobic solvent selected from silicone-based solvents and isoparaffin-based solvents.