CO2 Jet Cooling for Low-Force Adhesive Residue Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing adhesive residues are inefficient, costly, and pose risks of thermal damage to adjacent structures, require extensive coolant application, and are unsafe due to the use of hazardous materials like liquid nitrogen.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a jet device that mixes cold-resistant liquids with carbon dioxide to achieve temperatures below -40°C, allowing adhesives to embrittle, facilitating mechanical separation with reduced mechanical forces and minimal coolant use, using a cooling head adapted to the adhesive joint geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hot-thermal methods (hot air blowers, infrared heaters, induction heaters) are used to soften adhesive connections, then adhesive separation becomes easier, but adjacent structures and surfaces risk thermal damage including color changes, strength loss, and blistering
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of heating the adhesive to soften it for separation, the invention applies cold temperatures to embrittle the adhesive, making it easier to separate. This inverse approach avoids all thermal damage risks to adjacent painted surfaces and components while achieving the same separation goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from positive (heating) to negative (cooling), using temperatures below -40°C to embrittle the adhesive. This parameter inversion allows adhesive separation without exposing adjacent structures to harmful thermal effects.
2Temperature
If liquid nitrogen is used as coolant for adhesive separation, then adhesive embrittlement is achieved, but occupational safety risks increase and cooling may be too strong causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces hazardous liquid nitrogen with liquid carbon dioxide, which is safer for occupational health and environment. CO2 is non-toxic, non-flammable, and naturally present in the atmosphere, making it a safe disposable coolant that achieves the required embrittlement without the dangers of nitrogen handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adjusts the temperature parameter to be below -40°C but controlled to avoid excessive cooling damage. By using CO2 instead of nitrogen and controlling the application method, the temperature is optimized to embrittle the adhesive while protecting sensitive adjacent components from over-cooling.
3Temperature
If extensive coolant application methods (coolant baths, large coolant packs) are used for adhesive separation, then adhesive embrittlement is achieved, but coolant consumption increases and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying coolant extensively to entire components or using large coolant packs, the invention applies the coolant locally and directly to the adhesive bond line. This targeted application embrittles only the adhesive where needed, minimizing coolant consumption and simplifying the separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of coolant application from complex systems (baths, large packs) and delivers it through a simple, direct application method. By taking out only the necessary cooling action at the adhesive interface, the process becomes simpler and consumes far less coolant.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If room temperature adhesive separation is attempted, then no thermal damage occurs, but increased mechanical forces are required and separation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter to below -40°C to embrittle the adhesive, which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties of the adhesive. This parameter change reduces the force required for separation by making the adhesive brittle rather than requiring high mechanical forces at room temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies cooling as a preliminary action before mechanical separation. By pre-embrittling the adhesive through controlled cooling, the subsequent mechanical separation requires minimal force, making the overall process easier and safer.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick, safe, and efficient removal of adhesive residues with reduced thermal impact and coolant consumption, suitable for various industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
The carbon dioxide is supplied either in solid form as pellets or as liquid carbon dioxide. It then expands in an expansion chamber of the jet device or upon exiting a nozzle of the jet device in the atmosphere to form small carbon dioxide particles and gaseous carbon dioxide.
Implementation Method 2
The cold-resistant liquid is admixed before, during or after the conversion of the liquid carbon dioxide into gaseous carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide particles. The coolant formed by admixing the cold-resistant liquid to the carbon dioxide has a significantly higher energy content and temperatures below −40° C.
Implementation Method 3
temperatures below −40° C. and preferably about −70° C. can be brought about. At such low temperatures, the cleaning effect improves. For example, adhesives used in the automotive industry in body construction become brittle at these temperatures.
Data Source
AI summary
In a cleaning method for removing adhesive residues from surfaces, in particular after separating an adhesive connection between adhesively joined partners, liquid carbon dioxide from a reservoir enters a jet apparatus and is guided there through a first dosing unit into an expansion chamber, wherein a cold-resistant liquid is then supplied to a mixture created in the expansion chamber from gaseous carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide particles and wherein the mixture, to which the cold-resistant liquid has been added, exits the jet apparatus via an outlet opening thereof. Furthermore, a jet apparatus removes adhesive residues from surfaces.