Low-Pressure vs High-Pressure Cleaning: Benefits Explained

26 Nov

Tuesday 26 November 2024
By: BOONS FIS
Category: Pressure boost

Two of the most commonly used cleaning methods are low-pressure and high-pressure cleaning. Each system has its specific applications, benefits, and sectors where it is often used. In this blog, we explain what both systems entail and how they can contribute to a hygienic and safe production environment.

1. What is low-pressure cleaning?

Low-pressure cleaning uses water at relatively low pressure, typically around 20 bar. Within the low-pressure cleaning, medium-pressure cleaning (40 bar) can also be included. Cleaning under low or medium pressure is often used for cleaning large surfaces or delicate equipment, while the method is still significantly different from cleaning under high-pressure.

How does it work?
In low-pressure cleaning, water is (whether or not) mixed with cleaning agents and applied via a specific spray gun or lance with a nozzle, to the surface to be cleaned, usually in foam form. The foam provides a longer contact time, and helps to soak dirt (and kill microorganisms) after which everything is thoroughly rinsed away.
Applications
Low-pressure cleaning is often used where cleaning tasks are less intensive, require more exposure time (e.g., to kill bacteria), or where surfaces are sensitive to damage, such as with vulnerable equipment, pipelines, and sensitive production areas.

Industries where low-pressure cleaning is common

Low-pressure cleaning is common in sectors where hygiene is of great importance, but where surfaces and equipment may be vulnerable to damage from aggressive cleaning methods. However biofilms, such as bacteria (e.g., Salmonella and E. coli), fungi, and viruses, should not form in these production environments. Thorough cleaning prevents these pathogens from spreading and potentially contaminating the end product (such as food).

Low-pressure cleaning is mainly found in:

The food industry
Particularly in sectors such as dairy industry, bakeries, and fresh fruit and vegetable processing, where large surfaces, production spaces, kitchen furnishing, worktops, and delicate machinery must be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
The pharmaceutical industry
Low pressure cleaning is used here to clean sensitive equipment and production areas to prevent contamination without damaging equipment.

Advantages of low-pressure cleaning

Equipment protection
Low-pressure cleaning is less aggressive for equipment and surfaces, which is especially important in situations where fragile materials are used.
Energy-efficient pump units
Thanks to the use of centrifugal pump systems.
Low-noise installation compared to high-pressure systems.
More comfortable for cleaning operators
Easier to handle than high-pressure systems.
Efficiency for large surfaces
Low pressure cleaning is effective for cleaning large areas such as floors and walls, because the water is spread in a wider radius. Under low pressure, a higher flow rate is often used for better efficiency.
Reduced risk of cross-contamination
At lower pressure, far fewer airborne drops or microscopic particles are blown into the air / production area compared to high-pressure cleaning. This also reduces the risk of cross-contamination within the production area to be cleaned.
Safety
Due to the lower pressure, there is less risk of injury for employees operating the equipment and damage to sensitive surfaces.
Enhanced chemical action
As the system often allows longer contact times of cleaning agents on surfaces (eg. when foaming), dirt and contaminants can be tackled more effectively.

2. What is high-pressure cleaning?

High-pressure cleaning uses water at high pressure, often ranging from 100 to 500 bar, to remove persistent dirt and contaminants from surfaces.

How does it work?
With high-pressure cleaning water is pressed through a narrow nozzle with great force resulting in a powerful water jet that can effectively loosen and remove dirt and hardened residues.
Applications
High-pressure cleaning is ideal for removing persistent contaminants from robust surfaces, such as machinery, tanks, and floors in industrial environments where a lot of grease and dirt accumulates.

Industries where high-pressure cleaning is common

High-pressure cleaning is widely used in industries where heavy pollution and robust surfaces are common, and where powerful cleaning is essential.

Waste processing industry
Where high pressure cleaning is used to periodically clean various materials, such as conveyor belts, storage tanks, floors, walls, filters, drainage channels ensures a longer equipment lifespan and overall safety.
The heavy industry
For cleaning tanks, pipelines, and other equipment where stubborn residues can accumulate.
The chemical industry
Where heavy industrial cleaning is required to remove reactive substances or hazardous residues from equipment and surfaces, as well as from tanks or silos.

Advantages of high-pressure cleaning

Powerful cleaning
The high pressure ensures that even the most stubborn dirt such as grease, hardened food residues, and rust, is removed quickly..
Efficiency
Due to the powerful effect, high-pressure cleaning achieves results fairly quickly, contributing to smoother production processes.
Depth cleaning
High-pressure cleaning can penetrate into the smallest cracks and crevices, making it ideal for cleaning hard-to-reach places.
Reduced use of chemicals
Due to the mechanical force of the water, there is often less need for heavy chemical cleaning agents (depending on the nature of pollution), which is beneficial for both the environment and costs.
Flexibility in use
High-pressure cleaning can be adapted to different cleaning tasks by adjusting the pressurte or by using different nozzles and accessories.

3. Which system is right for your company?

The choice between low-pressure and high-pressure cleaning depends on various factors including the type of contamination, the surface to be cleaned, and the specific hygiene requirements of your production environment.

Low- (and medium-) pressure cleaning is usually the best choice for daily cleaning of large surfaces and delicate equipmentwhere a specific, effective approach, is required as in the food sector.
High-pressure cleaning is ideal for intensive cleaning of robust and contaminated surfaces where speed and power are required to remove persistent dirt, such as in heavy industrial sectors.

Several factors determine the right choice.

A. Cleaning efficiency

High-pressure cleaning usually has a higher ability to remove persistent dirt but can damage surfaces, while low-pressure cleaning is safer for delicate surfaces and ensures even, long-lasting cleaning (foaming). However, high-pressure cleaning often gives the false impression of "better cleaning." Therefore, it’s crucial to also consider other criteria beyond a powerful water jet.

B. Water and energy consumption

High-pressure cleaning often consumes more energy due to the higher pump pressure, while low-pressure is usually less energy-intensive but may consume more water because of a higher flow rate.

C. Safety and damage to equipment

High pressure can be riskier for equipment and surfaces due to the potential for damage, while low pressure is usually safer for sensitive parts.

D. Last but not least: the 'Sinner Circle'

Effective cleaning depends on several factors and their interaction, especially in the food sector. The four universal factors of a cleaning cycle are combined in the "Sinner Circle": time, temperature, chemical action, and mechanical force. By boosting one of these factors the cleaning result is increased or another factor can be reduced. With a certain type of cleaning, the emphasis may be on one of the factors, that require an adjustment to another (or several) factor(s). The right mix of these factors results in the optimal cleaning process for a particular sector or production process. In another blog we will go deeper into this.

4. The expertise of BOONS FIS

At BOONS FIS, we understand that every production facility has unique challenges regarding cleaning and hygiene. That’s why we offer customized solutions in which we work with you to determine which cleaning system best suits your specific needs. Whether it’s low- or high-pressure cleaning, we provide both the equipment and the expertise for optimal use.

It is also not always a choice between low- or high-pressure. Practice teaches us that the combination of both systems is also possible within an OPC. Based on the challenge at the customer side, BOONS FIS advises the right approach.

5. Conclusion

Both low- and high-pressure cleaning have unique benefits and applications within the food sector and beyond. Choosing and implementing the right system can help optimize hygiene in your production environment, meet strict standards, and ensure food safety.

With the support and expertise of BOONS FIS, you’re guaranteed of a cleaning system that is both effective and efficient, adapted to your business needs. Contact our sales team for more information or a demo in our ‘Experience Room’.