What is low-pressure hot-water cleaning?
Low-pressure hot-water cleaning is a resource-saving cleaning process that cleans via high temperature instead of high pressure. Water heated to up to 95 °C loosens greases, oils and dirt, while the low pressure of only 3 to 14 bar carries the contamination away without damaging components or spreading dirt. This way, parts and machines are cleaned gently, water-efficiently and largely without chemicals.
The process, the key figures and the differences to high pressure, ultrasonics and solvents – explained concisely.
How does low-pressure hot-water cleaning work?
The high cleaning effect arises above all from the high temperatures. Water heated to up to 95 °C loosens greases and oils particularly efficiently – sometimes supported by mild alkaline cleaners, but often entirely without chemicals. The low pressure of 3 to 7.5 or 14 bar is sufficient to carry away the loosened contamination, but does not spread it through the hall and does not damage sensitive components. Instead, the process water is collected in a tray and can be recycled several times. The units are mobile, so components usually do not have to be removed but can be cleaned on site. Above all, however, the cleaning is fast and, thanks to various nozzles, particularly efficient.
What is the difference from a high-pressure cleaner?
A high-pressure cleaner cleans mechanically via high pressure and usually consumes 50 to 60 litres of water per minute. Low-pressure hot-water cleaning instead cleans via temperature and manages with only 1.8 to 2.8 litres per minute – around one twentieth. Especially with greasy and oily contamination, temperature is often more effective than pressure, without splash-back and without protective clothing. See the detailed comparison.
What are the benefits of low-pressure hot-water cleaning?
In short: less water, less chemicals, more safety and lower costs. In detail:
- Usually 20× less water than high pressure – often under 1 % through recycling
- Little to no chemicals and no solvents, no aerosols, no VOCs
- Gentle on components thanks to low pressure – fewer rejects, less part breakage
- Hardly any splash-back, no wet rooms and no travel times, no protective suits needed
- Often 70–90 % time and cost savings, amortisation in a few months
What is low-pressure hot-water cleaning used for?
Typical areas of application are parts cleaning, machine and plant cleaning, degreasing before painting or powder coating, as well as the thermal disinfection of cooling lubricant. It is used, among other places, in metalworking, the food industry, the automotive and rail sectors as well as in maintenance and repair.
How much does low-pressure hot-water cleaning save?
In practice, users report 70 to 90 % less water, cleaner and disposal as well as 80 to 90 % less time compared with other methods. As a result, a unit often pays for itself after just a few months. More on this under Cost-effectiveness.
Who builds units for low-pressure hot-water cleaning?
ph-cleantec from Kernen im Remstal develops and builds mobile units for low-pressure hot-water cleaning – from the compact workshop unit to the stainless-steel version, including options such as thermal disinfection. An overview can be found under Devices.
See it in your own operation
The most convincing thing is a direct comparison: we are happy to come to your company for a free demonstration – so you can see the savings in time, water and chemicals with your own eyes.
Request a free demonstrationCalculate amortisation