Customer Background
A leading designer and manufacturer of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) commercial solar power systems. This customer uses advanced photovoltaic solar cells developed for use in outer space. Their commercial solar power system requires no water for power production and uses land more efficiently – all while producing more energy per acre than any other solar energy technology, including silicon and thin film solar cells.
Challenge
Customer was looking for an efficient way to clean focusing reflectors to be used in commercial solar power systems. The interior of the reflector is highly polished aluminum and contains a light film of vanishing oil from a forming operation. The challenge was to remove the vanishing oil from the reflector and provide a dry, spot-free part at the end of the cleaning process
Solution
Alliance provided an Aquamaster CB-1400E conveyorized parts cleaning system. The reflector cleaning system was designed to include a wash, triple rinse and heated blowoff zones. Given the “spot-free” requirement, properly rinsing the part was critical. The triple rinse zone includes three divided process areas; pre-rinse, rinse and final rinse. The pre-rinse water is pumped forward from the rinse tank for initial rinsing. After pre-rinse, the parts travel through a drain area and then into the rinse zone. Upon exiting the rinse zone, the parts travel through another drain area and into the final rinse zone. In the final rinse zone, fresh de-ionizing water is delivered to the machine. After rinsing, the reflectors travel through the thermostatically-controlled heated blowoff and exit the machine spot-free and completely dry.