Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV

Innovative Tank Cleaning

Adaptive Jet Cleaner

Picture of the nozzle head of the Adaptive Jet Cleaner, from which came a cleaning jet that cleans a metallic surface.
Motor-driven jet cleaner with water jet
Example of an motor-driven jet cleaner
Abbildungs eines Tanks von außen

The Compact Tank Cleaning Robot

 

 

Fraunhofer IVV Dresden has developed a target jet cleaner with two independently driven axes that fully meets individual and challenging requirements as a tank cleaning robot.

The cleaning of large and stubbornly contaminated tanks is often performed using motor-driven target jet cleaners. These devices have the disadvantage that the paths of the tank cleaning technology are predetermined by the gear ratio. This makes demand-oriented or even adaptive cleaning in the sense of Industry 4.0 impossible.

 

Features des Adaptive Jet Cleaners 

 

  • Intelligent drive concept with fixed motors, eliminating the need for rotary unions
  • Independent control of both axes
  • 360° cleaning of the tank
  • Comparable costs to conventional motorized target jet cleaners
  • Compact, robust design

Double Helix Jet Cleaner

Double helix jet cleaner with water jet
Double helix jet cleaner in a tank

Tank cleaning nozzle with own DNA

 

The Fraunhofer IVV Dresden has developed a novel jet cleaner suitable for all tank/container sizes that moves in offset helical paths starting at the tank/container top.

Jet cleaners have the most effective mechanical cleaning action and are suitable for heavy-duty cleaning tasks. The cleaning motion of current systems is, however, inefficient. This is because there is unnecessary repetition due to the overlapping motion pattern and the permanent back and forth travel of the jet. 

 

 

Procedure of Double Helix Jet Cleaners

 

The double helix jet cleaner has an automatic reset function and so always starts cleaning in the center of the tank/container top. It travels in two efficient downwards-directed helical paths that are offset 180° to each other. The upwards swiveling nozzles are closed to the cleaning fluid.

If the cleaning intensity and path width of the double helix does not suffice for complete cleaning of the tank, a further cleaning cycle is performed. The nozzles then move in double helix paths offset by just 90° to remove any residual contamination.

Another major benefit of the helical cleaning path is the controlled discharge of contamination to the outflow.

 

Features of Double Helix Jet Cleaners 

 

  • Fluid-driven
  • Cleaning from top to bottom in a double helix path
  • Automatic reset function
  • Optionally with four nozzles for more rapid cleaning
  • Compact, robust, and no imbalance

 

In collaboration with you we can develop customized solutions for your cleaning requirements.

Adaptive Jet Cleaner

Motor-driven jet cleaner with water jet
© Fraunhofer IVV
Abbildungs eines Tanks von außen

The compact tank cleaning robot

 

The Fraunhofer IVV Dresden has developed a jet cleaner having two independently driven axes that functions as a tank cleaning robot. It is able to perform customized, heavy-duty cleaning tasks.

Motor-driven jet cleaners are often traditionally used to clean large tanks having stubborn contamination. The downside of these cleaners is that their path of travel is set by the gear ratio. This means that a need-based cleaning or adaptive cleaning within the scope of Industry 4.0 is not possible.

 

Features of Adaptive Jet Cleaners

 

  • Intelligent drive concept with stationary motors and hence without rotary joints
  • Independent control of both axes
  • 360° coverage of the tank
  • Similar costs to conventional motorized jet cleaners         
  • Compact and robust design

Additional Information

Current Research Projects

Hygienic Study Award

The prize is awarded to innovative and high-quality diploma, bachelor, master and doctoral theses and studies.

 

Submit your papers!

More Info