High Pressure Sprays Overview High pressure in spray cleaning systems usually refers to pump pressures above 500 psi. The pressure at the surface depends on the nozzle orifice and the flow rate. High-pressure spraying is a line-of-sight process usually done in a glove box or other enclosed space. High-pressure spraying is one of the most effective processes for particle removal and is also good for many other soils. It mainly depends on the force of the spray for cleaning. This method is used in all levels of cleaning, from precision cleaning of disk drive parts to cleaning of lapped automotive parts. It also has been used to strip paints. The most common spray liquid is water. Low-foaming chemicals may be added for difficult soils. Flammable or combustible chemicals such as acetone produce explosive mists when sprayed and are not recommended for this process. High-pressure spray equipment may be manual or highly automated and is often part of a larger cleaning system. A coin-operated car wash is a very basic high-pressure spray system. Process cost varies with pump pressure and delivery volume. It is generally more expensive than a single-tank immersion or ultrasonic process. It may be equal in cost or less expensive when more immersion or ultrasonic tanks are required. State Information | Glossary | Conversion Checklist | Comments Home | Process Advisor | Alternatives | Links | Search All SAGE material, Copyright© 1992, Research Triangle Institute Last Update: 15 March 1995 sage@rti.org http://clean.rti.org/alt.cfm?id=hp&cat=ov