Ultrasonic cleaning is not new. It has been used in industry and science for many years. In this article, we explain what it is, how it works, and its uses in food processing and other industries.
What is Cavitation?
To understand ultrasonic cleaning, it is first necessary to know what cavitation is.
Cavitation is a fluid phenomenon where vapor bubbles form in a liquid when local pressure drops below the liquid’s vapor pressure, then collapse violently when pressure rises again.
What is Ultrasonic Cleaning?
Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves (above 20 kHz) to create tiny cavitation bubbles in a liquid, which collapse and remove dirt, grease, and other residues from surfaces.
This cleaning method does not rely on strong brushing or heavy force. Instead, it relies on the action of sound in liquid. Because of this, it can clean items that are fragile or hard to clean by hand.
How Do Ultrasonic Cleaning Machines Work?
Ultrasonic cleaning machines work based on the principle of cavitation.
- When ultrasonic waves travel through a liquid, they create rapid pressure changes.
- These pressure changes form a large number of tiny bubbles in the liquid.
- The bubbles collapse instantly and release localized shock energy.
- This energy dislodges dirt, grease, and other contaminants from surfaces.
What are the Benefits of Ultrasonic Cleaning?
- Efficient Cleaning
- No Surface Damage
- Improve Food Safety
- Energy Saving and Environmentally Friendly
- Reduce Labor Cost and Time
- Consistent Results
Ultrasonic Cleaning in the Food Processing Industry
In food processing plants, ultrasonic cleaning is used to clean tools, equipment parts, and some raw products.
Typical applications in food plants:
-
Cleaning of tools and utensils: meat hooks, cheese and ham molds, knives, trays, and other small or intricate tools that are hard to clean manually.
-
Cleaning of equipment parts: filling valves, filters and strainers, conveyor components, tanks and pump parts, packaging tooling, and other removable components from processing lines.
-
Produce washing: ultrasonic systems for fruits and vegetables can help remove soil, pesticide residues, and reduce surface microbial load without damaging texture when parameters are carefully controlled.
Ultrasonic cleaning helps remove food residue from small gaps. It also helps reduce bacteria buildup. This supports food safety goals.
Can Meat Be Cleaned Using Ultrasonic Cleaning?
Many people ask this question. Meat is very different from metal or plastic parts. It is soft and has a complex structure. Direct and aggressive ultrasonic cleaning is not suitable.
The reasons are as follows:
-
Damage the structure of meat
- Break muscle fibers and connective tissue.
- Make the meat soft, lose water, and even cause surface breakdown.
-
Affects the sensory quality of meat
-
Darken in color
-
Become loose in texture
-
Lose more moisture
This is not acceptable in industrial processing.
-
-
Cleaning results are not ideal
Meat contamination often comes from:-
Internal tissue
-
Blood residue
-
Microorganisms
These issues cannot be solved by “washing.” Ultrasonic waves do not work on internal contamination.
-
-
Food safety risks are higher
- Ultrasonic cavitation can break surface cells.
- If not controlled well, it may help microorganisms spread.
- This is risky in meat processing.
Does this mean ultrasonic cleaning is useless in the meat industry?
Not really. As mentioned before, ultrasonic cleaning in meat processing is more commonly used to clean equipment and tools, such as knives, trays, and hooks.
What Temperature for Ultrasonic Cleaning?
Temperature plays an important role in ultrasonic cleaning. The liquid temperature affects how bubbles form and break.
In general, warm liquid improves cleaning. Warm liquid helps dissolve oils and fats. It also supports better cavitation.
Most ultrasonic cleaning processes use temperatures between 40°C and 60°C. This range works well for many applications.
However, temperature must match the item being cleaned. Some materials are sensitive to heat. Some items can change shape or quality if the temperature is too high.
For food-related applications, lower temperatures are often used. This helps protect food quality. It also helps meet safety rules.
Ultrasonic Cleaning in Other Industries
Besides the food processing industry, ultrasonic cleaning is also widely used in the following industries.
-
Medical and dental equipment
-
Electronics and circuit boards
-
Laboratory and pharmaceutical
-
Automotive and industrial
-
Aerospace components
-
Jewelry and Optical
-
Mold and die cleaning
Choosing and Optimizing Ultrasonic Cleaning Equipment
Choosing the right ultrasonic cleaning machine is important. Different tasks need different setups. There is no single setup that fits all uses.
First, tank size matters. The tank must fit the items. Items should not touch each other too much. This allows sound waves to move freely.
Second, frequency is important. Frequency affects how strong the cleaning action is. Lower frequencies create stronger bubbles. Higher frequencies create gentler action.
Typical frequency choices include:
- Low frequency for heavy dirt
- Medium frequency for general cleaning
- High frequency for delicate items
Power level also matters. Too little power gives weak cleaning. Too much power can damage items.
Cleaning time should also be controlled.Longer time does not always mean better results. Sometimes it only wastes energy.
To optimize performance:
- Match frequency to the item
- Use the right cleaning liquid
- Control temperature carefully
- Test and adjust settings
Regular maintenance of the machine is also important. Clean tanks and working transducers help keep results stable.
Conclusion
Ultrasonic cleaning is a powerful and flexible cleaning method. It uses sound waves in liquid to remove dirt and residue.
This method offers even cleaning and good reach. It is used in many industries, including food processing. When applied correctly, it supports hygiene and efficiency.
For more information,please contact us by [email protected].