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Safety

Think and act in a safe manner. Always disconnect power and use a lockout before you work on the E-coat system, or any of the related subsystems. Observe any confined space conditions. Use the appropriate safety equipment and clothing for the task. Please carefully read all the instructions listed below to familiarize yourself with the project before attempting to perform any of the work.

Required Materials

• Neutralizer & Solvent Neutralizer & Solvent Nylon Strainer Bag (= 400 microns) & Clamp

  Required Tools

• None

• General

  Sudden reductions in current draw can have a variety of causes. One cause is paint contamination. The paint is a foulant because it “plates out” on the inside of the Anode Cell and creates resistance to the flow of current.

  In order to increase the current draw, it will be necessary to remove the paint solids from inside the Anode Cell. Contact your E-coat paint vendor, and seek their approval first. Some of the cleaning solution may find its way into the E-coat bath if there is a leak in one of the Cells. The cleaning solution should be a mixture of electrolyte with a 3% solvent level (to cause the E-coat solids to flow) with a low pH (say 2 pH for cathodic E-coat paint). The cleaning should be done on a Friday night or other down time. If you cannot wait, call UFS for special instructions.

  1. Drain the anolyte tank to just above the pump suction inlet to reduce the amount of neutralizer and solvent required. Estimate the volume of remaining anolyte in tank, piping, and TECTRONTM Anode Cells. See below:

  T1 - 1-1/2" Size

  Estimated Volume in Liters	Estimated Volume in Liters	Estimated Volume in Gallons
  <910 mm (36")	3	0.75
  <1400 mm (55")	3	0.75
  <1900 mm (74")	6.5	1.7
  <2900 mm (114")	10	2.5

  If you are using the 2” size TECTRON Cell, then increase the amount from the table above by 35%. For 3” size, double the amount. And for 5” size cells, triple the amount.

  1. Calculate amount of solvent needed to equal ~3% of total volume from Step 1 and add it to the anolyte tank.

  Example:
  Anolyte total from Step 1 = 200 l (50 gal)
  200 l x 0.03 = 6 l (~1.5 gal) of solvent.
  

  1. Next adjust the pH based upon the type by adding (to the anolyte) small amounts of the neutralizer until the desired pH is met.
  2. Add the nylon strainer bag to the open end of the anolyte return manifold just before it enters the anolyte tank and attach with a stainless clamp-off plastic tie.
  3. After 24 hours of circulating this special cleaning solution, dump it to waste water treatment. Refill with D.I. Water and add enough neutralizer to get up to 80% of recommended anolyte conductivity. Turn on pump and circulate. Do not allow D.I. Water to stand.
  4. Repeat steps 1-5 the following weekend. Continue each weekend until no more paint solids are found in strainer bag or the current draw has returned to normal levels. Perform at least two (2) cleanings.
  BULLETIN 990145