Advanced Cleaning Mechanisms: Detergent Separation

Q: Can you elaborate on stored detergent separation of powders? Is this a concern?

A: In short, not a concern. This can be addressed for both diluted and concentrates.

A diluted powder solution of ~1-2% does not tend to separate even if chilled.  It is biodegradable and will have microbial growth.  Hence the 1-2 week stability we recommend. 

Powder itself does not tend to separate if chilled.  Powder does tend to separate with light small particles migrating to the top and heavier denser particles tending toward the bottom if you jostle and vibrate the powder in transit.  These changes are not consequential and are cosmetic in nature. Typically observable only with larger size containers like 300 lb drums (light small flake concentration at the top can occasionally be observed).  

Powdered detergent separation is of more concern when using an air conveyor to move powders. Emptying large supersack containers or delivering into powder hoppers.   We advise against this as an air conveyor would cause significant alterations of the blend of detergents based on flaked and granular ingredients of different densities such that some things would travel much faster in an air conveyor than others.  You should convey on conveyor belts, not on vibrators or air conveyors when it comes to powdered detergents.

Powdered detergents provide a compact, water-free way to ship and store detergents and still allow for effective aqueous critical cleaning when formulated. Alconox Inc. powdered detergents include:

·      Alconox®Powdered Precision Cleaner

·      Alcojet®Low Foaming Powdered Detergent

·      Tergajet®Low-Foaming Phosphate-Free Detergent

·      Tergazyme® Enzyme-ActivePowdered Detergent

To request any Alconox Inc. detergents for free, please complete the questionnaire at Get Sample. For more information about any one of our Alconox Inc. detergents, consult the technical bulletin for each product. Or click here to access each of our detergent’s Safety Data Sheets.

Do you have a critical cleaning question for the experts at Alconox Inc.?  Search TechNotes to see if it’s been answered before or Ask Alconox.

Contact us any time: cleaning@alconox.com