Q. Can we use high-foaming detergents in an automated cleaning line?
A. Yes, but using a high-foam detergent requires a rinse chamber that allows foam to rinse off and drain easily and completely. If the automated line uses initial spray rinsing right after the wash tank, then drag out of wash solution on the parts can result in foam forming during rinsing.
Depending on the design of the rinse chamber, this can result in foam buildup that is more difficult to rinse.
If the initial post-wash rinse in the automated cleaning line is an immersion rinse, typically there will be no problem. Care is required when the initial post wash rinse is an immersion tank with spray above the immersion solution such that foam forms above the tank and runs in the rinse tank.
It can be difficult to rinse the foam off the top of the tank. This can lead to part contamination when parts are withdrawn from the tank through the foam.