Eco-friendly methods for cleaning industrial equipment
Workers in the semiconductor and electronics industry are exposed to solvents which can pose a serious health concern. This is because solvents commonly used as cleaning materials for electronic components include deionised water, CFCs and HCFCs. These are not only costly but can have adverse effects on humans if volatile in nature as well as on the environment. In answer to this, the ECO2CLEAN project has created an eco-friendly cleaning process to help reduce and possibly eliminate the use of harmful solvents in cleaning. A novel supercritical carbon dioxide was produced under controlled conditions. It is non-toxic, non-flammable and non-ozone depleting as well. Moreover its potential for contributing to global warming is very low. The commercial implementation of this process was essentially based on the industrial application of cleaning equipment. The process is capable of accommodating a broad range of electronic and semiconductor substrates for metallic, ionic and particulate removal. Ultimately, the implementation of this eco-friendly cleaning process can contribute to better working conditions and safety at the workplace.
