Foam Cleaning
Foam cleaning applies the detergent or disinfectant as foam, which clings to walls and equipment and extends the contact time before rinsing.
The foam is formed by mixing the product solution with air, using a lance or a foam application unit, mobile or centralised. It clings to vertical surfaces and ceilings, shows which areas have been covered and reduces run-off compared with simple spraying. Its typical field is the open surfaces of the food industry: floors, walls, conveyor belts, machines and equipment exteriors. For closed circuits and cleaning by recirculation (CIP), controlled-foam or non-foaming products are used, because foam interferes with the pumps.
The usual sequence is to remove solid residues, pre-rinse with water, apply the foam from the bottom up, leave it to act without letting it dry, rinse with water under pressure and then disinfect. The concentration, temperature and time are set by each product's data sheet.
Instaquim products suitable for foam application, according to their technical data sheet:
- Gras Foam and Gras Foam Pro (pH 12.2 and 12.5 at 1 %; 2–6 %, 20–60 °C): alkaline degreasers; Gras Foam for floors, walls and heavily greased surfaces in cutting rooms and meat plants, Gras Foam Pro for burnt-on grease. Do not use on aluminium.
- Neutro Foam (pH 5.5; 1–5 %): neutral detergent for all types of surfaces; also as a foaming additive at 0.5–2 %.
- Acid Foam and Acid Foam Pro (pH 2.2 and 2.0 at 1 %; 2–5 %, 20–60 °C): remove limescale deposits from walls, floors and machinery.
- Enzi Foam and Enzi Foam Pro (pH 8.3; 3–6 % and 1–3 %, 40–55 °C): enzymatic detergents for preventing and removing biofilms.
- Bacter Alcalino (UNE-EN 13697 under dirty conditions; registration 19-20/90-06281-HA): alkaline disinfectant that can be applied with foam equipment; 1 %, about 5 min for bactericidal effect.