Industrial cleaning installation with vapour condensation and related methods

Method for industrial cleaning of engine components or transmission components, using an installation that comprises:

• an air recirculation device equipped with a vapour condenser for condensing vapours having a heat recovery unit;
• a housing arranged on a platform for enclosing a workspace of an industrial robot that handles automotive workpieces;
• processing receptacles including a washing receptacle and a blow-drying receptacle;
• and preferably an automatic shutter door equipped with an air curtain device;
• wherein the method comprises successive cleaning sequences with at least the steps of:
• washing a workpiece in the washing receptacle using a heated washing liquid;
• and
• blow drying the cleaned workpiece in the blow-drying receptacle;
• and the method further comprising continuously
• recirculating process air from the workspace, by admitting vapour containing process air from one or more intakes located at a level on or below that of the platform, in particular in the blow-drying receptacle, dehumidifying the intake air by condensing vapours in the vapour condenser and returning the dehumidified air to the workspace, preferably to supply the air curtain device.

Industrial installation for cleaning engine components or transmission components, the installation comprising:

• a housing for enclosing a workspace above a platform;
• at least one processing receptacle with an opening accessible from the workspace;
• an industrial robot mounted inside the housing, in particular on the platform, for handling a workpiece in the workspace;
• and
• an air recirculation device having a vapour condenser and ductwork for forwarding vapour-charged air from the workspace to the vapour condenser and for returning dehumidified air from the vapour condenser to the workspace, the vapour condenser including a heat recovery unit;
• wherein
• the vapour condenser is arranged below the top of the housing, in particular:
• on the platform at the side of the housing;
• or
• below the platform, preferably at factory floor level.