Method of cleaning articles in a tank

A method of cleaning articles in a tank, containing a liquid at a first predetermined level and a layer of granules at a second predetermined level within and below said first level, the tank having an inlet and a first outlet in said tank located below the first but above the second predetermined level, and a second outlet below said second predetermined level and including valve means for controlling the flow from said first and second outlet, comprising the steps of:

• a:
• drawing liquid from said first outlet,
• b:
• discharging the liquid towards the article to be cleaned,
• c:
• opening said valve means to allow flow from the second outlet,
• d:
• drawing liquid entrained with granules from said second outlet at a flow rate greater than said first outlet,
• e:
• discharging the liquid entrained with granules towards the article to be cleaned, and
• f:
• alternately performing steps a, b, c, d and e until the article is cleaned.

A method of cleaning articles in a tank, containing a liquid at a first predetermined level and a layer of granules at a second predetermined level within and below said first level, the tank having an inlet and a first outlet in said tank located below the first but above the second predetermined level, and a second outlet below said second predetermined level and including valve means for controlling the flow from said first and second outlet, comprising the steps of:

• a:
• opening said valve means to allow flow from the second outlet,
• b:
• drawing liquid entrained with granules from said second outlet,
• c:
• discharging the liquid entrained with granules toward the article to be cleaned,
• d:
• drawing liquid from said first outlet at a flow rate less than the second outlet,
• e:
• discharging the liquid towards the article to be cleaned, and
• f:
• successively repeating steps a, b, c, d and e until the article is cleaned.

A method of cleaning articles in a tank, containing a liquid at a first predetermined level and a layer of granules at a second predetermined level within and below said first level, the tank having an inlet and a first outlet in said tank located below the first but above the second predetermined level, and a second outlet below said second predetermined level and including valve means having an actuatable sleeve, for controlling the flow from said first and second outlet, comprising the steps of:

• a:
• drawing liquid from said first outlet,
• b:
• discharging the liquid towards the article to be cleaned,
• c:
• actuating said sleeve to allow flow from the second outlet,
• d:
• drawing liquid entrained with granules from said second outlet,
• e:
• discharging the liquid entrained with granules from towards the article to be cleaned, and
• f:
• successively repeating steps a, b, c, d and e until the article is cleaned.