Integrated use of deaeration methods to reduce bubbles and liquid waste

A method of removing bubbles from a coating solution prior to a coating operation comprising the steps of:

• (a) debubbling the coating solution in a tank open to atmosphere to remove bubbles having a diameter in the range of from about 200 to 300 μm and greater therefrom;
• (b) flowing the coating solution from the tank to a bubble elimination tube, the bubble elimination tube including a vessel having a well extending therefrom and an ultrasonic transducer situated in the well, the ultrasonic transducer being located entirely within the well and not extending into the vessel;
• (c) debubbling the coating solution in the bubble elimination tube to remove bubbles from the coating solution having a diameter greater than about 200 μm;
• (d) flowing the coating solution from the bubble elimination tube through an end cap round ultrasonic bubble eliminator, the end cap round ultrasonic bubble eliminator removing remaining bubbles in the coating solution having a diameter greater than about 30 μm;
• and
• (e) delivering the coating solution from the end cap round ultrasonic bubble eliminator to the downstream coating operation.