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6.6 Rinse Procedure 
Cleaned components should be rinsed off quickly and thoroughly 
to remove remaining contaminants. If the components appear 
to be clean, some detergent residue may remain. This should 
be removed because the residue may contribute to voltage 
bleed-down when the unicell is placed in operation. Also, even 
though the detergent is “buffered” prolonged contact could cause 
oxidation. As with cleaning, hot water should be used for rinsing. 
6.7 Dry-Out Time  
Unicells and filter media should be dry before the PSG is placed 
into operation. Startup of a wet system will cause dead short 
conditions to the ionizer and collector cell circuits. Wet unicells 
and filter media should be placed in a warm room for drying. 
Techniques such as hand wiping insulators and blowing dry 
unicells and filter media with compressed air will decrease 
drying time. Another method for drying cleaned components is 
installing the unicells and filter media in the PSG and placing on 
the system blower on line, with all power pack enclosure toggle 
switches placed in the “off” position for 30 minutes. 
7. Manual Cleaning Methods 
The manual cleaning method selected will depend on the type of 
contaminant, rate of deposit, facility limitations such as cleaning 
time windows (process downtime) and available utilities. All cleaning 
methods listed in this section are acceptable. 
7.1 Soak Tank 
This is the most effective method which involves placing 
unicells and filter media in an agitated solution of hot water and 
detergent. With proper detergent selection and concentration, 
this procedure will quickly remove most contaminants. Unicells 
and filter media should not be placed in highly concentrated 
detergent solutions or allowed to soak for extended periods, 
(e.g.,  overnight), especially at elevated temperatures. Extended 
period of soaking in solvent or detergent solution will degrade 
components (oxidation) over time and should be avoided. 
7.2 Portable Pressure Washer         
A self-contained pressure washer with a spray wand can be 
an effective cleaning method, providing it is used with caution. 
Care should be taken not to expose the unicells to close-up and 
prolonged blasts of high pressure/temperature, causing cell 
plate deformity, requiring a replacement set of unicells and filter 
media. 
7.3 Automatic Parts Washers 
Certain commercially available units which are effective combine 
and automate the features necessary for effective cleaning, 
including water heating, detergent injection, agitation, rinsing 
and drying. 
7.4 Other Cleaning Considerations 
The previous methods address the cleaning of unicells and filter 
media. The PSG cabinet should also be periodically cleaned 
(i.e., during normal planned downtimes) to reduce contaminant 
build up. High voltage output of the power packs should also be 
checked when manual cleaning is performed. 
8. Appearance Of Components 
After Cleaning 
Components should have a clean, not necessarily “new,” aluminum 
appearance. Discoloration will not affect system efficiency. The 
following are acceptable conditions for the system components. 
Parts should be replaced as required. 
8.1 Unicell 
1.  Frame, end plates and cell plates are free of contaminant 
build-up (residual contaminant has been removed between cell 
plates, and ionizer wire support bars). 
2.  The frame is square, cell plates are parallel, cell hot plates (small 
dimensional plates) are centered between ground plates (large 
dimensional plates). 
3.  Ionizer standoff insulators and cell triangular insulators (front 
and rear) are cleaned (no residual coating). Cracked or carbon-
tracked insulators have been replaced. 
4.  Ionizing wires and springs are intact and taut, centered between 
ground plates with no contaminant build up or coating. 
5.  Contact springs and contact screws are properly located and 
not deformed replace missing or deformed contact hardware. 
6.  Bent or broken parts have been repaired or replaced. 
8.2 Prefilters/Afterfilters 
1.  Aluminum media and frame are free of contaminant. 
2.  Frame is square and media is intact. 
3.  Filters are always installed with drain holes down and arrow on 
each frame pointing in the direction of airflow.
8.3 Cabinet 
1. Door feed-thru insulators are cleaned and white. 
2. Door gaskets are cleaned and intact. 
3.  Component tracks are free of contaminant build up (for unicell 
grounding). 
4. Module drain sumps are cleaned and free-flowing. 
5. Interior is free of extreme contaminant build-up. 
6.  Blower wheel and housing is free of extreme contaminant build-up.  
7.  Preconditioning equipment (inlet plenum with baffle filters, 
cooling coils, etc.) has been checked for excessive pressure 
drop, cleaned if necessary. 
8.  Nozzles on all in-place cleaning system headers are not plugged.