Tote Cleaning System for Chemical Drums | Automated Cleaning and Filling

Customer site photos:

Product highlights of the tote cleaning system for chemical drums:

• 4‑axis robotic arm with 360° wrist rotation – reaches beneath baffles and into bottom crevices

• Real‑time residue detection – ultrasonic sensor measures deposit thickness and adapts pressure

• Reduces water usage by 65% – closed‑loop recirculation with 10µm filtration

• Batch traceability – RFID reader identifies each drum and recalls its cleaning history

• Safe for Class I Division 2 – explosion‑proof robot and sealed electronics

• One operator, up to four stations – robot shuttles on overhead gantry between washing bays

The core technology of the tote cleaning system for chemical drums:

The system uses a collaborative 4‑axis robot mounted on an overhead gantry. Before cleaning, a laser profilometer scans the drum interior through the opening to create a 3D mesh of soil distribution. The PLC then generates a dynamic cleaning path that prioritizes heavily contaminated zones. Chemical drum cleaning proceeds in four phases: (1) solvent pre‑wet – robot sprays recirculated solvent (e.g., acetone or DMC) to dissolve organic residue; (2) alkaline blast – 80°C caustic solution at 300 bar applied in oscillating motion; (3) acid neutralization – 1% citric acid rinse; (4) deionized water final rinse followed by vacuum drying. The robot’s wrist houses a pressure feedback loop that slows traversal speed when impact force drops below setpoint, ensuring every square centimeter receives adequate energy. All cycles are programmable via drag‑and‑drop on the HMI.

Production line configuration for tote cleaning system for chemical drums:

• 4‑axis robotic arm – aluminum body with PTFE coating, IP67, wrist load 8 kg, reach 1.0 m

• Overhead gantry – 3 m travel, servo‑driven, with cable management and safety curtains

• Laser profilometer – Class 2 laser, 0.2 mm resolution, ATEX certified

• Ultrasonic deposit sensor – mounted on robot gripper, measures 0–10 mm thickness

• High‑pressure pump – 400 bar, 15 L/min, stainless steel wet end, VFD controlled

• Solvent recovery module – distillation unit with 20 L/h capacity, condensate return

• Chemical tank farm – four 100L tanks (solvent, alkali, acid, rinse water) with level sensors

• Heater – in‑line electric 9 kW, PID control, over‑temp interlock

• Filtration skid – 10µm absolute filter with differential pressure gauge

• Control console – PC‑based HMI, 15‑inch touchscreen, recipe library for 50 drum types

• Vacuum drying nozzle – venturi type, attaches to same robot wrist

• Exhaust treatment – activated carbon filter with VOC monitor