The Fluid Mechanics of Cleaning and Decontamination of Surfaces

Abstract

The removal of unwanted entities or soiling material from surfaces is an essential operation in many personal, industrial, societal, and environmental applications. The use of liquid cleansers for cleaning and decontamination is ubiquitous, and this review seeks to identify commonality in the fluid flow phenomena involved, particularly in those that determine the effectiveness of such operations. The state of quantitative understanding and modeling is reviewed in relation to the topics of (a) the cleanser contacting the soiled area, (b) processes by which the cleanser effects soil removal, and (c) transport of the soil or its derivatives away from the surface. This review focuses on rigid substrates and does not consider processes based on gas flows or bubbles.