How does a High Pressure Cleaner Work?

The incredible power of water has shaped the world, carving deep canyons and smoothing jagged rocks until their surfaces are like marble. Inevitably, humans have found ways to harness it. Early efforts such as the water wheel gave us the concept behind the modern hydroelectric scheme. However, what could be more impressive than slicing through steel and even diamond with a water jet cutter. In fairness, a high pressure cleaner is orders of magnitude less powerful, but it’s by far the best tool for heavy cleaning jobs. So, how does it generate all that power?

As a child, did you ever chase your siblings or friends around the lawn while trying to spray them with a garden hose? If so, you probably discovered that the water jet would reach much further when you squeezed the tip of the hose between your fingers. The action reduces the space through which the water can escape, thus slowing its flow rate and causing a pressure buildup. The high pressure cleaner employs a similar principle.

However, without assistance, the force of water from a tap is insufficient to perform the tasks for which these devices are intended. Furthermore, the water must frequently be sourced from a tank. In either case, an initial boost is essential to achieve a sufficiently strong jet to power through the ground-in dirt on a driveway or several centimetres of the caked-on mud coating on a large earth-moving vehicle. The only way to achieve that essential initial boost is with a suitable pump.

The pump acts as the “heart” of a high pressure cleaner. An impeller draws in the water via an inlet valve and accelerates it to increase its flow rate. The expelled water then enters a long, narrow cleaning attachment known as a wand, which creates a constriction. The resulting throttling effect reduces the flow rate, leading to a proportionate increase in the water pressure.

A user can control the device’s performance by varying the speed of the pump or adjusting the diameter of the exit nozzle on the wand. The cleaner requires high pressure to penetrate and loosen ground-in dirt. However, a higher flow rate is necessary during the rinsing stage. Naturally, some tasks are more demanding than others and require a more powerful pump to generate a sufficient boost.

For home use, between 1,300 and 2,400 psi should be adequate for most tasks. In contrast, industrial models generally operate at pressures of 3,000 psi and over. If you need expert advice about the right high pressure cleaner for your purposes and want a top-quality product, contact the industry leaders – Bestline Manufacturing.