1. Why Leading LiPF₆ Manufacturers Need a Reliable IBC Cleaning System

2. Do-Fluoride’s Challenge: Electrolyte Drum Cleaning Under Hazardous Conditions

Do-Fluoride needed to clean hundreds of drums and IBC totes daily after containing LiPF₆ crystals and electrolyte films. Existing manual methods had three major issues:

Inconsistent cleaning – operators varied in technique, leaving residues

Safety risks – workers entered confined spaces with hazardous chemicals

Low throughput – cleaning cycles could not keep pace with production

The company required a chemical drum cleaning system that could handle aggressive residues, operate reliably in explosive atmospheres, and adapt to slightly deformed containers. Additionally, the solution had to integrate with Do-Fluoride’s existing electrolyte handling system infrastructure.

3. Kehui’s Corrosion Resistant Cleaning System for Hazardous Chemical Container Cleaning

Kehui designed and installed an automated hazardous chemical container cleaning production line featuring a robotic manipulator. Key elements include:

Robotic interior cleaning – A 6-axis arm enters each drum through the bung, following a 3D path to spray high-pressure wash at precisely calculated angles, ensuring 100% coverage of concave bottoms and ribbed walls.

Corrosion resistant cleaning system – All wetted parts are PTFE-lined or Hastelloy C276, resisting HF attack even after thousands of cycles.

Closed-loop solvent recovery – For electrolyte drum cleaning, the system recirculates DMC or EMC, condensing vapors and returning solvent to the tank, reducing consumption by over 50%.

Sealed inert operation – The cleaning chamber maintains a dry nitrogen atmosphere with dew point below -45°C, preventing moisture-induced HF formation.

Recipe-based control – Do-Fluoride can store cleaning profiles for different drum types and residue levels, with full data logging for quality audits.

The IBC cleaning system also accommodates 275–330 gallon IBC totes with a simple nozzle adapter changeover. For heavily crystallized LiPF₆, a pre-rinse stage dissolves salts before the main caustic wash, further protecting downstream equipment.

4. Measurable Gains in Lithium Battery Manufacturing Through Automation

After deploying Kehui’s IBC tote cleaning system, Do-Fluoride reported quantifiable improvements:

Labor reduction – From three operators per shift to one, who only supervises the HMI

Cycle time cut by 60% – Average cleaning time per drum reduced from 15 minutes manually to 6 minutes automated

Zero manual entry – No confined space operations, eliminating HF exposure risk

Increased container lifespan – Consistent, gentle cleaning prevents pitting and extends drum reuse cycles

Lower solvent usage – Closed-loop recirculation reduced DMC consumption by approximately 55%

Audit-ready documentation – Each cycle generates a report with temperature, pressure, and humidity data, supporting regulatory compliance

According to public information, Do-Fluoride’s LiPF₆ shipments continue to grow, and the company has filed multiple utility patents related to automated barrel cleaning—a strong indicator of their commitment to advanced electrolyte handling system technology.

5. Conclusion: A Proven Chemical Drum Cleaning System for Electrolyte Drum Cleaning

Do-Fluoride’s success demonstrates that a well-designed chemical drum cleaning system can overcome the toughest challenges in lithium battery manufacturing. For manufacturers seeking a corrosion resistant cleaning system that improves safety, consistency, and throughput, Kehui’s automated IBC cleaning system and IBC tote cleaning system provide a proven, referenceable solution.

Contact Kehui to discuss how our electrolyte drum cleaning technology can optimize your container management.