![The Modular Cleaning
Program](mcp_logo_small.jpg)
A brief introduction
The Modular Cleaning Program is constantly evolving. The current pre-release version,
12.4, is available for download below. It includes all of the old favorites:
- The aqueous solution concentrates to rapidly build and prototype cleaning systems
- The old solvent mixing system emphasizing the difference of aliphatic and aromatic solutions
in practice.
- Solvent gel based cleaning system that allows formulation of a number of stock gels that can be
mixed together to form a solvent gel with any intermediate polarity.
- The aqueouscleaning system can be used in the simple mode or in a complex mode where the conductivity of
the cleaning solution is controled.
New features include:
- Modeling the formulation of Pemulen and Xanthan emulsions using gel concentrates.
- A calculator for formulating solvent mixtures to replace more hazardous or less
"green" solvents.
- Modeling of adding cosolvents to an
aqueous system.
- A calculator that uses
Hansen spheres to tailor solvent mixtures to remove one component effectively
while minimizing the interaction
with the substrate (artwork).
Under construction in this new version:
- Baglioni-stye microemulsion concentrates (in the solutions database)
but not working in the cleaning system yet. These concentrates can be mixed in equal
parts with MCP formulated aqueous solutions.
- A number of microemulsion phase diagrams can be navigated but are not integrated into
the cleaning system.
- The ability to add two chelating agents (citric acid and DTPA) to an aqueous cleaning
system and not require the presence of a pH buffer.
The Modular Cleaning Program schema consists of 21 interrelated
database tables. The main database is the "Modular Cleaning
Program" itself which combines components from the solutions
database. The "solutions" database formulates concentrates
and diluted solutions built from ingredients in the
"components" database. The "solution sets"
database builds the various solutions into sets for specific
cleaning goals. The azeotropes database lists various published
binary and ternary azeotropes found between solvents in the
components database.
The Modular Cleaning Program and the use of concentrated stock
solutions allows for the conservator to test a large range of
aqueous mixtures in a short period of time. By testing far more
cleaning options than one normally has the time to mix and test, we
hope that treatments can continue to move toward more delicate and
sensitive cleanings.
File downloads
©2024 Chris Stavroudis