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Trial Number 14

Trial Purpose:

To conduct a preliminary evaluation of vapor degreasing on a supplied oil

Date Run:

05/11/2004

Experiment Procedure:

One cleaning product was selected from the previous trials based on results from immersion cleaning. The product was heated to boiling (71 C) in a laboratory scale vapor degreasing unit. Volume of solvent used was 235 ml. Vapors were condensed with ice water circulating through two sets of coils. Steel coupons were coated with Castrol Quench G oil (64742-55-8, 64742-65-0, 8052-42-4) using a hand held swab. The quench oil was then heated with a Master Appliance Heat gun at 300 F for 10 minutes. After cooling to room temperature, a second weighing was performed to determine the amount of soil that was added. Three coupons were cleaned in the degreaser using three methods: Immersion in the boiling solvent, cleaning in vapor zone followed by immersion in boiling solvent and cleaning in vapors alone. One coupon was coated with oil but not cleaned. It was suspended in the vertical position to determine how much oil was removed by gravity alone. At the end of cleaning, final weights were recorded and efficiency calculated.

Trial Results:

The solvent took about 5-6 minutes to reach boiling. After 8 minutes oil was observed to be dripping off at a steady rate. Between 13 and 15 minutes the oil appeared to be removed from the coupon surface. After 15 minutes there was a visual condensation cloud. At this point, the cover was removed and the part was immersed into the vapor zone. At 25 minutes cover was removed and two coupons were moved from the vapor zone into the liquid zone and then all coupons removed from the degreasing unit. The cover was replaced at this time. The coupon that was not cleaned lost just about half of the oil due to gravity. Two other solvents were heated to boiling in the vapor chamber and used to clean three coupons for 15 minutes.

Cleaner Initial wt Final wt % Removed    
Solvon PB 0.2771 -0.0014 100.51 Immersion 15
  0.2319 -0.0002 100.09 Vapor & Immersion 13 & 2
  0.1981 0.0005 99.75    
Solvon PB 0.1155 0.051 55.84 Drip 15
  0.051 0.0002 99.61 Vapor for coupon 15

Vapor cleaning only

Cleaner Initial wt Final wt % Removed
Ensolv A 0.1180 0.0005 99.58
  0.1307 0.0004 99.69
  0.1693 0.0009 99.47
Metalnox M6960 0.1123 0.0011 99.02
  0.1167 0.0006 99.49
  0.0810 -0.0003 100.37

Success Rating:

Results suggest a scale-up feasible match for cleaning chemistry and equipment. Pilot plant study with actual parts recommended.

Conclusion:

Vapor degreasing with the three solvents appeared to be an effective method for cleaning. Additional testing will be done on other supplied contaminants.

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