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Trial Number 1

Trial Purpose:

To identify a safer cleaning process. Currently using WD-40 and D-limonene.

Date Run:

06/15/2000

Experiment Procedure:

Eight cleaning chemistries were selected based on vendor supplied information and from searching the lab’s Effective Test Conditions Database.
Dilutions were made using DI water in 600 ml beakers. Cleaning was performed at room temperature for 5 and 10 minutes. After each the first time interval, the ballasts were removed from the solution and wiped with a paper towel to determine if any cleaning had taken place. Parts were then submersed again into the solution. After the 10 minutes, the ballasts were rinsed in room temperature tap water for one minute and wiped dry. Observations were recorded for both cleaning times.

SUBSTRATE MATERIAL: Light Ballast (Fiberglass 50%, Al 10%, Cu 10%, Fe, 5%, Polypropar 25%
CONTAMINANTS: Tar/Asphalt
CONTAMINATING PROCESS USED: Samples were received contaminated

Trial Results:

Three products showed signs of being able to dissolve the tar from the ballasts. The Harvest Gold solution was the best cleaner tested. Initially, this cleaner was an translucent amber color, but after the 10 minutes, the color turned opaque black. The V-50 cleaner was only moderately successful at the 20% concentration. At the full concentration, the V-50 was much more effective. Only one aqueous product, Super Neutral, was able to dissolve the tar. Table 2 lists the observations made during the two cleaning times.

Table 2. Cleaning Results

Cleaner # 5 minutes 10 minutes
1a Started to dissolve Okay
1b Good Good-excellent
2 Possible some removal Little cleaning
3 No signs Very little
4 No signs Very little
5 No signs Possible some removal
6 Possible some removal Some-Okay
7 Good Excellent
8 Possible some removal Some-Okay

Success Rating:

Results successful using TACT (time, agitation, concentration, and temperature, as well as rinsing and drying) and/or other cleaning chemistries examined.

Conclusion:

Having identified three cleaners that were potentially capable of removing the tar from the supplied ballasts.  These three products, Harvest Gold, V-50 and Super Neutral, will be tested under similar conditions with only the cleaning time being changed.  The time will be increased to 30 minutes.

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