Trial Purpose:
To evaluate the effectiveness of SB-11 (46% Ektapro EEP 54% benzyl benzoate), SB-22 (79% Ektapro EEP 14% t-butyl acetate 7% propylene carbonate), SB-24 (92% Ektapro EEP 8% t-butyl acetate) and SB-32 (81% ethyl lactate 19% propylene carbonate) in removing production oil from stainless steel coupons using unheated immersion as a potential replacement for TCE.
Date Run:
08/07/2023Experiment Procedure:
Three brass coupons were used for each cleaner for a total of twelve coupons. The initial weights of each coupon were recorded. The bottom third of every coupon was soiled by applying Trim Microsool 585XT with a swab. The dirty weights of each coupon were then recorded. The coupons were then subjected unheated immersion in SB-11, SB-22, SB-24, and SB-32 with the stir bar at 240rpm for 15 mins. After the coupons were cleaned they were left to air dry over night. The next morning, the clean weights of each coupon were taken.
Trial Results:
| Cleaner | Initial wt of cont. | Final wt of cont. | %Cont Removed | % AVG |
| SB-11 | 0.0300 | 0.0784 | -161.33 | -123.22 |
| 0.0334 | 0.0827 | -147.60 | ||
| 0.0336 | 0.0540 | -60.71 | ||
| SB-22 | 0.0340 | 0.0140 | 58.82 | 54.60 |
| 0.0196 | 0.0117 | 40.31 | ||
| 0.0487 | 0.0172 | 64.68 | ||
| SB-24 | 0.0330 | 0.0093 | 71.82 | 75.83 |
| 0.0416 | 0.0101 | 75.72 | ||
| 0.0633 | 0.0127 | 79.94 | ||
| SB-32 | 0.0395 | 0.0249 | 36.96 | 34.89 |
| 0.0333 | 0.0233 | 30.03 | ||
| 0.0406 | 0.0253 | 37.68 |
SB-11, SB-22, SB-32 did not evaporate off the coupons during the overnight air drying period.
Success Rating:
Results successful using TACT (time, agitation, concentration, and temperature, as well as rinsing and drying) and/or other cleaning chemistries examined.Conclusion:
SB-24 is a relatively effective cleaner in removing the soil from stainless steel using unheated immersion. SB-11, SB-22, and SB-32 are not effective cleaners, but may perform better with a drying step added to the cleaning process.
