HANDBOOK OF VAPOR DEGREASING Prepared by ASTM Committee D-26 on Halogenated Organic Solvents AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS ASTM SPECIAL TECHNICAL PUBLICATION 310A List price $6.00 04-310010-15 (~II~AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103
9 by American Society ]or Testing and Materials 1976 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 76-1382 NOTE The Society is not responsible, as a body, for the statements and opinions advanced in this publication. Printed ill Philadelphia, Pa. April 1976
Foreword This Handbook of Vapor Degreasing is presented as a guide to consumers who desire the essential information on the vapor degreasing process. The information contained should help to determine if the vapor degreasing process is best suited for the particular cleaning requirements. Consumers who are currently operating vapor degreasing equipment will benefit by following the procedures recommended. The benefits will be reflected in a better cleaning at lower cost and with greater safety. The manufacturers of vapor degreasing equipment and degreasing solvents maintain trained technical staffs who should be consulted for advice on specific applications and problems. The Handbook is sponsored by ASTM Committee D-26 on Halogenated Organic Solvents.
Related ASTM Publications Cleaning Stainless Steel, STP 538 (1973), $18.00, 04-538000-02 Cold Cleaning with Halogenated Solvents, STP 3 (1966), $2.75, 04-2000-15
A Note of Appreciation to Reviewers This publication is made possible by the authors and, also, the unheralded efforts of the reviewers. This body of technical experts whose dedication, sacrifice of time and effort, and collective wisdom in reviewing the papers must be acknowledged. The quality level of ASTM publications is a direct function of their respected opinions. On behalf of ASTM we acknowledge with appreciation their contribution. ASTM Committee on Publications
Editorial Staff Jane B. Wheeler, Managing Editor Helen M. Hoersch, Associate Editor Charlotte E. DeFranco, Senior Assistant Editor Ellen J. McGlinchey, Assistant Editor
Contents Process Description Applieations Materials to Be Cleaned Shape, Form, and Size of Work To Be Cleaned Types and Amount of Soils To Be Removed Limitations Degree of Cleanliness Required Limitations Space Requirements Adaptability to Conventional Conveying and Work-Handling Methods Total Cost to Attain Desired Cleaning Results Typical Uses for Vapor Degreasing Before Applying Protective Coatings Before Inspection Before Assembly Before Further Metal Work or Treatment Before and After Machining Before Packaging Selection of a Vapor Degreasing Solvent Vapor Degreasing Equipment Selection of Equipment Straight Vapor Degreasing Vapor-Distillate Spray-Vapor Degreasing Vapor-Immersion-Vapor Degreasing Vapor-Spray-Vapor Degreasing Ultrasonics Other Cleaning Cycles Specialized Equipment and Methods of Handling Method of Heating Equipment Design Requirements Size of Equipment Width of Tank: Freeboard for Open Top Degreasers Minimum Evaporative Area Heat Input Work Heat Radiation Losses Heat for Distillate Turnover or Sprays Types of Heat Input Steam Heat Gas Heat Electric Heat Hot Water Heat Vapor Control Water Jacket Cooling Coils Moisture Removal Conveyor Systems Monorail Conveyors 3 3 3 5 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 13 14 14 14 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 18 19 19 19 19 2O 2O 2O vii
Crossrod Conveyor Elevator Conveyors Operating and Safety Controls Steam Heated Degreasers Gas Heated Degreasers Electrically Heated Degreasers Safety Vapor Control Thermostat Settings Safety Precautions Location of Solvent Degreasing Equipment Ventilation Clearance Drafts Ovens Open Flames: Hot Surfaces Gas Heated Degreasers 20 20 21 21 21 21 22 22 Installation Degreaser Operation Operating the Degreaser Starting the Degreaser Proper Positioning of Work Rate of Entry and Removal Duration of Contact Time with Solvent Vapors Solvent Contamination Levels Spraying of Parts Water Contamination Solvent Handling Solvent Distilling and Operation of Stills Shutting Down the Degreaser Cleaning and Maintenance of the Degreasing Equipment Procedure for General Cleaning of Degreaser and Still Routine Maintenance Economics of Degreaser Operation Solvent Cost Maintenance and Direct Labor Costs Utilities Costs Safe Handling of Vapor Degreasing Solvents Employee Education Employee Selection Preemployment Reporting Leaks Vapor Degreasing Health Hazards Inhalation Skin Contact Ingestion (swallowing) Eye Contact First Aid Inhalation Note to Physician Skin Contact Eye Contact Ingestion (swallowing) viii 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 26 26 26 28 28 28 30 31 31 32 32 32 39
Flammability and Decomposition Degreaser Sludge Decomposition Products Chemical Hazards Stabilized Grades Effects of Alkalies Reactive Metals Good Industrial Hygiene Practices Maintaining Steady Vapor Level Absorbent Materials Ventilation Equipment Maintenance Solvent Transfer Spills Contaminated Clothing Personal Protective Equipment Tank Cleaning Tank Cleaning (alternate) Methods of Evaluating Exposures in the Workplace Detector Tubes Universal Carbon Tubes Halide Meter Labeling Handling and Storage Storage Drums Tank Trucks Tank Cars Storage Tanks Entering and Cleaning Tanks Waste Disposal Solvent Conservation Devices and Procedures Conservation Devices Carbon Adsorber Refrigerated Freeboard Device Covers Conservation Procedures Glossary Solvent Nomenclature (alternate chemical names) 39 41 41 42 42 42 42 42 43 43 43 44 44 44 44 44 44 45 45 45 46 47 47 47 48 48 48 49 49 51 52 Abbreviations 5 3 Figures FIG. la--vapor only degreaser FIG. Ib--Liquid-vapor degreaser 2 FIG. lc--liquid-liquid-vapor degreaser 2 FIG. Id--Perimeter condensing vapor-spray-vapor degreaser 2 FIG. 2 --An economical means of cleaning missile fuel tanks, cryogenic transport and storage tanks, tank c;~rs, and tank trucks with chlorinated solvents 4 ix I
Tables FIG. 3 --Liquid-liquid-vapor crossbar degreaser 5 FIG. 4 --Loading and unloading devices can be incorporated to automate crossbar conveyors; work can be picked up from and returned to plant conveyors 6 FIG. 5 --Vapor-spray-vapor monorail degreaser 9 FIG. 6 --Offset condenser vapor-spray-vapor degreaser 13 FIG. 7 --Water separator: A : solvent and water inlet, B : vent, C : water outlet, and D : solvent outlet 20 TABLE I--Physical properties of vapor degreasing solvents 12 TABLE 2--Standards related to control of health hazards 34 TABLE 3--Properties related to control of health hazards 35 TABLE 4--Human response solvent vapors under controlled conditions (concentrations in ppm) 36 TABLE 5--Flammability properties of vapor degreasing solvents 38 TABLE 6--Underwriters Laboratories flammability ratings 39