Industrial Cleaning Agents: What is a Vapor Pressure Solvent?

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Industrial cleaning solvents are applied in different forms. Some are wiped on as liquid, others are sprayed from an aerosol container, and still others are heated until they vaporize, with the vapor serving as a cleaning agent for removing soils from a variety of parts. This last type of solvent is commonly referred to as a vapor pressure solvent for two reasons: It is used in the form of vapor, and the vapor is pressurized to provide the desired cleaning action.

Using a Vapor Cleaning Machine

Investing in vapor pressure solvent before vapor cleaning equipment is in place is putting the cart before the horse. The reason why is simple: On its own, a vapor pressure solvent doesn’t vaporize quickly enough or have enough vapor pressure to deliver maximum cleaning power. Essentially, the machine is needed to release the cleaning action of the solvent in the proper fashion. At its simplest, the vapor cleaning process involves the following essential steps.

  • Soiled parts are placed on a rack in the machine.
  • Solvent is placed in a special basin.
  • The basin is heated to vaporize the solvent.
  • The vapor is pressurized to clean parts.
  • The vapor condenses into liquid and can be reused.
  • Clean parts are removed from the machine.

Many companies and organizations prefer vapor cleaning over other methods of removing soils from precision parts. In most cases, there at least three reasons why: The machine carries a small electrical load, making it energy efficient; solvent can be collected and reused, making vapor degreasing economical in terms of solvent cost; and equal amounts of vapor and pressure are applied to each part to create a thorough, uniform cleaning process.

There are also several additional benefits associated with using vapor pressure solvent, particularly: reduced solvent waste disposal cost, minimal chemical exposure due to the vapor cleaning machine’s airtight seal while cleaning is performed, ability to automate the vapor cleaning process to improve productivity, ability to clean parts that have complex configurations, and the ease of operating and maintaining vapor cleaning equipment.

Should You Use Vapor Cleaning?

At the outset, implementing an industrial grade parts cleaning system that relies on vapor cleaning solvent can require a considerable amount of time and money. The workflow of the parts cleaning system must be established to ensure that parts are cleaned and ready to use on schedule; and, of course, the vapor cleaning machine must be purchased and installed.

However, for companies and organizations that clean a high volume of parts, implementing a vapor cleaning system can deliver an excellent return on investment (ROI) due to the financial benefits listed above. If you need help determining whether vapor cleaning is a good solution for your parts cleaning requirements, the solvent specialists at Ecolink are here to help.

In addition to helping you decide whether vapor cleaning would be a profitable operation for your company or organization, we can also supply environmentally preferred vapor pressure solvent in the form of a stock cleaner or a custom formulated cleaner that’s tailored to your needs. For more information, please call us today at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. We look forward to supporting your industrial cleaning needs!

 

Parts Cleaning Processes: What is Precision Cleaning?

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Precision cleaning is a cleaning process in which parts are thoroughly cleaned until all soils are removed, with an emphasis on removing soils with a great degree of accuracy in relation to the design of the parts that are cleaned. Precision cleaning is typically performed on parts called “precision parts” due to the infinitesimal degree of precision with which they are manufactured. Engines and switchgear are common examples of equipment that feature precision parts.

Precision Cleaning Methods

Precision parts cleaning can be performed in several ways, but some methods are more efficacious, efficient, and cost effective than others. Among the most popular methods for precision cleaning are cleaning with wipes, cleaning with spray equipment, cleaning with aerosol, and cleaning with a parts washing system. Below, we take a brief look at the basic benefits and drawbacks of performing precision cleaning using these methods.

1. Wipes

Using hand wipes that are saturated with cleaner is the most rudimentary way to clean precision parts. It is also one of the most efficient ways, requiring very little prep time. However, using industrial grade wipes can get expensive if you consistently have a high volume of parts to clean. In addition, hand wipes are an ineffective option for removing soils from precision parts that feature complex dimensions, not all of which hand wipes can conform to reach.

2. Spray Equipment

Whether it involves using a plastic spray bottle or a commercial power washer, cleaning parts with spray equipment is another much performed method of precision cleaning. The advantage is that, when combined with the pressure from the sprayer, the action of the cleaning agent can power through tough accumulations, leaving parts looking new. On the downside, this method often throws solvent conservation to the wind and quickly fills up the solvent waste trap.

3. Aerosol

Aerosol is an excellent option for precision cleaning for three reasons: The amount of cleaning agent used can be easily controlled, the aerosol container disperses cleaner over the surface of parts uniformly, and the cleaning agent often has a high evaporation rate, making it easy to clean parts without sending a large volume of used solvent into the solvent waste trap. On the downside, aerosol can become time consuming and costly if a large volume of parts must be cleaned.

4. Parts Washing System

Many companies and organizations consider using a parts washing system the gold standard for precision cleaning. There are four reasons why: The system is energy efficient, can make it possible to recycle and reuse cleaner, has an airtight seal that prevents emissions during cleaning, and excels at removing soils from small crevices in precision parts. As long as it can clean parts properly within the desired timeframe, this method essentially has no drawbacks.

Need Precision Parts Cleaner?

If so, don’t waste time and money by resorting to trial and error. Get the best precision cleaning agent the first time around by consulting with the solvent specialists at Ecolink. We will examine your precision cleaning needs and precision cleaning system to propose the best solution for your requirements. If one of our stock solutions isn’t the best option, we can create a custom cleaner that perfectly matches your unique precision parts cleaning requirements.

For questions about our products or to place an order, please call us today at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. We look forward to hearing from you!

Vapor Cleaning 101: What is Vapor Pressure?

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Pressure is an essential catalyst for performing industrial parts cleaning operations. When we think of work processes where pressure is used to remove accumulations, we often think of applying pressure manually, using of a liquid solvent and an applicator such as a hand brush, or applying pressure with spray technologies such as aerosol and power washing units.

Moreover, we typically think of applying cleaners in liquid form, but certain cleaners can also be used in pressurized, vaporous form. Because vapor is diffuse and tends to disappear quickly in open air, vapor cleaning is performed using a special machine that pressurizes the vapor from a heated cleaning solution and prevents it from escaping. Regardless of the machine and cleaner used, the success of the operation depends on pressurized vapor.

What is Vapor Pressure?
Also known as equilibrium vapor pressure, vapor pressure is defined as “The pressure exerted by a vapor in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed phases (solid or liquid) at a given temperature in a closed system” (Wikipedia).

The vapor comes from a cleaning solution that is placed inside the closed system, where it is heated to produce vapor. The closed system is the machine in which workpieces are placed to be cleaned by vapor pressure.

Vapor cleaning is a relatively simple measure that even those who are new to the process can understand. However, the process can become fraught with complexities, unless the right cleaning agent is used, the right vapor cleaning equipment is in place, and the combination of the two is suitable for thoroughly cleaning the work pieces in question. This is why many companies and organizations turn to Ecolink for advice on industrial vapor cleaning.

How Ecolink Can Help
Vapor cleaning is a highly efficient cleaning process in terms of solvent use and first pass yield rate, which is the rate at which pieces are properly cleaned on the first attempt. If your vapor cleaning operations have an undesirable first pass yield rate, it may be because the wrong type of cleaner is used, or because the closed system cleaning unit applies a level of pressure that is insufficient for removing the accumulations.

Regardless of the cause, the solvent specialists at Ecolink can help you implement a better vapor cleaning system by carefully examining your needs in terms of what must be cleaned, the machine in which soiled workpieces are placed, and the vapor cleaning agent that removes the soil. We don’t sell vapor cleaning equipment, but we do offer industrial grade cleaning solvents and understand how they work within the context of the equipment.

Give Us a Call Today
For assistance with fine tuning your vapor cleaning operations, contact our product specialists today by calling (800) 563-1305, or use the contact form on our website. We are an industry-leading supplier of environmentally preferred and environmentally safe industrial cleaning solutions. With us serving as your trusted solvent supplier, you can be sure that you receive the right eco friendly cleaners for your requirements. Give us a call today!

Degreasing Methods: What is Vapor Pressure Cleaning?

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Degreasing is one of the most common industrial cleaning operations. From engine parts to handheld tools, practically every company and organization that uses equipment that accumulates grease must perform degreasing to keep the equipment in ideal condition for its application. One way that this can be done is vapor pressure cleaning — a process in which pressurized vapor from a cleaning agent powers away tough accumulations of grease.

How Vapor Degreasing Works

Unlike degreasing operations that are performed in open air with the use of aerosols, spray liquids, and wipes, vapor degreasing is performed inside a machine that’s specially designed to vaporize a solvent and pressurize the vapor to make it remove grease from parts that are arranged inside the machine. Below is the basic, eight-part process in which vapor pressure cleaning is used to remove heavy grease from parts and leave them looking practically new.

  1. Work pieces are placed inside the vapor degreasing machine.
  2. Solvent is placed in a basin inside the machine.
  3. The machine is closed for the cleaning process.
  4. The solvent basin’s heating coil vaporizes the solvent.
  5. The machine builds pressure to make the vapor degrease.
  6. Solvent drips away from degreased parts, leaving them clean.
  7. Excess solvent is condensed for recycling or enters a waste trap.
  8. Parts are removed from the machine and re-implemented.

In some cases, the vapor degreasing process also entails rinsing work pieces in a separate chamber inside the machine to ensure no solvent residue remains, spraying work pieces with a solvent before they enter the machine to speed up the cleaning process, and/or using vacuum degreasers when the machine employs a vacuum to vacuum degreasing system.

Benefits of Vapor Degreasing

Regardless of what comprises the vapor pressure cleaning process, performing it properly can offer several important benefits that help the user execute an efficient cleaning operation, ensure that parts are entirely clean, and curb expenditures for industrial degreasing solvent.

  • Eliminates the threat of oxidation and water spots on work pieces
  • Prepares parts for finishing processes such as painting and welding
  • Cleans precision parts faster than manual cleaning operations
  • Offers the opportunity to collect and recycle vapor degreaser

Vapor pressure cleaning is a highly effective method for degreasing precision parts and tools, but two things are always necessary for maximum effectiveness: a parts cleaning machine that facilitates vapor degreasing and using the right type of degreaser for the cleaning process. If you need advice on either requirement, the solvent specialists at Ecolink can help.

Contact Ecolink for Assistance
Vapor degreasing is a simple process that relies on complex machinery and carefully formulated cleaning agents. Because purchasing the vapor pressure cleaning machine and buying solvent is where most of the cost comes in, it is economically imperative to choose the right equipment and cleaner from the start. Using our expertise in parts washing and cleaning solvents, we can help you do this. Just call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use our contact page. We look forward to helping you realize the benefits of vapor degreasing!

Choosing a Tank Cleaner: The Benefits of Using New II Parts Cleaner

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Tank cleaning is a process in which parts are placed inside a special tank that contains a cleaner for removing unwanted accumulations of dirt, oil, carbon and other substances that collect on parts. If your organization needs an environmentally preferred tank cleaner that efficiently removes accumulations that result from industrial work processes, New II Environmentally Preferred Parts Cleaner is an excellent option for the reasons listed below.

  1. MIL-PRF-680B Type II Compliant

MIL-PRF-680B Type II (a.k.a. mineral spirits) is a powerful cleaner for removing dirt, oil, carbon, and other substances from parts. However, the cleaner is also toxic to aquatic life, a skin irritant, and can cause drowsiness or dizziness in those who inhale its vapors. New II from Ecolink delivers the cleaning power of MIL-PRF-680B Type II without all of the dangerous drawbacks.

  1. No EPA Listed Hazardous Ingredients

New II is considered an “environmentally preferred” cleaner because it contains no ingredients that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially considers “hazardous.” In fact, although common sense chemical precautions should be taken while using the cleaner, it can typically be applied without the need for extensive personal protective equipment (PPE).

  1. No Cleaner Residue

New II is also an excellent tank cleaner because it leaves no residue. Instead, the solution evaporates quickly and leaves parts perfectly clean. Tank cleaner that deposits residue essentially thwarts the cleaning operation, as the residue can draw accumulations of dirt and grime much faster than they would occur if parts emerged from the tank residue-free.

  1. High Flashpoint

New II contains no flashpoint, which means that it is inflammable under all foreseeable conditions. This makes the solution a great drop-in cleaner replacement for a variety of different parts washing systems. In addition, the cleaner’s non-flammable formulation makes it easy to store beside combustible materials without causing a fire hazard in the storage environment.

  1. Non-Corrosive Formulation

New II has undergone numerous corrosion tests that demonstrate its effectiveness for cleaning various substances, including high-grade plastic, high-grade rubber, and metallic alloys that are prone to oxidize. While you should always check to see if a cleaner would cause a negative reaction in the parts you must clean, a non-corrosive cleaner usually prevents such a reaction.

  1. No Unpleasant Odor

Another benefit of choosing New II as your go-to tank cleaner is that it produces no noxious odors. If fact, unlike many toxic cleaners that New II can replace, the cleaner is odor-free. In addition to making the tank cleaning environment more pleasant to inhabit, the cleaning agent’s lack of odor helps prevent acute, negative health conditions (e.g., respiratory distress, dizziness, watery eyes, and upset stomach) that odorous, toxic cleaners often cause.

Let Us Supply Your Cleaner
If your organization needs a tank cleaner to replace MIL-PRF-680B Type II or another tank cleaner that has a dubious safety profile, New II Environmentally Preferred Parts Cleaner is an excellent option for a drop-in replacement. For questions regarding the use of New II on specific materials, or to place order for the cleaner, please call us today at at (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to supplying you with a safer tank cleaner.