I've been searching the 'NET and reading as much as I can today about what to use in a vapor degreaser, and you get all kinds of conflicting information out there. For instance with Gary's suggestion I did a search on HCFC-225 (which is what Asahiklin AK-225 is), and I got this:
"How Does Bromothane(tm) Compare to HCFC-225?
In our opinion, HCFC-225 is not a great choice for most cleaning applications. But to be fair, it has a few good points. It's a moderately powerful. It works well in vapor degreasers. It is not flammable. It is not as aggressive on plastics as some other popular cleaners. Perhaps most importantly, it is not classified as a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) so the air-quality regulators in Southern California think it is an excellent choice.
So what are the problems? First and foremost, HCFC-225 is an ozone-depleting substance. Specifically, it is a Class II Ozone-Depleting Substance under the U.S. Clean Air Act. It's already banned in Europe and has a phase-out date of 2010 in the U.S. So after doing all the work to specify a new cleaner, you soon will be faced with repeating the project to specify something that is completely ozone-safe.
Secondly, HCFC-225 is has a fairly limited product line. There are very few blends which enhance or expand the cleaning performance of the product. It is a more aggressive cleaner than the -225 products and comes in a whole family of choices, plus carrying agents and lubricants, allowing engineers to tailor the chemistries to their applications. In our opinion, that makes Bromothane(tm) solvents a better option for most applications.
HCFC-225 has some toxicity worries due to one of the HCFC-225 isomers which is substantially more toxic than the other (although it normally is present in the solvent at very low levels). So while Bromothane(tm) solvents have a low toxicity rating (even lower than -225) the solvent comes with Micro Care's unique product stewardship program that enforces good handling techniques and keeps workers safe.
While it is a very slight ozone-depleting solvent it is not listed in the Montreal Protocol as a Class II O.D.S. It has better global warming characteristics than HCFC-225, but it contains 100% VOC compounds so in that regard the two products tie.
Plus, Bromothane(tm) solvents are about half the price of the HCFC-225 cleaners, if anybody is keeping track.
In our humble opinion, HCFC-225 is yesterday's news. Select Bromothane(tm)(tm) for a cleaner you can use today, tomorrow and for years to come."
Bromothane(tm) is Micro Care's version of Ensolv, so there's a lot of different companies out there that have different views on the different solvents. I respect Brian Ellis's opinion greatly, but have to weigh his information against the other information that is available out there.
-Steve Gregory-
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Steve Gregory
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 1:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Vapor Degreaser...
Hi Gary!
You weren't kidding when you said it was expensive! I checked, and it was $761.41 for 5-gallons! Wooo-dogies!
Is there anything else out there? Anyone?
-Steve Gregory-
-----Original Message-----
From: Bremer, Gary [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 1:18 PM
To: Steve Gregory
Subject: RE: [TN] Vapor Degreaser...
Steve,
Asahiklin (AK-225) is what I used at my last company. There is a variant of this that has VOC under what the EPA limits for reporting purposes. It works well but is expensive.
Thanks,
Gary Bremer
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, CIT
Phone: 257-4430 extension 2170
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Gregory [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 10:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Vapor Degreaser...
Hi Brian!
I read everything at the link you provided, and I am giving it thought. Our degreaser doesn't have an extended freeboard, so that would need to be added if we were to go to Ensolv.
Let me ask you this, what would you use in a vapor degreaser? I did a search on vapor degreasing chemicals and almost everything that I came up with were nPB based...what else can I use?
-Steve Gregory-
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brian Ellis
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 10:17 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Vapor Degreaser...
I do not recommend EnSolv, as it contains nPB. You can learn a little about its environmental and H&S issues - and both require serious thought - at http://www.cypenv.org/worldenv/files/npb.htm.
If you must use it in a vapour degreaser, the recommended practices to reduce emissions include a deep (1½ times the opening diagonal) refrigerated freeboard, automatic sliding doors, small baskets to prevent pistoning the vapour out of the machine, draught-free environment, automatic hoist to respect freeboard dwell times and prevent brusque movements, minimal disturbance when filling/emptying machine and only when cold etc. I would also recommend operators wear badges so that their exposure can be constantly monitored. Listen to the operators for any unusual symptoms. The operators should wear protective clothing, bearing in mind that dermal uptake of nPB can be significant.
UNEP discourages the use of nPB wherever possible.
Brian
Steve Gregory wrote:
> Good Mornining All!
>
> Just curious, are there any of you out there still using a vapor
> degreaser? If so, what are you using in it?
>
> We have a Baron Blakeslee MLR-120 that looks in pretty good shape and
> we're thinking about using it for certain cleaning applications. I've
> been looking at some Enviro Tech Ensolv-Ionic solvent to use in it.
>
> There's been some suggestions to use alcohol in it, but I don't think
> that's a very good idea considering the flammability of alcohol. But
> besides that, alcohol isn't a very good solvent anyway.
>
> Just wondering if anybody is still vapor degreasing anymore...
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Steve Gregory-
>
>
>
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