Novec and other HFCs and HFEs are very poor solvents by themselves and 
have to be blended with trans-DCE, a fairly toxic chlorinated solvent, 
similar to TCE to have much effect. If I were you, I'd be looking at 
aqueous solutions.

Brian

Kane, Amol (349) wrote:
> Thank you for the very enlightening responses from Technet (as always). I am also investigating alternate solvents to use for (hand) scrubbing boards prior to coat (to remove light oils, finger prints and flux residues (if any) from hand soldering operations etc.)
> 
> Currently looking at the 3M Novec line of cleaning fluids. What are y'all using out there?
> 
> Thanks,
> Amol
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brian Ellis [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 2:10 AM
> To: TechNet E-Mail Forum; Kane, Amol (349)
> Subject: Re: [TN] Alcohol Distillation
> 
> The thing that shocks me is not the desire to distill IPA but the fact 
> that you USE IPA before conformal coating. It is not a good defluxer.
> 
> Distillation is not easy. The Black Foresters gather cherries and put 
> them in large tubs for a few weeks and then distill the fermented juice. 
> They never get pure alcohol, but a deliciously perfumed eau-de-vie 
> called Kirschwasser with a distinct aroma of the cherries it was derived 
> from. Why? Because of azeotropes. Even a mixture of ethanol and water 
> will not distill into pure alcohol but into a mixture of about 96% EtOH. 
> Rudy mentions esters; these are the reaction products between alcohols 
> and acids and it is what gives Kirschwasser its aroma and flavour. 
> Esters usually form azeotropes with alcohols and it is not impossible 
> for raw organic acids to do so as well. So distillation may remove most 
> of the rosin but the resultant juice may not be brilliant as a safe 
> defluxer, possibly even worse than not cleaning at all.
> 
> Apart from which, alcohol vapours and air can form a highly explosive 
> mixture. H&S regulations would require you to install such a still in an 
> explosion-proof bunker KABOOOOM!
> 
> Brian
> 
> Kane, Amol (349) wrote:
>> I am looking for some information from people who own a alcohol distillation unit that converts alcohol waste (alcohol + fluxes etc.,) into usable alcohol again. I know that such a unit exists, but need to talk to people who actually use it. We are trying to limit the amount of IPA waste we generate  from clean boards prior to CC.
>>
>> Offline replies are welcome too.
>>
>> Thanks and regards,
>> Amol
>>
>>
>>
>> WARNING:  Export Control 
>> This document may contain technical data within the definition of the 
>> International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and subject to the Export 
>> Control Laws of the U.S. Government.  Transfer of such data by any means to a 
>> foreign person, whether in the United States or abroad, without proper export 
>> authorization or other approval from the U.S. Department of State is 
>> prohibited. 
>>  
>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: 
>> This e-mail, and any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended 
>> recipient(s) and may contain information that is confidential and 
>> protected from disclosure under the law. Any unauthorized review, use, 
>> disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended 
>> recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail, and delete/destroy 
>> all copies of the original message and attachments. 
>> Thank you.
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------
>> Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
>> To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
>> the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
>> To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
>> To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
>> Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
>> Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
>> -----------------------------------------------------
>>
> 
> 
> 
> WARNING:  Export Control 
> This document may contain technical data within the definition of the 
> International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and subject to the Export 
> Control Laws of the U.S. Government.  Transfer of such data by any means to a 
> foreign person, whether in the United States or abroad, without proper export 
> authorization or other approval from the U.S. Department of State is 
> prohibited. 
>  
> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: 
> This e-mail, and any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended 
> recipient(s) and may contain information that is confidential and 
> protected from disclosure under the law. Any unauthorized review, use, 
> disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended 
> recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail, and delete/destroy 
> all copies of the original message and attachments. 
> Thank you.

---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------