Solvent Cleaning Equipment

What Is Vapour Degreasing?

Solvent-Based Precision Cleaning Explained

Vapour degreasing is a widely-used solvent cleaning process that uses hot solvent vapours to clean components effectively. While traditionally performed with chlorinated or fluorinated solvents like Perchloroethylene, vapour degreasing continues to be a go-to method for industrial cleaning due to its simplicity, reliability, and high performance.

How Vapour Degreasing Works

The vapour degreasing process involves the following steps:

• Heating the Solvent
  The cleaning solvent is heated until it reaches its boiling point, creating a dense vapour.
• Condensation on Cooler Surfaces
  When this hot vapour makes contact with a cooler component (e.g., metal), it condenses into a liquid, releasing latent heat. This action dissolves oils, greases, waxes, and other surface contaminants.
• Gradual Equilibration
  As the component heats up and reaches the same temperature as the vapour, condensation stops, completing the cleaning action.
• Evaporation for Drying
  Once removed from the vapour zone, any residual solvent evaporates due to the retained heat in the component, leaving it clean and dry—no additional rinsing or drying required.

Modern Vapour Degreasing Techniques

Modern solvent cleaning systems enhance traditional vapour degreasing with advanced features like:

• Boiling Solvent Immersion
  Ensures thorough cleaning by fully submerging the parts in solvent.
• Ultrasonic Agitation
  Boosts cleaning power, especially for delicate components or difficult-to-reach areas.
• Final Vapour Rinse
  Provides a residue-free finish, ensuring top-tier cleanliness.

This multi-stage approach ensures consistent, high-purity cleaning, ideal for critical sectors like aerospace, medical, electronics, and precision engineering.

Types of Solvent Cleaning Equipment

There are three primary categories of solvent cleaning machines, as outlined by European Standard EN12921:

Closed Solvent Cleaning Equipment (Types III–V)

• Fully Sealed Chambers
  Cleaning, rinsing, and drying happen inside a completely sealed environment.
• No Operator Exposure
  Solvent vapours are contained, ensuring maximum safety.
• Carbon Abatement Systems
  Often integrated to manage emissions.
• No External Venting
  Ideal for non-flammable solvents.

Enclosed Solvent Cleaning Equipment (Types II–III)

• Solvent Containment
  
  The process is contained within an enclosure to
• isolate the solvent from the operator.
• Higher Safety Standards
  Designed for mid-to-high-volume precision cleaning.
• Suitable for Non-Flammable Solvents
  Offers robust environmental controls.