Ultrasonic cleaning as a replacement for chlorinated solvents
- Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Army Environmental Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (United States)
Chlorinated solvents have long been used in industry for cleaning purposes. These solvents were non-flammable, thought to be relatively of low toxicity, and worked. However, these solvents are now thought to cause environmental and health problems. Methyl chloroform (1,1,1-trichloroethane or TCA) and trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC-113) are considered ozone depleting substances and are being regulated as such. The United States is a signatory to the Montreal Protocol and its amendments which call for a phase-out of the production of CFC-113 by the year 2000 and TCA by the year 2005. There is a move afoot to change these phase-out dates to December 31, 1995, although at this time there has been no official action taken. Other chlorinated solvents such as methylene chloride and perchloroethylene (perk) have been labeled as suspect carcinogens. Due to these health concerns, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has issued proposals to lower the permissible exposure levels of these substances. All of these solvents are also considered Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) wastes. Thus, the wastes must be handled under strict guidelines. Due to all of these concerns, finding alternatives for these solvents has become attractive. Personnel at the Martin Marietta Energy Systems Y-12 Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, conducted numerous studies which investigated the use of ultrasonic cleaning with aqueous detergent as a substitute for vapor degreasing with chlorinated solvents. The first ultrasonic cleaner was installed in the plant in 1984 and numerous other cleaners have followed. Because of the success of this substitution program, personnel at the United States Army Environmental Center have funded a project to investigate the use of ultrasonics with aqueous detergent as a substitute for chlorinated solvents used in cleaning operations at the Army depots.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OS21400
- OSTI ID:
- 10157244
- Report Number(s):
- Y/DV-1191; CONF-930647-4; ON: DE93013253; TRN: 93:001400
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 86. annual meeting and exhibition of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA),Denver, CO (United States),13-18 Jun 1993; Other Information: PBD: 12 Apr 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Ultrasonic aqueous cleaning as a replacement for chlorinated solvent cleaning
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