Summary of findings on evaluation of aqueous degreasers versus chlorinated solvents at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6815177

Gunn, D

Spent trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TC-ane), and sludge are generated mainly as a result of vapor degreasing operations at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP). Additionally, small quantities of spent chlorinated solvents are generated as a result of small parts cleanup. Additionally, some of the solvents become contaminated with uranium which classifies them as mixed waste for which no disposal method is currently available. Due to health and environmental concerns and the desire to minimize mixed and hazardous waste generation, a study was initiated to identify nonchlorinated, less toxic degreasers, perform laboratory testing of the most promising alternatives, and initiate field testing to determine if alternate degreasers present operational problems. The degreaser that cleaned and protected metal surfaces best was an all-purpose, water-based, hard surface cleaner consisting of biodegradable synthetic detergents, inorganic builders, and glycol either solvent. Additionally, this product was free-rinsing and did not leave any contaminants that would react with commonly used process gases. This product is recommended as a replacement for chlorinated solvents for many degreasing operations at PGDP.

• Research Organization: Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, KY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OU21400
• OSTI ID: 6815177
• Report Number(s): KY/L-1508; CONF-881054-1; ON: DE88017342
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ADDITIVES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CLEANING
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTAMINATION
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
DETERGENTS
ELEMENTS
EMULSIFIERS
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FLUIDS
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GASES
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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
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ISOTOPE SEPARATION PLANTS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PADUCAH PLANT
SAFETY
SOLVENTS
SURFACTANTS
US AEC
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