VAPOURWASH – A genuinely safe alternative to solvent degreasing

Vapour degreasing with solvents have, in the past, been a preferred choice for degreasing finished or semi-finished components, and there are still those pushing the notion that high integrity component cleaning cannot be achieved by any other method.

Yet the use of solvents in the workplace is a well-documented legislative and environmental minefield. European directives, (in a bid to provide protection for the workplace and the environment), outlawed popular carcogenic trichloroethylene, and the debate over so called ‘safer’ suitable solvent alternatives such as N-propyl bromide rages on. The advocators of solvents who believe it is possible to simply substitute one outlawed solvent for a ‘safer’ version, seem perhaps to have missed the point, and with the continuing battles against the European parliament tying the issues into more knots-for the end user – the manufacturer- solvent use and vapour degreasing has become nothing short of a nightmare.

The development of the new aqueous based Vapourwash machine, is significant, as it is the first real opportunity manufacturers now have to turn their back on solvents, and instead have a genuinely ‘safe’ like for like alternative which has all the benefits of traditional solvent cleaning, yet without any of the hazards.

The machine looks like a conventional solvent vapour degreasing, with a similar footprint, and is operated like a conventional solvent vapour degreaser. Rigorous performance testing, have shown that the cleaning standards achieved are consistent, effective, and precise, either matching or outperforming traditional solvent vapour degreasers on each occasion – yet all with the use of only water-based detergents.

Through coupling clever design with the latest aqueous based technology, the machine is split into three cleaning stages and a drying stage. Component parts are processed through a heated agitation immersion stage, high powered spray wash stage and a fine heated vapourised mist rinse stage, before finally a hot air drying stage ensures parts leave the machine both clean and dry.

The benefits of working without solvents include no harmful VOC’s, no need for costly and time consuming effluent disposal measures, and perhaps most significant of all, an assurance that operators are in a safe working environment, and all environmental standards and working practices are being met- both now and in the future.

Technowash Technical director Tony Grayson commented:

‘We knew aqueous vapour degreasing would only be possible if it could match the performance of solvent cleaning. When one of our most sceptical customers conceded that the cleanliness of their parts were actually improved in comparison to the results achieved with their existing vapour solvent degreasing systems - we knew we had developed something significant.’

Technowash have a fully functional demonstration model of the new Vapourwash machine at their site in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and are encouraging all customers to get in touch to trial the machine for themselves. It is available to purchase or to hire.