Different degreasing equipment is used based on the volume and type of grease, and the part’s use after cleaning. Simple jobs can use solvents and pressure washers, while industrial degreasing uses steam, ultrasonic, and aqueous degreasers. Steam degreasers use n-propyl bromide or HFC solvents, while ultrasonic degreasers break down grease with ultrasonic waves. Aqueous degreasing uses biodegradable cleaners. All degreasing equipment using solvents must follow regulations for hazardous materials.
Degreasing equipment varies based on the volume of degreasing required, the type of grease to be removed, and the use of the part after degreasing. For simple degreasing jobs that a do-it-yourself mechanic might use, cleaning solvents and portable pressure washers generally get the job done. Industrial degreasing relies on more sophisticated degreasing equipment such as steam degreasers, ultrasonic degreasers and aqueous degreasing systems.
Steam degreasers are designed to remove grease from a part suspended directly above boiling solvent in a cloud of steam. The temperature difference between the hot steam and the relatively cold part causes the steam degreasing solvent to condense, which dissolves the grease. After this solvent heat cleaning, a part could be further cleaned by ultrasonic or immersion cleaning. This industrial degreasing method is used for electronic components and parts that could be damaged by immersion in water.
There are at least two types of steam degreasing equipment on the market and they are mainly distinguished by the type of solvent used in the cleaning process. One uses n-propyl bromide and chlorinated solvents such as trichlorethylene (TCE) and the other uses fluorinated solvents such as hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) as vapor degreasers. Degreasing equipment fitted to use HFCs and related solvents are considered more environmentally friendly.
Ultrasonic degreasers use transducers to create ultrasonic waves that break down grease on the surface of a part. This degreasing method is relatively expensive and is typically used in small systems, often in combination with other industrial degreasing methods. One advantage of ultrasonic degreasers is the ability to remove grease and dirt from porous materials such as brass, making this method generally superior to other metal degreasers.
Aqueous degreasing uses special equipment to remove oils from parts that need light to moderate degreasing. Instead of a solvent-type cleaner, aqueous degreasing uses a biodegradable cleaner that poses less risk to operators or the environment than many other degreasing techniques. Depending on the design of the degreaser, oil contaminants may be emulsified and removed, or mechanically separated and skimmed off the surface of the degreaser solution. Often, aqueous degreasing precedes further cleaning in an ultrasonic degreaser.
In industrial degreasing it is important to remember that any type of degreasing equipment designed to use solvents can fall under government agency regulations. Any substance classified as a volatile organic compound must be used safely to prevent harm to operators or the environment. Solvents used in industrial degreasing are considered hazardous materials and must be disposed of according to guidelines.
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