Solvent Cleaning Systems, Riley Industries - The Stock Exchange for Industry

Solvent cleaning still remains a vital weapon in the armoury of manufacturers and surface treatment specialists, being sometimes the only viable solution for the removal of exceptionally stubborn product contamination. The process requires the use of volatile halogenated solvents, which are introduced in hot vapour form to cleanse heavily greased and contaminated surfaces. The vapour condenses on contact with the colder surface, turning to liquid and washing it. The process comes to a natural conclusion when the temperatures of the solvent and the surface are equal.

Solvent cleaning is a tried and tested method for the removal of organic materials, oils, greases, polishes and other compounds. It can be extremely quick in comparison to most aqueous cleaning methods, with the final result ensuring sterility, a difficult objective if confined to the aqueous route. The process can be applied to multi-stage systems, where a combination of liquid solvent, solvent vapour, vapour cleaning and vapour drying can be an effective remedy for many difficult industrial cleaning tasks.

It is also possible for ultrasound to be introduced to the process during the liquid solvent stage. A combination of solvent cleaning and ultrasound can be effective in the removal of both organic and inorganic materials. These stages are often alternated with a rinse stage top clean the residue of solvent from the surfaces of the objects.

One advantage of the use of solvents is that used hot vapour can be condensed by a water cooling coil that is built into the equipment, returned to its liquid form and then retained within a special sump in the machine to be re-used. This kind of recycling is not possible when using an aqueous system.

The changes in international guidelines for the uses of solvents have resulted in the most widely used solution, Trichlorethyline, being re-classified as a Class 2 cancer-causing substance. As a result, many users are now changing to Perchlorethyline or Methylene Chloride, which are regarded as less harmful. There is also much greater regulation in force with regard to the safety of enclosures, lids and extraction systems on machines.

Riley Industries has a great deal of knowledge and expertise in solvent cleaning methods. Many of our machines produced under previous guidelines can be adapted to conform to new safety standards. We also provide expert consultancy on health and safety issues as they affect the cleaning process, together with training and on-going support.

We hold extensive stocks of both solvent vapour and liquid vapour cleaning systems from manufacturers such as Kerry Ultrasonics, ICI-Cleanfast, Cleanline 11, Branson and CJ Systems.