Vapor Degreasing Emissions

Now that the ban on the use of CFCs and 1,1,1 trichloroethane is in place, the focus has shifted to other chlorinated solvents and he use of more expensive halogenated solvents. A substantial reduction in the losses of these solvents will result in major cost savings that would provide for rapid return on any new investment in equipment. Recent studies have shown that implementation of the technology most frequently recommended is capable of reducing emissions by 50-70 percent or more in some cases. Equipment incorporating this technology provides the added advantage of substantially reduced worker exposure to solvent in the workplace environment. The focus in recent years by Branson and government agencies has been on "control devices" that minimize solvent emissions from vapor degreasers. Two such widely used devices are superheat and refrigerated freeboard chillers. EPA sanctioned studies show that these devices are effective at controlling emissions.