Totally Enclosed Systems

The TE - (Totally Enclosed) series of degreasers have been specifically designed meet the requirements of industries that the high cleanliness levels that vapour degreasing can achieve. The system design allows safe use of Trichloroethylene, Methelyne Chloride, HCFCs, or any non-flammable solvent, and can be specially designed for use with a flammable solvent such as a hydrocarbon.

End Loading Format

Minimises handling and use of hoists. Eases loading of large or heavy components as no lifting of baskets required. Basket and trolley can be moved around on the shop floor. Totally enclosed during degreasing to minimise emissions. Sealed by a powered interlocked vertical door, clamped shut by pneumatic pistons. Body-venting sequence and door extraction to protect the workplace. Thermal switch is used to confine the vapour to below door level during loading and unloading. Drying cycles automatically incorporated to minimise drag-out losses and fugitive emissions.

Top Loading Format

Totally enclosed during degreasing to minimise emissions and fugitive losses. Thermal switch creates a maximised freeboard zone during loading and unloading, while the machine remains at a workable height. Sealed by a powered, interlocked, sliding lid - clamped shut by pneumatic pistons. Body venting sequence combined with rim extraction, to protect the workplace. Drying cycles are incorporated to minimise drag-out losses and fugitive emissions. Reduced installation space requirement.

Method Of Operation

Finned condensation coils are situated across the sump below working level. These confine the vapour to the sump, when the door is open. When the door is locked shut, the water is displaced from the coils by compressed air, allowing the vapour to rise quickly to the upper coils, and the degreasing to take place. Subsequently cooling is restored to the lower coils, collapsing the vapour into sump. The working volume then acts as a freeboard zone. The door remains locked shut until the drying cycle is complete, and is interlocked to the air temperature inside. A body venting sequence is interlocked to the door movement, to draw air through the machine, to ensure solvent vapour does not enter the workplace.

Vapour production is by electrically heated thermal oil recirculated through the solvent sump. Crash cooling of the sump is provided, for rapid shut down.

Safe operation of the plant is guaranteed by satisfying the following interlocks. Door movement is interlocked to the vapour level and cabinet air temperature. Body venting is interlocked to the door movement. The extraction fan must be running. Heating is interlocked to the cooling water flow, solvent temperature, and oil temperature.

The Vap-Ex Series

Both of the above formats (Top and End Loading) can also be supplied as a flameproof design, suitable for use with a wide range of flammable solvents, such as hydrocarbons. This can allow customers to achieve the high levels of cleanliness that vapour degreasing can provide, but allows a broader choice of solvents to be considered, balancing performance with health and safety considerations. The safety features and interlocked described above enhance the safety of the design. Electric heaters and motors are ExD1, and thermostats, level switches etc. are on intrinsically safe circuits. The control panel must be sited remote from the machine.

Multi-Stage Cleaning Systems

Multistage cleaning systems can also be incorporated with any of these designs. For example, if there is a need to remove gross contamination, or particular matter, agitated immersion, or a spray pre-wash, or ultrasonic immersion, can be followed by a vapour rinse and drying cycle. All the units can be provided with or without integral chillers.