Sonicor offers a wide range of standard and custom-engineered vapor degreaser systems. All Sonicor degreasers are designed to minimize solvent emissions and assure full compliance with environmental regulations. In addition to standard compliance features, Sonicor systems are available with additional control devices to further limit solvent emissions while maximizing productivity and reliability. Fill out the form for additional information and pricing.

Continuing the Sonicor forty year traditions of quality, performance and reliability, The Sonicor “D” series combines the rugged durability of Sonicor ultrasonic technology with state-of-the art emissions control and safety features, to produce a line of vapor degreasing systems that are preferred by hundreds of customers worldwide.

All Sonicor vapour degreaser equipment is designed with the flexibility to degrease and operate safely with a wide range of non-flammable degreasing solvents. Every Sonicor degreaser includes control features and emissions limiting features to ensure operator safety and compliance with applicable regulations.

Organic Solvent Cleaning

Solvent and Vapor Phase Equipment Overview

Vapor phase solvent cleaning has been a mainstay in the metal processing industries since the early 1940’s. Its popularity was driven by the ability to quickly remove organics such as oils, greases, lubricants, coolants, and resins in a single step. The part, at ambient temperature, is lowered into a solvent vapor. The vapor, hotter than the part, condenses on the part and dissolves the organics. The part then is withdrawn to the freeboard area where the solvent evaporates from the part, leaving it clean, spot free, and dry. A vapor degreaser as shown in Fig 1 was inexpensive to own and operate.

During the early 1970’s, use of the most popular chlorinated solvent, trichloroethylene(TCE), dropped from a high of 609 million pounds in 1970 to a low of 90 million pounds in 1992. TCE fell out of favor due to environmental issues such as ground water pollution and air pollution since TCE is a volatile organic compound (VOC). Use of TCE was partially replaced by 1,1,1-trichloroethane in the early 1970’s and then by CFC-113 in the late 1970’s and 80’s.
 
Fig. 1
Both CFC-113 and 1,1,1-tri were considered to be very safe from a worker exposure point of view. 1,1,1-tri was favored in the metal working world while CFC-113 became the top choice in electronics, aerospace, and many other precision cleaning applications. CFC-113 was effective, low-cost, non-toxic, non-flammable, and considered to be environmentally preferable until the discovery of the hole in the ozone.

In September 1987, the international community signed an agreement to reduce the usage of CFC-113 by 50%. At that time, computer modeling suggested that such a reduction would halt theozone depletion. It was later learned through more sophisticated examination that a complete ban on CFC-113 and 1,1,1-tri was needed to protect the ozone layer. Worldwide consumption of CFC-113 peaked at 279 million pounds in 1989 and was banned in the U.S. in 1992. 1,1,1-triwas phased out at the end of 1995.

The impending loss of these two important solvents started a frantic stampede by users and suppliers to alternative processes such as aqueous, semi-aqueous, and alcohol based processes. No clean fluxes and soldering processes were developed in the electronics industry. Metal working primarily shifted to aqueous cleaning and to no clean steps such as vanishing oils. Precision cleaning applications that could not tolerate water switched to vapor phase alcohol or engineered solvent systems.

Today, a number of new solvent choices have come on the scene and recent advances in equipment have allowed the safe use of some of the older, more toxic, solvents. The advantage to the user is smaller foot print of the equipment, faster throughput time, and spot free finish produced by vapor phase drying as opposed to mechanical drying utilized in aqueous processes.

The choice of the right solvent to use is not an easy one. Several factors must be considered.

1. Is the solvent compatible with the substrate to be cleaned and can it dissolve the contaminant?
2. Is the solvent and equipment safe for the worker?
3. Does the solvent and amount used comply with local, state, and federal regulations and company policy?
4. Does the solvent, process, and equipment match the required production rate and product flow?
5. Is the solvent and equipment within budget?

In order to choose a candidate solvent for a specific process, it is helpful to consider the physical properties. Each of the solvents listed in Table 1 are commercially available and are acceptable as vapor phase solvents. This list is not inclusive by any means. Several solvent suppliers provide excellent solvents that are an azeotrope or blend of the listed solvents for specific purposes. As an example, the HFC, HFE solvents can be blended with trans-1, 2-dichloroethylene where additional solvency is required. They are used in a wide range of applications and a review of the properties will assist in choosing the right solvent for a specific application.

Vapor Degreaser Standard Features:

• Extended freeboard ratio to minimize diffusion losses
• Manually operated sliding cover to control overhead air turbulence losses
• Water separator for continuous removal of condensed atmospheric moisture from the system
• Sonicor “Vapor Watch” safety circuit, with manual reset sensors, to monitor system functions, identify faults, and notify operator when maintenance or service is needed
• All stainless degreaser body and countertop
• Copper/Brass plumbing
• Push-button start with “Vapor-Up” light to advise operator when system is ready to process parts
• High Vapor Sensor – disables heaters and advises operator if vapors reach an unsafe height in the degreaser
• High Solvent Temp. Sensor – Monitors temperature in the boil chamber, and advises operator when solvent replacement is needed
• Low Solvent Level Control – Disables heaters and advises operator if solvent level is low
• A full stainless cabinet is available for all Sonicor “D” series vapor degreasers. The cabinet is standard on models 15, 30, and 50. It is optional on models 70, 90, 120, and on all custom sized “D” series degreasers

Vapor Degreaser Systems Know-How

With over 40 years experience in ultrasonic cleaning, Sonicor knows a thing or two about vapor degreasing, ultrasonic cleaning and cleaning solvents. Our vapor degreasers come in a variety of sizes and amps usage.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us is you have any questions about the price of our systems or any of the following:

• Ventilation for vapor degreasers
• MACT standards
• Solvent chemicals such as IPA, NMP or Freon vapor degreasers
• Refurbished vapor degreasers
• Vapor degreaser cooling coil and calculations

 Please Contact us at

1-800-864-5022