Code of Maine Rules
06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL
Chapter 130 - SOLVENT CLEANERS
Section 096-130-2 - Definitions
Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
In addition to the terms that are defined in Chapter 100, as amended, of the Department's regulations, the following words, terms, and abbreviations when used in this Chapter shall have the following meanings: See also Chapter 100: Definitions Regulation.
A. Airless cleaning system. "Airless cleaning system" means a solvent cleaning machine that is automatically operated and seals at a differential pressure of 0.50 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) or less, prior to the introduction of solvent or solvent vapor into the cleaning chamber and maintains differential pressure under vacuum during all cleaning and drying cycles.
B. Airtight cleaning system. "Air-tight cleaning system" means a solvent cleaning machine that is automatically operated and seals at a differential pressure no greater than 0.50 psig, prior to the introduction of solvent or solvent vapor into the cleaning chamber and during all cleaning and drying cycles.
C. Batch vapor cleaning machine. "Batch vapor cleaning machine" a vapor cleaning machine in which individual parts or a set of parts move through the entire cleaning cycle before new parts are introduced into the cleaning machine. The term includes solvent cleaning machines, such as Ferris wheel cleaners or cross rod machines, that clean multiple loads simultaneously and are manually loaded. The term does not include machines that do not have a solvent/air interface, such as airless and airtight cleaning systems.
D. Carbon adsorber. "Carbon adsorber" means a bed of activated carbon into which an air/solvent gas-vapor stream is routed and which adsorbs the solvent on the carbon.
E. Cleaning capacity. "Cleaning capacity" means the interior volume of the cleaning chamber.
F. Cold cleaning machine. "Cold cleaning machine" means a device or piece of equipment, containing and/or using an unheated liquid where parts are placed to remove dirt, grease, oil or other contaminants and coatings, from the surfaces of the parts or to dry the parts. The term does not include machines that do not have a solvent/air interface, such as airless and airtight cleaning systems.
G. Dwell. "Dwell" means holding parts within the freeboard area of a solvent cleaning machine but above the solvent vapor zone. Dwell occurs after cleaning to allow solvent to drain from the parts or parts baskets back into the solvent cleaning machine.
H. Dwell time. "Dwell time" means the period of time between when a parts basket is placed in the vapor zone of a batch vapor or in-line vapor cleaning machine and when solvent dripping ceases. Dwell time is determined by placing a basket of parts in the vapor zone and measuring the amount of time between when the parts are placed in the vapor zone and dripping ceases.
I. Freeboard ratio. "Freeboard ratio" means, for a cold cleaning machine, the distance from the liquid solvent to the top edge of the cold cleaning machine divided by the length of the shortest side of the cold cleaning machine; for an operating batch vapor cleaning machine or an in-line vapor cleaning machine, the distance from the top of the solvent vapor layer to the top edge of the vapor cleaning machine divided by the length of the shortest side of the vapor cleaning machine.
J. Freeboard refrigeration device. "Freeboard refrigeration device" means a set of secondary coils mounted in the freeboard area of a solvent cleaning machine that carries a refrigerant or other chilled substance to provide a chilled air blanket above the solvent vapor. A solvent cleaning machine primary condenser, which is capable of maintaining a temperature in the center of the chilled air blanket at not more than 30 percent of the solvent boiling point, is both a primary condenser and a freeboard refrigeration device.
K. Immersion cold cleaning machine. "Immersion cold cleaning machine" means a cold cleaning machine in which the parts are immersed in the solvent when being cleaned.
L. In-line vapor cleaning machine. "In-line vapor cleaning machine" means a vapor cleaning machine that uses an automated parts handling system, typically a conveyor, to automatically provide a supply of parts to be cleaned. In-line vapor cleaning machines are fully enclosed except for the conveyor inlet and exit portals.
M. Reduced room draft. "Reduced room draft" means decreasing the flow or movement of air across the top of the freeboard area of a solvent cleaning machine to less than 50 feet per minute (15.2 meters per minute) by methods including redirecting fans and/or air vents, moving a machine to a corner where there is less room draft, or constructing a partial or complete enclosure.
N. Remote reservoir cold cleaning machine. "Remote reservoir cold cleaning machine" means a machine in which liquid solvent is pumped to a sink-like work area that immediately drains solvent back into an enclosed container while parts are being cleaned, allowing no solvent to pool in the work area.
O. Solvent/air interface. "Solvent/air interface" means the location of contact between the concentrated solvent vapor layer and the air. This location of contact is defined as the mid-line height of the primary condenser coils. For a cold cleaning machine, it is the location of contact between the liquid solvent and the air.
P. Solvent cleaning machine. "Solvent cleaning machine" means a device or piece of equipment that uses solvent liquid or vapor to remove contaminants, such as dirt, grease, oil, and coatings, from the surfaces of materials. Types of solvent cleaning machines include batch vapor cleaning machines, in-line vapor cleaning machines, immersion cold cleaning machines, remote reservoir cold cleaning machines, airless cleaning systems and air-tight cleaning systems.
Q. Solvent cleaning machine automated parts handling system. "Solvent cleaning machine automated parts handling system" means a mechanical device that carries all parts and parts baskets at a controlled speed from the initial loading of soiled or wet parts through the removal of the cleaned or dried parts.
R. Solvent cleaning machine down time. "Solvent cleaning machine down time" means the period when a solvent cleaning machine is not cleaning parts and the sump heating coils, if present, are turned off.
S. Solvent cleaning machine idle time. "Solvent cleaning machine idle time" means the period when a solvent cleaning machine is not actively cleaning parts and the sump heating coil, if present, is turned on.
T. Special and extreme solvent metal cleaning. "Special and extreme solvent metal cleaning" means the use of cold cleaning machines:
U. Superheated vapor system. "Superheated vapor system" means a system that heats the solvent vapor to a temperature 10 degrees Fahrenheit or more above the solvent's boiling point. Parts are held in the superheated vapor before exiting the machine to evaporate the liquid solvent on the parts.
V. Vapor cleaning machine. "Vapor cleaning machine" means a solvent cleaning machine that boils liquid solvent, generating a vapor, or that heats liquid solvent that is used as part of the cleaning or drying cycle. The term does not include machines that do not have a solvent/air interface, such as airless and airtight cleaning systems.
W. Vapor cleaning machine primary condenser. "Vapor cleaning machine primary condenser" means a series of circumferential cooling coils on a vapor cleaning machine through which a chilled substance is circulated or recirculated to provide continuous condensation of rising solvent vapors, and thereby, create a concentrated vapor zone.
X. Vapor up control switch. "Vapor up control switch" means a thermostatically controlled switch, which shuts off or prevents condensate from being sprayed when there is no vapor. On in-line vapor cleaning machines the switch also prevents the conveyor from operating when there is no vapor.
Y. Wipe cleaning. "Wipe cleaning" means the removal of residue or contaminants from surfaces by rubbing surfaces with rags or disposable wipes.
Z. Working mode cover. "Working mode cover" means any cover or solvent cleaning machine design that allows the cover to shield the cleaning machine openings from outside air disturbances while parts are being cleaned in the cleaning machine. A cover that is used during the working mode is opened only during parts entry and removal.
