Code of Maine Rules
06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL
Chapter 130 - SOLVENT CLEANERS
Section 096-130-4 - Batch Vapor Cleaning Machines

Universal Citation: 06 ME Code Rules ยง 096-130-4

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

This Section applies to batch vapor cleaning machines that process metal parts.

A. Batch vapor cleaning machines shall be equipped with:

(1) Either a fully enclosed design or a working and downtime mode cover that completely covers the cleaning machine openings when in place, is free of cracks, holes and other defects, and can be readily opened or closed without disturbing the vapor zone. If the solvent cleaning machine opening is greater than 10 square feet, the cover must be powered. If a lip exhaust is used, the closed cover shall be below the level of the lip exhaust;

(2) Sides that result in a freeboard ratio greater than or equal to 0.75;

(3) A safety switch (thermostat and condenser flow switch) which shuts off the sump heat if the coolant is not circulating;

(4) A vapor up control switch which shuts off the spray pump if vapor is not present;

(5) An automated parts handling system which moves the parts or parts baskets at a speed of 11 feet (3.4 meters) per minute or less when the parts are entering or exiting the vapor zone. If the parts basket or parts being cleaned occupy more than 50% of the solvent/air interface area, the speed of the parts basket or parts shall not exceed 3 feet per minute;

(6) A device that shuts off the sump heat if the sump liquid solvent level drops to the sump heater coils;

(7) A vapor level control device that shuts off the sump heat if the vapor level in the vapor cleaning machine rises above the height of the primary condenser;

(8) Each vapor cleaning machine shall have a primary condenser;

(9) Each vapor cleaning machine that uses a lip exhaust shall be designed and operated to route all collected solvent vapors through a properly operated and maintained carbon adsorber such that the concentration of organic solvent in the exhaust does not exceed 25 parts per million; and

(10) A permanent, conspicuous label summarizing the operating procedures found in Subsection 4D, below.

B. In addition to the requirements of Subsection A., the operator of a batch vapor cleaning machine with a solvent/air interface area of 13 square feet or less shall implement one of the following options:

(1) A working mode cover, freeboard ratio of 1.0 or greater, and a superheated vapor system;

(2) A freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point and a superheated vapor system ;

(3) A working mode cover and a freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point;

(4) Reduced room draft, freeboard ratio of 1.0 or greater, and a superheated vapor system;

(5) A freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point and reduced room draft;

(6) A freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point and a freeboard ratio of 1.0 or greater;

(7) A freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point and dwell. Dwell shall be not less than 35 percent of the dwell time determined for the part or parts;

(8) Reduced room draft, dwell and a freeboard ratio of 1.0 or greater. Dwell shall be not less than 35 percent of the dwell time determined for the part or parts;

(9) A freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point and a carbon adsorber which reduces solvent emissions in the exhaust to a level not to exceed 25 ppm at any time; or

(10) A freeboard ratio of 1.0 or greater, a superheated vapor system and a carbon adsorber which reduces solvent emissions in the exhaust to a level not to exceed 25 ppm at any time.

C. In addition to the requirements of Subsection A, the operator of a batch vapor cleaning machine with a solvent/air interface area of greater than 13 square feet shall use one of the following devices or strategies:

(1) A freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point, a freeboard ratio of 1.0 or greater, and a superheated vapor system;

(2) Dwell, a freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point, and reduced room draft. Dwell shall be not less than 35 percent of the dwell time determined for the part or parts;

(3) A working mode cover and a freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point and superheated vapor system;

(4) Reduced room draft, freeboard ratio of 1.0 or greater, and a superheated vapor system;

(5) A freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point, reduced room draft and superheated vapor system;

(6) A freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point, reduced room draft and a freeboard ratio of 1.0 or greater; or

(7) A freeboard refrigeration device operated to ensure that the chilled air blanket temperature is no greater than 30 percent of the solvent's boiling point, superheated vapor, and a carbon adsorber which reduces solvent emissions in the exhaust to a level not to exceed 25 ppm at any time.

D. Batch vapor cleaning machines shall be operated in accordance with the following procedures:

(1) Waste solvent, still bottoms and sump bottoms shall be collected and stored in closed containers. The closed containers may contain a device that allows pressure relief, but does not allow liquid solvent to drain from the container;

(2) Cleaned parts shall be drained at least 15 seconds or until dripping ceases, whichever is longer. Parts having cavities or blind holes shall be tipped or rotated while the part is draining. A superheated vapor system shall be an acceptable alternate technology;

(3) Parts baskets or parts shall not be removed from the batch vapor cleaning machine until dripping has ceased;

(4) Flushing or spraying of parts using a flexible hose or other flushing device shall be performed within the vapor zone of the batch vapor cleaning machine or within a Section of the machine that is not exposed to the ambient air. The solvent spray shall be a solid fluid stream, not an atomized or shower spray;

(5) When the cover is open, the batch vapor cleaning machine shall not be exposed to drafts greater than 40 meters per minute (132 feet per minute), as measured between 1 and 2 meters (3.3 and 6.6 feet) upwind and at the same elevation as the tank lip;

(6) Sponges, fabric, wood, leather, paper products and other absorbent materials shall not be cleaned in the batch vapor cleaning machine;

(7) Spills during solvent transfer and use of the batch vapor cleaning machine shall be cleaned up immediately. Wipe rags or other sorbent material shall be immediately stored in covered containers for disposal or recycling;

(8) Work area fans shall be located and positioned so that they do not blow across the opening of the batch vapor cleaning machine;

(9) During startup of the batch vapor cleaning machine the primary condenser shall be turned on before the sump heater;

(10) During shutdown of the batch vapor cleaning machine, the sump heater shall be turned off and the solvent vapor layer allowed to collapse before the primary condenser is turned off;

(11) When solvent is added to or drained from the batch vapor cleaning machine, the solvent shall be transferred using threaded or other leakproof couplings and the end of the pipe in the solvent sump shall be located beneath the liquid solvent surface;

(12) The working and downtime covers shall be closed at all times except during parts entry and exit from the machine, during maintenance of the machine when the solvent has been removed, and during addition of solvent to the machine; and

(13) If a lip exhaust is used on the open top vapor degreaser, the ventilation rate shall not exceed 20 m3/min/m2 (65 ft3/min/ft2) of degreaser open area, unless a higher rate is necessary to meet OSHA requirements.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.