ASTM D4579-00
(Practice)Standard Practice for Handling an Acid Degreaser or Still
Standard Practice for Handling an Acid Degreaser or Still
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the procedures required for recognizing and handling an acid vapor degreaser or still.
1.2 If the degreaser(s) is equipped with a still, follow the procedure in this standard for all of the equipment.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:D4579–00
Standard Practice for
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Handling an Acid Degreaser or Still
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4579; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4.3 This practice is not intended to cover every possible
situation.
1.1 This practice covers the procedures required for recog-
nizing and handling an acid vapor degreaser or still.
5. Symptoms of an Acid Degreaser/Still
1.2 If the degreaser(s) is equipped with a still, follow the
5.1 An acid condition in a vapor degreaser may be recog-
procedure in this practice for all of the equipment.
nized by one or more of the following symptoms:
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1.1 A strong acid odor.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.1.2 A dense white smoke in the vapor zone.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1.3 An unusually dark brown to black-colored solvent in
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
the degreaser sumps.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1.4 Dark spots and pitting of aluminum parts after de-
2. Referenced Documents greasing.
5.1.5 Rusting of mild steel parts immediately after removal
2.1 ASTM Standards:
from the degreaser.
D 2110 Test Method for pH of Water Extractions of Halo-
2
5.1.6 New formation of green deposits on copper condens-
genated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
ing coils or chiller coils.
D 2942 Test Method for Total Acid Acceptance of Haloge-
2
5.1.7 Newly formed blush rusting of stainless steel de-
nated Organic Solvents (Nonreflux Method)
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greaser components, especially welded seams.
D 3698 Practice for Solvent Vapor Degreasing Operations
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5.1.8 Low pH of solvent as determined by Test Method
D 4276 Practice for Confined Area Entry
D 2110 by water extraction or a low acid acceptance of the
2.2 Federal Regulations:
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solvent as determined by Test Method D 2942, or both.
29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-Required Confined Spaces
5.1.9 Severe pitting and corrosion inside water separator.
3. Terminology
6. Possible Causes of an Acid Degreaser
3.1 Definition:
6.1 It is rare for a solvent vapor degreaser to go acid when
3.1.1 acid degreaser, n—an acid degreaser is the result of
properly operated and maintained.An acid degreaser can result
the decomposition of the degreasing solvent to acid products.
from any one or a combination of the following causes:
4. Significance and Use
6.2 Lack of Proper Maintenance—If a degreaser is not
cleaned out on a regular basis, the accumulations of soluble
4.1 This practice describes the symptoms and causes of an
and insoluble contaminants, especially reactive white metal
acid degreaser as well as methods for correcting the problem.
chips (for example, aluminum), can cause both thermal and
4.2 This practice is intended as a reference for use by
chemical breakdown of the solvent resulting in the generation
persons responsible for the operation or maintenance of vapor
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of hydrochloric acid.
degreasers or stills.
6.3 Deterioration of Heating Surfaces:
6.3.1 Damaged Heating Elements—Deterioration of either
gas or electrical heating elements can cause arcing or hot spots
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D26 on Haloge-
resulting in an acid condition of the solvent. The deterioration
nated Organic Solvents and Fire Extinguishing Agents and is the direct responsi-
may be due to damage, corrosion or accumulation of contami-
bility of Subcommittee D26.02 on Vapor Degreasing.
nants on the heating surface.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 2000. Published February 2001. Originally
published as D 4579 – 86. Last previous edition D 4579 – 96.
6.3.2 Exposed Heating Surfaces—Exposure of gas and
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05.
electric heating surfaces to the air can cause solvent decom-
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Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing
position. Heating elements exposure is caused by a low solvent
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
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See also Practice D 3698. level that is not detected by low liquid level controls.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D4579
6.4 Excessive Amounts of Water—Hydrolysis of certain by the neutralization reaction. If sealed, pressure from the
solvents and impurities can be a factor in the formation of an evolution of carbon dioxide could rupture the drums.)
acid condition. Free water can also remove stabilizer. 8.2 After the sol
...
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