Solvent Extraction Using Vapor Recycling Methods

One efficient way to reduce waste and save money in industries such as mining, pharmaceuticals, ink, paint, lacquer, automotive recycling program is recycling. The ideal program uses a heavy-duty machine manufactured by a reliable company and which produces a high quality output from hundreds of gallons of solvents daily.

Use Our Solvent Payback Calculator To See Which Disti Kleen System Is Right For You

There are three methods for extracting contaminated solvents: simple distillation, and the RotoMAX which has the principle of a thin film evaporation. Of these, the last one is ideal for use in companies producing a high daily volume of liquids in a continuous process.

Advantages of Solvent Vapor Recycling

The advantages to solvent vapor recycling are many. Pollution prevention programs administered at the state level are constantly increasing regulations concerning the degree of compliance in industry and other commercial enterprises. The federal government has instituted mandates from the past decade which are costing businesses more and more to comply, as well. Such reforms include the Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990 and the Green Chemistry Challenge of 1996. Disposal of used solvents is considered a detriment to the growing problem of pollution in the country and a direct opposition to efforts to develop a greener environment.

Companies which generate solvent waste can save money, while still complying, by recycling their used solvents. No special permitting is required as on-site-recycling falls under your Generator Permit. A reduction in the cost of materials purchasing, storage, and management as well as increased security against regulatory fines can all be realized in a short period of time just by instituting an extraction/reclamation process. Another benefit of recycling solvents is by creating a company image which is satisfactory to the reduction of natural resources and global warming.

How Evaporation Works

The process of vapor recycling begins much the same as distillation. A small amount of contaminated solvent is pumped into a vessel which is heated, thereby vaporizing the liquid. The collected vapors are re-condensed back to their original form. In order for the process to work efficiently, the solvents being recycled can have a high solids concentration. However, with the right type of solvent, extraction outputs are optimized, resulting in high percentages of reclaimed fluids which are pure. The procedure is quick and highly automated, providing little, if any, down time in production and less manpower to complete the recycling process.

It is quite easy to see how the purchase of a solvent vapor recycling unit could pay for itself in a very short amount of time. Between the decreased need to buy new solvents, reduction in fines from environmental agencies, and less capital required to store and manage materials, a high-quality, heavy-duty machine can pay back its cost in far less than a year.