Abstract: A system and method for containment and recovery of vapors in a general parts washer apparatus, wherein a solvent is delivered to a wash area for washing articles therein; the system including a unit supported in air flow communication with the wash area and having a fan for drawing solvent vapors in a flow of air from within the wash area and through the unit. Activated carbon filters within the unit separate moisture from the air flow to trap solvent within a separation chamber. During a distillation cycle, a vacuum activated valve assembly closes the separation chamber and a heater raises the temperature within the separation chamber, under negative pressure, causing liquid solvent in the chamber to vaporize. The solvent vapors are removed from the separation chamber and converted to pure liquid solvent in a condenser. The pure liquid solvent is thereafter directed to a clean solvent holding tank in the parts washer apparatus.

Abstract: A floor washing apparatus for removing oil, grease and other residue contaminants from a floor surface includes a housing supported on wheels and a spray suction head removably attachable to the housing so that a suction intake mouth is maintained in close spaced relation above the floor surface as the apparatus as moved on the floor. A wash tank within the housing holds a predetermined charge of wash solution and includes a pump therein to discharge a forced flow of the cleaning solution through one or more nozzles in the spray suction head and onto the floor surface, and a vacuum suction motor for creating a negative pressure within the wash tank to draw the wash solution and contaminant residues removed from the floor surface through the suction intake mouth and an interconnecting flexible hose for return to the wash tank. During a recycling process, a valve assembly releases contaminated wash solution from the wash tank into a distillation chamber where the wash solution is heated to produce vapors.

Abstract: In an apparatus for washing automotive, aviation, marine and other general parts, equipment or articles with a liquid cleaning solution, there is provided a process for integrated recycling of the cleaning solution including: containing a charge of the cleaning solution in a holding tank; pumping the solution into a wash basin for washing parts therein; returning the solution to the holding tank; periodically heating the cleaning solution, after becoming contaminated from use, to a predetermined temperature to produce vapors and separate contaminants therefrom; condensing the vapors to yield purified liquid cleaning solution; and returning the purified cleaning solution to the holding tank for subsequent use for washing parts.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering vapors in industrial washing equipment, wherein a solvent is used to wash various articles within a wash area of the equipment. The system includes a hood supported above the wash area, a motor driven fan mounted within the hood for creating an envelope of negative pressure between the wash area and the hood to draw rising vapors into the hood and to direct the vapors at high velocity against a surface to cause separation of pure solvent liquid droplets from the vapor through impaction, and a coalescer for gathering the separated droplets of pure solvent prior to directing the pure solvent to a holding tank for reuse in washing operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing general parts and other articles with a liquid cleaning solution, the apparatus including a basin and a wash area defining an upper chamber, a hood to enclose the upper chamber, a pump in the basin for recirculating the cleaning solution to the wash area for washing the parts and articles therein, a lower holding tank for containing a charge of purified cleaning solution, and a second pump for circulating a portion of the charge of purified cleaning solution to the wash basin for use during washing operations. Heating elements in the basin boil the cleaning solution therein, with the hood closed, and a vacuum pump creates a negative pressure in the upper chamber, drawing vapors through a condenser to yield purified cleaning solution which is directed to the clean solution holding tank for subsequent transfer to the basin.

Abstract: A unit for disposing of refuse and contaminants by thermal oxidation includes a housing having a bottom, side walls and a top disposed in surrounding relation to an interior thereof. A partial wall structure divides the housing interior to define a first thermal oxidation chamber sized and configured to contain the refuse and contaminants and a second flue gas burning chamber disposed in air-flow communication with said first chamber. Heating elements are provided in the first and second chambers to raise the temperature to a predetermined level in order to induce thermal oxidation of refuse in the first chamber and the resultant flue gasses passing through the second chamber. An exhaust stack receives the flue gasses exiting from the second chamber and includes a filter therein for removing remaining contaminants from the flue gasses prior to entering the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing automotive, aviation, marine and other general parts with a cleaning solution during maintenance, repair and rebuilding operations, includes a solution holding reservoir, a wash basin with a drain to facilitate return of the cleaning solution to the holding reservoir, and a pump in the holding reservoir for recirculating the cleaning solution through a discharge spout and into the wash basin for washing parts therein. A first valve assembly between the drain and the cleaning solution holding reservoir closes during periods of non-use to prevent vapors from escaping to the atmosphere. During a recycling process, a second valve assembly releases used, contaminated solvent from the holding reservoir into a distillation chamber where the solvent is heated to produce vapors. A condenser cools the vapors to a liquid state, yielding non-contaminated cleaning solution, which is directed into the holding reservoir for future parts washing as demanded.

Abstract: An apparatus for soaking and cleaning articles in a cleaning solution includes a primary cleaning chamber for containing a predetermined volume of the cleaning solution therein and a filter assembly including a filtration sheet pulled from a supply across a drainage trough for removing contaminants from the cleaning solution. A sensor activates movement and replacement of saturated sections of the filtration sheet upon detecting a rise of fluid level in the drainage trough. A fan forced electronic heater supplies heat to an oxidation chamber for thermal oxidation of refuse placed therein, the resulting flue gasses being directed through a heat transfer duct, wherein heat is transferred to the solution contained in the cleaning chamber; the flue gasses exiting through a flue stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing automotive, aviation, marine and general parts with a volatile solvent during maintenance, repair and rebuilding operations. The apparatus includes a wash basin with a drain to facilitate return of the solvent to a holding tank having a pump therein for recirculating the solvent back to the wash basin through a discharge spout for washing parts. A first valve assembly between the drain and holding tank closes during periods of non-use to prevent vapors from escaping to the atmosphere. During a timed recycling process, a second valve assembly releases used, contaminated solvent from the holding tank into a distillation pot where the solvent is heated under vacuum to produce vapors. The vapors pass through a condenser where they are cooled to a liquid state, yielding pure solvent, which is directed into the holding tank for future parts washing as demanded.