How do vapor degreasers differ from parts washers?
A vapor degreaser is a unique type of part washer.
Parts washer is an umbrella, general term used to describe equipment used to clean and wash a variety of manufactured parts - usually metal. Actually, a vapor degreaser falls under the umbrella of parts washer and is a unique type of parts washer. For the purposes of this discussion, we will focus on 2 categories of parts washers: those that use solvents & those that use water and detergents as the cleaning agent.
Parts washers range from simple dip tanks to complex multi-stage systems
Parts washers can range from simple cold dip tanks (that use detergents or solvents) to complex multi-stage detergent-filled aqueous cleaning tanks that have washing, rinsing and drying stages. Parts washers can also utilize a variety of cleaning capabilities from ultrasonics, to spray, to agitation and immersion. In general, parts washers use solvents or detergents as the cleaning agents.
A primary difference between a vapor degreaser and a conventional parts washer is the temperature of the cleaning agent. Vapor degreasers boil solvent to create a rich cleaning vapor zone, while traditional parts washers typically use unheated cleaning agents in immersion tanks.
Heating the solvent is why vapor degreasers require non-flammable solvents and where the term “vapor degreaser” comes from, as the heated solvent turns to vapor for cleaning.
Vapor degreasing parts washers are used to clean oils, grease, and contaminants from manufactured parts, and they work in very different ways from water/detergent based systems and are suited to different applications. The process of vapor degreasing using solvents for cleaning, make it exceptionally good at removing hydrocarbons like greases, lubricants, fluxes and machining oils - fast! Traditional parts washers are good for removing dirt, heavy grease and grime but take more time due to rinsing and drying.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Even though the part washer is called a “vapor degreaser”, most vapor degreasing systems have immersion, spray and ultrasonic cleaning capabilities. A “vapor & spray” only system is a single-sump system, and a vapor, spray, & ultrasonic immersion system has 2-sumps for parts cleaning, as illustrated below:
Single-Sump Vapor Degreasing System
Vapor & Spray cleaning capability.
2-Sump Vapor Degreasing System
With ultrasonic immersion, vapor and spray cleaning capability.
Here’s a short comparison between cleaning with a vapor degreaser compared to a general detergent parts washer:
| Topic | Solvent Vapor Degreaser | General Detergent Parts Washer |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning Method | Uses solvent vapor condensation to dissolve and remove contaminants | Use liquid cleaning solution or detergent sprayed, brushed, or circulated over parts |
| Cleaning Agents | Non-Flammable Solvents | Water-based detergents, petroleum solvents, or aqueous cleaners |
| Cleaning Process | Solvent is heated → vapor condenses on cooler parts → dissolves oils → drips into sump→ sprayed & ultrasonic immersion can also be applied | Parts are immersed or sprayed with cleaning solution that mechanically removes contamination |
| Cleaning Effectiveness | Very effective for cleaning blind holes of oils, flux, greases and other hydrocarbons | Good for heavy grease, dirt, and general maintenance cleaning |
| Drying | Parts come out dry automatically because the solvent evaporates | Parts often require air drying or separate drying step |
| Processing Time | Quick – 3-5 minutes (includes drying – rinsing not needed) | Longer 15-30 minutes (due to rinsing and drying) |
Conclusion
Parts washer is a general term for equipment that cleans manufacture parts that are a usually metal. There is a variety of parts washing options from simple cold dip tanks, to vapor degreasers, to multi-stage aqueous systems that have washing, rinsing and drying stages. And if you need a high-precision, residue-free cleaning, vapor degreasing is often preferred.
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Give us a call or contact us to discuss your application and how vapor degreasing might be an option for you. We can test clean parts in our vapor degreasing lab and share our recommendations for optimized cleaning.
At Reliance, we take a comprehensive, systemic approach to supporting our customers to finding solution to their cleaning needs. Reliance Technical Support Department at 847-640-8923. We are glad to be of assistance.
