Importance

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Abstract

Parts to be cleaned, degreased, or having paint stripped therefrom, by a solvent such as a halogenated hydrocarbon are lowered into and lifted out of a tank via an enclosure disposed above the tank. A pair of doors at the top opening and a second pair of doors at the bottom opening of the enclosure allow isolation of the enclosure from the tank below and from the outside environment above. Parts are lowered into the enclosure with the top doors open and the bottom doors closed. They are then further lowered into the tank for cleaning, degreasing or paint stripping with the top doors closed and the bottom doors open. After cleaning, degreasing or paint stripping, the parts are lifted back into the enclosure and the bottom doors are closed. With both pairs of doors closed, air contaminated with solvent vapor is conveyed from the enclosure to a system for recovering solvent vapor and recovering liquid solvent, such as a refrigerated condenser with a separator, a carbon adsorption system, or an absorption/stripping system using an inert solvent medium such as a hydrocarbon fraction having a boiling point substantially higher than that of the solvent. When the air in the enclosure is solvent-free, the parts are lifted out of the enclosure. No solvent vapors are discharged to atmosphere.

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First Claim