What Happens When My Solvent Goes Acid?

Q: Will Fluorinated solvent go acid?

A: It is very Unlikely. If you are using a fluorinated solvent, your chemical supplier will most likely not provide instructions and products to stabilize the acid.

Q: Can I remedy solvent that has gone acid?

A: Yes, you can add booster. It will take some time for the solvent to go through the whole process and get the booster mixed in this system. You can get your solvent back to a decent pH, where you will not have to dump and recharge. The npBs and the TCEs in the open-top degreasers, when they have gone acidic, the best case scenario is to dump them and start with fresh solvent after a thorough clean of your machine.

Q: What is the problem with acid?

A: Equipment damage is the main problem. Many components, especially those in an opentop degreaser, are susceptible to acid. Still bottoms, cooling coils, and holes in refrigeration are just some of the problems that can ruin your equipment.

Q: Can I avoid acid altogether?

A: If your process develops acid, other than thermal decomposition, it is unlikely you will be able to avoid acid in your process. Again, it is all about preventative maintenance. Adding your stabilizers and boosters, keeping your machine clean, keeping your water separator empty, all these things will minimize the amount of acid that will appear in your equipmentment