ASTM_D_4579_-_00_2017.pdf

Designation:D457900(Reapproved 2017)Standard Practice forHandling an Acid Degreaser or Still1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4579;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice covers the procedures required for recog-nizing and handling an acid vapor degreaser or still.1.2 If the degreaser(s)is equipped with a still,follow theprocedure in this practice for all of the equipment.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D2110 Test Method for pH of Water Extractions of Haloge-nated Organic Solvents and Their AdmixturesD2942 Test Method for Total Acid Acceptance of Haloge-nated Organic Solvents(Nonreflux Methods)D3698 Practice for Solvent Vapor Degreasing OperationsD4276 Practice for Confined Area Entry2.2 Federal Regulations:329 CFR 1910.146,Permit-Required Confined Spaces3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 acid degreaser,nan acid degreaser is the result ofthe decomposition of the degreasing solvent to acid products.4.Significance and Use4.1 This practice describes the symptoms and causes of anacid degreaser as well as methods for correcting the problem.4.2 This practice is intended as a reference for use bypersons responsible for the operation or maintenance of vapordegreasers or stills.44.3 This practice is not intended to cover every possiblesituation.5.Symptoms of an Acid Degreaser/Still5.1 An acid condition in a vapor degreaser may be recog-nized by one or more of the following symptoms:5.1.1 A strong acid odor.5.1.2 A dense white smoke in the vapor zone.5.1.3 An unusually dark brown to black-colored solvent inthe degreaser sumps.5.1.4 Dark spots and pitting of aluminum parts afterdegreasing.5.1.5 Rusting of mild steel parts immediately after removalfrom the degreaser.5.1.6 New formation of green deposits on copper condens-ing coils or chiller coils.5.1.7 Newly formed blush rusting of stainless steeldegreaser components,especially welded seams.5.1.8 Low pH of solvent as determined by Test MethodD2110 by water extraction or a low acid acceptance of thesolvent as determined by Test Method D2942,or both.5.1.9 Severe pitting and corrosion inside water separator.6.Possible Causes of an Acid Degreaser6.1 It is rare for a solvent vapor degreaser to go acid whenproperly operated and maintained.An acid degreaser can resultfrom any one or a combination of the following causes:6.2 Lack of Proper MaintenanceIf a degreaser is notcleaned out on a regular basis,the accumulations of solubleand insoluble contaminants,especially reactive white metalchips(for example,aluminum),can cause both thermal andchemical breakdown of the solvent resulting in the generationof hydrochloric acid.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D26 on Haloge-nated Organic Solvents and Fire Extinguishing Agents and is the direct responsi-bility of Subcommittee D26.02 on Vapor Degreasing.Current edition approved Nov.1,2017.Published December 2017.Originallyapproved in 1986.Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D4579 00(2012).DOI:10.1520/D4579-00R17.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from U.S.Government Publishing Office,732 N.Capitol St.,NW,Washington,DC 20401,http:/www.gpo.gov.4See also Practice D3698.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1 6.3 Deterioration of Heating Surfaces:6.3.1 Damaged Heating ElementsDeterioration of eithergas or electrical heating elements can cause arcing or hot spotsresulting in an acid condition of the solvent.The deteriorationmay be due to damage,corrosion or accumulation of contami-nants on the heating surface.6.3.2 Expose