CLEANING OF EQUIPMENT FOR OXYGEN SERVICE - AIGA

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AIGA 012/04
The phase-out schedule, use, trade, and emission control and reporting provisions for ozone
depleting substances is given in EU Regulation No. 2000/2037 replacing EC No 3093/94on
substances that deplete the ozone layer. . Use of CFC and HCFC solvents is prohibited in noncontained
solvent uses including open-top systems without refrigerated zone. More detailed
information can be found in EIGA Environmental Newsletter No.5.
3.1.2 Volatile Organic Compounds
VOCs are a major source of 'photochemical smog' and ground level ozone that have harmful effects
on human health and the environment.
The main EU legislation covering the use of these substances is EU Directive 1999/13 on the
limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain
processes and industrial installations. One of the processes mentioned is surface cleaning.
Installations using solvents above the thresholds specified in the Directive must
• Comply with emissions limit values or solvent reduction plan
• Have a solvent management plan
• Have a permit for their activities
More stringent control measures are required for the most hazardous solvents (with Risk Phrases
R45, 46,49,60,61, i.e. carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction).
The Solvent Management Plan should assist the operator:
- to minimize emissions into the environment
- to verify the limit values of emissions
- to identify solvents which should, be substituted.
Information on the effects of CFC and VOC on the environment and reasons for their banning are
given in Annex 1.
4 Cleaning methods
4.1 Procedure and Agent Qualification
4.1.1 General
This section provides information to be considered when selecting a cleaning procedure/agent for an
oxygen system.
Selection of the appropriate method of cleaning shall be determined by the final level of cleanliness
required as set out in section 4.
There are a number of factors to be considered in choosing the most appropriate cleaning process.
- Technical aspects (process suitability/cleaning effect)
- Environmental and safety aspects
- Economical aspects (costs involved)
The selection criteria can be described as defining the characteristics required in the current situation.
Each solution represents a compromise with advantages and disadvantages.
Before a decision is made about which cleaning method has to be used, the need for cleaning must
be considered and established. It might be possible to reduce cleaning operations by making changes
in the production process.