How can I eliminate or recover the amount of solvent-vapor from industrial parts-washing machines?

Question

Parts are washed in a smallish machine about 3 to 4 feet high. Steam is emitted from the end of the machine where washed parts are ejected. This steam is constant and creates misty conditions in the factory. It may also corrode other parts of the factory over time.

Air quality is a priority, but depending on the concentration, it may be favorable to recover the solvents as well.

Answer 1

Install a vapor blower and a flare. The vapor blower is used to suck the vapors away. The flare is used to burn off the vapors.

As far as recovering the solvent vapors, technology exists to do this but it probably would not be economical for your application. It's more for vapor recovery for gasoline loadout terminals.

Answer 2

I don't know how well it would work, but I'd think it would be possible to install an exhaust duct (with hooded intake if the area where the parts are ejected is a relatively open area) with an exhaust blower located towards the downstream end.  Then install a coil/heat exchanger within the duct, and circulate chilled water (or refrigerant) inside the coil to cause the steam/solvent to condense out of the airstream.  The condensate could then either gravity flow back into your washer (provided the exhaust blower wasn't overly aggressive), or if the ductwork were so designed, direct the condensate flow into a separate tank, where then some means (distillation, gravity separation, filtration, etc) could be used to separate/dispose/recover the water and/or solvent.  The coil/exhanger should be made of a material resistant to your solvent (i.e. perhaps stainless steel, CPVC, Kynar, etc) for long life.

Hope this is of some assistance!