SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING AND RECYCLING SOLVENT FROM A SOLVENT-BASED CLEANING PROCESS

摘要

A system for recovering and recycling solvent from a solvent-based cleaning process comprises a used solvent collection container for collecting used solvent containing sludge and dissolved contaminants from a cleaning apparatus used in such cleaning process, a solvent recovery apparatus for recovering used solvent from the used solvent collection container, an apparatus for feeding used solvent from the used solvent collection container to the solvent recovery apparatus, an apparatus for feeding recovered solvent from the solvent recovery apparatus to a recovered solvent collection container, and an apparatus for recycling recovered solvent from the recovered solvent collection container to the cleaning apparatus. The used solvent collection container comprises a plurality of compartments, a first compartment receiving used solvent directly from the cleaning apparatus and having a lower sludge-containing region communicating with the apparatus for feeding used solvent to the solvent recovery apparatus and at least a second compartment communicating with means for supplying essentially sludge-free used solvent to the cleaning apparatus without passage through said solvent recovery apparatus, the second compartment receiving used solvent from an upper essentially sludge-free region of the first compartment. The system is useful in the recycling of solvents used in spray gun washers (hereinafter called "gun-washers"), which are employed in the cleaning of spray guns used in the application of paints, resins, and other coating materials.