P2: Dry Cleaning Maintenance

A regular maintenance schedule may help reduce the amount of waste your business generates.

Check for leaks regularly.

New drycleaners and existing drycleaners starting July 28, 2008, will be required to inspect monthly for vapor leaks using appropriate equipment required by EPA. Small drycleaners need to use either a halogenated hydrocarbon detector or a perc gas analyzer. Large drycleaners will need to use a perc gas analyzer.

• 25% of perc emissions from a dry cleaning facility with no pollution controls are due to leaks from equipment.
• Major environmental and health hazard
• Waste of solvent that could be used to clean garments

• May be required by law to check for and repair perceptible leaks
• In the state of Missouri, perceptible leaks be checked weekly or bi-weekly (for cleaners that purchase less than 140 gallons of perc/year) as stated in the requirements for the July 27, 2006 Rule (pdf).

• Perceptible leaks are any vapor or liquid leaks that are obvious from:
• Solvent odor
• Visual observation, such as pools or droplets
• Detecting gas flow with perc gas analyzer or halogenated hydrocarbon leak detector

Some areas to inspect for leaks and repairs on a weekly basis include:

• Exhaust dampers
• Cartridge filters and housings
• Water separators
• Muck cookers
• Lint baskets and screens
• Filter gasket and seals
• Door gaskets and seals
• Ducts, hose and pipe connections, fittings, couplings, and valves
• Diverter valves
• Solvent tanks and containers
• Still

While looking for signs of leaks, check that equipment is operating properly. Consider the following ideas:

• Check dampers to make sure that they open and close properly during the aeration cycle.
• Check the water/solvent separator while the machine is operating to make sure that no solvent is drained off with the water.
• Clean lint screens regularly to avoid clogging fans and condensers.

 

continue to Dry Cleaning Purchase and Inventory

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