The major objective of this project was to assess the application of atmospheric pressure microwave induced plasmas to the control of trichloroethene vapour emissions from industrial cleaning processes. Laboratory experiments, chemical modelling and chemical analysis were the three major elements of the project. A typical stream to be treated, as measured at the project test site, was 60 lmin-1 of air contaminated with 2 % trichloroethene vapour. The practical experiments carried out were trichloroethene dissociation by microwave plasma, propane-assisted microwave plasma and conventional propane combustion. Flow rates of 4 � 12 lmin-1, trichloroethene concentrations of 0 � 6 % in air and plasma powers of up to 3 kW were investigated. The processes were simulated using both equilibrium and kinetic modelling in CHEMKIN. Chemical analysis was done using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector, with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to identify eluted compounds. The destruction and removal efficiencies, by-products, temperature and robustness of each process were investigated. A simple economic and environmental analysis was done, and the results were compared with currently available processes.

This study attempted to determine if an excessive amount of 1,1,1 - Trichloroethane was released into the air, the acute effects of exposure and the cause(s) of excessive use. The types of degreasing equipments which were tested in this study are straight vapor and the vapor spray machines. The instruments utilized to obtain the data for this study are Gastech Haline Detector, Organic Vapor Monitor Badge and Personal Sampling Pump. Readings were taken on three different tanks. The data accumulated by this study were obtained during actual cleaning operation. During testing, increased exposure was detected due to exceeding the rate of removal, downward drafts were blowing right over the top of a degreaser and, in some cases, poor general ventilation caused solvent vapor to be blown out of the tank and into the workers' breathing zone, affecting excessive vapor drag out and solvent loss. The results show that, since the characteristics of solvent 1,1,1 - Trichloroethane are well suited to vapor degreasing requirements, by using proper procedures and maintenance, 1,1,1 - Trichloroethane emission during vapor degreasing can be controlled at levels well below the industrial hygiene standard established by OSHA for safe and healthful conditions.

It was the objective of this project to provide a glass cleaner formulation for a wet wipe application with cleaning and anti-fogging properties. This glass cleaner formulation was developed for automotive glass i.e. interior of windscreens. This formulation relates to a glass cleaner with a composition comprising of: (a) a blend of amphoteric surfactants; (b) a solvent system with a combination of glycol ethers; and (c) an aqueous solvent system. This glass formulation must provide good cleaning properties while also providing good wetting and sheeting properties to assist with anti-fogging properties. The objectives were obtained using 2 specific approaches: The first was by using a blend of 2 amphoteric surfactants in an alkaline medium, allowing the glass surface to become more hydrophilic which will also assist with reduction of surface tension on the glass surface. The second was by using the glycol ethers that have good coupling properties and surface tension reducing properties. The formulation was evaluated using commercial standard test methods as per the industry. A predictive model was successfully obtained for each of the five criteria that were evaluated using the 25 formulations derived from the statistical design. There were variables and variable interactions that were antagonistic for some of the criteria which were found to be synergistic for others. To achieve satisfactory cleaning, the fogging rating had to be compromised.