Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8281 6370

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8281 6370

Vapour Degreasing Products | Archive | Environmental Impact
CONTENT ON THIS PAGE IS RETAINED FOR INFORMATION ONLY
DUE TO n-Propyl bromide now being included in Annex 14 of REACH

EnviroTech Europe Ltd (ETE) continue to publish it as historical information and to record changes occurring in legislation which have affected decisions on formulations and equipment used in vapour degreasing - the most effective, quickest, flexible and cheapest cleaning system used in industry.

EnSolv® invented and patented by EnviroTech has been a market leader all over the world for vapour degreasing. It is based on n-bromopropane (nPB) which now cannot be used as a vapour degreaser within the UK or EU without authorisation.

Archived information about EnSolv®  can be found using the Discontinued Products & Resources navigation menu on this page.

Using experience accumulated over 40 years supplying and supporting users of the vapour degreasing process ETE specialists have developed “drop in” alternatives:
ProSolv®, ProSolv5408e®  and EnSolv CC-A® give the same or improved level of performance and economy as the original EnSolv® products.

Please contact our advisers who are available to discuss your needs and propose the best replacement product.

Or please click here to return to our vapour degreasing products homepage for information about our current products.Critical Cleaning Solvent

EnSolv CC-A

Environmental Impact

nPB is is the only realistic safe alternative to the carcinogen trichloroethylene

EnSolv® products are generally greater than 90% n Propyl Bromide (nPB, 1-Bromopropane). Therefore the environmental effect will be very similar to nPB and the following relates to the environmental impact of nPB:

Air

The ozone depletion potential (ODP) of nPB is very low. According to the 3D models devised by Dr Wuebbles it is 0.005 between latitudes 30-60°North with a derived atmospheric lifetime of 24.7 days. Global warming potential (GWP) is also very low at 0.31.

Water

nPB is expected to evaporate rapidly from the surface of water, derived from Henry’s law constant of 7.32 x 10-3 m3. atm/mol. The volatilization half life in a model river is only a few hours (3.4 hours) and in a model lake only a few days (4-5 days). When in water nPB hydrolyses with a half-life of 26 days. There is also evidence of aerobic biodegradation in water. The Bio Concentration Factor (BCF) for nPB is estimated at 23 which is very low indicating that it will not bioaccumulate significantly in aquatic medium. The Lethal Concentration (LC50) for Fathead Minnows (96 hours) is published as 67mg/L. Based on this LC50, the acute concentration at which 50% of tested animals die, nPB’s toxicity to aquatic life is moderate.

Soil

The high volatility of nPB ensures its rapid evaporation from moist and dry soils. nPB will also hydrolyse in moist soils. The low LogK octanol/water coefficient of 2.1 leads to a K organic carbon value of 330 which means it is considered to be of moderate mobility in soil.

We can provide you with a Material Safety Data Sheet, independent laboratory reports, product samples or technical assistance. For more information or advice please contact us by telephone on +44 (0) 20 8281 6370 or use our contact form.

Vapour degreasing solvents are supplied and supported by EnviroTech Europe Ltd.  Manufactured in the United Kingdom and available on short delivery times through our dedicated team of distributors in Europe and the Middle East.

Share this page: