Summary of SCCO2
Cleaning Technology Review

The following summarizes the major findings of this review:

• SCCO2 cleaning has been shown through extensive laboratory and pilot testing to be a potential alternative for manufacturers looking for a new parts cleaning system. The technology is especially well suited for precision cleaning applications in which parts have intricate geometries or for applications in which parts are sensitive to water or high temperature. Unfortunately, industry implementation of the technology has been limited and case studies documenting successful full-scale implementation of SCCO2 cleaning are not yet readily available.

• SCCO2 cleaning appears to be compatible with a majority of substrates encountered in manufacturing, including most metal and glass, and many plastics. Some types of amorphous plastics are not compatible with SCCO2 cleaning, as they become plasticized as a result of exposure to the process.

• Mixing generally appears to improve the efficiency of the SCCO2 cleaning process.

• SCCO2 cleaning has relatively low operation and maintenance costs, and does not generate additional waste streams as a result of operations. These low operation and maintenance costs are offset by a relatively high initial capital cost that has prevented the technology from being truly cost competitive with other options. Unless vendors are able to develop a large enough market for SCCO2 cleaning so that the cost breaks of mass production can be realized, it is unclear if SCCO2 will be able to become directly cost competitive with aqueous-cleaning technology for applications in which either technology would work equally well.

• More applied industry case studies, development of a contaminant-specific SCCO2 cleaning database, and information on multi-contaminant applications are among areas that could benefit from additional research at this time.

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