Alkaline Aqueous Economics Concentrated alkaline cleaners may cost between $6 and $10 per gallon. Dilution ratios in water may range from 1:20 (0.05%) for precision cleaning to 1:3 for heavy industrial cleaning. Compare this to semi-aqueous cleaners that cost $10 to $18 per gallon and are used undiluted. Aqueous cleaning equipment varies in cost. Simple tabletop ultrasonic tanks may cost under $500. Large precision cleaning systems consisting of multiple tanks and drying stations with automated parts handling may cost $500,000. An aqueous process equivalent to a current solvent process will generally require more floor space. In some cases, a power wash type machine may provide multiple process steps within a single unit. A 150-gallon tank to hold the alkaline cleaning solution costs approximately $400; tank installation, a heating system, ventilation, and an oil separation system adds about $5600. Cost of chemicals depend on the chemical, contaminant, and usage pattern. Standard degreasing solvent costs between $6-13/gal or $300-700 to fill a 50-gal degreasing tank which can last 6 months. A 150-gal sodium hydroxide (alkaline) cleaning bath costs $150-200 but may last only 3 months. An aqueous process equivalent to a current solvent process will generally require more floor space. In some cases, a power wash type machine may provide multiple process steps within a single unit. The following cost tables are based on: Schleckser, Jim. State Information | Glossary | Conversion Checklist | Comments Home | Process Advisor | Alternatives | Links | Search All SAGE material, Copyright© 1992, Research Triangle Institute Last Update: 06 May 1997 sage@rti.org http://clean.rti.org/alt.cfm?id=alk&cat=ec