EPA’S SOLVENTS ALTERNATIVES GUIDE - SAGE
Revision Date: 12/03
Process Code: Navy/Marines: IND-002-00, IND-003-00; Air Force: CL01, CL02, CL03, CL04; Army: CLD
Usage List: Navy: Medium;Marines:Medium; Army: Medium;Air Force: Medium
Alternative For: Various cleaning and degreasing technologies
Compliance Impact: High
Applicable EPCRA Targeted Constituents and CAS Numbers: Carbon Tetrachloride (CAS: 56-23-5), Chloroform (CAS: 67-66-3), Dichloromethane (CAS: 75-09-2), Methyl ethyl ketone (CAS: 78-93-3), Tetrachloroethylene (CAS: 127-18-4), Methyl isobutyl ketone (CAS: 108-10-1), 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (CAS: 71-55-6), Toluene (CAS: 108-88-3), Trichloroethylene (CAS: 25323-89-1), and Xylene (CAS: 1330-20-7)
Overview: SAGE is a comprehensive Solvent Alternatives Guide designed to provide pollution prevention information on solvent and process alternatives for parts cleaning and degreasing. Solvents targeted for reduction under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 33/50 program, such as chlorinated solvents, are not included as valid alternatives in this program. The program is designed to be used by state regulatory personnel, process engineers, shop supervisors, or anyone looking for alternative cleaning technologies.

The program provides general information on viable cleaning alternatives. Its intent is to provide information to reduce the number of alternatives that must be considered when selecting a cleaning option. Wherever possible only generic names for solvent or processes are used to determine the recommended alternative(s). SAGE narrows the list of alternative cleaning technologies to those technologies that best fit the application. The user can either: 1) answer questions about the product and cleaning needs, allowing SAGE to suggest the best alternatives, or 2) go directly to the descriptions of alternative technologies. If the user only needs information about certain technologies, the information is available without having to go through the question and answer process.

To learn which cleaning process is best suited for a particular application, the user should be prepared to answer questions about the product and production process. The program will supply generic responses to questions that the user cannot answer. Questions include the following:

  • What is the material composition of the part?
  • Is the part metallic or non-metallic?
  • Does the product have a coating? Should the coating be removed?
  • Does the part have blind holes or a complex shape?
  • What type of contaminants require removal?
  • Is the part subject to cleanliness inspections?
  • What cleaning equipment is available?
  • What is the next process step?
  • Which solvents are used for part cleaning?
  • What is the volume of the parts to be cleaned?
  • Can the part withstand ultrasonic vibration? High atmospheric pressure? High-pressure spray?

The program lists recommended technologies based on a scoring system that rates the technologies against the desired application. Brief summaries are available for each recommended technology. If desired, a detailed report can be generated which further describes each process and solvent application. Information concerning solvent alternatives include materials compatibility information, chemical properties, safety precautions, cleaning processes, and combustibility. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are included for all chemicals. The descriptions of alternative processes provide the user can with case studies of implementation, equipment costs, safety precautions, compatible cleaning solutions, and particular applications. Economic summaries vary in detail, but will itemize the cost-benefits to some reasonable degree. The program also includes a National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Degreasers Decision Tree, a State Information Page, a glossary of terms and a process conversion checklist.

Computer Requirements

Any Internet browser connection will allow access to SAGE. All of the information in SAGE, including the Expert System, is also available at the SAGE World Wide Web site at http://sage.rti.org

Alternatives included in SAGE

Process Alternatives

  • Abrasives
  • Brushing
  • Carbone Dioxide (CO2) Pellets
  • CO2 Snow
  • High Pressure Spray
  • Immersion Cleaning
  • Laser Ablation
  • Low Pressure Spray
  • Megasonics
  • Plasma Cleaning
  • Power Washing
  • Semi-Aqueous Cleaning
  • Steam
  • Supercritical CO2
  • Ultrasonics
  • Ultraviolet/Ozone Cleaning
  • Wiping
  • Xenon Flash Lamp

Solvent Alternatives

  • Acetone
  • Acidic Aqueous Solutions
  • Alcohols
  • Alkaline Aqueous Solutions
  • Dibasic Esters
  • Ethyl Lactate
  • Glycol Ethers
  • Neutral Aqueous Solutions
  • N-Methyl Pyrrolidone
  • Petroleum Distillates
  • Pure Water
  • Terpenes


Compliance Benefit: Use of EPA’s Solvent Alternatives Guide allows facilities to choose alternative cleaning and degreasing technologies. Technologies that do not use toxic or ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) may decrease the amounts of solvents and/or ODSs on site below any of the reporting thresholds of SARA Title III for those chemicals (40 CFR 355, 370, and 372; and Executive Order (EO) 13148). In addition, the decrease in toxic chemicals may decrease the need for a facility to obtain an air permit (40 CFR 70 and 71). Switching from a halogenated solvent (i.e., methyl chloroform, methylene chloride, and perchloroethylene) may also decrease the need for a facility to meet the NESHAPs for halogenated solvent cleaning (40 CFR 63). Using a non-ODS will also help facilities meet the requirements under 40 CFR 82 and EO 13148 requiring federal agencies to maximize the use of safe alternatives to Class I and Class II ODSs, to the maximum extent practicable. Moreover, depending on what alternative is used the facility may decrease the amount of hazardous waste generated (i.e., no waste solvent generated). Waste reduction is required under RCRA, 40 CFR 262. The reduction of hazardous waste may also help facilities reduce their generator status and regulatory burden (i.e., recordkeeping, reporting, inspections, transportation, accumulation time, emergency prevention and preparedness, and emergency response) under RCRA, 40 CFR 262.

The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as general guidelines and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g., the amount of workload involved.
Materials Compatibility: No materials compatibility issues were identified.
Safety and Health: Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology.
Benefits:
  • Provides a quick but detailed reference for a variety of EPA-approved chemical and process alternatives.


Disadvantages:
  • Need Internet or Web access.
  • Need some level of computer literacy.
  • Need to have knowledge of cleaning operation that will be changed.


Economic Analysis: SAGE software is free to use and download. The time committed to mastering a very user-friendly program is outweighed by this program’s utility.
NSN/MSDS: None identified.
Approving Authority: Appropriate authority for making process changes should always be sought prior to procuring or implementing any of the technologies identified herein.


Points of Contact: For more information
Vendors: This is not meant to be a complete list, as there may be other manufacturers of this type of equipment.

National Technical Information Service
Technology Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA  22161
Phone: (703) 605-6000
FAX: (703) 321-8257
URL: http://www.ntis.gov/


Related Links: Do You Need Assistance In Identifying Solvent Substitutes? -- Navy Environmental Quality Initiative (EQI)


Sources: Mr. Elizabeth Hill, Research Triangle Institute, January 2003.
Mr. Charles Darvin, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, October 2002.
U.S. EPA SAGE documentation.