Branson B Series - Page 88

B Series Degreaser Maintenance
Rev G Page 94
Desiccant
Desiccant is used with solvents containing alcohol or other additives that are soluble in water.
Consult the solvent manufacturer to determine if your solvent requires desiccant.
Desiccant must be tested routinely and changed when necessary. It may be regenerated and
reused; check with the desiccant manufacturer for regeneration instructions.
5.5.1 Testing Frequency
The rate of desiccant exhaustion is determined by the amount of water introduced by the
parts, the ambient humidity and the temperature of the condensing and cold trap coils.
Note: For maximum solvent and equipment life, do not allow the desiccant to become fully loaded
with water. Change the desiccant before the desiccant test shows positive.
Use the following guidelines to determine testing frequency for your local conditions. The
guidelines also detail how to obtain the maximum life from the desiccant.
• Each working shift, test the solvent leaving the water separator until you can establish a
baseline. For example: After testing the desiccant twice per shift and changing the
desiccant three times, you may determine that the SHORTEST desiccant life is four days
and the LONGEST desiccant life is six days.
• Revise your testing schedule. Continuing the example above: Test on the third day a
nd
t
hen daily until the desiccant needs to be changed.
• If you observe free water in the desiccant chamber, then change the desiccant regardless
of the test results.
5.5.2 Testing Procedure
Use the desiccator test kit, PN 000-870-901, to detect the presence of water in the solvent
leaving the water separator.
1. Turn off the cleaner and allow the vapor zone to collapse.
2. Remove a 100ml solvent sample from the ultrasonic tank and place the sample in a
beaker.
3. Add 1 teaspoon of Tel-Tale Indicating Silica Gel to the solvent sample.
4. Stir the contents of the beaker for one minute and then set the beaker aside for thirty
minutes.
5. If the gel shows a pink tinge, the desiccant is loaded and must be changed.
5.5.3 Changing the Desiccant Procedure
1. Turn off the degreaser and allow the vapor zone to collapse.
2. Remove the desiccant container.
Warning Wear solvent resistant gloves and a face shield when changing desiccant. Liquid solvent
may damage the skin and eyes.
3. Suspend the desiccant container above the separator until all dripping stops.