Like all equipment, a solvent recycler needs regular maintenance to keep it running at peak performance.
Many customers and prospects have told us that this is an often misunderstood aspect of solvent recyclers.
The good news is that IST Pure batch-type solvent recyclers require very little maintenance.
Whether you have one of our small capacity batch-type solvent recyclers, or one of the large capacity batch-type solvent recyclers, this guide will explain the daily, monthly and annual maintenance you need to perform, to keep your solvent recycler running efficiently.
Daily Maintenance / Before & After Each Use
Daily maintenance, or maintenance after each use, of one of our solvent recyclers is very simple.
It’s as simple as cleaning the machine’s surfaces and checking the consumables.
Before Each Use
Before each use, there are a few steps you should take to ensure that your solvent recycler is operating safely and optimally.
1) Check that the lid gasket is clean and in good condition
Before each cycle, it’s important to ensure that the lid gasket is in good condition and undamaged. A damaged gasket could prevent the boiler from sealing properly, which could cause damage and interfere with the efficiency of the recycling process.
2) Check that the boiler rim is clean
To ensure a good seal between the lid and the boiler, you must always ensure that the boiler rim is clean and free of debris. Without a good seal, the machine’s operation could be negatively affected.
3) Check that the pierced plug (E/I) is unobstructed
To ensure efficient and above all safe operation of your solvent recycler, be sure to check that the pierced plug on the top of the recycler, in front of the boiler, is not obstructed before each use.
After Each Use
A little cleaning after each use will keep your solvent recycler running smoothly for many years to come. We have customers who have had the same solvent recycler for over 15 years without any problems!
Here are the two things to do after each use to ensure your solvent recycler’s longevity:
1) Check that the bottom of the boiler is clean
It’s important to clean the boiler thoroughly after each cycle of the recycler, as a build-up of residue will reduce heat transfer and could cause a malfunction.
2) Make sure surfaces are clean
Regular cleaning of the recycler’s surfaces is important to maintain it and ensure its longevity. Wiping the surfaces with a cloth will ensure that residues don’t build up.
Monthly Maintenance
1) Examine and replace damaged or illegible stickers
To ensure proper use of the recycler and the efficiency of your work, be sure to replace any damaged or illegible stickers.
2) Check that the condenser fins are clean
Every month, the condenser must be thoroughly cleaned of dust and debris to ensure optimum recycler performance. This can be done using compressed air.
3) Check oil level
With the unit cold, use a dipstick to check that the thermal oil level in the overflow tank is at least 1″ (minimum).
Annual Maintenance (or every 2000 hours)
After one year or 2000 hours of use, your solvent recycler is ready for its annual maintenance. The annual maintenance consists of 3 easy steps.
1) Change the lid gasket
It’s important to change the lid gasket to prevent solvent escaping and affecting the efficiency of the solvent recycler.
The steps involved in changing the gasket may vary, depending on whether you have the orange rubber gasket or the black braided gasket.
2) Change the thermal oil
It is necessary to change the oil completely every year (or after 2000 hours) to avoid reducing the life expectancy of the recycler, and to avoid increasing the distillation time due to thermal oil degradation.
3) Clean the level detector
Cleaning the level detector annually is an important step in keeping your solvent recycler running smoothly. After cleaning, it’s important to ensure that the probe mark points towards the bottom of the boiler.
As you can see, IST Pure solvent recyclers require minimal maintenance.
Our solvent recyclers have been designed to maximize your productivity while keeping maintenance to a minimum.
The important thing to remember is to keep the unit clean at all times, check the lid gasket at least once a month, and perform minor maintenance once a year (or after 2000 hours of use), i.e. change the oil, the lid gasket and clean the level sensor.
If you have questions or need support, we invite you to contact us at (877) 629-8202 or by e-mail at info@istpure.com.
