Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 2.1. Common Chlorinated Solvents and Their Major Use(s)
Common Acronyms
or Trade Names
Solvent
Main Uses
Comments
Tetrachloroethene
Perchloroethene,
perchloroethylene,
ethylenetetrachloride,
carbon dichloride,
PCE, per, perk, perc
Dry cleaning, metal
degreasing, chemical
intermediate, solvent
Dry cleaning is a multi billion-
dollar industry and PCE remains
the solvent of choice for the
majority of the 27,000-30,000
United States dry cleaners and
launderers. United States
demand in 2007 was estimated
at 168,000 metric tons.
European Union (EU) sales in
2005 were 56,000 metric tons.
Trichloroethene
TCE,
trichloroethylene,
acetylene triloride
trethylene, chlorylen,
tri, tric, trichlor
Metal cleaning and
degreasing, chemical
intermediate
Enhanced production of TCE
occurred in the 1990s to replace
TCA, which was banned by the
Montreal Protocol. United
States demand in 1998
estimated at 77,700 metric tons.
Industrial sales of TCE in the EU
declined 89% from 62,000
metric tons in 2001 to 28,000
metric tons in 2005 due to
stringent regulations.
Carbon tetrachloride
Carbon tet,
tetrachloromethane,
perchloromethane,
CT
Solvent,
chlorofuorocarbon
production
Phased out under the Montreal
Protocol. Remaining use as
essential intermediate or for
specialty applications. USEPA
banned its use as a grain
fumigant in 1985. EU production
was 59,691 metric tons in 1996.
Chloroform
Trichloromethane,
methyl trichloride, CF
Chlorofuorocarbon
production, solvent,
chemical intermediate
Mainly used for production
of monochlorodifluoromethane
(CFC 22). Had an application
as inhaled anaesthetic. Total EU
capacity is about 316,000 tons.
Dichloromethane
Methylene chloride,
methylene dichloride,
di-clo, DCM
Solvent for extractions,
paint remover,
degreaser, aerosol
propellant,
foam-blowing agent
Ideal paint remover because
wood is not harmed in the
removal process. DCM is used
to decaffeinate coffee and tea.
United States demand in 2006
estimated at 83,900 metric tons.
EU sales in 2005 were 132,000
metric tons.
1,1,1-Trichloroethane Methyl chloroform,
tri-ethane, TCA
Solvent, metal cleaning
and degreasing,
chemical intermediate,
low-pressure propellant
Clean Air Act Amendments
of 1990 regulated TCA as an
ozone-depleting chemical.
Phased out in 2002 under the
Montreal Protocol. Remaining
use as intermediate or for
specialty applications.
(continued)
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