Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Solvent

The US Navy seeks to commercialize through patent licensing a unique composition that has proven effective for cleaning oils, hydraulic fluids and grease while meeting stringent new environmental regulations. The Technology The Naval Air Station's Materials Engineering Division in Patuxent River, MD, has developed a non-petroleum-based solvent cleaner, NAVSOLVE™, which meets and exceeds stringent low-VOC and HAP-free specifications such as those of California's South Coast Air Quality Management District, as well as the DoD's own MIL-PRF-32295" Cleaner, Non-Aqueous, Low-VOC, HAP-Free. " NAVSOLVE™ is the only composition which meets and exceeds MIL-PRF-32295 for Type II cleaners, which involve a wet applications with a cloth or spray and air drying. Background and Opportunity Current petroleum-based solvents are widely used commercially and in the US military but contain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which cause health and environmental problems. Typical petroleum-based solvents such as mineral spirits, Stoddard Solvent, PD-680, and MIL-PRF-680 contain significant quantities of these compounds that release into the air during cleaning processes and contribute to the level of ground-level ozone (photochemical smog) which can damage lung tissue, cause respiratory illness and damage vegetation. NAVSOLVE™ is available for testing under an LP-CRADA and available for commercialization under a licensing agreement. The Navy has filed a patent on the composition. Benefits Cleaning efficiency equal to that of MIL-PRF 680 Low-VOC/HAP-free/Non-ODS High flash point (>140°F) Non-offensive odor Fast drying Nontoxic and noncorrosive Compatible with metal and non-metals