Problem Cause Comments Recommendations Location
Black See Solvent Fails to Clear See Solvent Fails to Clear

See Solvent Fails to Clear

 Wash or rinse solvent
Green The presence of ammonia or amine-bearing components in the solvent When ammonia or amine-bearing compounds are exposed to sufficient copper surface area, a copper amine or ammonia complex may form, causing solvent to turn green

Color can sometimes be eliminated by filtering solvent for several hours through double the normal of precoat. If ineffective, distill inventory of affected solvent. Use ammonia spotting solutions sparingly. Tin line copper surface areas exposed to solvent, such as solvent lines and water cooled solvent coolers or chillers.

 Wash or rinse solvent
Green Green color condensate from dryer, still or adsorber usually results from corrosion products of copper condensing coils or base tank chiller coils Normally, insoluble copper compounds are put into solution by carriers such as volatile impurities and soluble organic compounds which enter the solvent during reclamation Clean, repair or replace copper condensing coils as required. Transfer solvent inventory to still and reclaim. Do not exceed pressure limitations specified by manufacturer. Tin line solvent chiller coils. Storage solvent
Green or Blue Water Corrosion of copper condensing coils in dryers, stills, muck cookers or sniffers Presence in equipment of inorganic copper salts, such as copper chloride Clean or replace copper condensing coils as needed Water separator. 
Reddish Brown Corrosion of black iron drums or storage tanks (frequently initiated by the presence of excess water in the system) Check for the presence of insoluble, finely dispersed iron corrosion products. Also check for presence of excess water. Prevent water from entering system. Drain and clean or replace corroded drums and tanks. Storage solvent
Rose or Blue Solvent soluble dyes and/or pigments in plastic or rubber gasketing material, seals, and hoses of solvent transfer mechanism Some pumps and hoses, including hand pumps, contain colored plastic and rubber components that are not solvent resistant

Distill inventory of affected solvent. Pretest any new solvent transfer equipment.

 Storage solvent
Yellow Fugitive dyes and excessive variety of various contaminants, solvent additives, finishing agents and prespotting products Poor color rating of matured solvent results from an excess of solvent soluble oils, greases, waxes, fatty acids, tars, vegetable, mineral or animal oils, detergents, prespotting additives, finishing agents and solvent additives Set up a distillation schedule whereby at least 4 gallons of solvent are distilled per 100 pounds of clothes. Use carbon when solvent color dictates. Rinse solvent
Yellow Improper reclamation procedures. High steam pressures and prolonged operation to remove last traces of solvent from residues. Yellow reclaimed solvent results from the presence of higher boiling contaminants and from residual products entering distillate Follow distillation procedures recommended by equipment manufacturer and stop operation when solvent flow decreases to trickle. Never exceed 66 psi steam pressure.

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