Degreasing chemicals can be used to help clean up oil spills.
During many routine manufacturing and industrial processes, or when there are accidental spills, it is very common for grease and oil to spill onto surfaces. When this occurs, degreasing chemicals can be used to remove the oily substances. There are many different types of chemical degreasers that can be used, such as degreasing sprays, powders, detergents, and foams, as well as solvent vapor degreasers and vapor degreasers.
Chemical degreasers can be used in a laboratory setting.
The most common degreasing chemicals for industrial manufacturing and use are detergent-based products that use a combination of chemical concentrates suspended in a liquid or powder base. Each type of degreasing product is designed to clean a specific type of grease, oil or dirt. Chemical degreasers of this type can be used for a one-time cleaning job or for routine care of equipment and machinery in factories.
Chemical degreasing detergents are commonly used in manufacturing facilities.
When a grease or oil spill becomes combustible or harmful to the environment, chemical foam degreasers are often needed. They are made by oxygenating the chemical through a system that combines the chemicals with air particles. The foam is easy to handle and quickly suffocates grease or oils that can catch fire and must be contained quickly. Foams can also be applied to difficult surfaces, such as waterways, to contain oil and grease spills and keep them on the surface for skimming.
Degreasing chemicals can be used in detergents.
Another type of degreasing chemical is used specifically to clean thick oils and greases such as those found in factories. These are degreasing chemicals known as vapor solvents. These fine liquid chemicals are sprayed or spilled onto surfaces and react with the grease to break it down and vaporize it. This requires oxygen to start the chemical process and ventilation to maintain air quality during use.
Some household cleaning products contain degreasers, especially those designed to clean appliances.
An inferior version of the widely available industrial and personal vapor degreasing chemicals provides the cleaner in steam or hot form. These chemicals are usually suspended in a semi-oily substance, and when a squirt is added, they dissolve the grease and break it down so it can be removed. There are also water-based or vegetable oil-based grease-dissolving chemicals. They remove fats and oils from surfaces.