"James Waldby" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:16:24 -0500, technomaNge wrote:
On 09/09/2011 12:34 PM, Ignoramus5263 wrote:
I looked for parts washing solvent, and I am finding that it is a lot
more expensive than other hydrocarbons like kerosene. I am wondering,
why is this the case?

Any idea what is a relatively cheap way to get about 40-50 gallons of
that stuff.

My parts washer is homemade from a 15 gallon drum with a kitchen sink
bolted to it. I use an old 12vdc gas pump submerged in the tank by an
old coathanger. Solvent is 10 gallons of diesel fuel. Fuel that is too
dirty to clean any longer is pumped into 5 gallon gas cans and delivered
to my oil change place where it is dumped into their tank of mystery
oil.
...

What do you mean by "too dirty to clean any longer" ? Seems like
some settling, followed by screen, cheesecloth, and coffee filter
paper would get almost all dirt and grit out of the mix. I don't
know how much of a problem dissolved grease and oil is, as far as
cleaning effectiveness; is that where the problem is? Or is
it more of a "too dirty to mess with anymore" problem?

--
jiw

I had pondered that point, too, then remembered my high school chemistry
about solids and solvents. An increase in some of the solvent levels could
affect the whole solution. Particularly liquids that tend to stratify and
separate. And then there's the ph factor to be considered. And the
flammability of the whole thing as it changes from pure diesel fuel to a mix
of many things. Carburetors are cleaned occasionally, and a build up of gas
could occur. And a very large explosion can be had with a very small amount
of gasoline evaporating into the air of a closed shop, and then the
compressor kicks on with a spark at the contact points, and ............. I
do not know if the diesel fuel would keep the aromatic gas from offgassing
into the surrounding air, but I wouldn't want to bet a whole shop, and the
windows a block around on it.

Steve