Solvent Recycler Troubleshooting & Repair Guide

Customers who buy our solvent recyclers always appreciate their low maintenance requirements. These machines are excellent for the environment, for your productivity and for your business results.

When something goes wrong, it’s essential to be able to diagnose and solve the problem quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to help you quickly diagnose and repair any problems that may arise with your solvent recycler.

The most common issues are:

• Unit heats but does not distill
• Smoke coming out from the lid
• Lid gasket swollen
• Solvent leaking from the lid gasket
• Unit is in operation mode but is not heating. Indicator light is ON
• Partial distillation of the used solvent
• Trouble light flashes and alarm is signaling a problem
• Distillate comes out dirty
• Condenser is corroded
• Distillation time is more than 4 hours

Issue #1 : Unit heats but does not distill

• Boiler is dirty
• The solvent boiling point is higher than the temperature indicated on the control panel
• The solvent boiling temperature is higher than the recycler’s highest temperature setting
• Thermic oil is worn out
• Lack of thermic oil

• Clean the boiler
• Set a higher temperature on the control panel
• Use a solvent with a lower boiling temperature or vacuum distill with the suitable kit (optional)
• Change thermal oil
• Add thermal oil

Issue #2 : Smoke coming out from the lid

• Contaminants overheating
• Contaminants decomposing
• Dirt on lid gasket

• Reduce time and/or working temperature
• Possibly vacuum distilled with the suitable kit
• Clean lid gasket

Issue #3 : Lid gasket swollen

• Cover is opened while the recycler is hot
• The lid gasket is not suitable for the type of solvent to be distilled

Wait to open the lid until one hour after the cycle is complete
Replace the gasket with a more suitable one for your particular solvent

Issue #4 : Solvent leaking from the lid gasket

• Worn out lid gasket
• Vapor manifold is clogged
• Vapor condenser is clogged

• Replace the gasket
• Using a funnel, pour in clean solvent, wash vapor tube and blow air into the tube
• Replace the condenser

Issue #5 : Unit is in operation mode but is not heating. Indicator light is ON

• Temperature is set at zero
• Burnt out heater
• Mechanical thermostats are defective
• Thermocouple sensor is defective

• Increase temperature
• Change the defective heater
• Change the faulty thermostat
• Change the faulty thermocouple

Issue #6 : Partial distillation of the used solvent

• Insufficient operating time selected
• The undistilled fraction has a boiling temperature higher than the temperature set on the control panel
• Solvent-boiling temperature is higher than the recycler’s maximum working temperature

• Increase the operating time
• Set a higher temperature on the control panel
• Switch to a solvent with a lower boiling point or use a vacuum operated unit

Issue #7 : Trouble light flashes and alarm is signaling a problem

• Distillate temperature is over 40°C (104°F)
• Ventilator motor burnt out
• Vapor condenser is internally dirty
• Vapor condenser externally scaled
• The safety thermostat is defective

Replace the fan motor
Clean with compressed air
Clean the unit by pouring clean solvent with a funnel into the manifold
Replace the thermostat

Issue #8 : Distillate comes out dirty

• Unit was loaded with too much solvent
• Solvent foams
• Temperature set on the control panel is too high
• Vapor manifold or condenser is dirty

• Remove some solvent and make sure to not overload the unit
• Wait at least 48 hours before beginning a new cycle
• Reduce working temperature
• Wash it by pouring clean solvent with a funnel into the manifold

Issue #9 : Condenser is corroded

• The solvent is acidic
• Distilling a chlorinated solvent
• Temperature set on the control panel is higher than the temperature indicated
• Solvent acidifies. If the temperature set on the control panel is correct, acidification occurs during the process before distillation

• Replace copper condenser with a stainless steel condenser
• Set the correct working temperature
• Replace the solvent immediately

Issue #10 : Distillation time is more than 4 hours

• There is a considerable percentage of water in the dirty solvent
• Lack of thermal oil
• Thermic oil is worn out
• Heater is scaled

• Replace the solvent
• Add thermal oil
• Change thermal oil
• Remove thermal oil and clean the heater

As you can see, the number of problems that can arise with your solvent recycler is limited.

However, for every cause, there is a fairly simple remedy to quickly repair your recycler.

If you have any further questions about our solvent recyclers, please contact your sales representative directly or write to us at info@istpure.com and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.