Component Cleaning & Refurbishment Capabilities
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NASA's Kennedy Space Center boasts comprehensive Component Cleaning & Refurbishment capabilities housed within a Class 100 Cleanroom. This specialized environment features separate rooms for solvent and aqueous cleaning processes. The facility is equipped with five high-pressure test cells and one cryogenic test cell, enabling rigorous evaluation of cleaned components.
A key component of the cleaning operation is a three-stage ultrasonic degreasing system, capable of employing various chemical baths including acids, caustics, detergents, and more. These baths serve multiple purposes - cleaning, passivation, and pickling of parts. For finishing, an electropolishing station is utilized.
For more demanding cleaning needs, a high-pressure impingement cleaning station provides additional options. The facility also includes glassware washers/dryers and drying ovens to accommodate various cleaning requirements.
Maintaining an optimal environment is critical, and the cleanroom is outfitted with explosion-proof fixtures and equipment. Solvent recovery and recycling systems support the use of specific solvents like Vertrel MCA, HFE-7100, and CFC-113. Instrumentation is on hand to measure key parameters such as pH, nonvolatile residue, surface tension, temperature, and toxic vapor concentration.
To support in-place cleaning operations, two mobile solvent/chemical trailer rigs are available. This comprehensive suite of capabilities ensures NASA can keep its critical components in optimal condition throughout their lifecycle.
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