STOWAGE OF THE DRY-CLEANING SOLVENT
NSTM S9086-WK-STM-010 of Sept 87 contains stowage requirements for chlorinated cleaning solvents. Chapter 670 includes the stowage, handling, and disposal of hazardous general-use consumables. Do not stow tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) near heat sources, or allow contact with hot surfaces. Do

Figure 6-2.-Multimatic dry-cleaning machine.

not smoke in areas where dry-cleaning solvent is stowed or used. All stowage areas should be well ventilated and checked regularly by the gas-free engineer. Do not stow dry-cleaning solvent near any substance that the solvent is not compatible with including strong alkalies such as sodium hydroxide, oxidizers such as calcium hypochlorite and sodium nitrate, or powdered metals such as aluminum.

SANITATION
To protect themselves, personnel working in the dry-cleaning plant where they are exposed to dry-cleaning solvents should receive a physical examination on a schedule determined by the medical officer. Dry-cleaning personnel should wear clean uniforms, maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands frequently, especially after visiting head facilities or handling soiled clothing. Dry-cleaning facilities should be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. The medical officer should provide the dry-cleaning plant with sanitation instructions and inspect the dry-cleaning areas frequently. The medical officer should also provide a copy of the sanitation instructions to be posted in plain view in the dry-cleaning area.

DRY-CLEANING EQUIPMENT
Dry cleaning, in spite of its name, is a washing process. Steps in the process are roughly similar to those for washing with water, but the dif-ferences are important. The equipment used in dry-cleaning fabrics is listed in the Naval Sea Systems Command's Navy Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Equipment Catalog and is currently used in shipboard dry-cleaning plants.

DRY-CLEANING MACHINE
The dry-cleaning machines shown in figures 6-2 and 6-3 are generally used on most Navy ships.

Figure 6-3.- VIC dry-cleaning machine.

Although they look different, they basically operate on the same principles. The dry-cleaning machine shown in figure 6-2 is commonly called the multimatic (Model Solo) and has a load capacity of 30 pounds. The dry-cleaning machine shown in figure 6-3 is the VIC model manufac-tured by the VIC Manufacturing Company and the components are shown for your reference. The dry-cleaning units used today are much easier and safer to operate than machines used in the past. They eliminate the job of moving solvent-ladened clothes from one machine to another. You simply load the machine and when the cycle is complete clothes are dry and ready to press. This lowers the risk of solvent exposure. Listed below is basically what happens to a load during a complete cycle:
1. The load is placed in the washer basket, where solvent and soap, with the motion of the machine, carry on the initial washing process.
2. The solvent travels in a cycle through the washing basket into the filter-where much of the dirt it has collected is removed- and back into the washer, where the load is rinsed.
3. A portion of the solvent is drained off after it passes through the filter. This solvent enters the distilling unit, where it is completely purified. This is done by heating the solvent until it vaporizes. The vapor is then run over cold pipes to lower its temperature rapidly and return it to a liquid state. After distilling, the solvent again enters the washing cycle. By this means the total amount of solvent in the machine is kept at an acceptable level of purity for a long time.
4. At the end of the washing-rinsing period, the flow of solvent is automatically shut off and the machine spins to extract the solvent from the load.
5. After extraction, any remaining solvent is reclaimed during the drying process. This is done by tumbling the garments in a stream of warm air that vaporizes the solvent. The solvent-ladened air is passed over a cooling coil, condensed into liquid solvent, and returned to the stowage tank for reuse. The length of the drying cycle depends

Figure 6-4.- Dry-cleaning press.

on the setting of the temperature on the thermostat. Until the temperature setting is reached, the drying cycle continues (normally about 12 minutes). The temperature setting, depending on the garment, should be set between 140 to 150 F.
6. Once the desired temperature is reached and the bulk of the solvent reclaimed, the clothes are treated with a stream of fresh air. This portion of the dry-cleaning process is the deodorizing cycle that strips away any remaining odor or solvent vapor that may still be left in the clothes.