Choice of solvent with recovery in mind

In the 1950s, recovery of solvent from air, water or a solvent mixture was almost wholly motivated by the saving of cost it yielded. Destruction by pool burning of waste solvents was an acceptable practice for large respectable firms and solvent-contaminated water was air-stripped to transfer pollution from water to air. 

Apart from a few solvents (e.g. tar bases) that had very unpleasant smells, venting to atmosphere only began to be covered by legislation in the UK in the 1970s. 

While the rate at which further regulations will be applied is unlikely to match that of the last 20 years 

Solvent performance Solubility parameter Kauri butanol value Hildebrand solubility parameter Polarity 

Evaporation rate Molecular weight Vapour pressure Boiling point Viscosity Freezing point Fire and explosion hazards Flash point 

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Table 10.4 (Continued) Choice of solvent with recovery in mind 147... 

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