Progress in supercritical CO2 cleaning

Over the next few years, supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) will play a vital role in helping industry meet government-mandated schedules for eliminating CFCs and other ozone-depleting compounds. Research has shown that SCCO2 can be used effectively for many cleaning applications in the aerospace industry. The 10-yr evolution of SCCO2 cleaning technology at Hughes culminated last year with the implementation of a commercial-scale cleaning unit. Currently, we are developing equipment and processes to meet a broad range of industrial cleaning needs, both inside and outside the aerospace sector. 8 refs.