Trichloroethylene

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Trichloroethylene (TRI) is a partially chlorinated C2-hydrocarbon with the formula C₂Cl₃H. TRI is used:

1. as feedstock material to produce fluorinated hydrocarbons (for instance for use in refrigeration and airconditioning systems) and fluorinated polymers and
2. as an industrial solvent in various applications, among which the cleaning of storage tanks for liquid oxygen and hydrogen.

Whereas in the past the use as a solvent was predominant, it's today the contrary: the majority of produced TRI (ca. 80%) goes into the production of other chemicals.

TRI is a clear non-flammable liquid with an 87°C boiling point ,has good chemical stability, is non-miscible with water and has a low evaporation energy (about 9 times lower than water). This makes TRI well-suited for vapor phase decreasing and equipment internal recycling through distillation with a constant re-use in closed loop systems at high quality levels.

The use of closed systems is being strongly recommended by ECSA and will become a precondition for sales into surface cleaning uses under the ECSA TRI Charter .
Consult the ECSA TRI Charter.

TRI provides excellent solubility for oils, greases and resins combined with the non-flammability, easy drying and low surface tension which have made TRI a common used solvent for a range of substances and applications.
For more information, you can download Trichloroethylene: legislation, markets, uses document (pdf)

The European Chlorinated Solvent Association (ECSA) has developed an online toolbox to provide users of chlorinated solvents with information about the safe & sustainable use of the products.
See the ECSA Product & Application Toolbox, a Guidance on Safe & Sustainable Use of Chlorinated Solvents.

Jan 2012