Overview
ISO 8232:1988 specifies methods to define and check key characteristics of closed‑circuit dry‑cleaning machines, focusing on solvent management and emissions. The standard covers procedures to measure solvent consumption, the efficiency of solvent recovery during drying, and solvent concentrations in the surrounding atmosphere. Industrial safety requirements are explicitly excluded; users must follow relevant safety/regulatory documents separately.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Test methods for closed‑circuit machines equipped with integral solvent‑recovery systems; regeneration operations are not part of the machine definition.
- Test cycles: Use a “manufacturer” cycle and/or a “theoretical” cycle. For perchloroethylene the theoretical drying temperatures are specified (inlet ~78 °C, outlet ~58 °C).
- Load and conditioning:
- Nominal load composition: typically modern clothing mix (example: 20% wool, 50% polyester/wool, 30% cotton).
- Loads must be conditioned (e.g., 20 °C ± 2 °C and specified relative humidity) and tested at nominal capacity.
- Solvent consumption:
- Recorded as litres per cycle at nominal capacity (or as % of nominal capacity).
- Typical check: stabilize filters/separator, run 100 cycles (10 cycles per test day), measure solvent added to restore mark.
- Solvent recovery efficiency:
- Conducted under controlled ambient conditions (e.g., 23 °C ± 3 °C, RH 60% ± 15%).
- Measure solvent recovered during drying across three series of operations and plot recovery vs time.
- Atmospheric solvent concentrations:
- Measurement points and sensor placement follow Annex A (representative test‑plant layouts).
- Reference limit for perchloroethylene: average integrated concentration not higher than 335 mg/m³ (one‑day trial). Limits for other solvents are specified (e.g., 1,1,1‑trichloroethane: 1 050 mg/m³).
- Test environment: Annex A defines representative room sizes, air‑renewal rates (based on machine nominal capacity), and sensor locations for machines ≤20 kg and >20 kg.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Dry‑cleaning machine manufacturers - to validate machine performance claims for solvent consumption and recovery.
- Test laboratories and quality assurance teams - to perform standardized performance and emission testing.
- Equipment purchasers and facility managers - to compare machines on solvent efficiency and environmental impact.
- Regulatory bodies and auditors - as a reference for measurement methods (not as a safety code).
Related standards
- ISO 139 (referenced for conditioning and testing atmospheres).
- Local occupational health and environmental regulations for solvent exposure and workplace safety (not covered by ISO 8232).
Keywords: ISO 8232:1988, closed‑circuit dry‑cleaning machines, solvent consumption, solvent recovery efficiency, perchloroethylene, dry‑cleaning testing, solvent emissions.