HOW MUCH DOES A VACUUM VAPOR DEGREASER COST?

The straightforward answer to the question “What is the capital expenditure for a vacuum vapor degreaser?” is that it typically ranges from 2 to 2.5 times the cost of an Open Top Vapor Degreaser (OTVD). A more comprehensive inquiry pertains to the total cost of ownership over the equipment’s lifecycle, which primarily hinges on the type of solvent utilized. Industry analyses usually consider a 20-year lifecycle horizon, within which many units installed in the 1990s remain operational. Additionally, payback period calculations are conducted, with a standard span of 3 to 5 years, corresponding to an internal rate of return (IRR) of approximately 15–25% compounded annually. To illustrate, a 15% IRR over five years can be used as a benchmark.

Consider an example involving an 8-foot-long by 2.5-foot-wide degreasing chamber with an acquisition cost of $100,000. The comparable Vacuum Vapor Degreaser (VVD) designed for an identical basket size typically ranges from $250,000 to $300,000. The critical inquiry pertains to whether the VVD system offers a cost savings of $150,000 to $200,000 over a five-year operational period. While factors such as energy consumption, waste management, and labor requirements are often scrutinized, these expenses tend to be marginal relative to chemical costs. Therefore, for analytical simplicity, the focus here is on the solvent recovery efficiency and the resultant cost savings.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has compiled sufficient data to model the emission levels of solvents from an Open-Top Vapor Degreaser (OTVD) based on parameters including equipment size, control device specifications, and operational hours — encompassing working hours, idling periods, and shutdown durations. Considering the specified OTVD, assume the system operates with parts in the chamber for 6 hours daily, remains idling without parts for 2 hours, and is fully shut down for 16 hours. Additionally, assume the OTVD has a freeboard ratio of 1, employs a cover that seals during degreasing, features a high-performance hoist with optimal speed, and utilizes freeboard refrigeration for vapor control. Under these conditions, the unit is estimated to consume approximately 15,000 pounds of solvent annually over 250 operational days. In comparison, the Vapor Vapor Degreaser (VVD) would use approximately 300 pounds of solvent over the same period. The resultant solvent savings equate to approximately 14,700 pounds annually. This quantitative comparison allows for straightforward cost analysis based on solvent consumption savings.

If you currently have an OTVD, you can perform your own calculation. The savings are approximately 98% of the total solvent cost. To estimate your savings, multiply this number by 5. If you don’t have this data, contact us, and we can supply you with the numbers. See PERFORMANCE for additional savings.