A volatile organic compound-free system for cleaning tubing and piping substitutes deionized water for more costly isopropyl alcohol (IPA).

Inside a fuel tankDeveloped by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center scientists to clean flight tubing, Precision Green Cleaning technology has potential application in industries where IPA is commonly used to clean tubing and piping, or potentially where other water-cleaning applications are used. These may include aerospace, pharmaceutical, bioprocessing, and food and beverage sectors.

The cleaning system reduces cost and carbon consumption and does not create any waste for which costly disposal is usually required. It uses nitrogen bubbles in water, which act as a scrubbing agent to clean equipment. Cleaning effectiveness is equal to or better than IPA processes, the developers say.