Supporting Precision Cleaning for the Aerospace Industry
Based in Cocoa, Florida, PFC specializes in precision cleaning of ground support and flight hardware for leading aerospace companies. Their work ensures that critical components used in launching weather satellites, telecommunications satellites, and manned missions meet stringent cleanliness standards. Precision cleaning removes particulate and non-volatile residue (NVR) contaminants from fluid systems that supply rocket engines, an essential safeguard against catastrophic launch failures.
The Challenge: High Solvent Loss and Labor-Intensive Operation
PFC’s cleaning process relies heavily on IPA to remove hydrocarbons, greases, and other combustible residues that could react dangerously with oxygen. The company’s previous IPA distillation system was inefficient, recovering only about 60% of solvent per batch (20 gallons processed yielded just 12 gallons of clean IPA). Each 5-hour distillation cycle required active technician monitoring and manual refilling, adding significant labor and time costs. With an annual IPA usage of approximately 5,500 gallons, these higher costs and greater expenses quickly compounded.
The Solution: SolvTrue™ S3000PW2 Solvent Recycler
PFC installed its first SolvTrue™ S3000PW2 solvent distillation unit in September 2022 to improve recovery rates and reduce manual oversight. The system’s automated fill feature eliminated the need for constant technician supervision, while its advanced distillation technology achieved a *99% solvent recovery rate, a dramatic improvement over the previous system.
Proven ROI and Expansion
The efficiency gains translated into a return on investment of less than two years based solely on solvent recovery savings. Impressed with the consistent performance and reliability of the SolvTrue™ S3000PW2, PFC expanded its recycling capacity with a second unit purchased in June 2025.
“The SolvTrue™ S3000PW2 achieved a 99% recovery rate and has proven both reliable and easy to operate. Between the reduced solvent loss and automation, the system paid for itself in under two years,” said James Bowers, Director of Cleaning and Testing Operations, Precision Fabricating & Cleaning Co.
A Long-Term Commitment to Sustainable Operations
PFC continues to rely on SolvTrue™ solvent recycling systems to maintain the highest cleaning standards, while improving sustainability and cost efficiency. The company anticipates continued use of these systems to support its precision cleaning operations for years to come.
Download the Success Story
View and download the success story PDF.
Questions?
If you have questions or want to discuss solvent recycling for your operations, reach out to CBG Biotech. Our team can help determine the best system for optimal savings.
