trichloroethylene

n. chemical compound used as a degreasing agent and as a solvent (Chemistry)

The chemical compound trichloroethylene is a chlorinated hydrocarbon commonly used as an industrial solvent. It is a clear non-flammable liquid with a sweet smell.Its IUPAC name is trichloroethene. In industry, it is informally referred to by the abbreviations TCE, Trike and tri, and it is sold under a variety of trade names. In addition to its industrial uses, trichloroethylene was used from about 1930 as a volatile anesthetic and analgesic in millions of patients, before its toxic properties were realized.
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Trichloroethylene /tri·chlo·ro·eth·y·lene/ a clear, mobile liquid used as an industrial solvent; formerly used as an inhalant anesthetic. [more]Trichloroethylene - Community and Resources

Noun
1. a heavy colorless highly toxic liquid used as a solvent to clean electronic components and for dry cleaning and as a fumigant; causes cancer and liver and lung damage
(synonym) trichloroethane, TCE
(hypernym) ethylene, ethene

chemical formula C2HCl3, trichloroethylene is a liquid at room temperature and was at one time widely used as a source of chlorine for furnace cleans. During the cleaning process, Nitrogen gas is bubbled through heated trichloroethylene liquid. The nitrogen gas leaves the bubbler carrying vapor of trichloroethylene into the furnace where it disassociates into carbon and chlorine. It is very important that sufficient oxygen is present during the cleaning process to suppress the formation of toxic phosgene gas. Trichloroethylene vapor pressure ranges from approximately 20mm of Hg at 0oC, 75mm of Hg at 25oC to 200mm of Hg at 50oC. The use of trichloroethylene has essentially ceased due to the carcinogenic nature of trichloroethylene.