What Are Oil Dissolving Solvents and What Are They Used For?

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As their name indicates, oil dissolving solvents are formulated cleaning solutions whose properties make them highly useful for dissolving concentrations of oil, as one might find coating the inner workings of an internal combustion engine and on the exposed surfaces of a deep fryer.

oil dissolving solvents

Because oil is a strongly non-polar compound, solvents that dissolve it are highly non-polar and may feature an organic formulation that is high in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Examples of oil dissolvers that are used for commercial and industrial oil removal applications include:

  • Acetone — Commonly used as a cleaner and in cosmetics that remove skin oil
  • Hexane — Frequently used as a solvent for dissolving various types of cooking oil
  • Carbon tetrachloride — Often used as a general cleaner in numerous industries
  • Diethyl ether — Infrequently used to dissolve oils due to its low flash point
  • Benzene — Commonly used in the quarry industry to extract oil from shale

If you are familiar with the safety profiles of oil dissolving solvents, you may recognize that these solvents have dangerous properties that make them unsafe for human use and toxic to the environment. Although typically cheap to purchase and highly effective for many types of oil removal operations, the long-term cost of using the solvents can be quite expensive indeed.

Cost Considerations for Oil Dissolvers

Costs that come with using hazardous oil dissolving solvents include: implementing and maintaining a ventilation system that is designed to remove harmful gases and vapors from the work environment, providing workers with industrial-grade personal protective equipment (PPE), paying workers’ compensation and sick days due to temporary injuries, paying to settle liability lawsuits due to chronic injuries, and paying government fines for emission cap violations.

Finding Suitable Replacements

The reasons above, among others, are why many companies decide to replace toxic oil dissolving solvents with solutions that are formulated to be safe for humans and the environment without sacrificing oil dissolving power. If your company or organization currently uses a hazardous oil dissolver and would like to switch to a safer solution, Ecolink can help. We have several eco-friendly products that are excellent replacements for dangerous oil dissolvers.

Contact Ecolink Today for Oil Dissolving Solvents

If you are looking for replacements for conventional oil dissolving solvents, Ecolink has the solutions you need. Before we propose a replacement cleaner, we carefully consider the needs of the customer in terms of budget, frequency of solvent use, place of solvent use, and reason(s) for solvent use. Once we know these pieces of information, we can make an educated recommendation for replacing a dangerous oil dissolver with something safer.

To start the process of replacing hazardous oil dissolving solvents, call us today at (800) 563-1305 to schedule a free consultation, or simply fill out the contact form located on our website. If you like, we can even send you samples of our replacement solvents so you can see how well they work before you place an order. We look forward to helping you find cleaning solutions that dissolve oil and help protect your workers and the environment!

The Pros and Cons of Using Water Based Solvents for Degreasing

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Water based solvents are are formulated using water as a base instead of using chemicals as a base. Using water based solvents for degreasing has several practical benefits, but there can also be some drawbacks, depending on the needs of the customer.

If you are considering replacing a chemical based degreaser with one that is water based, take some time to review the following pros and cons that apply using a water based solution. If you have any questions, call the solvent specialists at Ecolink by dialing (800) 563-1305.

Pro: No Emission of Toxic Fumes
Most water based degreasers don’t contain all the dangerous chemicals that are found in conventional degreasers. Consequently, they don’t fill the work environment with toxic fumes.

For many companies, switching to eco friendly, water based degreasers costs far less than maintaining a ventilation system for toxic fumes and providing high-end personal protective equipment (PPE) to those that work in close contact with conventional degreasers.

Con: Must be Stored at Normal Temperatures
Water based solvents often have a higher freezing point than degreasers that contain chemicals that have a low freezing point, if they freeze at all. This means that water based solvents should be stored at normal temperatures in order keep them ready to use. Depending on the characteristics of their buildings, this may present a storage problem for some companies.

Pro: No Need for Special Cleaners
When you use conventional degreasers, you must often use an additional cleaner to remove degreaser residue. Using a non-residue, water based solvent eliminates this situation. Whether you apply them by hand or use them in equipment cleaning systems, water based solvents can be cleaned away with water — a characteristic that helps reduce the use of hazardous cleaners.

Con: Washed Away by Other Liquids
Because other liquids wash them away, water based solvents should ideally be applied in a controlled environment that rainwater cannot reach and doesn’t contain a high level of moisture or condensation.

Most companies have no problem creating a suitable environment for applying water based degreaser. However, a company that perform lots of cleaning operations outdoors, such as an auto salvage yard, may need to schedule their operations around the weather forecast.

Pro: Useful for Degreasing Plastics
Many chemical based solvents have a corrosive effect on plastics that damages their strength and appearance. Water based solvents, on the other hand, are routinely formulated to be harmless to plastic. If you need a degreasing solution for an environment that contains plastics, such as the cabin of an industrial vehicle, water based degreasers are a great choice.

Contact Ecolink Today
If you are searching for a suitable replacement for a chemical based degreasing solvent, Ecolink offers a line of cutting edge, water based cleaning solutions that contain the same cleaning power — and sometimes more — than conventional cleaners that contain toxic chemicals.

For assistance choosing the right water based degreasing solvent for the needs of your company, call our solvent specialists today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to assisting you with water based cleaning needs!

What is a Solvent Cleaner?

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A cleaning agent is any substance used to remove an unwanted smell, dust, dirt, or stains from surfaces. Whatever the purpose, cleaning agents exist around every corner in the form of liquids, sprays, powers, or granules. Each consists of a different chemical makeup thus making some more hazardous than others. Solvents are a substance capable of dissolving a solute (liquid, solid, or gas) to form a cleaning or degreasing solution. They are used for a number of industrial strength applications including:

  • Dry Cleaning
  • Nail Polish Removal
  • Spot Removers
  • Detergents
  • Glue Removal
  • Grease Elimination

One important quality of solvent cleaners is the boiling point as it determines the speed and temperature of evaporation. Some solvent cleaners evaporate within seconds at normal room temperature. A low boiling point results in the release of potential toxins into the air quickly under normal conditions. If a solvent has a high boiling point, this means it requires increased temperatures in addition to air flow or vacuum application to evaporate faster. This particular characteristic affects workplace safety during application of certain solvents.

What Dangers Exist When Using Solvent Cleaners?
Solvent cleaners are either organic or inorganic in nature with new water-based options becoming available for safer removal. Isopropyl alcohol is an example of a mild organic solvent because most commercial based formulas contain a percentage of water. Acetone, on the other hand, is a strong organic solvent that must be used with caution. Solvent cleaners using acetone are dangerous to inhale for an extended period of time. Hexane, often used in commercial lubricants, is another example of a strong organic solvent. It is typically applied for removal of stains or spills that do not dissolve in water such as vegetable oil or grease. Workers handling stronger organic solvents must be in a well-ventilated area to reduce the dangers of inhalation.

Inhalation is one of the biggest dangers of strong organic solvent cleaners. Handling requires a well-ventilated area, precautionary clothing, and eye protection in many cases. Those with a low-boiling point are more dangerous for both the environment and people because they have a higher vapor pressure. They are referred to as Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs and consist of any organic chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. A good example would be formaldehyde, which is released from certain paints. The largest health risks are respiratory, allergic, and immune system complications due to inhalation or direct exposure.

Safer Options Are Available
Using solvent cleaners containing low or no VOCs is one option for reducing exposure. Stocking only the needed quantity also reduces exposure as these items evaporate even when not in use. Taking measures to find a lower VOC alternative is equally important. Several companies are able to offer solvent cleaners with Low-VOCs or No VOCs, which do not evaporate as quickly and are safer to handle. At Ecolink, we not only offer choices capable of doing the job with lower VOCs, but also are able to formulate a solvent cleaner based on your specific needs. Contact us today to learn how we are able help you get the same clean with a safer, specially formulated solvent cleaner.

Shop Aerosol Solvents & Degreasers Online

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After conducting the necessary research, and perhaps speaking to a certified professional from Ecolink regarding aerosol solvents and degreasers – which may prove quite helpful should you encounter any questions, concerns, and observations you need answering or clarifying concerning aerosol solvents and degreasers – you may conclude that using this type of cleaning method is most optimal for your industrial cleaning needs. After all, no one knows the cleaning and degreasing process of your industrial parts, metals, products, components, and raw materials better than you do; therefore, you are the ultimate judge of what kind of cleaning and degreasing solutions will maximize cleaning and degreasing efficiency. The professionals at Ecolink believe aerosol solvents and degreasers can be the cleaning and degreasing solutions you are looking for that gives your industrial organizations the best method of cleaning your industrial products. That is why Ecolink offers its customers the opportunity to speak to one of our professionals regarding the use of aerosol solvents and degreasers so they understand fully the benefits, and potential drawbacks, of using this type of cleaning and degreasing solution over others kinds of options available – all of which are completely safe.

After speaking to an Ecolink representative, and if it has been decided that aerosol solvents and degreasers are the solution you need, Ecolink makes it as easy as it can be to purchase the products you will need. You see, Ecolink offers its customers the opportunity to shop for aerosol solvents and degreasers online, straight from the company website. Ecolink has a website page specifically designed for promoting, educating, and offering direction on the several variations of aerosol cleaning and degreasing solutions, as well as a place to purchase straight from the website. Ecolink offers:

• An environmentally preferred aerosol contact cleaner that is odorless and immediately evaporative. It can be used on all non energized equipment.
• An environmentally preferred dielectric degreasing solvent that has been formulated without any hazardous ingredients and chemical components, including chlorinated solvents. It is fully evaporative, completely safe to use, leaves zero residue, contains absolutely no water, and is non flammable.
• A non flammable all purpose aerosol solution that degreases and removes flux, and serves as a replacement for n-propyl bromide and HCFC-225. Known as FluoSolv AP, this general purpose aerosol cleaner and degreaser can be used for almost any degreasing and defluxing applications.

As previously stated, these aerosol degreasers and solvents can be shopped for and ordered online directly from the Ecolink website, making is simple to get the aerosol degreasing products you need for your parts cleaning process. Many other providers of aerosol cleaning and degreasing solutions do not offer online shopping and ordering of industrial products the way Ecolink does, and will normally not provide the kind of detailed information Ecolink provides on its website that helps customeshop iconrs understand the product and determine whether this is indeed the product their industrial organization needs to satisfy all cleaning and degreasing requirements.

Replace your Current Cleaner with Non Toxic Solvents & Degreasers

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For those companies that use cleaning and degreasing agents to rid your industrial parts of harmful particles and contaminants, when was the last time someone at your place of business looked into whether your current cleaner is made up of hazardous chemical components? In all likelihood, industrial organization that are using older model cleaning and degreasing solvents are using chemical agents that have been condemned as hazardous to the environment and a danger to people. Much of this has to do with a previous ignorance concerning how the chemical compounds in a solvent mesh with the environment, more specifically the air, the ozone, soil, and water sources. Thankfully, there are organizations such as Ecolink that employ scientists, environmental professionals, and other kinds of experts who have performed research and analysis on countless chemical agents to determine whether they produce a harmful component that endangers the environment and the people who come in to contact with, or are in close proximity to the chemical. Results have been quite astonishing and alarming, as many of the current cleaning solvents that have been in use for quite a log time pose serious threats to both people and the environment. Fortunately, eco conscious groups and agencies like Ecolink have found eco friendly, green alternative parts cleaning solutions that offer industrial businesses an opportunity to transition to an up to date non toxic solvent and degreaser.

Transitioning to a more current cleaner that has been created with non toxic chemical solvents that make for safer cleaning and degreasing is much easier than one may think. First, the cost of making the switch to a non toxic solvent is not expensive at all. In fact, eco friendly, green alternative cleaners and degreasers are not any more expensive than traditional cleaning agents, and in many cases, propose to be a less expensive alternative, providing industrial businesses the opportunity to go not only greener, but cheaper. In addition, many of the newer, safer cleaning and degreasing alternative provide methods of waste reduction through recycling processes, which is also a fantastic way for industrial businesses to reduce waste, and save money on cleanup costs. Most importantly, the second your industrial business finds out that it is using a hazardous and toxic cleaning and degreasing solvent, the very first subsequent action should be to find a safer chemical alternative. Learning that your industrial company has an opportunity to change its chemical solution to an eco friendly, green alternative that will no longer place people and the environment in harm’s way should be an immediate call to action, no matter how expensive or difficult the substitution may be. The fact that non toxic solvents exist, are not any more expensive, will save your business money in the long run, reduces waste, protects the environment, and does not affect people should be more than enough reason to replace your current cleaner.