Electron: An Eco Friendly Solvent for Cleaning Turbines

Turbines are found in various types of equipment, from boats that run on steam to generators that produce electricity by harnessing wind power. Regardless of the application, turbines work in the same fashion, serving as rotary mechanical devices that “extract energy from a fluid flow and converts it into useful work” (Wikipedia).

Turbines must also receive scheduled maintenance, regardless of application, which brings us to the point of this entry: using an eco friendly solvent for cleaning turbines. Below, we look at the major benefits of using the solvent Electron for cleaning turbines, as well as list your solvent supply options, should you decide that Electron is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Using Electron for Cleaning Turbines

Electron is an environmentally preferred dielectric solvent that’s strong enough to remove accumulations of grease, fuel oil, carbon, and organic resins, but the cleaner is safe to use on most plastic and rubber surfaces.

Compared to other solvents for cleaning turbines, Electron is exceptional because it requires the user to wear no personal protective equipment (PPE). Common sense caution when handling industrial cleaners is sufficient. Additional benefits of using Electron as your go-to turbine cleaner include:

  • Contains no water
  • Fully evaporative, leaving no residue
  • No hazardous ingredients as defined by the EPA
  • No surface leakage of current in immediate residue tests
  • Contains no OSHA PEL or ACGIH TLV listed ingredients
  • High dielectric strength, (ASTM D-877 test procedures to 46,000 volts)

Order Electron in 12 x 16 ounce net aerosol containers that make it easy to evenly disperse the cleaner across surfaces that have complex geometries, support a high rate of evaporation, and contribute practically nothing to the waste solvent trap, thus helping to reduce waste removal cost. Reduce solvent expenditures by ordering Electron in bulk or placing smaller orders, as needed.

See the Cleaning Power of Electron

The easiest way to see if Electron meets your turbine cleaning needs is to try out the solvent for yourself. This is why we supply solvent samples that allow our customers to know for certain that a solvent works as well as advertised before they place an order. To request a free sample of Electron, simply go to our Request a Product Sample page, and supply the necessary information.

If you test the free sample and find that Electron could be a better fit for your needs, we can produce a custom blend that meets your exact requirements. Producing custom solvents through toll blending is a service that’s helped many of our customers meet their most exact turbine cleaning requirements.

Contact Ecolink Today to Get Started

Ecolink takes pride in supplying environmentally safe and environmentally prefered industrial solvents in the form of stock solutions and custom formulations. To learn more about our environmentally preferred dielectric solvent Electron, or to inquire about another solvent for cleaning turbines, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or send us an email through the contact form on our website. We look forward to hearing from you and answering your questions!

A Worker’s Guide for Solvents in the Workplace

Overview

No matter where you or many other Americans work, you are probably being exposed to solvents. Solvents are used in various capacities, like in industrial, commercial, and non-residential setting, and when they become obsolete or unable to be used for their intended purpose, they will most likely become hazardous. It is up to you and other solvent users to determine if your solvent is hazardous or not and how to safely dispose or recycle your solvents.

This guide is to inform solvent users and disposers of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste regulations, enable them to make the correct hazardous waste determinations for their solvents, and assist them in either reducing solvent usage or choosing less-hazardous solvents.

Solvent users who use this guide will:

  • Be knowledgable about the RCRA hazardous waste rules
  • Grow understanding of the RCRA hazardous waste regulations associated with solvents
  • Learn about RCRA waste classification
  • Obtain answers for frequently asked questions about solvents and RCRA

Although this guide will provide you with a brief overview, most states have the authority to maintain its own hazardous waste generator programs. Thus, some state’s may have regulations in place of federal regulations. Even though many state regulations are based on federal regulations, some states may have developed more strict or broader regulations. To see your state’s regulations, contact your state’s environmental regulatory agency or department or go to the EPA’s State Programs Web page.

If you ever have any concerns about hazardous solvent disposal or solvent classification, refer to your state’s environmental regulatory agency or EPA regional office.

Defining a Solvent

In most cases, solvents are liquids that are composed of either a single chemical or a mixture of chemicals which are used to dissolve a substance or material. This usage enables solvents to be utilized as cleaning agents, or in chemical manufacturing, or as ingredients in other products.

Common uses of solvents include:

  • Industrial cleaning and degreasing;
  • Dry cleaning;
  • Paint thinning and coating;
  • Fabric scouring;
  • Auto and airplane manufacturing and maintenance;
  • Many other uses

Why is it critical to understand what solvents are?

As previously mentioned, a majority of of commodity solvents may become hazardous after being spent or becoming obsolete. Furthermore, when many solvents are disposed of while not being used, then they are considered hazardous. Per RCRA regulations, you must determine whether or not your spent solvents are hazardous wastes and subject to hazardous waste requirements. In the case solvents are hazardous wastes, then they must be maintained and disposed or recycled properly. If these regulations aren’t followed, then you yourself, your fellow workers, and the population around you will be at risk. Also, they may be legal consequences for not following RCRA regulations.

Are there solvents at your workplace?

Due to the various uses of solvents, there may be some at your workplace. If you’re uncertain of whether or not solvents are being used  in your facility, then contact management or health and safety personnel for information. Your employer may be required to issue you information regarding hazardous chemicals in order to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communications regulations at Title 29 of the CFR in section 1910.1200.

Industries that commonly utilize solvents

  • Adhesives manufacturing
  • Ink formulation
  • Autobody repair
  • Metal fabrication
  • Automotive manufacturing
  • Metal finishing and plating
  • Circuit board manufacturing
  • Paint manufacturing and use
  • Defense Personal care product manufacturing
  • Dry cleaning
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturing
  • Electronics manufacturing
  • Printing
  • Electroplating
  • Pulp and paper manufacturing
  • Fiber-reinforced plastic manufacturing
  • Rubber manufacturing
  • Film developing
  • Semiconductor manufacturing
  • Furniture manufacturing
  • Wood staining and varnishing

When are solvents classified as solid waste?

Per RCRA hazardous waste regulations, solvents must first be determined to be a solid waste before it can be considered classified as a hazardous waste. RCRA states that the term “solid waste” includes solid materials, liquids, and contained gases. Solvents are solid wastes in the event they are discarded or recycled in a certain manner, such as when burned for energy recovery.

Circumstances of Solid Waste

  • “Spent” – contaminated through use and no longer able to be used for their intended purpose without first being regenerated, reclaimed, or otherwise reprocessed
  • Expired and can no longer be used
  • Off-specification commercial chemical products and can no longer be used
  • Unwanted and/or unused and destined for disposal
  • Residues, contaminated soil or water, or other debris resulting from cleanup of a solvent spill

If you are uncertain if the solvents in your workplace are solid wastes, you can use EPA’s Definition of Solid Waste Decision Tool v2, which will guide you through a series of decisions to help you determine whether a material meets the definition of a solid waste.

Determining if a Solid Waste is Hazardous or not

See the EPA’s document, starting on page seven, to view the criterions for determining hazardous waste.

Replacing Hazardous Solvents with Ecolink

If you desire to replace your potentially harmful solvents, contact us today! We offer a wide array of solvents to meet your needs. Call us today at 800-563-1306!

 

Steel Brazing: Industrial Paint Stripper for Surface Preparation

Even when the appearance of the metal isn’t important, most metallurgists want to keep steel free from surface oxidation (i.e. rust). Over time, the layer of oxide can penetrate the metal’s crystalline structure, causing it to weaken on the inside until it cracks or breaks apart under stress.

There are numerous coatings that can cause steel to oxidize during the brazing process — a procedure in which two or more metal pieces are fused together using a liquified filler metal that distributes between the pieces through capillary action. Coatings that should be removed to prevent oxidation include: grease, oil, dirt, decals, cleaner residues, and paint.

If coatings are left in place, they can form a stable layer of oxide that prevents workpieces from bonding securely and having strong braze joints. Depending on what type of metal assembly what you’re creating, the situation could be dangerous. Structural assemblies for architecture, aerospace equipment, or automobiles, for example, can ill-afford to have weak braze joints.

Industrial Paint Stripping Chemicals

If you need to remove paint from steel prior to brazing, industrial paint stripping chemicals can make the job easy, but there are three considerations to make before you purchase chemicals: the type of steel you need to braze, whether the chemicals leave a residue, and whether you can use the chemicals in the required amount, as determined by law.

  1. Type of Steel

The type of steel you need to treat determines the industrial paint stripping chemicals you need. For example, in terms of the metal’s microstructure, there’s a big difference between carbon steel and stainless steel. There’s also a significant difference between grades of carbon steel and stainless steel. Your supplier should be able to identify the right chemicals for the metal.

  1. Chemical Residue

When it comes to brazing, it’s best not to use industrial paint stripping chemicals that leave a residue, as the residue can behave like a coating and oxidize during the brazing process. In the worst case scenario, the thin layer of oxide the residue produces can be removed through pickling or polishing procedures, but this would increase the cost and turnaround time for the project.

  1. Usage Volume

If you need to use a large volume of industrial paint stripping chemicals, be sure that none of them are recorded in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lists of Lists. In addition, be certain that no regulations have been placed on a chemical that would interfere with how you need to use it. A supplier of industrial paint stripping chemicals can advise you on these issues.

Who We Are

Ecolink is a industry-leading supplier of green solvent solutions that are environmentally safe and environmentally prefered. We provide a broad array of stock solutions and also create custom blends the meet the requirements of specific customers. If you need industrial paint stripping chemicals for treating steel or other substances, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or send us an email through our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

Replacing CRC Lubricant With Ecolink: What You Need to Know

Started in 1958 and Headquartered in Warminster, Pennsylvania, CRC® Industries is a global manufacturer and supplier of industrial chemical solutions for maintenance and repair operations on marine, electrical, industrial, automotive, and aviation equipment.

In this entry, we take a look at one of CRC’s most popular product lines for general equipment maintenance: CRC lubricant — a solution Ecolink improves on by supplying aerosol lubricants that deliver the same level of performance for a lower price (as much as 50% less).

Types of CRC Lubricant

CRC offers over 60 lubricant products — a number that includes different supply volumes (e.g. 2 gallons, 4 gallons, 6 gallons, etc.) — across the following categories: multi-purpose lubricant, multi-purpose precision lubricant, electrical silicone lubricant, chute lubricant, heavy duty silicone lubricant, multi-purpose lubricant and corrosion inhibitor, chain and wire rope lubricant, industrial high-performance lubricant, trailer bunk boards lubricant, anti rust and water pump lubricant, non-staining lubricant, cutting oil thread cutting lubricant, lubricant penetrant, thread lubricant, roll-up door lubricant, switchgear lubricant, adhesive chain lubricant, lock lubricant and de-icer, bar and chain lubricant, and lubricant with PTFE.

It’s quite a list. We understand if you don’t feel like reading it all. The point is to show what CRC offers for industrial lubricant needs. In doing so, we show the lubricant formulations we can provide to replace CRC lubricant for a lower price. If you use us as your lubricant replacement option, we’ll first see if we have a stock solution that meets your needs. If we don’t, creating a custom solution for your specific requirements is the next step.

Why the Lower Price?

CRC Industries is a solvent supplier like we are, and some of their well-formulated lubricants have a commendable safety profile. So, how can we offer lubricant that conforms to or outperforms CRC lubricant — and offers the same safety profile or better — for a lower price? The answer lies in how we evaluate solvent needs, taking a comprehensive approach that considers all cost factors.

By examining how you use solvent end-to-end — including solvent type, product packaging, method of application, storage considerations, and whether waste solvent is trapped or recycled — we can create a solution designed to be economical every possible respect. This why even our custom solutions are often more affordable than stock solutions you find at other suppliers.

In addition to replacing solutions from CRC, we routinely replace solutions from the following well-known suppliers: American Polywater® Corp, AsahiKlin AK-225®, Enviro Tech®, Inland Technology®, LPS®, MicroCare®, Miller Stephenson®, Petroferm®, Safety Kleen®, Selig Industries®, Tech Spray®, and Zep®.

Need Industrial Lubricant?

If you need an industrial lubricant, there’s a good chance that CRC or one of the companies above can meet your needs. There’s also a very good chance that Ecolink can meet your needs for a significantly lower price. This is why we invite you to call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use our contact form, to get started on selecting your next lubricant. We look forward to helping you save!

 

 

 

 

 

How can Solvent Recycling Save Money?

Solvent recycling — also known as “solvent recovery” — is the process of eliminating solvent by taking used solvent and separating it from soils it removes during the cleaning process.

Can solvent recycling save money? This is a question organizations often ask before they invest in a recyclable solvent or a parts washing system that facilitates solvent recycling. The short answer is yes, but many organizations also ask: How can solvent recycling save money? We answer the question below.

Reduces Solvent Purchases

Reusing solvent is like reusing anything else: You don’t have to replace the product until its useful lifespan is over. The number of times a recyclable solvent can be reused and achieve top results depends on the solvent, the soils it removes, and the material it removes them from.

In the best case scenario, a solvent can be reused multiple times, and still deliver the efficacy it displayed during initial use. Over time, using a recyclable solvent instead of a non-recyclable one can eliminate buying drums of solvent that would need to be purchased otherwise.

Reduced Waste Disposal

Some large-scale solvent users purge their solvent trap multiple times a month. More often than not, it isn’t just one or two solvents that fill the receptacle. However, even a single solvent — a large volume of which is used daily and captured in the trap — can be a major contributor to filling the reservoir to capacity.

Even if you only have the option of recycling a single solvent, it could significantly reduce waste disposal cost, depending on the volume of the cleaner that normally enters the trap. This factor should be considered when assessing the return on investment (ROI) for a new solvent, or a new parts washing system that performs solvent recycling.

Reduced Chemical Exposure

If you use solvents that are hazardous to humans and the environment, replace them with solvents that are non-toxic. If that currently isn’t an option, using the solvents in a sealed parts washing system that recycles them internally can be a temporary compromise.

Using hazardous solvents in a closed parts washing system doesn’t replace using an air filtration system in the work area or equipping workers with high-level personal protective equipment (PPE). However, any measure you take to reduce exposure helps save money by reducing the chance of chemical injuries and payouts they involve.

Need Recyclable Solvents?

Can solvent recycling save money? The answer is yes. But first, you need to invest in recyclable solvents and/or the equipment needed to recycle them. After examining your solvent needs and cleaning processes, Ecolink can offer advice on making the right selections.

In addition to supplying a stock solvents and custom solvents, we can provide environmentally preferable replacement solvents for cleaners that contain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). To get started on selecting eco friendly, recyclable solvents, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use the contact form on our website.