There was a time when the terms “industrial chemical” and “hazardous” were practically synonymous. Prior to the 1950s, hazardous chemical usage evaluation was largely non-existent on a public level. It was a time when people were more amazed at how well toxic solvents worked than anything negative the solvents might bring to human health and the environment.
Then and Now
Since the middle of the 20th Century, our perception of chemical usage evaluation has changed quite a bit. Today, companies and organizations tend to ask whether a prospective solvent has negative effects — and, if so, what the effects mean to workers and the environment — before they consider how well it could work for the cleaning application.
It’s a really good idea to take this perspective. Not only does our current state of chemical usage evaluation help companies be better stewards to the environment and their workers, who routinely handle chemicals; it also helps companies avoid using solvents that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing to ban or severely regulate.
For example, the cleaning solvent ak225 has been banned, and nPB appears to be well on its way to the same end. For entities that use a toxic solvent in a large volume, replacing the solution with a safer one is now no longer just an option; it’s a necessity.
Evaluation Criteria
As complex as the formulation of certain solvents may be, the EPA makes performing a chemical usage evaluation on most solvents rather simple. The EPA is primarily concerned with banning and significantly regulating the use of solvents that contain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that are harmful to humans and the environment. Included in these pollutants are many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), despite their organic formulation.
Today, the EPA maintains what’s known as the List of Lists, which is a list of chemicals comprised of substances that have a profoundly negative effect on life and limb. The list is quite long, but it’s ultimately the result of nearly 30 years of gradually banning or regulating toxic chemicals based on chemical usage evaluation performed by top laboratories.
The EPA has taken a “gradual” approach primarily to avoid the negative economic impact of suddenly telling companies that they can no longer use a chemical that’s crucial for business. Rather, regulations and bans are generally announced well in advance, giving companies at least a few months to find suitable replacement solutions.
In other words, the EPA tries to help companies save time and money on replacements. However, if you ignore impending bans and regulations, spending time and money finding a replacement could be the least of your worries. Cleaning operations could grind to a halt, and you could face stiff fines.
Need Hazardous Chemical Replacements?
If the EPA’s chemical usage evaluation of your solvent means the cleaner will soon be banned or regulated to the point that you can no longer use it, contact Ecolink. We’ll provide you with a stock solvent or a custom solvent that offers the power you need, without having a highly hazardous formulation. To get started, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out our contact form.
Using Aqueous Parts Washer Fluids for Sustainable Chemical Management
/in Aqueous Cleaning Agents/by Industrial DegreasersAs the green movement proliferates, “sustainability” becomes an increasingly important concept among environmentalists — a concept that has a trickle down effect, and is now a significant concern among industrialists worldwide. After all, their companies often have the power to make or break nearby ecosystems based on the type of chemical solvents their facilities use, how they use them, and the method of solvent disposal.
That’s why we’re spotlighting the discipline of sustainable chemical management in terms of using aqueous parts washer fluids, which largely focuses on sustaining chemicals for reuse. Having a professional chemical recycler recycle cleaning solvents is an environmentally prefered option, but on-site preparation of chemicals for reuse is the optimal choice for two reasons: It can reduce the frequency of solvent purchases, and it helps mitigate waste disposal expense by sending less liquid into the waste trap.
How Parts Washing Systems Help
An industrial chemical user could purchase chemical recycling equipment that professional chemical recyclers use, but such a move wouldn’t be cost effective, unless one the user’s core practices is industrial chemical recycling. However, while formally recycling chemicals may not be a part of the business equation, cleaning parts using parts washing systems often is — and some parts washing systems are designed to recycle solvents.
Apart from seeing them operate firsthand, one of the best ways to understand the design of parts washers that support aqueous parts washer fluids is to give a description of how the parts washing cycle works. In most cases, parts washing systems that facilitate chemical recycling include the following eight steps in one wash cycle.
If promoting sustainable chemical management with a parts washing system sounds simple and hassle-free, that’s because it generally is. The most difficult part is choosing the right parts washing system and selecting solvents whose boiling points easily support the system’s solvent recycling function. If you need assistance evaluating makes and models of parts washing systems, or you need help selecting solvents, the solvent specialists at Ecolink can help.
Contact Us Today
As time goes on, sustainable chemical management using aqueous parts washer fluids will grow in scope and importance. To get started on supporting the discipline by using a parts washer that recycles solvents, give us a call today at (800) 563-1305, or use the contact form on our website.
Ecolink has a rich history of formulating stock solvents and custom solvents that are environmentally preferred and environmentally safe, come in a variety forms, and can be used to remove numerous tough substances that non-industrial solvents can’t touch. We look forward to helping you support sustainable chemical management with aqueous parts washer fluids.
Finding Better Industrial Chemicals: What Makes a Solvent “Better”
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersCompanies and organizations frequently replace old solvents with new ones that are “better” in some way than the solutions they replace. In some cases, better means better for a particular type of parts washing system. In other cases, it means better for dissolving a particular type of accumulation, and the list goes on.
Finding better industrial chemicals obviously depends partly on the needs of a specific customer. But there are also criteria that denote “better” industrial chemicals for practically every type of end user. Below, we list four of the most important of these criteria, and explain why they make a solvent that possesses them more advantageous to use than one that doesn’t.
Don’t let the organic origin of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) fool you. Many VOCs are profoundly dangerous to human health and the health of animal life. Some VOCs have more of a risk factor than others, but using solutions that have low VOC content is almost always a safer option than deploying cleaning solutions that have high VOC content.
Some VOCs are considered hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), but the environmental protection agency’s HAP list extends beyond VOCs. Practically every kind of HAP causes two types of problems in workers exposed to it, not to mention the environmental toll: temporary ailments due to acute exposure (e.g., difficulty breathing, upset stomach, and dizziness) and permanent maladies that result from chronic exposure (e.g., nerve damage, lung damage, and cancer).
As you may already know, the flashpoint of a solvent is the temperature at which it ignites. Situations in which a cleaning solution should ideally have a high flashpoint include: dielectric cleaning, cleaning in environments that have open sources of open flame (e.g., a metal foundry), and cleaning equipment that is exceptionally hot or energized.
There is virtually no situation in which using a solvent that has a high flashpoint is considered disadvantageous. Solvents that have a high flashpoint or no flashpoint also promote fire safety by making it easier to store the solvents. For example, no flashpoint solvent tht has fire retardant packaging may be stored in a space that contains electrical switchboard equipment.
Some solvent applications don’t require a dielectric solvent, but having a dielectric solvent on hand is always a good idea. If you ever need to clean energized equipment, a cleaner that has a strong dielectric formulation will help you do it safely. Ecolink offers dielectric solvents for a broad array of cleaning tasks and in various formulations regarding dielectric strength.
Who We Are
Ecolink is a provider of environmentally preferred industrial chemicals. This makes us an excellent supply option for stock cleaners and custom cleaners that are better than many traditional cleaners in terms of human health and environmental preservation.
For assistance selecting better industrial chemicals than the ones you use right now, please call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use our contact form. We look forward to helping you choose better cleaners.
Using Parts Washers for Sustainable Chemical Management: FAQ
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersAs sustainable chemical management continues to benefit companies by lowering operating costs through solvent reuse and reducing the chemical toll industrial practices take on the environment, more companies are looking to jump on the sustainable solvent bandwagon. For some, the easiest path to sustainable chemical management is using a parts washing system that performs solvent recycling. About this topic, we present a list of frequently asked questions.
What parts washer should I use for sustainable chemical management?
Step one is to choose a washing system that’s designed to hold your solvent. If you don’t mind implementing a new solvent, then the world is your playground. Choose your favorites equipment brands and models based on what’s most important to the solvent recycling initiatives of your company.
How does a parts washer condenser unit preserve sustainable solvent?
Cutting-edge parts washers use a complex process to get the end result. The best way to understand the role condensation plays in the process is to describe how waste solvent is condensed for solvent recycling purposes:
This is the basic method of operation by which a condenser in the parts washing system prepares waste solvent for reuse.
For how many wash cycles can the rejuvenated waste solvent be used?
This is information you need to receive from the solvent manufacturer. If you purchased a recyclable solvent that promotes multiple wash cycles as a benefit, you may be able to find the information on the original solvent container.
Can rejuvenated waste solvent be removed from the basin and repurposed?
Technically, yes. But why would you want to do it? From a price-to-use ratio, the best place for rejuvenated waste solvent is in the solvent basin of the parts washer that condensed it. In other words, you get the best deal when using your solvent with a top-notch parts washer that helps facilitate sustainable chemical management.
Can rejuvenated waste solvent be stored for future cleaning operations?
Technically, yes. But the only foreseeable reason you would do this is to harvest solvent from broken machinery to use later after repairs are made.
Who We Are
Ecolink is a longtime promoter and manufacturer of eco friendly, industrial solvents in the industrial and commercial chemical markets. Our solutions span the globe, helping companies and organizations get the same cleaning power of their old solutions in newer, safer solvents, which are environmentally safe or environmentally preferred. To inquire about our sustainable parts washing solvents, please call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use our contact form.
Hazardous Chemical Usage Evaluation: An Overview
/in HAPS/by Industrial DegreasersThere was a time when the terms “industrial chemical” and “hazardous” were practically synonymous. Prior to the 1950s, hazardous chemical usage evaluation was largely non-existent on a public level. It was a time when people were more amazed at how well toxic solvents worked than anything negative the solvents might bring to human health and the environment.
Then and Now
Since the middle of the 20th Century, our perception of chemical usage evaluation has changed quite a bit. Today, companies and organizations tend to ask whether a prospective solvent has negative effects — and, if so, what the effects mean to workers and the environment — before they consider how well it could work for the cleaning application.
It’s a really good idea to take this perspective. Not only does our current state of chemical usage evaluation help companies be better stewards to the environment and their workers, who routinely handle chemicals; it also helps companies avoid using solvents that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing to ban or severely regulate.
For example, the cleaning solvent ak225 has been banned, and nPB appears to be well on its way to the same end. For entities that use a toxic solvent in a large volume, replacing the solution with a safer one is now no longer just an option; it’s a necessity.
Evaluation Criteria
As complex as the formulation of certain solvents may be, the EPA makes performing a chemical usage evaluation on most solvents rather simple. The EPA is primarily concerned with banning and significantly regulating the use of solvents that contain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that are harmful to humans and the environment. Included in these pollutants are many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), despite their organic formulation.
Today, the EPA maintains what’s known as the List of Lists, which is a list of chemicals comprised of substances that have a profoundly negative effect on life and limb. The list is quite long, but it’s ultimately the result of nearly 30 years of gradually banning or regulating toxic chemicals based on chemical usage evaluation performed by top laboratories.
The EPA has taken a “gradual” approach primarily to avoid the negative economic impact of suddenly telling companies that they can no longer use a chemical that’s crucial for business. Rather, regulations and bans are generally announced well in advance, giving companies at least a few months to find suitable replacement solutions.
In other words, the EPA tries to help companies save time and money on replacements. However, if you ignore impending bans and regulations, spending time and money finding a replacement could be the least of your worries. Cleaning operations could grind to a halt, and you could face stiff fines.
Need Hazardous Chemical Replacements?
If the EPA’s chemical usage evaluation of your solvent means the cleaner will soon be banned or regulated to the point that you can no longer use it, contact Ecolink. We’ll provide you with a stock solvent or a custom solvent that offers the power you need, without having a highly hazardous formulation. To get started, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out our contact form.
Choosing Automotive Cleaning Solvents for Heavy Duty Vehicles: 4 Scenarios
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersUnless you’re in the business of producing automotive cleaning solvents, the prospect of choosing them may feel like reading Shakespeare in Greek. But, in all fairness, as the customer, you’re the one who must make an informed choice. Regarding automotive cleaning solvents for heavy duty vehicles, such as the ones listed below, that’s what we’re here to help you do.
Dump trucks unusually encounter the most wear in the rear holding compartment, but the compartment is designed to be banged with heavy objects and filled with oversized loads year after year. In most cases, more important than cleaning the carrier bin is degreasing the truck’s motor and associated parts. Dump trucks for industrial facilities and big construction projects can remain in motion for several hours — and for some projects, usage is around the clock.
Potential Solution: Consider using NAVSOLVE Low VOC Degreasing Solvent. You can learn about the solvent here.
We all know what an army tank does: It cruises over rough terrain with ease and threatens enemies with the ability to deliver a cannon blast that can level buildings. Because the effectiveness of tanks ultimately depends on their speed and mechanical reliability, the wheels and tracks of the tank often receive the thoroughest maintenance focus. However, practically every motion a tank makes signifies the need to degrease the parts that facilitate movement.
Potential Solution: Consider using BULLDOG Maximum Effectiveness Degreaser. You can learn about the solvent here.
3. Police Tank
Lots of police officers are ex-military. So, some people who wear the blue uniform should feel right at home behind the steering mechanism of a tank. Unlike tanks that are used in military campaigns, police tanks — both the military variety that has no barrel and the ATV variety that’s comprised of bullet proof surfaces — are only used in special situations. As they wait to be deployed, these tanks need to be cleaned inside and out as a part of general maintenance.
Potential Solution: Consider using PREPTONE Low-VOC Handwipe Solvent. You can learn about the solvent here.
4. Asphalt Machine
If you drive an asphalt machine down a roadway or across a parking lot, it means one of two things: you’re a rich, eccentric thrill seeker, or you work for an asphalt company. Probably the latter. If you know about operating asphalt machines professionally, you understand that the holding unit of the machine accumulates layer after layer of tar quickly. What should you do to remove those seemingly irremovable, black accretions?
Potential Solution: Consider using ECOLINK 2005 Non-flammable Contact Cleaner. You can learn about the solvent here.
Need Cleaners for Heavy Duty Machinery?
If so, give us a call, and let us help you select the best automotive cleaning solvents for your needs. We don’t supply solvents for the average car owner, but we do specialize in industrial grade cleaning solvents for the toughest applications. Reach us at (800) 563-1305, our use our contact form. We look forward to supplying solutions for your heavy equipment cleaning needs.