For heavy industrial aerosol users (over 5,000 cans per year) one of the growing concerns is disposing of spray cans commonly used for degreasing, contact cleaning and flux removal. Aerosol cans are not considered to be hazardous waste when both the product and the propellant are emptied (punctured) out of the cans. However, the non-empty cans are regarded as hazardous waste. It is a combustible substance, which has every chance of exploding when exposed to heat. It might end up hurting workers if discarded on empty landfill indiscriminately.
Proper disposal of spray cans and empty aerosols
Proper disposal regulations are defined and vary by state. If you are in a state that designates solvent sprayer and aerosol sprayers as universal waste than you might want to consider adopting sure shots as refillable options you pressurize with shop air. For example, California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Article 9 Section 25201.16 reduces the regulatory and financial burden of managing hazardous waste aerosol cans by designating them as “universal waste.” This requires you to aerosol puncture and gives you the option to recycle spray (i.e. capture unused chemical and repackage into refillable sure shot, shur shots, atomizers). The limitation is you are trading cans 1 to 1 so still having to issue, refill and dispense, repeat.
Alternatives to aerosol can disposal systems and aerosol can crusher machines
Tired of aerosol propellant bleeding out when inverting cans (spraying sideways, upside down)? Working with a leading renewable energy supplier at a massive wind farm, we documented over 15% of the contents from their 30,000 cans per year equated to 5 x 55-gal drums per year of purchased but unused solvent for wind turbine maintenance. Hydrofluorocarbons ( HFC ) propellant in aerosol cans, is under attack for global warming potential (GWP) as part of proposed amendment to Montreal Protocol to phase down HFC’s.
Due to the cost associated with aerosol propellants, unused chemical, labor associated with handling individual aerosol cans and end-of-life can puncturing and universal waste labeling the economics and environmental benefits of pressurized cylinders has tipped the scales in a very sustainable ways. Pressurized cylinders have served as the solvent spray delivery system of choice for decades with the plastic injection molds (nonflammable solvents) and furniture manufacturing (adhesives). Now these are making their way into power generation, mass transit, shipyards, mining and manufacturing. Available in 11 pound comparable to 12 aerosols (1 case) and 38 pound comparable to 36 aerosols (3 cases) are paired with numerous reusable spray nozzles to adjust spray pattern along with various reusable length hoses (6 feet up to 100 feet). Better yet, these are easily outfitted with portable caddy, dolly systems (similar to suitcases on wheels) for expanding service radius.
Are you a candidate for fewer, bigger and safer pressurized cylinders? We can show you how easy is it to cut your aerosol can disposal. You can keep or upgrade the chemical or solvent inside for additional health/safety/environmental and economic benefits.
Environmental/Health/Safety benefits:
· Improved ergonomics (less inbound and outbound handling)
· No frosted fingers or numbing with spray valve common with standard aerosols
· 1 cylinder versus 12-36 cans puncturing
· Easier to recycle scrap metal
· Portable to bring cleaner to dirty parts, equipment
· Extension hoses are safer especially with high heights
Economic benefits:
· 25-50% acquisition cost savings (price per ounce of usable content)
· 15-30% ‘extra’ savings from not bleeding out propellant and dumping unused solvent
· 10-25% cash-flow, inventory, floor space and compliance (emissions) reporting savings
Call Kevin 800 886-8240 x 34 or email aerosolalternatives@ecolink.com to discuss what’s available off-the-shelf, request a sample or collaborate on a custom blend, label.
Can today’s actions greatly impact tomorrow’s future? Universal waste disposal of aerosols is one of the easiest Earth Day resolutions you can make and keep for future generations.
What is an Electrical Contact Cleaner?
/in Solvents/by Industrial DegreasersInside of nearly every piece of electrical equipment are metal electrical contacts that facilitate the transmission of electricity from the utility line to the electrical operating system of the equipment. If the contacts were removed, the equipment would immediately cease to operate.
Improperly maintained electrical contacts can sabotage to operation of electrical equipment, too. The equipment may still operate, it does so less efficiently. This is why companies and organizations use industrial electrical contact cleaner to maintain electrical contacts in long lifespan equipment that plays a crucial role in business operations.
Characteristics of Electrical Contact Cleaner
Technically, there are hundreds of cleaners that could be used to remove accumulations from electrical contacts, but a suitable cleaner always possesses two characteristics: It is safe concerning how it affects the metal it cleans, and it is safe for maintenance workers to apply to contacts that the metal comprises. Below are overviews of what defines each characteristic.
Anyone who knows much about metallurgy understands that not all metals are the same regarding how they react to cleaning agents, even metals are classified under the same umbrella, such as “steel”. For example, stainless steel, which contains at least 10.5% chromium by mass, often has different reactions to cleaners than carbon steel, which contains 0.12–2.0% carbon by mass.
To continue the example, the specific type of stainless steel or carbon steel you need to clean, as determined by the metal’s microstructure, also defines the suitability of a cleaner. For instance, the cleaning agent sodium hypochlorite is generally considered compatible with 303 stainless steel, but the same agent can cause other grades of stainless steel to oxidize.
Regarding metal safety, the corrosion potential of a metal is the primary consideration for choosing an electrical contact cleaner. When metal contacts corrode, the resulting heterogeneous microstructure of the metal can impede the flow of electricity significantly.
More information about the safety of cleaning agents for humans is available than information about the safety of cleaning agents for metal — and the information is generally easier to understand, as it’s primarily predicated on negative health effects and sudden injuries that hazardous cleaners can cause in those who are chronically exposed to the agents.
An electrical contact cleaner that is truly safe for workers typically possesses three primary characteristics that denote its safety: It contains no hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or has low VOC content, has a high flashpoint or no flashpoint, and features a dielectric formulation.
These characteristics prevent workers from experiencing acute and chronic health conditions associated with exposure to toxic substances, prevent them from receiving burns due to the combustion of the cleaning agent, and protect them against electrical shock when they clean energized equipment that can’t be powered off during the cleaning operation.
Contact Ecolink Today
If you need help selecting an electrical contact cleaner that is safe for the metal you need to clean and those who do the cleaning, contact the solvent specialists at Ecolink. We have a variety of environmentally preferred cleaners that are suitable cleaning electrical contacts. We also have the technology to create a custom blend if one of our stock cleaners doesn’t meet your needs. Call us today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website.
Is Reducing Aerosol Can Disposal on your Earth Day Resolution List?
/in Aerosol/by Industrial DegreasersFor heavy industrial aerosol users (over 5,000 cans per year) one of the growing concerns is disposing of spray cans commonly used for degreasing, contact cleaning and flux removal. Aerosol cans are not considered to be hazardous waste when both the product and the propellant are emptied (punctured) out of the cans. However, the non-empty cans are regarded as hazardous waste. It is a combustible substance, which has every chance of exploding when exposed to heat. It might end up hurting workers if discarded on empty landfill indiscriminately.
Proper disposal of spray cans and empty aerosols
Proper disposal regulations are defined and vary by state. If you are in a state that designates solvent sprayer and aerosol sprayers as universal waste than you might want to consider adopting sure shots as refillable options you pressurize with shop air. For example, California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Article 9 Section 25201.16 reduces the regulatory and financial burden of managing hazardous waste aerosol cans by designating them as “universal waste.” This requires you to aerosol puncture and gives you the option to recycle spray (i.e. capture unused chemical and repackage into refillable sure shot, shur shots, atomizers). The limitation is you are trading cans 1 to 1 so still having to issue, refill and dispense, repeat.
Alternatives to aerosol can disposal systems and aerosol can crusher machines
Tired of aerosol propellant bleeding out when inverting cans (spraying sideways, upside down)? Working with a leading renewable energy supplier at a massive wind farm, we documented over 15% of the contents from their 30,000 cans per year equated to 5 x 55-gal drums per year of purchased but unused solvent for wind turbine maintenance. Hydrofluorocarbons ( HFC ) propellant in aerosol cans, is under attack for global warming potential (GWP) as part of proposed amendment to Montreal Protocol to phase down HFC’s.
Due to the cost associated with aerosol propellants, unused chemical, labor associated with handling individual aerosol cans and end-of-life can puncturing and universal waste labeling the economics and environmental benefits of pressurized cylinders has tipped the scales in a very sustainable ways. Pressurized cylinders have served as the solvent spray delivery system of choice for decades with the plastic injection molds (nonflammable solvents) and furniture manufacturing (adhesives). Now these are making their way into power generation, mass transit, shipyards, mining and manufacturing. Available in 11 pound comparable to 12 aerosols (1 case) and 38 pound comparable to 36 aerosols (3 cases) are paired with numerous reusable spray nozzles to adjust spray pattern along with various reusable length hoses (6 feet up to 100 feet). Better yet, these are easily outfitted with portable caddy, dolly systems (similar to suitcases on wheels) for expanding service radius.
Are you a candidate for fewer, bigger and safer pressurized cylinders? We can show you how easy is it to cut your aerosol can disposal. You can keep or upgrade the chemical or solvent inside for additional health/safety/environmental and economic benefits.
Environmental/Health/Safety benefits:
· Improved ergonomics (less inbound and outbound handling)
· No frosted fingers or numbing with spray valve common with standard aerosols
· 1 cylinder versus 12-36 cans puncturing
· Easier to recycle scrap metal
· Portable to bring cleaner to dirty parts, equipment
· Extension hoses are safer especially with high heights
Economic benefits:
· 25-50% acquisition cost savings (price per ounce of usable content)
· 15-30% ‘extra’ savings from not bleeding out propellant and dumping unused solvent
· 10-25% cash-flow, inventory, floor space and compliance (emissions) reporting savings
Call Kevin 800 886-8240 x 34 or email aerosolalternatives@ecolink.com to discuss what’s available off-the-shelf, request a sample or collaborate on a custom blend, label.
Can today’s actions greatly impact tomorrow’s future? Universal waste disposal of aerosols is one of the easiest Earth Day resolutions you can make and keep for future generations.
A Resolution for Earth Day
/in Earth Day/by Industrial DegreasersEarth Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on what can be changed in our routines today, to help contribute to a greener world tomorrow. Eco-friendly opportunities and alternatives are present for both everyday consumers, as well as manufacturers, to change one thing about their routine which can create a rippling impact on the environment. Are you ready to make your Earth Day resolution?
Big or Small, What Have You Done to “Go Green” lately?
Here at EcoLink, we specialize in providing large-scale, eco-friendly chemical solutions to large and mid sized businesses. We also take this initiative home with us everyday, where the impact of everyday consumers doing household cleaning can not be understated as an avenue of improvement. Whether it be an individual using more reusable alternatives vs. throwaway materials or household products to replace harsher commercially sold chemicals, today we’re going to explore three ways that you may or may not have examined that can make an impact on the environment as a whole and are simple Earth Day resolutions to make.
Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaning Alternative
Try to forego the cycle of a monthly Drano fix to alleviate a shower drain that’s prone to clogging. As an alternative to the harsher consumer grade product, elect to try a remedy with two household items: vinegar and baking soda. In conjunction with hot water, these two items will save the occasional extra trip to the store, while also reducing the consumption of a harsher chemical. Of course, a serious clog will require a more serious response, but this works well as a quick solution to keep water draining smoothly. Another tip: You can also use these same items for an all-purpose household cleaner.
Reusable Supplies
In terms of re-usable everyday items, there are many practical uses that are good for the environment and make life easier on you. For instance, if you drink a lot of water throughout the day, make a point of using a re-usable, BPA free bottle — this helps to reduce waste and cost. With a larger bottle, you can also save on trips to the water fountain. The principle here can easily be applied to other areas, like utilizing reusable grocery bags and washable rags and napkins in your home. In the case of washable rags, they are often more efficient at cleaning than their paper counterparts and will continue to be useful long after a paper towel roll expires.
Going Paperless
Going paperless is more the norm now than ever, but there are ways to improve in this area that go beyond electronic bills and receipts as well. According to CatalogChoice, taking the time to unsubscribe from several soliciting services that fill up your mailbox weekly can help curb the “More than 100 billion pieces of junk mail are mailed to U.S. households each year.” Most companies will respect your request to be removed from their mailing lists or opt for online billing.
Look to EcoLink for your Earth Day Resolution
As part of our Earth Day resolution, we’ve reviewed a few alternatives with you that can help make everyday actions and chores easier while contributing to an overall positive impact on the environment.
At EcoLink, we strive to apply our principles of providing environmentally conscious products to our customers, into our personal lives as well. As a business, we leverage our collective experience and expertise to save customers effort as well as cost, while thinking environmentally forward to benefit the Earth at large. Contact EcoLink today for a free consultation for your business’ industrial solvent and degreaser needs and start your eco-friendly journey by making an Earth Day resolution.
Degreasing Methods: What is Vapor Pressure Cleaning?
/in Vapor Degreasing/by Industrial DegreasersDegreasing is one of the most common industrial cleaning operations. From engine parts to handheld tools, practically every company and organization that uses equipment that accumulates grease must perform degreasing to keep the equipment in ideal condition for its application. One way that this can be done is vapor pressure cleaning — a process in which pressurized vapor from a cleaning agent powers away tough accumulations of grease.
How Vapor Degreasing Works
Unlike degreasing operations that are performed in open air with the use of aerosols, spray liquids, and wipes, vapor degreasing is performed inside a machine that’s specially designed to vaporize a solvent and pressurize the vapor to make it remove grease from parts that are arranged inside the machine. Below is the basic, eight-part process in which vapor pressure cleaning is used to remove heavy grease from parts and leave them looking practically new.
In some cases, the vapor degreasing process also entails rinsing work pieces in a separate chamber inside the machine to ensure no solvent residue remains, spraying work pieces with a solvent before they enter the machine to speed up the cleaning process, and/or using vacuum degreasers when the machine employs a vacuum to vacuum degreasing system.
Benefits of Vapor Degreasing
Regardless of what comprises the vapor pressure cleaning process, performing it properly can offer several important benefits that help the user execute an efficient cleaning operation, ensure that parts are entirely clean, and curb expenditures for industrial degreasing solvent.
Vapor pressure cleaning is a highly effective method for degreasing precision parts and tools, but two things are always necessary for maximum effectiveness: a parts cleaning machine that facilitates vapor degreasing and using the right type of degreaser for the cleaning process. If you need advice on either requirement, the solvent specialists at Ecolink can help.
Contact Ecolink for Assistance
Vapor degreasing is a simple process that relies on complex machinery and carefully formulated cleaning agents. Because purchasing the vapor pressure cleaning machine and buying solvent is where most of the cost comes in, it is economically imperative to choose the right equipment and cleaner from the start. Using our expertise in parts washing and cleaning solvents, we can help you do this. Just call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use our contact page. We look forward to helping you realize the benefits of vapor degreasing!
Choosing a Switch and Contact Cleaner: Essential Characteristic
/in Electrical Contact Cleaning Solutions/by Industrial DegreasersA switch and contact cleaner is a cleaning agent that is specially formulated to clean electrical switches and contacts in various types of equipment, from small circuit boards in woodworking machines to industrial grade switchgear systems that occupy large rooms in the facilities they serve. However, there are at least six important characteristics that a switch and contact cleaner should ideally possess, regardless of the type of electrical equipment that it is used to clean.
A dielectric is a substance that impedes the flow of electricity. If you need to degrease a switch assembly or a contact assembly while the equipment is energized, using a dielectric cleaner is essential for preventing electricity from traveling through the solvent stream and hitting the worker with an electrical shock. We offer several cleaners that feature dielectric formulation.
The same electricity that could travel through the solvent stream and shock the worker could also ignite a switch and contact cleaner that has a low flashpoint. While a high flashpoint offers more safety than a low one, in terms of flammability, “no flashpoint” is the safest formulation of all. No flashpoint cleaners are also beneficial for improving fire safety in the solvent storage area.
Implementing a cleaner that quickly evaporates helps protect metal in electrical switches and contacts that gradually oxidizes in the presence of moisture, particularly water, whose oxygen atom can significantly speed up oxidation in corrosion-prone alloys. Using a switch and contact cleaner that has a fast evaporation rate can also help reduce solvent waste disposal expense.
A switch and contact cleaner that leaves behind a residue commonly causes two problems. First, it impedes electricity flow through contacts (especially if the cleaner is dielectric). Second, it causes dirt and grime to collect faster on switches and contacts, which means that cleaners that leave a residue need to be applied rather frequently to counteract the effects of the residue.
Electrical switch assemblies and contact assemblies contain different types of metal, including copper, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, magnesium, and titanium. Consequently, you need a cleaner whose formulation is not corrosive to these metals and others that comprise the switch assembly or contact assembly. We will help you select a cleaner that meets this requirement.
Need a Switch and Contact Cleaner?
If so, you have come to the right place. Ecolink offers an impressive selection of industrial grade cleaning agents that feature the crucial characteristics above and are ideal for cleaning electrical switch assemblies and contact assemblies in various types of equipment. We can also provide you with a custom cleaner if one of our stock cleaners doesn’t meet your requirements.
For more information about our switch and contact cleaners, or to request a free sample, please call us today at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. We look forward to helping you choose an eco friendly, highly efficacious electrical switch and contact cleaner.