Hazardous air pollutants (HAPS) are substances that commonly emanate from chemical solvents that have a high rate of evaporation. Both artificial chemicals and natural compounds can contribute to the level of HAPs in the work environment, with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that vaporize at room temperature being especially difficult to manage and control.
Why Use a HAPS Free Solvent?
As recently as a few decades ago, a HAPs free solvent was relatively hard to acquire, as companies tended to use toxic solvents, and wished to avoid the hassle of switching to new ones, and also because environmental conscientiousness was not as profound as it is today. However, as more HAPs free solvents hit the market, and their benefits became more well-advertised, many users of traditional solvents made the switch to a HAPs free solvent.
Helps Protect Workers
HAPs can cause acute health problems, such as respiratory distress and upset stomach. The toxic pollutants can also lead to chronic health problems in those who have a high level of exposure to them over time, such as nerve damage and potentially cancer. For companies whose workers who develop chronic health conditions due to HAPs exposure, costly legal settlements, workers compensation payments, and loss of business productivity are the norm.
Helps Reduce Operating Costs
Effectively protecting workers from HAP exposure requires at least two things: a high level of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a ventilation system that quickly removes the largest percentage of HAPs from the work environment. Consequently, switching to a HAPS free solvent can help reduce operating costs by making certain protective measures unnecessary.
Helps Protect the Environment
HAPs also have a deleterious effect on the environment. Although the pollutants are airborne, they can be delivered by rainfall into water bodies and soil. Over the past two decades, this is one reason why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been so motivated to regulate and ban solvents that contain HAPS, and levy large fines against companies that fail to comply.
Complies With EPA Regulations
To date, the EPA has severely regulated or banned the use of hundreds of solvents that contain HAPs. Unless your company uses an exceptionally small volume of a regulated, toxic solvent, switching to a HAPS free solvent is the optimal choice. In doing so, you remove the threat of EPA fines for exceeding emission caps, and you needn’t worry about the solvent being banned.
Looking for a HAPS Free Solvent?
If so, the solvent specialists at Ecolink will help you choose an eco friendly solvent that delivers the same cleaning power as the toxic solvent it replaces, if not more cleaning power. We sell a wide array of pre-formulated, HAPS free solvents, and we can also create a custom, HAPS free cleaning solution if our inventory doesn’t contain a solution that meets your cleaning needs.
For information on transitioning to a HAPS free solvent, call us today at at (800) 563-1305 to schedule a free consultation, or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to helping you create a safer cleaning process for your workers and the natural environment!
Solvent Tank Filler: How Does It Operate Inside the Solvent Tank?
/in Solvents/by Industrial DegreasersA solvent tank filler is exactly what it sounds like: a solvent that is placed inside a tank that is typically used for cleaning purposes. Solvent tanks are most commonly operated as immersion tanks, where parts are submerged for deep cleaning operations. Using a solvent tank to clean parts via immersion typically results in a deeper degree of cleaning than spray on or wipe on applications. This can partly be seen in how the solvent operates when inside the solvent tank.
The Anatomy of a Solvent Tank
Solvent tanks come in various designs and configurations. However, in terms of their operation, they share many of the same characteristics. To describe the tank as simply as possible, below is a basic list of its parts in terms of how it contains and dispenses solvents for parts cleaning.
Using solvent tanks is an excellent option for companies that need to deeply clean a large volume parts on a regular basis. However, the success of the cleaning operation depends as much on the solvent that fills the tank as it does on the proper construction of the equipment.
Need a Solvent Tank Filler?
If so, the experienced chemists at Ecolink will provide you with a solution that offers the cleaning power, environmental safety profile, and price point that you need in a solvent tank filler. If we do not carry a pre-formulated solution that meets your solvent cleaning needs, we can create a custom solution that addresses your specific set of requirements for a solvent tank filler.
For more information about the operation of solvent tanks, or for assistance with choosing the right solvent tank filler, contact us today at (800) 563-1305 to schedule a free consultation, or fill out the contact form on our website. With us serving as your trusted provider of pre-formulated and custom cleaning solutions, you can maximize the cleaning capability of your solvent tank.
Why Use a Degreaser to Remove Moisture From Cleaning Operations?
/in Parts Washer/by Industrial DegreasersWhen it comes to commercial and industrial degreasing applications, moisture can be both a benefit and a drawback. Some applications, such as the cleaning of glass of high-grade plastics, can benefit from moisture condensing on the surface of the material to create wetness. However, for metal parts that are sensitive to moisture-induced oxidation, applying a degreaser to remove moisture is typically an essential requirement for the degreasing application.
How Oxidation Occurs
More commonly known as “rust”, oxide can create major problems in mechanical components that go unnoticed until it is too late to repair them economically. This is often because, when moisture is consistently present in the degreaser solution, it invades the tight spaces between components and essentially causes them to oxidize from the inside out. Initially, oxide presents on the surface, but it can affect the internal microstructure of metal if it is left unaddressed.
The stable layer of oxide that forms on the surface can be removed, but doing so is likely to be time consuming and expensive, and often requires the help of a heat treating company that specializes in metal finishing procedures, such as electropolishing. With that said, replacing rusted components is often as cost prohibitive as repairing them. Consequently, the best option is to use a non-moisture degreaser that removes moisture from the degreasing process.
Choosing the Right Product
The type of moisture-free degreaser you need ultimately depends on the application for which you need it. For example, if you need to clean sensitive electrical components with an open air spraying application, selecting a degreaser that has a dielectric formulation would be a smart choice. If you need to clean metal parts using a parts washing system, using a degreaser that has a fast drying, vaporous cleaning action would be a good choice for many alloys, especially ones that have a low degree of the chemical element chromium, and thus oxidize rather easily.
Need Help With Product Selection?
Unless you have experience in choosing a degreaser to remove moisture from cleaning operations, contact a degreaser supplier that does, such as Ecolink. We have non-moisture and low-moisture degreasers that are suitable for a wide array of degreasing applications, from cleaning aluminium and copper engine parts, to cleaning carbon steel work tools, to cleaning stainless steel kitchen surfaces. Whatever you need in a degreaser, we can supply it.
If we do not carry a pre-formulated product that meets your moisture-free degreasing needs, our talented team of chemists will create a product that is formulated for your specific requirements. If you need a custom solution for using a degreaser to remove moisture, we can formulate the right type of product and supply it to your company on a regular basis for as long as needed.
For technical information about using a degreaser to remove moisture, or to inquire about receiving a custom formulated degreaser, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to helping you meet your moisture-free degreasing needs!
Aircraft Degreasers: What Essential Characteristics Should They Exhibit?
/in Degreasing Agents/by Industrial DegreasersAircraft degreasing operations are often performed expeditiously. A plane quickly pulls into the hangar to have aircraft degreasers applied to the engine, and then exits the hanger to resume its flight schedule. This scenario calls for aircraft degreasers that have special characteristics that make them ideal for fast, thorough degreasing operations that are performed on jet engines.
High Flashpoint or No Flashpoint
Because the engines of jet planes may be degreased while they are still hot, and even while certain engine parts remain “electrified” from steady use, it is important to choose aircraft degreasers that have an exceptionally high flash point or no flash point at all. Using such solutions can prevent injuries to workers and preserve ultra expensive jet engines from fires.
No Moisture Condensation
To protect non-stainless steel parts in the engine compartment against oxidation, aircraft degreasers that feature no moisture condensation should be used. For example, a dielectric degreaser that dries quickly instead of dripping dry would be an ideal option. The less wetness an airplane engine experiences, the longer its parts can be expected to remain in service.
No Residual Cleaner Left on Parts
Cleaner residue left on engine parts essentially sabotages the cleaning operation. Instead of repelling dirt and grime, the residue can actually increase the rate at which soils collect on the engine’s various parts. It is similar to mopping a kitchen floor with a cleaner that leaves behind residue; the floor tends to get dirtier faster than it would if no surface residue were present.
Non-Toxic Cleaning Formulation
As long as the degreaser is non-corrosive, its toxicity generally isn’t a problem for the engine that is cleaned. However, toxicity can have a major impact on a company and its workers. A special ventilation system and high-level personal protective equipment (PPE) would be necessary expenses. Without them, workers could acquire chronic health problems that lead to costly injury settlements, high-end workers compensation payouts, and loss of productivity.
Aggressive Cleaning Action
When aircraft degreasing applications must have a quick turnaround time, it is important to use a degreaser that has an aggressive cleaning action. In the minds of many, aggressive cleaning action is still associated with the use of toxic degreasers. However, special technology that can formulate highly aggressive degreasers that have a non-toxic profile is now available to all.
Contact Us Today
At Ecolink, we specialize in providing aircraft degreases that are specially designed for the application, as well as degreasers for various other types of degreasing applications. If you are looking for a specific type of solution that we do not have in our inventory, our experienced team of chemists can custom create the solution you need in almost any quantity in which you need it.
To learn more about our aircraft degreasers, or for assistance choosing the right product, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form located on our website. We look forward to supplying you with a solution that meets all of your aircraft degreasing needs, and then some!
The Benefits of Using a HAPS Free Solvent
/in Low VOC/by Industrial DegreasersHazardous air pollutants (HAPS) are substances that commonly emanate from chemical solvents that have a high rate of evaporation. Both artificial chemicals and natural compounds can contribute to the level of HAPs in the work environment, with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that vaporize at room temperature being especially difficult to manage and control.
Why Use a HAPS Free Solvent?
As recently as a few decades ago, a HAPs free solvent was relatively hard to acquire, as companies tended to use toxic solvents, and wished to avoid the hassle of switching to new ones, and also because environmental conscientiousness was not as profound as it is today. However, as more HAPs free solvents hit the market, and their benefits became more well-advertised, many users of traditional solvents made the switch to a HAPs free solvent.
Helps Protect Workers
HAPs can cause acute health problems, such as respiratory distress and upset stomach. The toxic pollutants can also lead to chronic health problems in those who have a high level of exposure to them over time, such as nerve damage and potentially cancer. For companies whose workers who develop chronic health conditions due to HAPs exposure, costly legal settlements, workers compensation payments, and loss of business productivity are the norm.
Helps Reduce Operating Costs
Effectively protecting workers from HAP exposure requires at least two things: a high level of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a ventilation system that quickly removes the largest percentage of HAPs from the work environment. Consequently, switching to a HAPS free solvent can help reduce operating costs by making certain protective measures unnecessary.
Helps Protect the Environment
HAPs also have a deleterious effect on the environment. Although the pollutants are airborne, they can be delivered by rainfall into water bodies and soil. Over the past two decades, this is one reason why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been so motivated to regulate and ban solvents that contain HAPS, and levy large fines against companies that fail to comply.
Complies With EPA Regulations
To date, the EPA has severely regulated or banned the use of hundreds of solvents that contain HAPs. Unless your company uses an exceptionally small volume of a regulated, toxic solvent, switching to a HAPS free solvent is the optimal choice. In doing so, you remove the threat of EPA fines for exceeding emission caps, and you needn’t worry about the solvent being banned.
Looking for a HAPS Free Solvent?
If so, the solvent specialists at Ecolink will help you choose an eco friendly solvent that delivers the same cleaning power as the toxic solvent it replaces, if not more cleaning power. We sell a wide array of pre-formulated, HAPS free solvents, and we can also create a custom, HAPS free cleaning solution if our inventory doesn’t contain a solution that meets your cleaning needs.
For information on transitioning to a HAPS free solvent, call us today at at (800) 563-1305 to schedule a free consultation, or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to helping you create a safer cleaning process for your workers and the natural environment!
How Important is the Flash Point of a Solvent?
/in Solvent Replacement Strategies, Solvents/by Industrial DegreasersThe flash point of a solvent is the lowest possible temperature at which it can vaporize to form an ignitable vapor. Flash point is often confused with “autoignition temperature”, which is the temperature at which a solvent ignites without an ignition source. It is also confused with “fire point”, which is the temperature at which the ignitable vapor burns after it has been ignited.
All three concepts are important for applying flammable solvents in the proper way and ensuring that the environment where they are applied is safe. However, flash point tends to receive the most attention because the ignition of flammable vapors happens so insidiously. For example, flammable volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can vaporize at room temperature and ignite.
Choosing an Appropriate Flashpoint
It should be mentioned that not all cleaning solvents have a flashpoint. Some feature a formulation that makes them completely inflammable. However, the movement to create non-flammable solvents is still in its infancy compared to the practice of manufacturing flammable ones. So, it is not uncommon for the solvent a company needs to have a flashpoint.
The question, of course, is: when it comes to flash point, how low is too low? The answer depends largely on the application for which the solvent is used. For example, a solvent that is used to degrease hot jet engines soon after they exit the runway should ideally have a higher flashpoint than a solvent that is used to degrease the same engines after they have cooled.
If you would like to know a specific temperature at which the flash point of a solvent becomes a safety concern, the Department of Transportation (DOT) states that “any materials with flash points lower than 60 degrees C (140 F) [should] be handled with extra caution.” Taking “extra caution” with a highly flammable solvent involves the following considerations, among others.
Failing to consider these factors can result in fires that cause major property damage property and seriously injure workers, the latter of which can precipitate liability lawsuits and workers compensation payouts that could easily reach a high six-figure mark, and commonly exceeds the mark in the case of injury lawsuits. Investing in a high flash point solvent can potentially save your company lots of money in the form of avoidable equipment damage and worker injuries.
Contact Us Today
If you have questions about the flashpoint of a solvent that you are considering using, or you need assistance choosing the right solvent for a particular application, the solvent specialists at Ecolink are here to help. We sell a variety of solvents that have a high flash point or no flash point. For help assessing your solvent needs in terms of flash point, call us today at (800) 563-1305 to schedule a free consultation, or fill out the contact form located on our website.