MIDWEST ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES OFFERS
ALTERNATIVES TO OZONE LAYER-DEPLETING SOLVENTS

Did you know that Midwest Environmental Services offers alternatives to ozone layer-depleting solvents in metal parts cleaning?

The United States unilaterally phased out the production of ozone layer-depleting compounds in 1995. The phase-out schedule as set forth by section 606 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 was accelerated four years.

The production phase-out included chlorofluorocarbons such as CFC-113 and the common metal degreaser, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, also known as methyl chloroform. In addition, these solvents are considered a hazardous waste when spent. Approximately 60% of all solvent used in degreasers across the U.S. is the ozone-depleting solvent 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

However, Midwest Environmental Services offers several alternative methods which have been found to work well for certain applications. The following is a brief overview of four alternatives to chlorinated solvent use in metal parts cleaning that provide flexible use technology today.

Aqueous cleaning solutions use water as the primary solvent. A combination of water conditions, detergents and surfactants are added to promote better cleaning of the metal object. In addition, special additives such as builders, pH buffers, inhibitors, saponifiers, emulsifiers and deflocculants can be added to meet the desired cleaning requirements.

Semi-Aqueous cleaning products have demonstrated their efficiency to remove waxes, heavy greases, tar and baked on organic materials. Generally semi-aqueous cleaners are effective at room temperature and they possess a very low evaporation rate which infers low use cost and VOC emissions. The most common semi-aqueous cleaners include terpenes and petroleum based hydrocarbons.

Vacuum De-oiling is an operation that removes surface oils from parts without using ozone-depleting or hazardous chemicals, water or detergents. Thermal and vacuum technology remove oil residue on parts through vaporization. Once the parts have been loaded the heater and pump are actuated to warm and evacuate the unit's chamber. The oil's boiling point falls with pressure so heating it in a slight vacuum dries the part quickly. The vapors are condensed and collected for reprocessing or recycling. Hazardous waste disposal costs are reduced or eliminated in this process.

Dry Ice Blasting uses solid pellets of carbon dioxide as a blasting medium for cleaning metal parts. This process uses dry ice pellets which return to their gaseous state on impact. The process relies upon thermal shock, velocity and the lateral delivery of kinetic energy. When the dry ice pellets impact the surface, the drop in surface temperature helps to pierce the contaminant or residue. Once contact is made with the base the kinetic energy acts laterally along the base surface lifting the residue away. In-process machinery, welding equipment, and turbines can now be cleaned on-line. This means less down-time for relocation, disassembly and masking.

To learn more about these alternatives please contact Midwest Environmental Services today.

Midwest Environmental Services, Inc.
PO Box 218 . Brownstown, IN 47220 . 812.358.5160 /phone . 812.358.5642 /fax
info@midwestenvironmentalservices.com /email
24 HOUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE : 1.877.999.7745