Aqueous Based Cleaning: Seeking 'Win-Win-Win' Solutions

摘要

Cleaning dirty parts is an important component of many industrial operations and involves removing of contamination from a surface. This function is either necessary for successful part performance in subsequent operations, or is desirable aesthetically. Due to environmental concerns, traditional chlorinated solvent cleaning is becoming a process of the past. The "Guidebook of Part Cleaning Alternatives" is a handy resource to assist in the identification and evaluation of options and in the final selection of the most cost effective and technically feasible cleaning system that will not compromise worker health and safety or environmental protection. The transition from a halogenated solvent technology to an aqueous cleaning technology is a daunting task. The information and guidance to accomplish this goal is available, although not easily adapted within specific companies. The diffusion of necessary information must be accompanied by direct guidance to assist companies in incorporating the practices into their facilities. This talk will illustrate, through examples, how this might be accomplished. An essential dimension of the material will come during the actual class and discussion. We will use the 'Nine Steps to a New Cleaning System' as the backbone of the discussion, and will augment with details of specific ways companies have met the challenges. Due to the nature of the Waste Management and Research Center (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), we cannot reveal names of specific companies, but sufficient detail of the nature of the company and the cleaning challenges they faced will provide substance to the examples.