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Home:
Case Studies: Metal Parts Production: Eliminating Trichlorethylene
| Metal Parts Production: Eliminating Trichlorethylene
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INTRODUCTION
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The company manufactures metal parts with high-precision cuts. Oil is used to facilitate cutting and as a coolant during the process of smoothing rough edges. The parts then needed cleaning, which was achieved using trichloroethylene. To eliminate the need for trichloroethylene, a new process was developed which used a cleaning agent that doubled as a lubricant.
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FINANCIAL DETAILS
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Investment Amount:
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US $78,559 |
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Estimated Time to Recover Investment:
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60 month(s)
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Estimated Life Cycle of the Investment:
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20 years |
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Finance Sources:
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N/A |
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TECHNOLOGY
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Technology Used:
The changes consisted of installing a new cleaning machine at the end of every line that eliminates rough edges. The machines use a non-hazardous aqueous cleaning agent, which doubles as a lubricant. This one product not only eliminated the need for trichloroethylene, but also the need for cooling/lubricating oils. Cleaning machines include a system to separate oils from the cutting stage and metal dust from the rough edge smoothing stage. The cleaning agent can be recycled or reused.
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Technology Provider:
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| TECHNOLOGY FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS: |
Technical feasability analysis:
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Economic feasability analysis:
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Environmental feasability analysis:
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Environmental assessment:
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ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
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Benefits: Reduced Water Pollutants, Reduced Land Pollutants
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Details:
Annual Savings:
Trichloroethylene consumption eliminated: 9,600 kg/year (21,164 pounds/year), 100% reduction;
Cooling oil consumption eliminated: 6,500 kg/year (14,330 pounds/year), 100% reduction;
Aqueous cleaning agent consumption: 700 l/year (184.9 gallons/year) added.
Company work and health conditions have improved as a result of the elimination of halogenated solvents without any sacrifice of product quality.
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