FRASER TECHNOLOGIES
Simple switch significantly reduces environmental footprint Graham Fraser, MD of Fraser Technologies, discusses how an aerospace customer has made the change to a safer solvent. As new regulations around the safe use of chemicals come into effect, and businesses make changes to processes to meet their own environmental targets, many companies are left unsure of what products to use for their component cleaning needs. Significant advancements have been made in industrial solvent cleaning, making new generation solvent specialty fluids an extremely viable, safe and cost-effective option. They use eco-friendly chemistries that are better or similar to comparable aqueous processes, and they’re an effective alternative to older, hazardous solvents that have been restricted or banned. We have worked with many customers to switch their cleaning products, including leading aerospace manufacturer BAE Systems, which replaced the normal Propyl Bromide (nPB) it was using with a safer solvent.
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2022 - 2023
The challenge BAE Systems approached us to assess its existing process to see how to use a safer, alternative solvent. We performed a full system inspection to ascertain suitability of the systems for conversion to an Opteon™ specialty product, a cleaning fluid chosen for its performance, ultra-low global warming potential (GWP), recyclability, reusability, safety, and ease of use. Originally, we tested the equipment for suitability and compatibility for use with OpteonTM SF79, though the latest product in the range is now SF80. We also tested the general condition of the equipment and any opportunities to reduce solvent usage. As solvent usage was very high, reductions would improve the environmental impact as well as save costs. Before using nPB, both of BAE’s systems used Trichloroethylene (Trike) to flush pipework using long narrow tanks suited to this application. They each had a flushing rig and filtration, and originally had carbon absorption/deabsorption systems fitted.
read online: www.surfaceworld.com
