Organic Solvents: Environmentally Friendly Options Exist

By Timothy Byron

image: depositphotos

Industrial machinery represents a very high operating expense for organizations. It is no surprise then that corporations have a lot to gain by devoting time and energy to the upkeep of their various machines and parts. Businesses that take the time to care for essential machinery will extend the life expectancy of those resources, which ultimately affects the bottom line. One standard threat to industrial machinery is the accumulation of dirt and dust, which occurs naturally over time. While most companies would expect regular cleaning procedures to be sufficient, one can never be entirely sure. All it would take is just a hint of overlooked dirt to damage the metal of the machine, leading to corrosion. For this reason, many companies utilize solvents to ensure that their equipment receives a sufficient cleansing. So how do they work?

Put simply, a solid, liquid, or gas is used to dissolve another solid, liquid, or gas. Once one substance is dissolved into another, a solution is formed. During the chemical reaction, all of the ingredients end up being uniformly distributed, and no residue remains as a result. However, there is also a major environmental risk that comes from the use of solvents. If they reach the soil, they can migrate great distances which can quickly lead to widespread soil contamination. Even more troublesome is when solvents reach the water supply, which can induce health effects like damage to the nervous system, reproductive damage, kidney damage, and cancer.

Though there are risks, businesses should not stop using these substances altogether. Residue left on machinery will not only affect the condition of the machine, but when washing high precision parts like ball bearings, any remaining residue will have substantial safety implications of its own. The question remains: how do companies wash their essential machinery and parts without risking harm to the environment? The answer is organic solvents, which are made up of organic compounds and contain carbon atoms. Since their ingredients occur naturally, they are much safer for employees to work with and pose less of an environmental risk.

Companies might use several specific products for maintenance cleansing. Electronic-grade solvents contain low levels of metal ions, and are used to cleanse sensitive components used when producing micro-circuitry. Electrical contact cleaners are essentially compressed air mixed with a cleansing solution that evaporates.
When considering various chemicals, companies should make sure to avoid those that contain Volatile Organic Compounds, (or VOCs,) as these are high regulated by the government due to the damage they inflict on the o-zone. Companies should also consider recycling their chemicals to cut down on the amount of hazardous materials they are disposing of, while at the same time saving money.

Conclusion

Whether a company is considering simple solvents for general cleansing, or complex solvents for specialized materials such as electrical contact cleaners, using organic compounds is an effective way to minimize the negative effects on the environment. Companies can also reach out to firms that supply these cleaning products for additional tips on minimizing their environmental impact.

Organic solvents like electrical contact cleaners are better for the environment.

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