SOLVENT CLEANING OFFERS SOLUTION TO REDUCE ENERGY BILLS

As energy prices continue to soar, businesses across the country are seriously considering where efficiencies can be made and costs can be cut to help reduce energy bills.

For organisations that require component cleaning and degreasing, a simple switch can have a significant impact on energy usage and therefore reduce energy bills, without affecting cleanliness levels. In fact, in many cases, reconsidering cleaning solutions can deliver higher quality results, while also minimising time, cost, and the environmental impact.

The answer in many cases, is to change from an aqueous cleaning solution to a solvent solution, such as the Opteon™ range from Chemours™. Solvent cleaning uses one fifth of the energy required with an aqueous cleaner. Not only is it five times more energy efficient, but it also has quicker cleaning cycles, leaves zero residue, and has three times better surface penetration.

For even more information on the difference between solvent and aqueous cleaning, read our blog post here.

Superior cleaning technology – like the new generation of solvents – provides a number of efficiencies. It makes the job easier, faster, and the lower temperature required means that the energy requirements of the system are much lower. Increased automation also saves operator time as the parts only require handling at the start and end of the process rather than constant monitoring throughout.

Using an Opteon™ specialty fluid such as SF80 reduces weekly C0₂ usage by 75%, reduces weekly fluid consumption by 50% and reduces the cost of average daily consumables by eliminating water treatment. One of our aerospace customers found success with sister product, SF79, which has a 100% cleanliness pass rate, is more efficient, and has reduced lead times and costs.

Are solvents safe to use?

Cleaning solvents were historically guilty of very high global warming potential (GWP), which is used to represent the equivalent of C0₂ being released into the atmosphere, where 1kg of C0₂ = a GWP of 1. While they once had seriously detrimental effects on the atmosphere, the new generation of solvents have been developed specifically with the environment in mind and are far less harmful than comparable solutions.

Opteon™ SF80 is an extremely safe, non-flammable, and environmentally friendly solvent with no ozone depletion potential, an ultra-low GWP (<2), and does not contain any products regulated under F-gas regulations.

SF80 is also an effective replacement for nPB, TCE, HCFCs, PFCs, HFCs and HFEs solvents, and is becoming known as the leader within a variety of cleaning applications such as vapour degreasing, oil and grease removal, precision cleaning, high solvency defluxing, and silicone removal, amongst many other uses.

The impressive cleaning results of new generation solvents speak for themselves, and the industry is seeing a strong transition from aqueous to solvent systems.

We’ve had real success with transitioning clients on to more efficient solvent solutions as they seek higher levels of cleanliness and increased efficiencies. A well-known, Midlands-based, leading aerospace engineering company made the transition, and they said:

“The 100% cleanliness success rate is exactly what we were looking for. The process is significantly more efficient, which has in turn reduced our lead times and costs. This reduces the cost of the engine and the time spent on the process, which ultimately allows for increased innovation and guarantees the brand’s quality.”

Fraser Technologies’ solvent cleaning systems offer an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution to your precision cleaning needs.

For more information about the products we offer and how we can meet your business needs, please contact us or call 01506 443 058.