ESG Series – Part 4

Q: I am using PER now. Am I required to change? When?
A: This depends on your location, local regulations, and the current process you run. The use of PER is limited or prohibited in some countries or industries, such as Medical devices, and in aerospace, it is strongly regulated. In Scandinavia, Switzerland, or some parts of Germany, it is very limited or is Subject to approval. Also, if new environmental regulations, new cleaning requirements, or problems arise, a change can be a reasonable option.
Q: How do I know I have enough CP in my tank?
A: We recommend the NVR Test to measure the CP content in the tank. NVR stands for “Non-Volatile Residue” and essentially refers to the part of a sample that remains after the evaporation of a volatile solvent or liquid. Modified alcohols and hydrocarbons are volatile, but CP is not; it’s supposed to remain on the surface. Tools are commercially available to measure it.
Q: How do I control the bath?
A: It is mainly the visual inspection. The change of the color or cloudy solvent usually indicates soil load, but if the distiallation capacity is calculated well. this should not be the case. NVR can also be helpfuil to maintain the tank.
Q: Why would I choose hydrocarbon or modified alcohol?
A: It depends on the soil you are removing. Modified Alcohol is much more polar than Hydrocarbons. It is more efficient if you are removing polar soils, while Hydrocarbons would be a great choice if you are removing oils and greases.