Bunding of chemicals becomes more relevant

The Solvent Emissions Directive has made a substantial impact on solvent consumption within user industries: Bernard Pye, MD of Core-Chem presents a review

The Solvent Emissions Directive (SED) has made a substantial impact on solvent consumption within user industries: Bernard Pye, MD of Core-Chem presents a review, particularly in relation to bunding.

Solvent consumption supposedly contributing to Global warming and adverse weather conditions around the World has accelerated the implementation of things like the SED around Europe and similar protocols around the globe.

This requires the end user to re-evaluate how they produce components and often results in process changes that reduce the cleaning stages or at least minimises the use of energy and Chemistries combined.

It can also offer substantial reductions in production costs whilst benefiting both the environment and the operators.

Core-Chem are recognized throughout Europe as leading specialists in both chemical and equipment process technologies.

As a matter of policy we have diligently tried to assist end users in making the right process choices with particular regard for reducing to the lowest possible levels solvent use and where appropriate in line with compliance to the SED.

In article 7 the directive requires priority consideration of vital aspects of solvent use as follows.

1 Potential effects on human health and occupational exposure.

2 Potential effects on the environment.

For users of vapour degreasing machines this links directly to combining reductions in product consumption, emissions, operator exposure and energy, together with safe handling and containment.

By listening to our customers and choosing partners to work with who are equally concerned with safety and reduction in solvent consumption we can offer total solutions to process needs that others may not be as familiar with.

Modern technology equipment packages like those from CC Hydrosonics have advanced dramatically within the last 2 -3 years with solvent Systems not only being compliant with the SED but also being more efficient in cleaning capability in line with the short process times required for cost effective manufacture.

The only area that perhaps has been given little or less time is that related to containment or bunding.

One of the reasons for this is that because some of the major suppliers of the conventional solvents and or bunding Systems do not offer immediate support in the reduction of solvent consumption.

This will also result in expensive Systems being required and inevitably 5 to 20 bunding containers being left on site taking up valuable space and creating a logistical nightmare.

Another factor is the one related to the user being tied to or restricted to the supplier's chemical package as the fittings they have are dedicated to the chemical that the larger manufacturer has determined will be the norm.

With flexibility of supply being taken away you are often left having to use a carcinogenic chemical, which is not always the best option.

In real terms bunding of chemicals, especially solvents, is an excellent idea but on its own it does nothing to reduce solvent consumption in any significant way.

An appropriate bunding System allows the safer containment and transportation of solvents from point A to point B and once in position it allows the movement of solvent from the holding drum to the process equipment and back (as waste).

A similar bunding System should be incorporated around the base of the process tanks as well (under the SED this is required to be 110% by volume of the process tank capacity) so that should a weld seam fracture any spillage is contained within the bunded area and equally importantly the solvent can be recovered quickly for re use.

This reduces cost and protects the environment and the operators, making the initial investment worthwhile.

Having spoken to lot of end users of solvents they all say similar things, in that they would like the following.

* Reduced solvent consumption, with support from the solvent or containment vessel suppliers.

* Safer Chemistries - Preferably non-flammable and certainly where possible non carcinogenic.

* Affordable and safe containment of any solvents on site - Without restrictions to one supplier of the Chemistry.

* Flexibility - to be able to fill and empty the solvents when necessary without massive numbers of barrels on site.

* Choice - that enables the end user to choose what System they prefer and to be able to assess the benefits easily.

These are just some of the points raised regularly.

Core-Chem have always been innovative and thankfully some of the more responsible chemical and equipment suppliers have been listening to what Core-Chem have been saying for the last 3 years: and they have at last started to offer these types of benefits to industry.

This is welcomed even if a little late in some cases.

With the above in mind Core-Chem in cooperation with CC Hydrosonics (part of the Crest group of companies) have launched a new bunding system called the Core Unibund System.

How does it differ from other similar systems? In several very fundamental ways as follows.

It is designed to contain any non-flammable solvents not just chlorinated types.

It is linked with the Core-Chem strategy to reduce solvent consumption of solvents as a priority for all potential users.

It is linked directly to modern solvent vapour degreasing technology equipment so that generally there is no need for expensive pump systems when using appropriate compliant equipment as supplied by CC Hydrosonics .

It can be used with any non-flammable solvent system (associated with vapour degreasing processes) by means of a separate pumping system for less efficient equipment packages, so you have much more flexibility and choice.

A major alternative solvent manufacturer, Enviro Tech Europe, has already agreed that, if desired by their customers, this system will be made available to contain all of their solvent products including EnSolv 5408 the recently Boeing approved vapour degreasing and cold cleaning solvent alternative to Trichloroethylene.

So have Stowlin Croftshaw,who also see the validity in not only the Core Unibund System but agree with the philosophy of helping end users to reduce solvent consumption.

The above, combined with the training packages and support given to reduce the solvent consumption to more compliant levels by Core Chem and its associates, has meant that lots of other Chemical suppliers and the number of end users showing interest is also increasing.

Whilst not critical, it is beneficial in real terms.

Bunding of chemicals is becoming more relevant and is available to you today.

One last point: the Core Unibund System is designed as part of an overall package and if you are prepared to consider all of the options that will help you to reduce the overall consumption of your solvent, then this may well be the final part of the jigsaw for you.

Core-Chem will assist you with your reduction plan as part of a total package offering.

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