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MICROSOLVE CUTS SOLVENT USAGE BY 85%
No increase in solvent outlay as Portex drops 141b
Switching to a mono-solvent ultrasonic cleaning system allowed medical device manufacturer Portex Ltd to reduce solvent consumption by 85%.
For environmental reasons, Portex was obliged to move away from solvent 141b, but was concerned about the significant increase in cleaning costs such a step might bring. Had Portex continued with its previous machine, which ran on HCFC 141b, the difference in price between the old solvent and the HFE 72DE that replaced it would have seen the company's cleaning expenditure increase sixfold. However, by using just 15 per cent of the amount of solvent consumed by Portex's former system, the new cleaning plant, a Microsolve 250 mono-solvent system, managed to avoid any increase in solvent outlay.
The new system removes silicone oil from nasal intubation tubes. Approximately 200mm long and 10mm in diameter, the PVC tubes must be free of all traces of silicone oil if they are to be successfully printed with ink.
The cleaning process is carried out in a clean room and comprises three stages. An ultrasonic clean in
sump 1 with closed-loop filtration, using 3M's environmentally- and operator-safe Novec HFE 72DE, is followed by a vapour rinse, the vapour produced by boiling solvent in sump 2. Finally, tubes dwell in the freeboard area to dry, where the HFE condenses onto the refrigerated cooling coils to return via a water separator to sump 1; contaminated solvent is then displaced into the boiling sump. This distillation, together with filtration of the solvent, both ensures that the ultrasonic tank is maintained at a controlled level of cleanliness and leaves the tubes free of solvent.
The Microsolve unit is automated with an Autotrans SA (Single Axis) lift, significantly reducing operator time and therefore product cost. The Autotrans also ensures low solvent consumption due to minimal drag-out.
Free component trials
Whether your interest is in blast, wash or ultrasonic cleaning equipment, we offer FREE component trials, with no obligation to buy. To contact Guyson International, call on +44 (0)1756 799911, fax +44 (0)1756 790213, or email info@guyson.co.uk.
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