#solventwasher

Companies in today’s market must be as competitive and efficient as possible. Most businesses must find ways to cut any unnecessary operating costs while also adhering to stringent waste management regulations. If your activity involves the use of hazardous solvents, you may need to implement an effective solvent waste management plan. What could be better than installing in-house solvent recycling equipment?

Waste Solvents that You Can Recycle Using this System: 

Non-Halogenated Solvents: This is the most common type of general waste and includes solvents such as methanol, acetone, ethanol, ether, ethyl acetate, hexanes, and toluene.

Halogenated Solvents: These include halogenated solvents such as dichloromethane and chloroform, either in total or as a mixture (methylene chloride)

Heavy Metals Solvents: This includes any solvent waste that contains heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, barium, chromium, lead, selenium, mercury, and silver.

Paint Solvent and Residue: This waste is the result of using oil-based paints and thinners, which include oil-based paint residue.

It is crucial to abide by a few key guidelines when working with solvent recycling equipment or any other hazardous liquid waste stream. Reactive materials, for instance, should never be there in a single waste container.

It is not advisable to add acids, alkalis, oxidizing, peroxide, and reducing agents to various solvent waste streams. They need to be properly labeled as hazardous chemicals, kept apart from other waste, and handled accordingly.

Repurposing Solvents and Liquid Waste

Recycling should always be the first option to consider when possible. For businesses that generate large amounts of hazardous liquid waste, disposal can be an expensive process.

Apart from the obvious environmental benefits, implementing an effective recycling policy can provide a more cost-effective solution for the business. Managing hazardous liquid waste poses a risk in the workplace that must be properly assessed and managed.

Additionally, storing hazardous waste containers ready for pickup can take up valuable space. Therefore, having on-site solvent recycling equipment is quite useful. 

The ability to recycle your solvent waste can significantly reduce your purchase costs, as most equipment can recycle up to 95% of your liquid waste. You may also be able to avoid nearly all disposal costs if, after recycling, you end up with pure re-usable solvent that is no longer hazardous and can be disposed of through your municipal system.

Solvent recycling is an excellent option for businesses that manufacture byproducts such as printing and ink, coatings and paint, metal finishing, and automotive painting. Recycling systems come in a variety of configurations, ranging from batch loads to fully automated processes.

The ability to recycle your solvent waste can significantly reduce your purchase costs, as most equipment can recycle up to 95% of your liquid waste. You may also be able to avoid nearly all disposal costs if, after recycling, you end up with pure re-usable solvent that is no longer hazardous. Guess what? you can dispose of it through your municipal system.

Solvent recycling equipment is an excellent option for businesses that manufacture byproducts such as printing and ink, coatings and paint, metal finishing, and automotive painting. Recycling systems come in a variety of configurations, ranging from batch loads to fully automated processes. Make sure you choose the right one based on your type of industry and business operations. 

Still Not Saving Money on Solvent Recycling?

Don’t worry; you can be a little stubborn at first. If you’re not already saving money with solvent recycling, you’re probably still having to store, dispose of, and transport a lot of hazardous waste.

While solvent recycling will not reclaim all of your spent solvents, it can recycle up to 90% of them, depending on the waste type. On other hand, if you are still transporting your hazardous waste, it can cost a pretty penny.

Solvent Recycling Procedures

Tolling is one method that cleans the solvent to a predetermined specification and then returns it to the business for reuse. This is fairly common, as many businesses use it due to its ease of use and effectiveness in determining which solvents can be used in the future.

Another method for recycling solvents is converting solvents into products for reuse, specifically for commercial product manufacturing. This method also has a lot of advantages because it helps to reduce overall waste volumes.

Another option is reclamation, in which, similar to tolling, solvents are cleaned to a company’s specifications but then delivered to third parties.

Is It Profitable to Recycle Industrial Solvents?

Solvent recycling not only helps to preserve the environment, but it also helps to reduce the additional cost of purchasing new solvents. Recycling has reduced the need to purchase new solvents because existing ones can be recycled. Chemical laboratories, auto body shops, paint shops, chemical industries, and paint contractors are all significant contributors.

However, it has not reduced the demand for solvents and has created numerous new opportunities in the solvent market.

Companies provide recycling technology, services, and recycled solvent to customers.

The other type offers solvent recycling machines for sale.

The third category provides both services and sells machines.

So, once you choose to use solvent recycling equipment you can actually make the most of it. 

You lose out on a lot of advantages if your company does not recycle solvents:

A Significant Return on Your Investment

Recycling Solvents not only helps businesses cut costs and waste, but it also helps them establish a solid reputation in the marketplace. It is the greatest advantage that any business can take advantage of. You don’t need to constantly buy new solvents; you can simply recycle the ones you already have and begin manufacturing.

Making Money 

Additionally, you can increase your income by recouping the cost of your recycling program by selling recyclable waste to other businesses as an alternative.

Recyclable materials are now a precious commodity. Metals, plastics, glass, and other materials gain in value as their price rises thanks to improvements in recycling technology. You only need to research local market prices and look for consumers willing to purchase recyclable goods.

Conclusion 

For most industrial business owners, waste management is a top priority. It costs a lot of money and calls for strict regulations. Many companies find that disposing of their waste byproducts is a drain on their profits, but recent advancements in chemical and solvent recycling can help you keep your costs under control. Using solvent-recycling equipment makes the process much easier.

The Concept Behind Recycling Solvents

Not only is waste disposal dangerous, but it is also outrageously costly.

One of the biggest issues industrial America is dealing with is how to handle dirty cleaning solvents. A solvent recycler machine not only saves money on chemical disposal but also on new solvent purchases. Most solvents can be recycled and recovered with solvent recovery equipment, including:

Mineral spirits

Paint thinner

Acetone

IPA (isopropyl alcohol)

MEK (methyl ethyl ketone)

Xylene

Hexane

Various alcohols

Chlorinated solvents (AK225, 1,2 trans-dichloroethylene / trans DCE, 3M™ Novec™, Dupont Vertrel)

Microcare solvents

Terpenes Toluene

Aromatic Solvents

Benefits of Using Solvent Recycling Equipment

Why should you use solvent recycling equipment? Solvent recyclers distill used cleaning solvent to remove soils, debris, and oils, allowing the cleaning solvent to be reused. A solvent recovery system for used solvents can save over 95% on solvent purchases and over 90% on chemical waste disposal costs. A few other remarkable benefits include:

Substantially Reduces the need to buy new solvents

ROI in a matter of months on disposal costs

Streamline regulatory reporting

Control over hazardous waste liability is improved.

Reduce the amount of hazardous waste stored on-site.

It saves your company a lot of money.

There is no reason to waste money by paying someone to come to pick up and dispose of your used solvent with today’s recycling technology. All you need to do is just install solvent recycling equipment that fits your industry and business type.

The Higher the Purity of a Solvent, the More Effective It Is

The purity of any type of solvent after it has been recycled is one of the most important aspects of reusing it. Another important aspect of solvent recycling to consider is how contaminated the solvent is and whether it is reusable. For that reason, you need to install the best-quality solvent recycling equipment  that can recycle your solvents for a variety of purposes. Glass fractionating equipment is one example of this type of tool and machinery, which aids in the separation of contaminants and other compounds that could impair the solvent’s effectiveness. Figure out your recycling needs first and then consult with the dealer from whom you are purchasing the recycler.

However, there is a vast range of machines used in solvent recycling and they all can separate the reusable solvent from impurities produced during various production and cleaning procedures. By using a distillation process, these devices enable the safe and effective recovery of solvents while drastically lowering the costs associated with the disposal of hazardous waste.

Besides, buying solvent recycling equipment, you can also check out the option of financing it. Which is the better choice—financing it or buying the equipment outright for your company?

What is Financing for Solvent Recycling Equipment?

Instead of having to pay large sums of money upfront for solvent recycling and recovery equipment, financing enables your company to pay on credit. This makes it possible for more businesses to be more flexible with their spending plans by making monthly payments of a smaller amount as opposed to a single, large payment upfront.

What Benefits does Financing Offer?

First, convenience

Convenience is one of the main benefits of financing a solvent recycling equipment. With more money on hand, you are better able to plan for the future. Paying less upfront can assist you in making financial plans for future investments and promote organisational growth.

In light of the inflation rate and the recent increase in the cost of machinery and equipment, financing has emerged as a viable option.

You won’t need to worry about maintenance

Your company does not have to worry about upkeep and other maintenance-related costs since it does not directly own the machinery. Many businesses spend a sizable portion of their budget on facility and equipment maintenance, which can limit their options for the future of the business. Organizations can take on new projects and other business plans with less money required up front.

Upgrades are less expensive

When considering financing for solvent recycling equipment, it’s important to keep in mind that, when necessary, upgrading is also important. When you buy machinery, this can be challenging, especially if the cost of newer models is significantly higher than that of your older models. With financing, upgrading only requires paying a small amount more than what is specified in your finance agreement at the moment. This indicates that you can save money by avoiding those upfront expenses without wasting money by purchasing multiple pieces of equipment.

The Bottom Line

With the massive change in customer and investor demand, solvents are gaining popularity among all industries. With its increased usage, the emission is at its peak. Thus, industries must develop new ways to recycle these solvents and reuse them for further use.

Recycling is a process that reduces emissions, contributing to a greener environment. Although, Govt. has imposed several rules and regulations depending on the specific regions and the solvent usage. But, companies do not follow them as required.

So, how can industries effectively contribute to a green environment through solvent recycling? If you are unaware of what goes into this procedure, read this blog and get the required information.

But, before that, you must consider the nature of your solvent.

Is your solvent green?

Whenever your industry starts using solvents, you must analyze the composition and the nature of your solvents to check if there could be any harmful impact on the environment. Solvents are chemicals that are dissolved with some other substance. You can recycle your solvents to get other materials back. It depends on what recycling process you choose.

Manufacturing some solvents requires additional solvents that can significantly impact manufacturing sustainability.

Whatever metrics you consider, whether the amount of generated hazardous waste, harmful emissions, or increased carbon footprint, your solvent waste can negatively impact your operation and environment. But, there is good news for the industries depending on solvents for manufacturing.

The solvent should not be considered a villain in the environment, as industries will use it no matter what. They can seamlessly use the latest tool, technologies, and business approaches to effectively neutralize this increased environmental impact. So, they must adopt proper management to make solvents more environmentally friendly.

What is the environmental cost of your solvent?

If you are one of those facilities that generate solvent, you must be aware of its harmful impact on nature, people, and surroundings. Apart from this impact, there is another significant impact that everyone generally ignores: energy cost and impact.

While using, processing, and recycling the solvent, industries use too much energy, contributing to the overall carbon footprint.

So, understanding the actual environmental cost of your solvent is necessary and involves considering several factors, like other mixtures, bases, etc.

The life cycle of solvent includes the process that begins with extracting oil. This collected oil is stored in an oil well where iron horses are used to pump oil into containers stored at the industry’s storage facilities and then transported to a refinery. The refinery uses the oil to produce your solvent, which is then transported to distributors and end users.

The remaining are transported to concerned disposal sites to get incinerated. Each step requires additional energy to progress.

When you dispose of the solvent, it leaves a carbon footprint contributing to greenhouse gases. Thus, taking care of this emission results in the hidden cost of your solvent. Thus, industries need to recycle their solvent to reduce their carbon footprint.

For more information, you can also refer to our latest blog on Is industrial solvent recycling profitable?

How to solve the solvent problem?

As the solvent life cycle ends, all the used resources, efforts, and energy get wasted at its disposal. It is estimated that more than 90% of solvents are disposed of improperly, leaving a huge carbon footprint.

Globally, industries are using millions of gallons of solvent. Thus, resolving this environmental impact is getting more critical. With such challenges, industries have got opportunities to improve their sustainability. But how?

Recovering on-site energy

Recovering waste solvents is not always a cost-effective or practical option. So, industries consider the solvent end of life using thermal oxidation. However, it is unsuitable for recovery and reuse models, as it releases harmful smog-forming fugitive VOC emissions into the atmosphere.

To resolve the issue, industries use regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) technology that uses solvent emissions as fuel in the combustion process. Also, you can leverage the excess heat generated from the RTO exhaust further to heat the air, water, or oil, significantly reducing process operational energy needs.

Reusing used solvent

Every industry must be aware of the famous R3 process for dramatically reducing the environmental impact of your solvents. Also, recycling your solvents helps reduce the production of new solvents.

Industries can also use fuel blending, which blends the solvent waste as a fuel source that can be used for other processes. The recycling solvent will reduce the carbon footprint as the process will be done internally with closed machines.

Handling Fugitive Solvent Emissions

It is challenging to control the Fugitive solvent emissions and thus requires significant solutions. Every industry relies on the Reduce, reusing, and Recycling to maximize sustainable operation. But they must consider the fugitive emissions throughout a solvent material life cycle. For this, you can use the tank vent sequences while emptying and filling storage tanks for a smooth transition.

Segregation of these emissions is challenging, resulting in costly recovery.

Industries use different approaches to improve the handling of fugitive emissions, such as including Concentrator technology to adsorb solvent materials to improve recovery.

You can also refer to our latest blog on How solvent recycling saves 1 Million gallons of solvents a year with this one simple machine

Conclusion

Considering the overall picture and scenarios, it is evident that recycling solvents in any way help in reducing the environmental impact. Different companies use different solvents that require different methods to handle them. But the primary purpose of recycling solvents is to reduce the carbon footprint reducing the environmental impact.

This blog has explained some ways to help you deal with your harmful solvents effectively. If you cannot do it yourself and find it challenging to have a setup at your facility, then we are happy to help you deal with such emissions.