Number
204-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of food products
Function
Cleaning agent
Process
Manual maintenance(cleaning and repair) of machinery
Product category
washing ad cleaning products
Application
Production facility cleaning in sugar refinery
Abstract
Nakskov Sugar Mill have successfully substituted nitric acid with citric- and acetic acid in cleaning their production equipment.
Substituted substances
Nitric acid
CAS No. 7697-37-2 EC No. 231-714-2 Index No. 007-004-00-1
Chemical group
Mineral acid
Classification: hazard statements
H272 May intensify fire; oxidiser
H331 Toxic if inhaled
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Other adverse effects
Strong inorganic acid mists: 1 carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Alternative Substances
Acetic acid
CAS No. 64-19-7 EC No. 200-580-7 Index No. 607-002-00-6
Chemical group
Organic acid
Classification: hazard statements
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Citric acid, anhydrous
CAS No. 77-92-9 EC No. 201-069-1 Index No.
Chemical group
Carboxylic acid
Classification: hazard statements
H335 May cause respiratory irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
skin/respiratory sensitizing
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: Nitric acid is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). Alternative substances: Acetic acid is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Citric acid, anhydrous has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). Highly concentrated solutions with organic acids should still be handled with care, but they are stillsafer than nitric acid.
Description of Substitution
In the past, Nakskov Sugar Mill used nitric acid to clean production equipment, but substituted it with citric acid and acetic acid. This substitution still works fine. Nakskov Sugar Mill has a general goal to reduce the number of hazard-labelled chemicals in their production - in view of both simplicity and a better occupational health. The satisfaction of the project among the employees has been high. Sugar extraction requires a list of subsidiary chemicals, amongst others hydrochloric and nitric acid for cleaning production equipment. The discoveries of citric- and acetic acid as suitable substituents were made at the company’s own premises, and the project only took 3 month to carry out. No difficulties were experienced during the process. The substitutions had minimal effect on the production and production expenses, and they could still use the same suppliers. Some of the production workers were worried that citric- and acetic acid would not prove to be as efficient as nitric acid against calcification of the equipment, but testing convinced them otherwise. Now Nakskov Sugar Mill recommends other sugar mills to perform the same substitution. At the time the substitution was implemented, Nakskov Sugar Mill was a member of the Danisco Group. Danisco have since been purchased by Du Pont and Nakskov Sugar Mill have become a member of the Nordzucker Group. The substitution was implemented at all Danisco´s Sugar Mills before the organizational changes.
Case/substitution evaluation
An example of a successful substitution with both environmental and personal safety benefits.
State of implementation
In use
Date and place of implementation
Before 2006
Enterprise using the alternative
https://www.nordzucker.com/unternehmen/ueber-nordzucker/unsere-standorte/nakskov-dk.html
Availability of Alternative
On the market
Producer/Provider
Type of information supplier
User
Contact
The Ecological Council www.ecocouncil.dk
Type of publication and availability
Free publication
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021