Case story database

Search for Successfully Implemented Alternatives

You can use the free text search function to find information in the case story database. Most suitable are: substance name and other substance identifier (EC- and CAS-number). You can refine your search after first entry for sector-, function- and process-categories. The case studies are meant to serve as source of inspiration and ideas for substitution. The alternatives are constantly being developed further. We therefore recommend that you to check in each individual case whether an alternative is suitable for your applications and purposes. If you are aware of any other relevant information that is not mentioned in the current case story, please contact SUBSPORTplus.

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Substitution of sulphuric acid with hydrochloric acid for degreasing metal before zinc and chromium plating.

Metallic coating on metal parts is often performed by galvanic processes. To achieve good-looking surfaces of good quality it is necessary to first clean the items. Earlier the company used sulphuric acid for pickling. The acid was heated and therefore some of it evaporated from the tank. By substituting sulphuric acid with hydrochloric acid pickling not only became more efficient, moreover, hydrochloric acid does not need to be heated.

Vegetable oil esters used in cleaning of small parts from metal repair work

A shipbuilding company located in Germany substituted hydrocarbon solvents with esters based on coconut oils. The esters are used for cleaning of small items like bearings, casings or bolts from repair work and maintenance in a ship yard.

Replacement of chlorinated hydrocarbons with the cleaning of small turned items

A machine tool manufacturer substituted chlorinated solvents with modified alcohol. The modified alcohol is used for the cleaning of turned items made of steel, stainless steel, brass, chromium or aluminium in a vacuum degreasing plant.

Laser cleaning of waffle irons in production line

Food manufacturing and processing company cleaned waffle irons residues in a baking line automatically by a solid-state laser. Before substitution parts are manually cleaned with sodium carbonate and brushes.

Removal of Trichloroethylene in the production of car accessories

Trichloroethylene was used in a plant that manufactures car parts to clean steel parts of the air conditioning and assisted driving systems. Trichloroethylene was replaced by a closed washing system based on soap and water.

Alternatives to perchloroethylene vapour degreasing for plating operations

The document presents five case stories where plating companies using perchloroethylene have substituted it with safer alternatives. Three of the platers were using perchloroethylene (PERC) degreasers to remove non-destructive testing fluids and two were using the degreasers to clean oil and buffing compounds from the parts. Four of the companies substituted PERC with water-based cleaners. One company opted to substitute acetone hand wiping for PERC vapor degreasing. That company uses acetone to remove oil and buffing compound.

Verzicht auf Trichlorethylen in der Metallteileherstellung

Die Firma fertigt Metallteile mit Hochpräzisionsschnitt. Die Fertigung schließt den Gebrauch von Kühlschmierstoffen ein, die den Schneideprozess und das anschließende Trimmen der Teile ermöglichen. Die getrimmten Metallteile werden mit Trichlorethylen gewaschen/ entfettet. Die Firma hat das zur Reinigung am Ende eines jeden Trimmvorgangs angewandte Trichlorethylen durch eine wasserbasierte Reinigunsanlage ersetzt.

Removal of trichloroethylene in the manufacture of metal parts

The company produces metal parts by high precision cutting. Manufacturing includes the use of cutting fluids as coolants and lubricants that facilitate the process and the subsequent trimming of parts. Metal parts were then washed / degreased with trichloroethylene. The company installed a water-based cleaning machine to substitute trichloroethylene at the end of each trimming process.

Substitution von Flusssäure bei der Herstellung von Goldschmuck

Einer der größten Goldschmuck-Hersteller Dänemarks hat Flusssäure erfolgreich durch Schwefelsäure substituiert. Die Säurebehandlung ist notwendig, um die Abdruckmasse aus der Modellierform zu entfernen. Im Gegensatz zu Flusssäure ist Schwefelsäure nicht immer in der Lage, alle Gipsrückstände zu entfernen, so dass in manchen Fällen eine manuelle Behandlung erfolgen muss. Mit Flusssäure zu arbeiten ist höchst gefährlich im Vergleich zu Schwefelsäure.

Substituting hydrofluoric acid in gold jewellery production.

One of Denmark’s largest manufactures of gold jewellery has successfully substituted hydrofluoric acid with sulphuric acid. The acid treatment is necessary for removing the plaster of the casting mould. Compared to hydrofluoric acid, sulphuric acid is not always capable of dissolving all plaster residues, so in some cases manual treatment has to be applied. Hydrofluoric acid is highly hazardous to work with compared to sulphuric acid.

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