Air Products Incorporated

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Parts Cleaning

Industry: Chemical Manufacturing

Wastes Reduced: Solvent

Equipment: Citrus Solvent

Location: Pasadena TX

No. of employees: 262

Contact: Bill Caldwell

Phone: (713) 920-7326

Description:

In the past, the Air Products Pasadena Plant used a naphtha based solvent to remove grease and lubricants from engine blocks, machine parts, gears, and other metal parts. This process created approximately 5 tons/year of hazardous waste that required off-site treatment. The maintenance department compared several water-based cleansers with the naphtha solvent. A non-hazardous water-based cleanser that gave the same results was found. The new cleanser costs less than the old, but compares in quality. The department has completely phased out the old degreaser and now uses Citrus Solvent.

Environmental Benefits:

Citrus Solvent contains no hazardous ingredients.The conversion to this water-based cleanser has eliminated the generation of 5 tons/year of spent naphtha.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

It will also result in cost savings because off-site disposal of the waste will no longer be necessary. It can be treated in the wastewater treatment system for a fraction of the cost.Cost savings are immediate.

Source: TCEQ