The following case studies show a variety of uses and benefits that have been found from switching to d-limonene-based cleaning systems.
Martin Marietta Astronautics has replaced 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) and MEK with a terpene cleaner for hand-wiping operations.1The terpene cleaner was selected after 16
months of extensive testing of citrus- and alkaline-based compounds. Workers prefer the
citrus-based cleaner because it is more efficient. The terpene cleaner leaves less residue resulting in higher coating bond strength. Martin Marietta estimates the change has reduced toxic emissions by thousands of pounds per year. Research costs were $350,000 to find a suitable replacement for MEK and TCA. Estimated savings are $250,000/year.
In a joint research effort, the U.S. EPA and APS Materials, Inc., have investigated the use of a limonene cleaner to replace TCA and methanol.2 APS Materials, Inc. is a
metal-finishing company that plasma-coats parts for use in hostile environments. In the biomedical parts division, cobalt/molybdenum and titanium parts are coated with a porous titanium layer for use as orthopedic implants. APS Materials has converted to the terpene cleaner as a result of the investigation. Cleaning efficacy is excellent with a slight increase in bonding strength for the limonene-cleaned parts. Changing to the aqueous sys- tem required the addition of rinse and dry stations. The new system cost $1800 to install with annual operating expenses of $850. Net savings are $4800/year.
GE Medical Systems of Waukesha, Wisconsin, is a manufacturer of medical diagnostic equipment. Spray cleaning (degreasing) of parts using TCA resulted in fugitive air emis- sions. GE Medical Systems eliminated fugitive TCA emissions by converting to a terpene cleaner.3 With TCA, 800 gal of solvent were purchased annually, all of which was lost to
atmosphere. Because terpene cleaner is much less volatile, only 30 gal are purchased per year. In addition, terpene cleaner is recycled. No capital expenditure was required.
Northern Precision Casting of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, switched to a citrus-based sol- vent for cleaning the wax patterns used in making molds.4Previously, they used TCA. TCA
fugitive emissions amounted to 18,000 lb in 1988. The terpene solvent is water soluble and is discharged to a publicly owned treatment works. No capital costs were incurred for the change. Maintenance and operating costs are equivalent.
The Marine Corps Air Station Naval Aviation Depot, Cherry Point, North Carolina, is responsible for the complete maintenance/rebuilding of naval aircraft. In 1990 the depot used 8000 gal of CFC-113 and 15,600 gal of 1,1,1-TCA. By the end of 1992, CFC-113 usage had been reduced to 500 gal annually and TCA usage had been cut to about 4800 gal annu- ally. Terpene cleaners were used as one of a number of approaches.5Approaches included
soap bubbles for leak checks; aqueous power washers for electronics, motor, and engine shop use; terpene cleaners for hand wiping; steam cleaning or wet sodium bicarbonate blasting for soil and carbon removal; and plastic media blasting for paint removal.
AT&T has reduced usage of CFC-113 by converting to a semiaqueous chemistry for cleaning surface mount assemblies.6 Parts are carried by conveyor into a power washer
consisting of wash and rinse/dry modules. Low- and high-pressure sprays of a terpene cleaner are followed by nitrogen knives to reduce cleaning solution dragout and blanket the washer with an inert atmosphere to prevent fire. In the second module, the parts are rinsed with low-pressure, then high-pressure water sprays to remove the terpene cleaner. Rinsing is followed by water removal by air knives within the same module. Care must be taken in selecting materials of construction in the surface-mount components because the terpene cleaner swells some plastics and elastomers. AT&T has found that the new clean- ing method is more economical than the previous CFC-113 method.
In 1988, the Motorola Corporation had 29 flux-removal cleaning systems using 250,000 lb of CFC-113 annually. By August 1991, Motorola had eliminated CFC-113 usage. Many of the printed circuit board assemblies are now assembled using a no-clean flux. Assemblies that require cleaning now use terpenes and water.7 Benefits reported include cleaner
assemblies, lower production downtime, and decreased cleaning cost. Cleaning costs are now about $8/h using the terpene/water vs. $38/h for CFC-113.
Crown Equipment Corporation, New Bremen, Ohio, manufactures electric lift trucks and television antenna rotors. Parts cleaning involves mild steel, aluminum, cast iron, and
copper. In 1988 Crown used 208,000 lb of TCA in cold-cleaning (immersion) and vapor degreasing operations. Hand dipping now uses a water-based cleaner with rust inhibitor added for corrosion resistance, and 100% d-limonene spray cleaner has replaced TCA for hand-wiped parts.8 An alkaline aqueous immersion cleaner has replaced one degreaser
(with inhibitor added for ferrous parts). The other degreaser was replaced with an aqueous power washer that uses heat, agitation, and forced air drying to produce clean parts. The payback period for capital expenses was 10 months. In 1989, Crown saved $100,000 in chemical costs. Crown Equipment has switched to water-based cleaning with no decrease in production. Employees prefer the water-based cleaner for hand dipping.
The Bureau of Engraving, Industrial Division, manufactures printed circuit boards. In 1990, it decided to eliminate the use of methylene chloride and TCA, which were being used at the rate of 681,000 lb/year. Several changes in the manufacturing process were nec- essary to accomplish this goal, including the use of water-based and terpene-based clean- ers. The Bureau of Engraving, Industrial Division, saves $250,000 annually in purchase cost and $20,000 in maintenance, energy, and disposal costs.9