Cleaning Solvent offers thermal stability up to 625°F.August 19, 2008 -
Comprised of diphenylethane and alkylated aromatics, high-temperature Dow HT-Solve(TM) 515 provides thorough removal of polymer residue as well as solid polymer materials from process equipment. Solvent is circulated through process equipment while equipment is inline, dissolving residue and waste in reactors, heat exchangers, pumps, and pipes. Dissolved polymer is then flushed from system with solvent.
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Original Press release
Dow Chemical Co., The
2030 Dow Center
Midland, MI, 48674-0001
USA
Dow Introduces New Industrial Cleaning Solvent: Dow HT-Solve(TM) 515 High Temperature Solvent
Midland, MI - June 05, 2008
A new high temperature cleaning solvent, Dow HT-Solve(TM) 515 High Temperature Solvent, developed by the Dow Performance Fluids Business of The Dow Chemical Company, has been proven successful for cleaning polymer process reactor vessels, lines, heat exchangers, pumps, pipes and other equipment negatively affected by polymer residue. The solvency properties of Dow HT-Solve(TM) 515 High Temperature Solvent enable thorough removal of polymer residue as well as solid polymer materials from process equipment without the physical labor used in traditional maintenance processes.
Dow HT-Solve(TM) 515 High Temperature Solvent is a mixture of diphenylethane and alkylated aromatics. The solvent is thermally stable at temperatures as high as 625°F and has a low vapor pressure. Cleaning with Dow HT-Solve(TM) 515 High Temperature Solvent can be far more efficient than mechanical cleaning methods. Equipment can be cleaned in-line without disassembly, reducing downtime and labor requirements to deliver economic and health and safety benefits to users. Simplified, patented cleaning procedures can allow cleaning operations to be conducted with greater frequency before equipment becomes completely fouled or is operating inefficiently.
Residue Forms During Polymer Processing
When polymers are manufactured, residue is produced during polymerization and monomer volatilization before the polymer is extruded into pellets. This residue can consist of plastic powder fouling that builds up inside secondary copolymer reactors and transfer lines.
As the residue builds up and solidifies on the internal surfaces of equipment, the reactors lose efficiency and must be cleared every three to six months, a difficult process requiring the reactors to be taken out of service for thorough mechanical cleaning. Mechanical cleaning is expensive and results in significant reactor downtime. Typically, cleaning includes "rodding out" heat exchanger tubes and sand blasting metal surfaces, a process that requires workers to enter the reactor vessels during the cleaning operation, which can be hazardous and cannot be attempted until after extensive flushing, testing, and re-checking has occurred. Ongoing monitoring of vessel conditions is also required during cleaning operations to ensure safety is maintained.
In some cases, a reactor chunking event can occur. Large-scale solid polymer is produced as a result of the aggregation of individual polymer powder particles as reactor temperature approaches the melting point of the polymer. This is a major failing event and requires extreme cleaning measures. Drills, chisels, axes and even chain saws may be employed to remove large polymer chunks, creating the potential for additional worker safety issues.
Dow HT-Solve(TM) 515 High Temperature Solvent Reduces Cleaning Cost and Labor
Dow HT-Solve(TM) 515 High Temperature Solvent provides thorough cleaning at lower cost and can significantly reduce downtime and eliminate or reduce the need for workers to enter reactors. During cleaning, Dow HT-Solve(TM) 515 High Temperature Solvent is circulated through process equipment while the equipment is inline. The powerful solvent dissolves polymer residue and waste in reactors, heat exchangers, pumps and pipes and the dissolved polymer is then flushed from the system with the solvent.
Dow HT-Solve(TM) 515 High Temperature Solvent was formulated by Dow for use as part of a high temperature solvent washing system patented by Michael R. Dorton and Gary L. Gardner Sr. of Perigee Engineering Services LLC.
About Dow
With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
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