EDITOR ’ S CHOICE NPB REPLACEMENT IN 5 STEPS
FRASER TECHNOLOGIES
nPB was prohibited from 4 July 2020 , though not all companies have ceased use of the solvent . Graham Fraser , MD of Fraser Technologies , discusses the simple steps to making the safe switch and how an aerospace customer has made the change to a safer solvent .
Due to legislation around the safe use of nPB ( also known as n-propyl bromide or 1-bromopropane ), the substance was banned under REACH regulations from 4 July 2020 . Any business still using this solvent in its cleaning and degreasing process must find a replacement , except where authorisation to keep using it is granted .
If business are still using nPB , they must take action to ensure that their cleaning processes are compliant . Here are our top tips to help make the switch and to keep employees and businesses safe :
1 . KNOW HOW THE BAN AFFECTS YOUR CLEANING SYSTEM
The first step is to understand how the ban will affect different types of cleaning systems . Users of ECSA type I ( open top ) and type II ( enclosed ) cleaning systems will need to stop using nPB and use an alternative cleaning agent .
nPB can turn acidic , which corrodes the machinery from the inside , so you may need to also repair or even replace your equipment .
2 . GET SPECIALIST ADVICE FROM A BUSINESS YOU CAN TRUST
Taking advice from a cleaning industry specialist will help users understand the implications of nPB replacement . A full audit and survey of existing equipment will be required to make sure any switch of solvents is be viable , effective and safe . We provide guidance through REACH and other regulations to ensure that businesses understand how to remain compliant , whatever their type of cleaning system .
3 . TAKE STOCK OF THE ALTERNATIVES
All current nPB users will need to identify new replacement cleaning
Common Name |
Chemical Name |
GWP |
Regulatory |
|
|
|
Issues |
nPb n-Propyl Bromide , 1-Bromopropane , 1BP
chemistries , but caution is advised . Some alternatives which may be suggested are also restricted solvents , such as Perchloroethylene ( PERC ) or Methylene Chloride ( MECL ). These substances pose numerous health risks and usage restrictions are set to be put in place , so they are not safe , and they may require replacement soon . Users should be careful not to simply substitute one harmful substance for another .
One family of alternative solvents is fluorinated materials . However , regulations around the use of F-gases ( also known as fluorinated gases ) have become increasingly stringent over the last few years . There is a limit on how much F-gas can be sold in Europe and the use of F-gases in new equipment is banned where alternatives with a lower Global Warming Potential ( GWP ) are available .
F-gases have a very high GWP . Global warming is a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth ’ s atmosphere caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide , CFCs , and other pollutants . GWP is used to represent the equivalent of Co2 being released into the atmosphere . So 1kg of Co2 = a GWP of 1 . In the case of F-gases , they have a GWP of up to 11,000 .
< 1 SVHC Sunset Date
HFC 365 1,1,1,3,3-PENTAFLUOROBUTANE 890 F-gas Annex I HFC 4310 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane 1640 F-gas Annex I HFE7100 Ethyl Nonaflouroisobutyl ether 320 F-Gas AnnexII HFE 7200 Ethyl nonafluorobutyl ether 55 F-Gas AnnexII HFO Z ) -1,1,1,4,4,4-Hexafluoro-2-butene < 2 None HFO
Methoxytridecafluorohep-tene isomers
< 15 None
The table above shows the common HFC and HFE ’ s offered as replacement alternatives . As the table highlights , many of these fall under F-gas regulations and should be avoided .
New generation cleaning agents are worthy of consideration as a replacement . SF80™ by the new generation Opteon™ range from Chemours™ , for example , is a drop-in nPB alternative . SF80 is also unique because it is not affected by any F-gas regulations , which allows businesses to make a one-step replacement , saving time and ultimately costs .
4 . ASSESS THE TRUE COST OF ALTERNATIVES
The total cost in use of cleaning agents is sometimes overlooked . Price per litre should not be the only factor to consider . Other restricted solvents may have a similar price point to nPB , but this may mask their overall cost in productivity and safety terms .
Restricted solvents , including nPB , continue to be subject to special storage and handling requirements , as well as vapour extraction and compulsory occupational exposure monitoring - all of which are ‘ hidden ’ costs .
22 PECM Issue 50