Surface World November 2019 Surface World November 2019 | Page 50
WATER & EFFLUENT TREATMENT
Their specialist products must
be completely free from all
contaminants before they
can be used – consistent
cleanliness to a high standard
is essential. To add to the
challenge, the product range
includes extremely delicate
components that post
production cleaning processes
must not distort or damage.
The challenge presented to
MecWash was that there was
no one process to de-scale,
clean and brighten the
components in one go whilst
still offering “during and post
process” protection. MecWash
combined their chemical and
process expertise to provide
a solution to all these issues.
The purpose formulated
aqueous cleaner developed
for this application cleans and
protects all of the sensitive
components and offers a
permanent bright finish.
Dull or discoloured
components were de-scaled
and brightened.
Following extensive trials at MecWash’s
dedicated lab at its Tewkesbury headquarters,
the aqueous cleaner combined with the
MecWash AVD 300 aqueous cleaning system
proved it was more than capable of meeting
Advanex’s stringent cleanliness requirements.
Mr Rob Newham from Advanex Europe Ltd,
comments, “We trialled several companies
to achieve improved cleanliness for our
parts; MecWash was not only able to supply
the most suitable equipment, it also provided
the correct chemical formulated to our
requirements, achieving fantastic results
that were beyond our expectations.”
MecWash employs a PhD chemist to develop
bespoke formulations of wash fluid to best
meet the requirements of each individual
customer. Managing Director, John Pattison,
explains, “MecWash understands that all
of our customers have their own specific
requirements and objectives – we work
closely with them throughout all stages of
the project to ensure we achieve the best
results possible, rather than offering a
‘one size fits all’ approach.
“This attitude has resulted in us building
a number of long-term relationships with
customers who trust us with all of their
component cleaning requirements because
we take the time to really understand
their needs.”
48
One of MecWash Systems’ existing customers
came to them with another challenge. This
customer provides surface engineering and
component maintenance for steel rolling
and processing equipment.
Prior to maintenance and refurbishment, steel
rolling bearings need to be clean and dry
with all traces of lubrication grease removed.
The particular lubrication grease used for this
purpose is designed to provide continuous
and consistent lubrication to heavy
engineering components under extremely
challenging conditions. The grease is
designed “not to come off”, which meant
its removal was a time-consuming and
labour-intensive manual operation using
a non-environmentally friendly vapour
degreaser. The company wanted to move
away from using solvents.
The chemical solution AC43 combined
robust detergency and with sophisticated
de-emulsifying technology to remove the
denatured grease and its by-products
as well as simultaneously control the foam
generation via a water-soluble, non surface
active antifoam package.”
Following extensive trials at MecWash’s lab,
the combination of the Duo 600 component
cleaning system and AC43 proved it was
more than capable of meeting the
customer’s stringent cleanliness
requirements.
MecWash was invited to investigate and
come up with a practical solution. Thanks to
MecWash Systems’ expertise and chemistry
experience, it was established that the
tenacious grease required substantial
thermal, mechanical and chemical energy
to break it down and remove it from the
bearing surface. The customer explained that after trialling
several companies to achieve improved
cleanliness for their part, MecWash was
not only able to supply the most suitable
equipment, they also provided the correct
chemical formulated for their requirements,
achieving fantastic results that were beyond
the customer’s expectations. The change-
over from the labour intensive manual
system has enabled the customer to not only
improve production, cleanliness and output,
but it has also reduced manual handling,
process time and waste.
John Pattison says: “After testing off the shelf
aqueous detergents, our chemist returned to
the chemical drawing board and formulated
a purpose-engineered chemical to break
down and remove the grease, and convert
it into both a liquid and a solid form. Telephone: +44 (0) 1684 271600
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.mecwash.co.uk
NOVEMBER 2019
read online: www.surfaceworld.com