Keep Your Process Lines Running During the TCE Shortage

Scarce availability, increased prices and long-term regulatory issues – are you worried about your process lines being slowed down or stopped entirely due to the Trichloroethylene (TCE) shortage?

Be proactive in managing your pre-cleaning.  Talk with a cleaning expert to understand and explore your options:

Conserve & Stay with TCE (Hub-Tri)

    • Maintain Your Solvent​: Test weekly​ and reclaim if possible​
    • Maintain Your Equipment​: Check monthly​ and clean often​

Replace Your Chemistry

ChemistryProsCons
Non–halogenated Solvents –Hydrocarbons​
Relatively low cost​Vacuum degreasers only
Fluorinated Solvent Blends​
Very stable azeotrope​
High fill cost
Modified AlcoholsNo pending regulations​
High equipment costs (vacuum degreasers)​
Aqueous CleaningGood cleaning capabilities – soils, oils, waxes​
New equipment/Wastewater treatment
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"The limited supply and long lead times of some fluorocarbons, require a second look at alternatives like Tergo."

Expert Advice

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Want more details on how to conserve your solvent?  Want to hear what your other options are?  This webinar brought to you by our cleaning experts answers your questions.

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Want to learn more about equipment recommendations, solvent test kits and various stabilizers to extend the life of the solvent?  Or do you want to see your alternatives – solvent & aqueous?

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Considering a switch to aqueous cleaning?  Our experts can help you understand the mechanisms of aqueous cleaners and decide what is best for your process – alkaline or acidic.

The TCE Shortage is Not a Short Term Problem

  • One of the principal manufacturers has exited the production of this product​.
  • The only other US producer cannot keep up with demand​.
  • Prices continue to rise and will likely not fall back to pre 2020 levels​.
  • The EPA has concluded that TCE, PERC, MC, and nPB* all have unreasonable risk to workers, and there is no type of equipment, engineering controls, or process that can mitigate these risks​.

For more information on “Halogenated Solvent Exposure – How low will it go?”,
please refer to this article by Barbara and Edward Kanegsberg of BFK Solutions LLC.

*Trichloroethylene, Perchloroethylene, Methylene Chloride, N-propyl bromide​

Testing and Re-Stabilization

Testing and Re-Stabilization

All chlorinated solvents contain application-specific stabilizers to avoid acidification. During normal usage, the stabilizer concentration in the solvent decreases gradually. In most cases, re-stabilization is necessary, especially in stress condition (distillation and active carbon recovery), in order to:

  • protect both the cleaning system and the parts to be
  • cleaned from corrosion
  • maintain high cleaning quality
  • increase solvent lifespan

Improving process stability with the right products for your needs: MAXICHECK™ test kits and MAXISTAB™ stabilizers.

TCE Shortage Help