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Tag Archive: membrane cleaning

  1. Reclaiming Water To Maintain Future Economic Growth

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    The Challenge

    How do you provide a consistent, high quality supply of water when you have a large volume ethanol distiller located in your backyard? The city of Fargo, ND came up with the perfect solution: reclaim water through the municipal wastewater treatment plant!

    The History

    The wastewater treatment plant in Fargo, North Dakota has an auxiliary effluent re-use facility constructed specifically to produce reverse osmosis quality water destined for ethanol production. A local corn to ethanol distiller, Tharaldson Ethanol, requires approximately 1,000,000 gallons (3.8 million liters) of reverse osmosis water per day above the wastewater treatment plant’s normal processing volumes. Fargo’s wastewater control systems manager, Jeff Hoff, manages the effluent re-use facility to ensure this additional volume is met on a daily basis.

    The Problem

    A key component of the effluent re-use facility is the ultra-filtration process, which uses 0.4μ polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes with an upper pH limit of 10.0. These membranes are fouled primarily with petroleum sulfonates and bacterial secretions. Particularly in cold weather, the upstream BOD step has frequent “upsets,” where the bacteria die and secrete a water soluble foulant that adheres strongly to the PVDF polymer and significantly increases the trans-membrane pressure (TMP). These “upsets” must be resolved quickly to ensure a plentiful supply of pure water.

    The Test

    In order to determine the optimal cleaning regimen to resolve these upsets, Jeff systematically evaluated the performance of twenty different cleaners and hundreds of different combinations and concentrations, including commonly used commodities and many formulated membrane cleaners.

    The Solution

    Jeff discovered that Micro-90®, a formulated cleaner from International Products Corporation (IPC), stood out because it performed better than all of the commodities and other formulated membrane cleaners, particularly on the bacterial secretions. What Jeff found most impressive is that this formulated cleaner worked effectively without the use of phosphates, silicates, and strong alkalis, at a membrane compatible pH of only 9.5, and at a 0.3 percent concentration.

    The Product

    Micro-90® is a mild, yet powerful, multipurpose, alkaline cleaning concentrate that is used for membrane cleaning as well as in laboratories, industrial applications, and critical cleaning processes. A unique chelating detergent, Micro-90® contains anionic and non-ionic ingredients which combine to produce a variety of cleaning actions. Micro-90® is compatible with UF, RO, Ceramic and NF Systems.

    The Long-Term Success

    This same formulation has been in use at Fargo’s effluent re-use facility since October 2010. Some of the original PVDF membranes are still used and continue to see significant TMP drops after cleaning. Although the bacterial upsets cannot be prevented, their fouling can be resolved in a predictable manner with the use of this formulated product.

    The engineers at the facility recognize that using Micro-90® for regularly scheduled preventative maintenance and cleaning of the membranes proves to be an effective, safe, and economical method of keeping the plant running efficiently and the water flowing continually. Based on its effectiveness, safe profile, compatibility and economical cost per use, they have recommended Micro-90® to design engineers at similar effluent re-use facilities.

    Read more about cleaning filter membranes here:
    How To Choose the Proper Membrane Cleaner
    Make Your Membranes Last…A Simple 10 Step Guide

  2. Save Time And Money With Preventative Maintenance

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    It’s summer! It’s time to relax and enjoy the warmer weather. Kids are out of school, daylight hours are long, families flock to beaches and it seems like just about everyone takes a vacation.

    While summer means various things to different people, for many manufacturers summer means factory shutdowns, plant retooling and scheduled maintenance operations.

    What is Preventative Maintenance?

    We’ve all been there. Any of these scenarios ring a bell? A long road trip and your car won’t start. You’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner and your oven isn’t working. Or, it’s the worst heat wave of the summer and your air conditioning unit dies. Regardless of the scenario, we can all agree that malfunctioning equipment is extremely aggravating. If only there were a way to prevent these things from happening!

    While we can’t prevent all unplanned breakdowns, there are actions we can take to minimize their occurrence. That’s where preventative maintenance steps in.  Preventative maintenance refers to regularly scheduled maintenance operations designed to keep equipment functioning optimally throughout the year to help prevent unplanned breakdowns.

    Similarly to taking your car to the shop for regular oil changes or servicing your air conditioning unit annually prior to the summer heat, manufacturing plants can take steps to regularly inspect and service their equipment to help prevent costly and untimely breakdowns.

    Why Should You Perform Preventative Maintenance? 

    Simply put, preventative maintenance saves you time and money. Equipment breakdowns are costly and inconvenient. Depending on its function, one piece of malfunctioning equipment can bring an entire plant to a grinding halt leading to lost production and expensive repairs.

    Isn’t taking a piece of equipment out of commission to perform preventative maintenance equally as time consuming and expensive? Absolutely not! Sure, maintenance tasks take time and cost money, but planning for them minimizes the bite.

    Would you prefer to take your equipment out of commission during a slow period or on your busiest day of the year? Imagine the oven at your local pizzeria breaking down on Super Bowl Sunday. There’s no way to recoup those lost sales!

    Parts and labor almost always cost less when it isn’t an emergency repair situation. Having spare parts shipped overnight is not cheap! And, finding service personnel who can drop everything and come right away isn’t always a reality.

    Many manufacturing plants shut down for a short time during the summer for retooling in preparation for new production runs. Planning preventative maintenance to coincide with scheduled plant shut downs is a win-win.

    7 Benefits of Preventative Maintenance

    1. Increase equipment life
    2. Improve functionality and reliability of equipment
    3. Decrease unplanned breakdowns
    4. Less costly repairs
    5. More productive operations
    6. Maintain product quality
    7. Reduce risk of worker injury

    The expression “the best offense is a good defense” perfectly sums up the principle of preventative maintenance. Advance planning keeps costs down and helps keep your equipment running smoothly and efficiently.

    Setting Up A Preventative Maintenance Plan

    Obviously, every manufacturing plant is unique and each one may have distinct maintenance needs. But, universal considerations that come into play when setting up a preventative maintenance plan include frequency, responsibility, identification of specific tasks and monitoring of the process.

    Frequency

    How often should equipment be inspected and repaired? This will depend upon your industry and the type of equipment. Scheduled maintenance is often based upon time intervals, equipment usage, or specific trigger events.

    Time triggers are based upon specific calendar intervals. Do you inspect and service the pumps in your plant every three months? Or, do you check the antifreeze in your vehicle prior to the onset of cold weather? Similar to your annual physical with your physician, time triggers are maintenance activities based upon the passage of specific periods of time.

    Usage triggers are based upon how and when the equipment is used. Examples of usage triggers are changing the oil in your car every 5,000 – 10, 000 miles, or cleaning the processing lines and tanks in your manufacturing plant after each production run.

    Event triggers are marked by equipment performance. In wastewater treatment facilities, filter membranes are often cleaned when their flux rate drops by 10 percent. Other examples of event triggers are sharpening a knife when it becomes dull or filling your car tires with air when the pressure drops below a specified level.

    Responsibility

    Who is responsible for performing scheduled maintenance services? Are the drivers and technicians that use the equipment expected to perform preventative maintenance activities? Or does your facility have a specified maintenance team that inspects and repairs equipment on a regular basis? It’s important for the entire team to know who to go to for regular upkeep of their equipment.

    Identify specific maintenance tasks

    What maintenance operations should be conducted on a regular basis?  Not only will this vary based upon your equipment and your industry, but it may also differ from one plant to another. A checklist of each and every preventative maintenance task should be developed and followed. Common maintenance tasks may include inspecting and testing functionality, cleaning equipment and replacing parts.

    Maintain records

    All maintenance activities should be recorded and tracked. This helps in planning future maintenance schedules, estimating and keeping track of costs, and monitoring equipment safety and functionality. Most companies use software designed for this purpose, but manual records can also be used.

    Plan Ahead     

    When things are running smoothly it’s easy to overlook common maintenance chores and rationalize that it’s not worth the time to regularly inspect and repair parts. But nothing could be further from the truth. Proper maintenance helps ensure that your equipment is working correctly and your facility is functioning efficiently. Investing the time and money to set up and follow a regular maintenance plan will provide long-term savings by keeping your business functioning smoothly and efficiently.

    Need help getting started setting up a preventative maintenance plan for your facility? IPC’s temporary assembly lubricants and specialty cleaners are routinely used in preventative maintenance programs. Read more industry specific guidelines here:

  3. How do I Choose the Best Detergent for My Cleaning Application?

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    It’s easy to see that you have a dirty surface that needs to be cleaned. Figuring out what type of cleaner to use can be tricky! Choosing the right product from the outset will make your cleaning task easier, quicker and more efficient. So, how do you know which detergent to use?

    Dirt is Dirt, Right?

    Absolutely not! All soils are different and need to be treated properly. A detergent that works well for cleaning grease and oil might not be the best choice for getting rid of soap scum or starchy soils. While some cleaners may work well for a broad spectrum of soils, others may be needed to target specific types of dirt.

    Alkaline cleaners work well for organic soils like oils and grease, while acid based cleaners are more effective on inorganic soils such metals and salts. Knowing what type of soil you are dealing with is an important step to choosing the right detergent.

    This helpful chart matches detergents to soils commonly found on parts and equipment in laboratories, pharmaceutical plants, food & beverage manufacturing sites, medical devices, filter membranes and manufacturing facilities.

    What are You Cleaning?

    Glass? Metal? Rubber? Electronic parts? Filter membranes? Understanding how different detergents affect different surfaces will certainly have an impact on your choice of cleaner. It’s important to be sure that the detergent you are using is compatible with the surface you are cleaning.

    Many filter membranes are sensitive to harsh chemicals and extreme pH levels, so a cleaner with a mild pH range and safe ingredients may be the right choice. Softer metals and delicate electronic parts may require use of a cleaner with a neutral pH.

    The manufacturer of the cleaner should be able to provide you with compatibility information for the product you are using.

    How are You Cleaning?

    The cleaning method you plan to use also plays a role in choosing a detergent. Some of the more common methods used in manufacturing and laboratory applications include:
    • Ultrasonic cleaning
    • CIP (clean-in place)
    • Manual or hand wash
    • Automatic washers
    It’s important to choose a detergent that works well for your chosen cleaning method. For example, if you are using an automatic washer it’s wise to use a low foaming cleaner. Otherwise you may end up with a room full of foamy suds. While this is great fodder for TV sitcoms, it’s not so funny in real life.

    Is Your Cleaner Safe?

    There are many cleaners on the market that do a great job at removing dirt, but they contain solvents and other harmful ingredients. Look for cleaners that are both effective and safe. Many cleaners are biodegradable. Try to avoid products that contain phosphates, solvents, silicates, phenols, and substances of very high concern.

    International Products Corporation’s (IPC) cleaners are safe for personnel, materials, equipment and the environment. Yet, they are powerful enough to remove the most difficult soils. This makes them excellent alternatives to hazardous solvents and chemicals frequently used for precision cleaning applications.

    The Manufacturer Matters

    When you select a product for your critical cleaning application you should be equally as concerned with the support provided by the manufacturer as you are with the product performance.The benefits of working with an experienced specialty cleaner manufacturer are that they can offer technical guidance and provide a variety of products to best meet your needs. Cleaner manufacturers should be able to assist their customers by providing validation methods, compatibility studies, toxicology reports, regulatory compliance, free product samples, and technical support.

    There are so many variables that exist in choosing the right cleaning product. Remember to consider the soils, the surfaces, the cleaning method, the safety and the manufacturer. With careful thought and planning you can find a cleaner that meets all of your specifications. Choosing wisely makes a difference!

    Download IPC’s ePaper for more information about choosing a cleaner and establishing the right cleaning parameters.

  4. Is Your Cleaner Biodegradable?

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    When it comes time to choose a product for critical cleaning applications most of us are concerned with performance. We want a powerful cleaner that will remove all soils and get the job done. But, have you ever stopped to wonder about the environmental effects of that product?

    What if you found a powerful, effective cleaner that was also environmentally friendly and safe for all personnel? What if the cleaner was actually biodegradable? Do these products exist? Can you find a safe precision cleaner that delivers the exceptional performance you’re seeking?

    International Products Corporation (IPC) manufactures a full line of specially formulated precision cleaners that are among the safest yet most effective solutions on the market. All of IPC’s environmentally safe cleaners are free of solvents, phosphates, silicates, phenols, and substances of very high concern.

    IPC’s cleaners are safe for personnel, materials and equipment, and the environment. Yet, they are powerful enough to remove the most difficult soils. This makes them excellent alternatives to hazardous solvents and chemicals frequently used for precision cleaning applications.

    Choose from 3 different biodegradable cleaners

    • Micro® Green Clean is an industrial-strength, free-rinsing, multi-purpose hard surface cleaner designed for use in a wide range of cleaning applications. Target soils include grease, oil and biological debris. It is excellent for cleaning metals, ceramics, medical instruments, food-processing equipment, filter membranes, and other surfaces.
    • Micro® A07 is a powerful blend of chelating citric acid and anionic surfactants designed to remove salts, soap scum, metal oxides, hard water scale, grease, rust, milkstone, mineral deposits and inorganic material from filter membranes, labware, and industrial equipment.
    • Zymit® Pro is a neutral-pH cleaner formulated with a unique blend of protease enzymes, surfactants, and builders that work together to remove tough protein-based soils. The enzymes dissolve the soils, and the detergents help lift and wash them away. Target soils include food, gelatin, and biological materials such as blood, fat, and tissue. Zymit® Pro is effective for cleaning filter membranes, metals, ceramics, plastics, medical instruments and devices, food processing equipment, and other surfaces.

    When cleanliness counts, you can count on IPC’s full line of specialty cleaners. IPC’s mild, yet powerful precision cleaners destroy dirt and help keep workers and the environment safe. Registered with the NSF as USDA A1 cleaners, IPC’s precision cleaners are effective for cleaning a broad spectrum of soils from all types of surfaces and have helped companies in the most highly regulated industries solve their cleaning challenges.

    What’s in your plant? Replace traditionally used corrosives, phosphates, solvents, petroleum distillates, and other hazardous chemicals with safe yet powerful precision cleaners. Learn more here or contact IPC’s technical team for help with choosing the right solution for your cleaning application.

  5. Destroy Dirt…See How Micro-90® Makes Dirt Disappear

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    Removing stubborn soils can be challenging. Oil, grease, gels, wax, dyes, flux, emulsifiers and biological debris are just some of the soils that are difficult to get rid of. It can be a daunting task to find a cleaner powerful enough to remove these soils, and is also non-hazardous and environmentally friendly.

    Enter Micro-90®
    Micro-90 is a mild, yet powerful, multi-purpose, formulated cleaner that is effective in both industrial and critical cleaning applications. This unique detergent contains chelants and anionic and nonionic ingredients which combine to produce a variety of cleaning actions. Micro-90 lifts, disperses, emulsifies, sequesters, suspends, and decomposes soils. Once rinsed away, surfaces are thoroughly clean without any residue.

    Micro-90 is designed for a wide range of applications. It can be used to remove oil, grease, resin, tar, wax, biological material, insoluble oxides, gels, dyes, fine particles, flux, emulsifiers and many other soils. Micro-90 is excellent at cleaning metal, glass, ceramic, rubber, plastic, gemstones, filter membranes and most other hard surfaces.

    Seeing is Believing
    International Products Corporation (IPC), the manufacturer of Micro-90, demonstrates the effectiveness of Micro-90 in this video.

    m90-wipe

    In the video you can watch as Micro-90 removes heavy soil build-up from ceramic tiles and metal surfaces. Soils shown in this example include simulated bathroom grease and oil, baked on kitchen grease and mineral-based soils. A 2% concentration of Micro-90 in water is all that is needed to remove dirt and restore cleanliness to surfaces. You can actually watch dirt lifting off the objects and when finished, they look just like new!

    7 Reasons You Should Use Micro-90 Concentrated Cleaning Solution:

    • 7-Way Action – Lifts, disperses, emulsifies, sequesters, dissolves, suspends and decomposes soils
    • Manufactured in a dedicated system and lot number controlled
    • Fast, effective soil removal
    • Environmentally Friendly – Free of solvents, phosphates, silicates, phenols and Substances of Very High Concern
    • NSF-Registered, USDA-A1 Cleaner
    • Sample Validation Methods are available for FDA regulated processes
    • Economical – Highly concentrated, easy to use liquid

    See for yourself! Request a free sample and put Micro-90 to the test for your most challenging cleaning applications.

    Interested in learning more about Micro-90? Visit IPC’s website or contact one of our technical specialists.

  6. Make Your Membranes Last…A Simple 10 Step Guide

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    What Are Membranes?
    Membranes are filters used to separate different substances. They are used for a variety of applications throughout many industries, including wastewater treatment, food & beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and laboratory operations. “A membrane is a thin layer of semi-permeable material that separates substances when a driving force is applied across the membrane. Membrane processes are increasingly used for removal of bacteria, microorganisms, particulates, and natural organic material…”  (https://www.mrwa.com/WaterWorksMnl/Chapter%2019%20Membrane%20Filtration.pdf)

    Why Clean Membranes?
    Once membranes become fouled from use they become less effective. Clean membranes allow for the proper flow of water and are essential for maintaining an optimal flux rate. Therefore, it is important to implement a regular membrane cleaning regimen to help ensure that they are operating effectively. Instituting a regular maintenance program for cleaning membranes can help extend membrane life, saving money on equipment and operating costs.

    Where Do I Begin?
    Establishing a regular membrane cleaning regimen can be overwhelming. There are so many variables to consider from choosing the right detergent to figuring how much cleaner to use and how often to clean.

    Follow this simple 10 step guide to get started:

    1. When should I clean membranes?
    Use a 10/10/10 rule to determine cleaning frequency. Membranes should be cleaned whenever flux rate decreases by 10%, trans-membrane pressure (TMP) increases by 10%, or permeate water quality decreases by 10%.

    2. What cleaner should I use?
    Using the proper detergent can greatly affect the outcome. The soils fouling the membranes directly impact your choice of cleaner. Read more here.

    3. What type of membranes are you using?
    It’s always important to check with the membrane manufacturer for any specific operating conditions.

    4. Should I soak before cleaning?
    This will depend upon the condition of the membranes. An initial soak may be required if membranes are extremely fouled.

    5. How much cleaner do I use?
    The amount of cleaner used will vary based upon which detergent you are using and upon the parameters of your membrane system. Fill equipment up to 50% of its total volume to provide low pressure and high flux for optimal cleaning. The manufacturer of the cleaner should be able to provide specific guidelines.

    6. Should I use a quick or slow flow rate?
    Start with a slow flow rate to prevent any suspended soils from re-fouling the membranes. Then, gradually increase the flow up to its maximum rate.

    7. Do I recirculate?
    This helps to effectively clean the membrane. Recirculating provides agitation in and around the membrane. Air bubbles are introduced from recirculation, creating a turbulent flow. This turbulence causes a subtle, pulsating change in pressure at the membrane surface that assists in dislodging foulants. Recirculation may also increase the temperature of the cleaning solution by a few degrees, which bolsters detergency.

    8. What’s the proper temperature?
    As with any cleaning application, heating the cleaning solution will improve results. Check manufacturer’s guidelines for maximum operating temperatures for both the membranes and the cleaners.

    9. Do I need to rinse?
    A thorough rinsing step is important to make sure that all of the soils, as well as any excess cleaning solution, have been removed from the system.

    10. Can I set it and forget it?
    Absolutely not! It’s important to monitor the process to check for any abnormalities or changes in temperature, pressure or pH. However, using a safe and compatible cleaner allows more forgiveness in the cleaning regimen if operator error is introduced.

    Make Your Membranes Last
    Cleaning membranes on a regular basis restores membrane flux which aids in prolonging membrane life. Membranes are extremely expensive. Keeping them clean and functioning optimally saves money.

    When selecting a membrane cleaner find a manufacturer that provides a range of proven products and offers free technical support, free product samples, customer referrals and on-site assistance. International Products Corporation (IPC) offers a full line of membrane cleaners that have been proven to restore 100% membrane flux and extend membrane life.

    One of IPC’s customers treats industrial wastewater generated by the engine plant of a major automotive manufacturer. At this facility, up to 168,000 gallons of wastewater are treated per day using an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system. They have used IPC’s Micro-90® Concentrated Cleaning Solution to clean their membranes for over 14 years with 100% flux recovery. Prior to using Micro-90®, their initial two-step process used caustic materials and acids. A 1% solution of Micro-90® not only removes the organics and metals that blind the membranes, but it provides savings through reduced energy, reduced chemical use and less downtime. They did not need to replace any of their membranes for over 14 years, representing a cost savings of over $500,000.

    Download IPC’s CIP Guidelines for Membrane Cleaning for help in setting up a membrane cleaning regimen. Establishing a regular cleaning schedule for your membranes can add years to their life!

     

  7. How To Choose the Proper Membrane Cleaner

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    Cleaning filter membranes is a challenge faced by water treatment facilities across a variety of industries. In addition to municipal water treatment plants, wastewater treatment occurs in the automotive, metalworking, food & beverage, textile, parts cleaning, oil & gas, pharmaceutical, industrial manufacturing, and electronics industries. Keeping filter membranes clean is a concern to all of them.

    Once membranes become fouled from use they become less effective. Clean membranes allow for the proper flow of water. Keeping membranes clean is essential to maintaining an optimal flux rate and helps ensure that the treatment plant is operating effectively. Therefore, it is important to implement a regular membrane cleaning regimen.

    Finding the right membrane cleaner for the job can be a challenge. Using the right membrane cleaner is a good economic decision as it minimizes downtime and prolongs membrane life. Since membranes are extremely expensive, most facilities try their best to keep them operational for as long as possible.

    What should treatment plant operators seek in a membrane cleaner?

    • Cleaners should restore membrane flux. This will help prolong the life of the membrane.
    • Products that will reduce the cleaning frequency needed. This will lead to reduced down time and lower costs for cleaning products.
    • Cleaners that are safe for the membranes and the environment.
    • Products that are easy to use.

    Many membranes are sensitive to harsh chemicals and extreme pH levels. It is important for treatment plant operators to choose cleaners that will not be harmful to the membranes. Many specialty cleaners with mild pH ranges and safe ingredients are formulated to be effective, non-harmful cleaning agents for membranes.

    What types of soils are present?

    Different types of soils require different types of treatment. Plant operators must also consider the type of soil found in the water that is being treated.

    Alkaline cleaners dissolve oils and greases. These types of soils are often found in industrial manufacturing facilities. An alkaline cleaner that also contains chelants can suspend metals and minerals to restore membrane flux.

    Acid based cleaners are excellent at dissolving scale, like calcium carbonate or iron oxide. But, many acid cleaners, such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, and phosphoric, are hazardous. Citric acid cleaners are much safer and have a broader range of filter compatibilities. Citric acid cleaners that also contain surfactants can go after many oils and greases that might be present in addition to scale.

    In the food processing industry, soils may contain proteins and starches. Enzymatic cleaners are an excellent choice for targeting these soils.

    Most foulants are combinations of various soils. Choosing a formulated cleaner with multifunctional ingredients is usually the best solution.

    There are so many variables that can exist in choosing the right cleaning product for each facility. Treatment plant operators can benefit greatly from working with specialty cleaner manufacturers that can offer them technical guidance and provide them with a variety of products to best meet their needs. When selecting a membrane cleaner find a company that provides a range of proven products and offers free technical support, free product samples, customer referrals and on-site assistance.

    Read this article about how one municipal treatment plant keeps their membranes clean and functional.

    More information about membrane cleaning can be found on International Products Corporation’s website. Contact our technical specialists for assistance in choosing the right membrane cleaner for your operation.

  8. Formulated Cleaners…The Best Recipe For Safe, Powerful Cleaning!

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    What makes one cleaning product different from another? Aren’t they all the same? You may be surprised to learn that there are many different types of cleaners, each designed for varying purposes. Choosing the right cleaner for the job isn’t a “one size fits all” proposition, but rather a well thought out process in which many factors must be considered.

    What is a Formulated Cleaner?

    One thing that differentiates cleaning products is how they are made. Commodity cleaners are products that are made from a single chemical, targeting a specific type of soil. Formulated cleaners are blends of various chemical ingredients designed to work together to remove various types of soils. By blending chemicals together to produce formulated cleaners, the end result is a product that can attack dirt on surfaces with a variety of cleaning mechanisms including emulsifying, lifting, dispersing, sequestering, suspending and decomposing soils of various types.

    Companies that produce formulated cleaners, specialty chemical manufacturers, often provide a high degree of technical assistance to their customers.  These manufacturers can offer their customers quality assurance, as well as performance and compatibility testing capabilities.

    “Specialty chemicals are chemical products that are sold on the basis of their performance or function, rather than their composition….Products and services in the specialty chemicals industry require intensive knowledge and ongoing innovation. Commodity chemicals, on the other hand, are sold strictly on the basis of their chemical composition. They are single-chemical entities. The commodity chemical product of one supplier is generally readily interchangeable with that of any other.” IHS Markit (2016) https://www.ihs.com/products/specialty-chemicals-industry-scup.html.

    Advantages of Formulated Cleaners

    Some of the advantages of using a formulated cleaner include:

    • Clean multiple soils because the product is composed of a formulated blend of chemicals
    • Provide multiple cleaning mechanisms
    • A synergistic blend of ingredients for tested, proven and consistent cleaning results
    • Tested for quality and compatibility
    • Manufacturers usually offer technical support
    • More economical over time

    Formulated Cleaner or Commodity Cleaner?

    Each formulated cleaner is a unique blend of components, made to exact specifications. The end result is a recipe designed to bring out the best qualities of each ingredient by combining them in precise amounts. Think about baking chocolate chip cookies…while the chocolate pieces might taste good on their own, the finished cookie is so much better!

    What are your cleaning needs? For most critical and industrial cleaning applications, formulated cleaners are the right choice. They provide advantageous cleaning capabilities over commodity products comprised of a single chemical. “Formulated specialties are unique blends … packaged in a single formulation to achieve optimal performance characteristics. Requiring a high degree of field and technical service, examples include water treatment chemicals and industrial and institutional cleaning compounds.” William Storck (2004). “Specialty Chemicals” (PDF). Chemical & Engineering News supplement 82. pp. 35–39.  http://pubs.acs.org/supplements/chemchronicles2/pdf/035.pdf

    Interested in learning more about formulated cleaners? Need assistance in choosing the right product for your critical cleaning application? Visit IPC’s website or contact one of our technical specialists.

    P.S.  We are suddenly craving chocolate chip cookies!  What’s your favorite recipe?  Here’s ours.

  9. International Products Corporation Features Membrane Cleaners at The Clean Show

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    International Products Corporation will be exhibiting at The Clean Show, June 5 – June 8, 2017, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  We invite you to visit us at Booth #3600.

    Learn how to save time, energy and labor costs on membrane and textile cleaning, and equipment maintenance.

    Free product samples are available for testing!

     Click to Download

Detergent Selection Guide

✓ = Used ; ✓ = Preferred
SOILS Micro-90® Micro® Green Clean Micro® A07 Surface-Cleanse/930® LF2100® Zymit® Low-Foam Zymit® Pro
Adhesives ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Biofilm ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Biological soils: Blood, Feces, Mucous, Sebum, Sweat, Urine ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Dyes, Inks ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Eggs, Butter, Fruit Stains ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Emulsifiers ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Fat ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Fingerprints ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Flavor, Fragrances ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Gelatin ✓ ✓
Gels ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Grass ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Insoluble Salts ✓
Milkstone ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Oils ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Oxides ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Paraffins ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Petrolatum ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Proteins ✓ ✓
Scale ✓
Shop Dusts, Soldering Flux ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Silicons ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Starch ✓
Tar ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Tissue ✓ ✓
Titanium Dioxides ✓ ✓ ✓