Quaker helps customers solve microbial contamination and odor problems

Quaker recently received a call from a customer to ask questions about the safety aspects of microbes and smells. Quaker related personnel immediately rushed to the scene, hoping to help customers solve problems in a timely manner.

In our communication with the factory personnel, this factory is facing the problem of low pH of the coolant . Too low a pH enhances irritation to the skin and mucous membranes. According to an analysis report that Quaker subsequently submitted to the customer's chemical management department, the amount of bacterial contamination of the plant's coolant is quite high.

We all know that bacterial contamination of the coolant is a common phenomenon, which is caused by microorganisms present in the air. The atmospheric environment of this factory is also one of the sources of bacteria. For a long time, different kinds of microorganisms have become the main microorganisms in the local area through air flow, which may be bacteria or fungi. This is why some factories have different types of microbial contamination.

Generally speaking , the conditions of microbial contamination and odor generation and the effects are as follows.

1. The pH of the working fluid

a) pH is a measure of the relative amount of acid or base in an aqueous solution or emulsion.

b) The pH affects the equilibrium of the relative solubility of the alkanol in the water, and the change in pH will cause the alcoholamine to reach equilibrium in the gas phase from the liquid phase. Since the alcohol amine has a special odor (ammonia) after volatilization, this is a commonly known unpleasant odor.

c) Generally, the ideal pH range for the coolant is 9.0-9.5.

d) The growth of microorganisms in the coolant produces acidic substances, which is usually the main cause of the pH drop in the coolant system. If you increase the pH, it will also help control the growth of microorganisms.

2. Continuous and long-term microbial contamination

a) Because of the metabolic processes of microorganisms, they consume some of the components in the coolant (typically containing nitrogen, like alkanolamines) to synthesize proteins to maintain their total growth.

b) This digestion process produces metabolic waste, which usually enters the coolant, which also causes odor problems.

c) Because of these contaminations, routine maintenance of the coolant system, including prevention and timely response processes, is important.

3. Systemic pollution

a) Experience has shown that miscellaneous oils are typically leaked into the coolant system through the spindle oil, hydraulic oil and rail oil during the manufacturing process. These miscellaneous oils change the composition of the coolant and therefore need to be removed by a suitable method.

b) It is worth noting that some anti-wear hydraulic oils contain zinc additives, and zinc has some negative effects on aluminum processing systems because it has more electronegativity for aluminum.

According to the customer's problem, once the pH is lowered to the minimum control line, the amount of microorganisms will be high, and the growth of microorganisms must be controlled by increasing the pH (amine), so that the amines are volatilized from the liquid, and the field workers will experience difficulties. Smell the smell. Quaker Chemicals provides customers with a dynamic control program to maintain a stable bio-stable state of the coolant product: controlling the growth of microorganisms and preventing odour volatilization through pH fluctuations, thereby improving customer health and safety issues.

In the end, the customer has taken the appropriate measures through the method suggested by Quaker and has completely solved the problem. Based on the principle of commitment, Quaker has always attached great importance to providing technical services on the customer's site, and is committed to solving various application problems for customers.