ENVIRONMENT

BUSINESS: 294 PRACTICES


TOPIC:

Initiative

Closed Circuit Degreasing System of Copper Tubes

Closed Circuit Degreasing System of Copper Tubes
SUBMITTED FROM:

HALCOR SA

HALCOR is a leading Group of companies that specializes in the production, processing and marketing of copper, copper alloys and zinc products. It has a dynamic commercial presence in the European and global markets for more than 75 years.

 

Read more: www.halcor.com

 


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Objective Action

To reduce significantly the solvents use and to avoid emissions in the workplace and atmospheric emissions in the wider area.

 

Target Audience

The program concerns the company’s internal environment aiming at the environmental protection.

 

Duration

The program began in the 2nd trimester of 2014 and was completed in the same year.


Description

HALCOR installed a new Closed Circuit Degreasing System, which replaced a previous degreasing system. This new degreasing system consists of:
 

• the work chamber
• a tank
• a recirculation system
• control panel
• the machine’s shell.
 

During the system’s operation, a block of tubes is put into a basket and transferred into the work chamber through the use of a crane. After closing the work chamber, the machine’s shell is shield automatically and degreasing begins. The shell opens only after the process of degreasing has finished. Afterwards, the basket containing the tubes is raised automatically by the crane, while the nest one is put in the tube. The whole procedure is automatically run through the control panel. The degreasing system’s operation is run by vacuum collection and is monitored throughout the whole operation cycle through an autonomous measuring system of the solvent.

More specific, according to the recommended system’s design, all solvent measurements below the limit (1mg/m3) are a safety valve for the removal of the tubes from the work chamber after the end of the degreasing cycle. In the new Closed Circuit of Copper Tubes Degreasing, perchloro is used as a means of degreasing. The estimated consumption amount is 11tn annually.


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Impact on Society

Emissions reduction in the workplace: despite the fact that the air quality in the company’s workplace was already within the legal requirements, the company installed the program aiming to eliminate the solvent emissions. The benefits to the company’s employees are very important.
 

The solvent consumption (“Percloroethylene: the solvent used by the closed circuit) during May-December 2013 and 2014 was:
 

  • May-December 2013: 39.600 kg
  • May-December 2014: 5.280 kg
     

Consequently, given that the production was not significantly changed during this period, there was 34.320 kg solvent saving that is 86.7% reduction, in 8 months.



Initiative Location

Oinofita Viotias - HALCOR plant


Working with Organization

No cooperation with other associations. The program was developed in the company by the Environment Department in cooperation with the Production Management.


Workers Participation

The program was developed by the Environment Department in cooperation with the Production Management executives.


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