Handbook of Solvents - George Wypych - ChemTech - Ventech!

1020 George Wypych
New technology is emerging to reduce solvent use. Recent inventions disclose that, in
addition to reducing solvents, the stability of ethylene polymers can be improved with the
new developed process. 3 A proper selection of solvent improved a stripping operation and
contributed to the better quality of cyclic esters used as monomers. 4 Solvent was used for
the recovery of fine particles of polymer which were contaminating water. 5 A new process
for producing fiber for cigarette filters uses reduced amounts of solvent. 6 Optical fibers are
manufactured by radiation curing which eliminates solvents. 7 A new electrospinning process
has been developed which produces unique fibers by the dry spinning method, providing
a simpler separation and regeneration of the solvent. 8
REFERENCES
1 EPA Office of Compliance Sector Notebook Project. Profile of the Petroleum Refining Industry.
US Environmental Protection Agency, 1995.
2 EPA Office of Compliance Sector Notebook Project. Sector Notebook Data Refresh - 1997.
US Environmental Protection Agency, 1998.
3 M M Hughes, M E Rowland. C A Strait, US Patent 5,756,659, The Dow Chemical Company, 1998.
4 D W Verser, A Cheung, T J Eggeman, W A Evanko, K H Schilling, M Meiser, A E Allen, M E Hillman,
G E Cremeans, E S Lipinsky, US Patent 5,750,732, Chronopol, Inc., 1998.
5 H Dallmeyer, US Patent 5,407,974, Polysar Rubber Corporation, 1995.
6 J N Cannon, US Patent 5,512,230, Eastman Chemical Company, 1996.
7 P J Shustack, US Patent 5,527,835, Borden, Inc., 1996.
8 A E Zachariades, R S Porter, J Doshi, G Srinivasan, D H Reneker, Polym. News, 20, No.7, 206-7 (1995).
14.23 PRINTING INDUSTRY
George Wypych
ChemTec Laboratories, Inc., Toronto, Canada
The number of printing and publishing operations in the US is estimated at over 100,000.
1.5 million people are employed. The value of shipments is over $135 billion. 97% of
printing is done by lithography, gravure, flexography, letterpress, and screen printing on
substrates such as paper, plastic metal, and ceramic. Although, these processes differ, the
common feature is the use of cleaning solvents in imaging, platemaking, printing, and
finishing operation. Most inks contain solvents and many of the adhesives used in finishing
operations also contain solvents. Many processes use the so-called fountain solutions which
are applied to enable the non-image area of the printing plate to repel ink. These solutions
contain primarily isopropyl alcohol. But the printing operation is, by itself, the largest
contributor of VOCs. Each printing process requires inks which differ drastically in
rheology. For example, gravure printing requires low viscosity inks which contain a higher
solvent concentrations.
Tables 14.23.1 and 14.23.2 provide data on the reported releases and transfers of solvents
by the US printing industry. These data show that there are fewer solvents and relatively
low releases and transfers compared with other industries. In terms of VOC
contribution, the printing industry is 5th and 10th in the total emissions and transfers.
Current literature shows that there is extensive activity within and outside industry to
limit VOCs and reduce emissions. Cleaning operations are the major influence on emissions.
Shell has developed a new cleaning formulations containing no aromatic or chlori-