Publication date: 02 February 2012
The electro-chemicals manufacturer, Electrolube, holds environmental responsibility at the core of its ethos so when the opportunity came to utilise a low global-warming-potential (GWP) propellant in some of its key products, the company quickly recognised the benefits this would create for its customers and the environment, without any compromise in performance. The Solstice™ Propellant, also referred to as HFO-1234ze, is an ultra low GWP (6) blowing agent and aerosol propellant with the ability to reduce equivalent CO2 emissions by more than 99.5% over preceding technology. Electrolube is now leveraging the low carbon benefits of Solstice™ 1234ze in its air-dusters and freezer sprays.
As a company committed to innovation and environmental responsibility, Electrolube’s R&D department had been seeking a replacement for the HFC134a propellant used in producing aerosols, because whilst it provided excellent non-flammable performance, it also showed moderate Global Warming Potential (GWP). Air-dusters are used in a variety of applications to remove dust and airborne contamination from very delicate or inaccessible areas of electrical and electronic equipment. Freezer sprays are also used by the industry for fault finding, helping to identify and to cool overheating electrical components. It is vital that products supplied for these purposes are non-flammable, because they are often used when equipment is switched on and ‘live’.
Both Electrolube's FREH Freezer refrigerant and its EADH Air Duster now benefit from Solstice™ Propellant, offering the electronics industry the benefits of low environmental impact combined with high performance.
“We looked at hydrocarbon alternatives, but these were flammable and therefore posed a risk to health and safety in the working environment,” says Ron Jakeman, Managing Director of HK Wentworth Group, “So when Solstice™ Propellant was introduced to us, with its very low GWP, zero Ozone Depletion and non-flammable qualities, it provided a viable alternative and a perfect fit for our environmental policy.”
The benefits to customers include 20% more blasts per can and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. Replacing one 200ml can of duster containing HFC134a with the equivalent containing Solstice™ 1234ze results in a remarkable reduction of CO2 emissions of 347.5Kg. By way of example, 347.5 Kg reduced CO2 emissions is the equivalent to flying 1632 air miles (3021 Km), the annual CO2 absorption of 139 new trees and driving 2896 Km which is 21% of average Km driven by a typical passenger car or the approximate distance from Berlin to Malaga.
Solstice™ is a Halo-Olefin (HFO) with extraordinary low-carbon benefits. For instance, CO2 molecules reside in the atmosphere for years, which is why they are capable of absorbing so much heat, whereas HFOs disappear in days. Once released into the atmosphere, Solstice™ 1234ze has a measured atmospheric lifetime of two weeks compared to fourteen years for HFC134a.
The ability to harness the benefits of Solstice™ Propellant means that Electrolube can now extend their marketing activities into territories where the use of HFC134a was not authorised. Karen Harrison, Group Marketing Manager at HK Wentworth, says, “Not only does this present us with new growth opportunities for our products, it also underlines our commitment to protecting the environment, which is such an important part of the whole business ethos within the Group.”
Electrolube, part of the HK Wentworth Group, is a leading manufacturer of contact lubricants, conformal coatings, thermally conductive materials, resins and service and maintenance products. For further information about the FREH Freezer refrigerant and EADH Air Duster, please visit www.electrolube.com.
